AP PSYCHOLOGY

BIOLOGICAL BASES OF BEHAVIOR

BIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY

Question [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
Neuron Y receives excitatory signals from other neurons. Although this neuron can receive and process theses excitatory signals, it cannot send any information to other neurons. Which part of neuron Y is most likely damaged?
A
axon
B
dendrite
C
soma
D
autonomic
Explanation: 

Detailed explanation-1: -If the neurotransmitter is excitatory, the influx of positive ions will depolarize (bring closer to zero) the cell body. If the neurotransmitter is inhibitory, it will hyperpolarize the cell body. However, a single vesicle of neurotransmitter isn’t enough to depolarize the cell body.

Detailed explanation-2: -Dendrite – The receiving part of the neuron. Dendrites receive synaptic inputs from axons, with the sum total of dendritic inputs determining whether the neuron will fire an action potential.

Detailed explanation-3: -At the junction between two neurons (synapse), an action potential causes neuron A to release a chemical neurotransmitter. The neurotransmitter can either help (excite) or hinder (inhibit) neuron B from firing its own action potential.

Detailed explanation-4: -An axon terminal. Neurotransmitters are located in a part of the neuron called the axon terminal. They’re stored within thin-walled sacs called synaptic vesicles. Each vesicle can contain thousands of neurotransmitter molecules.

There is 1 question to complete.