Neurophysiology of Sensory Systems and Processing Study Guide
This guide covers the generation and propagation of action potentials, the mechanics of voltage-gated ion channels, repolarization, hyperpolarization, refractory periods, and the influence of extracellular ion concentrations on neuron excitability. It is suitable for students of neurophysiology and related biological sciences.
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Nervous System Organization and Function
Nervous System Overview and Organization
The nervous system mediates systemic homeostatic processes through electrical signals and chemical neurotransmitters to organize and control human behavior.
- Homeostasis
- Central Nervous System (CNS)
- Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
- Afferent Division
- Neural Reflex
- Endocrine Reflex
- Neurotransmitters
- Autonomic Division
- Somatic Division
Neuron Structure and Functional Classification
Cells of the Nervous System
The neuron serves as the functional unit of the nervous system, consisting of dendrites, cell body, axon, and axon terminals.
- Neuron anatomy
- Dendrites
- Cell Body
- Nodes of Ranvier
- Saltatory Conduction
- Axon Terminals
- Sensory Neurons
- Motor Neurons
- Interneurons
Electrical Signals and Neural Reflexes
Electrical Signals and Synapses in Neurons
This content explores electrical signals in neurons, specifically comparing graded potentials and action potentials within the nervous system.
- Graded Potentials
- Action Potentials
- Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials (EPSP)
- Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potentials (IPSP)
- Threshold Potential
- Depolarization
- Hyperpolarization
- Nernst Potentials
- Reflex Arc
- Central Nervous System (CNS)
- Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
Postsynaptic Activation and Neurotransmitter Mechanisms
Neurotransmitters, Neuromodulators, and Synaptic Transmission
This content explores the synthesis, release, and removal of neurotransmitters and neuromodulators, including acetylcholine, catecholamines, serotonin, amino acids, and neuropeptides, and their pharmacological interventions.
- Presynaptic neuron
- Neurotransmitter synthesis
- Synaptic cleft
- Reuptake
- Neuromodulators
- Acetylcholine
- Cholinergic receptors
- Nicotinic receptors
- Biogenic amines
- Catecholamines
- Dopamine
- Norepinephrine
- Epinephrine
- Serotonin
- Amino acid neurotransmitters
- Glutamate
- Neuropeptides
- Postsynaptic integration
Neurotransmitters, Neuromodulators, and Synaptic Transmission
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Neurophysiology of Sensory Systems and Coding
Neurophysiology of Sensory Systems and Processing
Sensory receptors detect stimuli to generate receptor potentials and transmit information via afferent neurons to the CNS for processing, perception, and homeostatic response.
- Sensory transduction
- Sensory receptors
- Afferent neurons
- Central nervous system integration
- Sensation vs perception
- Somatic and visceral sensations
- Modality and adequate stimulus
- Mechanoreceptors
- Chemoreceptors
- Thermoreceptors
- Nociceptors
- Photoreceptors
- Receptor potentials
- Sensory adaptation
- Phasic and tonic receptors
- Sensory unit
- Receptive field
Neurophysiology of Sensory Systems and Processing
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Neurophysiology of Sensory Coding
Information regarding labeled lines, sensory coding of modality, stimulus intensity, and stimulus location through receptive fields and lateral inhibition.
- Labeled Lines
- First-order Neuron
- Second-order Neuron
- Third-order Neurons
- Sensory Coding
- Modality Coding
- Adequate Stimulus
- Receptive Fields
- Frequency Coding
- Population Coding
- Receptor Recruitment
- Stimulus Location Acuity
- Two-point threshold
- Lateral Inhibition
Systemic Homeostatic Processes Mediated by NS
Systemic Homeostatic Processes and Neurophysiology
A systemic homeostatic process mediated by the nervous system involves reflex receptors, afferent pathways, integrating centers, efferent pathways, and effectors.
- Reflex Receptor
- Afferent Pathway
- Integrating Center
- Efferent Pathway
- Effector
- Negative Feedback
- Positive Feedback
- Exteroceptors
- Proprioceptors
- Interoceptors
- Somatic Motor
- Autonomic Motor
- Glial Cells
Action Potential Generation and Propagation
Action Potentials and Ion Channel Mechanics
Action potentials involve voltage-gated Na+ and K+ channels that regulate membrane potential through depolarization, repolarization, and hyperpolarization.
- Action potentials
- Voltage-gated Na+ channels
- Voltage-gated K+ channels
- Activation gate
- Inactivation gate
- Membrane potential
- Depolarization
- Repolarization
- Hyperpolarization
- Positive feedback loop
- Threshold voltage
- Neuron excitability
- Extracellular K+ concentration
- Extracellular Ca++ concentration
Action Potentials and Ion Channel Mechanics in Neurophysiology
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Neurophysiology of the Central Nervous System
Neurophysiology of the Cerebrum and Diencephalon
This content explores the anatomy and function of the cerebrum, including the cerebral cortex, subcortical nuclei, and the thalamus.
- Cerebral Cortex
- Cerebral Nuclei
- Commissures
- Association Fibers
- Frontal Lobe
- Occipital Lobe
- Temporal Lobe
- Primary and Secondary Cortical Areas
- Broca's Aphasia
- Subcortical Nuclei
- Corticobasal ganglia loop
- Huntington’s Chorea
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Limbic functions
Organization of the Peripheral Nervous System
Peripheral Nervous System Neurophysiology
An overview of the somatic, parasympathetic, and sympathetic divisions of the nervous system including neurotransmitters and adrenergic receptors.
- Parasympathetic nervous system
- Sympathetic nervous system
- Somatic nervous system
- Acetylcholine
- Norepinephrine
- Cholinergic receptors
- Nicotinic receptors
- Adrenergic receptors
- Alpha and beta receptors
- Effector organ responses
- Neurotransmitter mechanisms
Somatic Sensations and Pain Mechanisms
Somatic Sensations and Pain Neurophysiology
This content explores somatic sensations including touch, pressure, proprioception, thermal sensation, and the mechanisms of pain and nociception.
- Afferent fiber diameter
- Conduction velocity
- Mechanoreceptors
- Pacinian corpuscles
- Merkel's corpuscle
- Proprioceptors
- Muscle spindle
- Thermal sensation
- Transient Receptor Potential proteins
- Nociception
- Hyperalgesia
- Nociceptive pain
- Neuropathic pain
- Psychogenic pain
- Referred pain
- Descending analgesia system
- Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation
- Lateral inhibition
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