3: Neuroscience and Behaviour Flashcards
Neurons
Cells in the nervous system that communicate with one another to perform information-processing tasks
Glia
Cells that support the functionality of neutrons by providing physical support, supplying nutrients and enhancing neuronal communication
Cell Body
The part of a neutron that coordinates information-processing tasks and keeps the cell alive
Dendrites
The part of a neutron that receives information from other neutrons and relays it to the cell body
Axon
The part of a neutron that transmits information to other neurons, muscles or glands
Myelin sheath
An insulating layer of fatty material made up of glial cells
Synapse
The juncture or region between the axon of one neuron and the dendrites or cell body of another
Sensory neurons
Neurons that receive information from the external world and convey this information to the brain via the spinal cord
Motor neurons
Neurons that carry signals from the spinal cord to the muscles to produce movement
Interneurons
Neurons that connect sensory neurons, motor neurons or other interneurons
Resting potential
The difference in electric charge between the inside and outside of a neuron’s cell membrane
Action potential
An electric signal that is conducted along the length of a neuron’s axon to a synapse
Refractory period
The time following an action potential during which a new action potential cannot be initiated
Terminal buttons
Knoblike structures that branch out from an axon
Neurotransmitters
Chemicals that transmit information across the synapse to a receiving neuron’s dendrites
Receptors
Parts of the cell membrane that receive neurotransmitters and initiate a new electric signal
Acetylcholine (ACH)
A neurotransmitter involved in a number of functions, including voluntary motor control
Dopamine
A neurotransmitter that regulates motor behaviour, motivation, pleasure and emotional arousal
Glutamate
A major excitatory neurotransmitter involved in information transmission throughout the brain
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)
The primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain
Noradrenaline
A neurotransmitter that influences mood and arousal
Serotonin
A neurotransmitter involved in the regulation of sleep and wakefulness, eating and aggressive behaviour
Endorphins
Chemicals that act within the pain pathways and emotion centres of the brain
Agonists
Drugs that increase the action of a neurotransmitter
Antagonists
Drugs that block the function of a neurotransmitter
Nervous system
An interacting network of neurons that conveys electrochemical information throughout the body
Central nervous system (CNS)
The part of the nervous system that is composed of the brain and spinal cord
Peripheral nervous system (PNS)
The part of the nervous system that connects the central nervous system to the body’s organs and muscles
Somatic nervous system
A set of nerves that convey information in and out of the central nervous system
Autonomic nervous system (ANS)
A set of nerves that carry involuntary and automatic commands that control blood vessels, body organs and glands
Sympathetic nervous system
A set of nerves that prepare the body for action in threatening situations
Parasympathetic nervous system
A set of nerves that help the body return to a normal resting state
Spinal reflexes
Simple pathways in the nervous system that rapidly generate muscle contractions
Hindbrain
An area of the brain that coordinates information coming into and out of the spinal cord
Medulla
An extension of the spinal cord into the skull that coordinates heart rate, circulation and respiration
Reticular formation
A brain structure that regulates sleep, wakefulness and levels of arousal
Cerebellum
A large structure of the hindbrain that controls fine motor skills
Pons
A brain structure that relays information from the cerebellum to the rest of the brain
Tectum
A part of the midbrain that orients an organism in the environment
Tegmentum
A part of the midbrain that is involved in movement and arousal
Cerebral cortex
The outermost layer of the brain, visible to the naked eye and divided into two hemispheres
Subcortical structures
Areas of the forebrain housed under the cerebral cortex near the very centre of the brain
Thalamus
A subcortical structure that relays and filters information from the senses and transmits the information to the cerebral cortex
Hypothalamus
A subcortical structure that regulates body temperature, hunger, thirst and sexual behaviour
Pituitary gland
The ‘master gland’ of the body’s hormone-producing system, which releases hormones that direct the functions of many other glands in the body
Limbic system
A group of forebrain structures, which include the hypothalamus, the amygdala and the hippocampus, which are involved in motivation, emotion, learning and memory
Hippocampus
A structure critical for creating new memories and integrating them into a network of knowledge so that they can be stored indefinitely in other parts of the cerebral cortex
Amygdala
A part of the limbic system, located at the tip of each horn of the hippocampus, that plays a central role in many emotional processes, particularly the formation of emotional memories
Basal ganglia
A set of subcortical structures that direct intentional movements
Corpus callosum
A thick band of nerve fibres that connects large areas of the cerebral cortex on each side of the brain and supports communication of information across the hemispheres
Occipital lobe
A region of the cerebral cortex that processes visual information
Parietal lobe
A region of the cerebral cortex whose functions include processing information about touch
Somatosensory cortex
The outermost layer of the parietal lobe area containing a representation of the body map
Mirror neurons
Cells that are active when performing an action oneself or when observing the same action performed by another
Temporal lobe
A region of the cerebral cortex responsible for hearing and language
Frontal lobe
A region of the cerebral cortex that has specialised areas for movement, abstract thinking, planning, memory and judgement
Association areas
Areas of the cerebral cortex that are composed of neurons that help provide sense and meaning to information registered in the cortex
Primary visual cortex
The outermost layer of the occipital lobe area where visual information is processed
Primary auditory cortex
The outermost layer of the temporal lobe where auditory information is processed
Gene
The unit of hereditary transmission
Chromosomes
Strands of DNA wound around each other in a double-helix configuration
Epigenetics
The mechanisms of interaction between the environment and genes
Genetic methylation
A mechanism that silences a gene and is believed to play a major role in long-term changes that shape our development
Heritability
A measure of the variability of behavioural traits among individuals that can be accounted for by genetic factors
Vegetative state
A state of wakefulness without awareness and overt communication
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
A device used to record electrical activity in the brain
Computerised axial tomography (CT)
A technique that recombines multiple X-ray photographs into a single image
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
A technique that uses a powerful magnet to cause charged molecules in soft tissue to realign to produce measurable field distortions
Positron emission tomography (PET)
A technique that uses radioactive marks to measure blood flow in the brain
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
A technique that uses a powerful magnet to cause haemoglobin molecules to realign to measure blood flow in the brain
Blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signal
A measure of relative blood flow to locations that are activated in the brain
