3. Brain and Nervous System Flashcards
Autonomic nervous system (ANS)
Branch of the PNS- connects the CNS and the body’s visceral (non-skeletal) organs, muscles and glands
Axon
the long strand-like part of a neuron that conducts electrical impulses away from the cell body towards the terminal buttons
Axon terminals
the ends of a neuron that release neurotransmitters (chemical messages) into the synapse
Brain
(CNS) - an organ that coordinates thought, behaviour and nervous system activity
Broca’s area
the area of the left frontal lobe responsible for the production of speech
Central nervous system (CNS)
the brain and spinal cord
Cerebral cortex
the thin outer layer of the cerebrum
Cerebrum
the largest part of the brain, including the outer cerebral cortex, responsible for a range of sophisticated functions
Computerised tomography (CT)
neuroimaging technique- involves taking continuous two-dimensional x-ray images of a person’s brain or body in order to provide both two and three-dimensional images (STRUCTURAL TECHNIQUE)
Contralateral functions
**Contra = opposite
Lateral= sides **
Contralateral= Left hemisphere processes sensory and motor info for right side of body and vice versa
Dendrites
the bushy spines of a neuron that extend from the soma and receive messages (neurotransmitters) from other neurons
Dopamine
a neurotransmitter responsible for the coordination of voluntary movement and experiences of pleasure
Frontal lobe
the largest lobe of the cerebral cortex located at the front of the cerebral hemispheres.
Functions- higher-order mental processes, regulation and expression of emotions, personality, voluntary movement and the production speech
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
a neuroimaging technique that uses magnetic and radio fields to take two and three-dimensional images of the brain and its activity levels (STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION)
Glial cells
a specialised cell that protects and supports neurons and their functioning
Hemispheric specialisation
the idea that each of the brain’s cerebral halves has its own specific roles
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
a neuroimaging technique that uses magnetic and radio fields to take two and three-dimensional images of the brain (STRUCTURAL)
Motor messages
information about voluntary movement transmitted FROM the CNS TO the skeletal muscles
Myelin
the fat and protein substance that surrounds and insulates the axon of a neuron, and speeds up neural transmission
Neuroimaging
a range of techniques used to capture images of the brain’s structure, function and activities
Neuron
a **nerve cell **responsible for transmitting, receiving, and processing information
Neurotransmission
the process in which a neuron sends a message
Occipital lobe
the rearmost lobe of the cerebral cortex behind the parietal lobe, with the primary function of processing visual stimuli
Parasympathetic nervous system
a branch of the ANS responsible for returning and maintaining the body’s visceral organs, muscles and glands at optimal and balanced functioning (homeostasis)
Parietal lobe
the lobe of the cerebral cortex behind the frontal lobe with the functions of receiving and processing sensory stimuli and spatial awareness
Peripheral nervous system (PNS)
all nerves outside the CNS, responsible for carrying information to and from the CNS
Positron emission tomography (PET)
a neuroimaging technique that uses a scanning device to take coloured images of the brain, showing its functional activity by tracing the levels of a radioactive substance in the brain
Postsynaptic neuron
the neuron that receives a message from the synapse
Presynaptic neuron
the neuron that releases a message into the synapse
Primary auditory cortex
the area of the temporal lobe that is responsible for the perception of sound
Primary motor cortex
an area of the frontal lobe that initiates voluntary movements by sending motor neural messages to our skeletal muscles
Primary somatosensory cortex
the area of the parietal lobe responsible for receiving and processing sensory information from the skin and body
Primary visual cortex
the area of the occipital lobe involved in receiving visual information from the sensory receptors located on the retina of our eyes
Reticular formation
structure of neurons extending along the brain stem, connecting various parts of the brain and spinal cord via pathways and projections
Sensory messages
information about the body’s sensations transmitted FROM the PNS TO the CNS
Sensory receptors
the receptors on a neuron that specialise in receiving information about specific kinds of sensory stimuli
Skeletal muscles
muscles connected to the skeleton that are involved in conscious, voluntary movement
Somatic nervous system (SNS)
the branch of the PNS responsible for sending motor information from the CNS to the body’s skeletal muscles, and bringing sensory information from the body to the CNS in order to formulate voluntary responses
Spinal cord
a long cable of nerve tissue connecting the brain to the peripheral nervous system, responsible for carrying motor information from the brain, and sensory information from the body
Sympathetic nervous system
a branch of the ANS responsible for activating the body’s visceral organs, muscles, and glands for increased activity or when under threat
Synapse
the area in which neurotransmission occurs between two neurons, including the sending end of the presynaptic neuron, the gap between two neurons, and the receiving end of the postsynaptic neuron
Synaptic gap
the space between two neurons into which a neuronal message is transmitted
Temporal lobe
the lower central lobe of the cerebral cortex, responsible for auditory perception, as well as being involved in memory, face and object recognition and emotional responses
Thalamus
a structure comprising two egg-shaped globes within the forebrain, primarily involved as a relay centre and filtering system for sensory and motor signals, as well as regulating arousal, attention and activity
Visceral muscles organs glands
the body’s non-skeletal muscles, organs and glands
Wernicke’s area
the area of the temporal lobe responsible for the comprehension of speech
the Limbic System
combines higher mental functions and primitive emotion into one system.
Amygdala
a small, almond-shaped collection of neurons located deep inside the temporal lobe that forms a crucial part of the limbic system, a group of structures involved in emotional reactions. It is mainly responsible for processing fear.
Damage to Amygdala
Loss of fear response, impaired decision-making, memory loss, hypervigilance
Hippocampus
found deep in the temporal lobe and is shaped like a seahorse. It plays an essential role in the formation of new memories about past experiences. It is responsible for general declarative memory (memories that can be explicitly verbalized, such as memory of facts and episodic memory).
Damage to Hippocampus
can experience a loss of memory and a loss of the ability to make new, long-term memories. Associated with illnesses such as Alzheimer’s Disease and severe depression.
Damage to the Thalamus
associated with risk of coma. Can lead to sensory changes in a body part. Can also cause movement disorders, lack of movement (motor disturbances).
Hypothalamus
Links the nervous system to the endocrine system. Responsible for temperature regulation, controlling appetite, maintaining daily physiological cycles, regulating fluid balance, regulating blood pressure, regulating the autonomic nervous syste, managing sexual arousal, regulating emotional responses
Damage to Hypothalamus
Lesions to this area interfere with several unconscious functions (such as respiration and metabolism) and some so-called motivated behaviors like sexuality, combativeness, and hunger. The lateral (side) parts of the hypothalamus seem to be involved with pleasure and rage, while the medial (middle) part is linked to aversion, displeasure, and a tendency for uncontrollable and loud laughter.
