3. Neurscience and Behaviour Flashcards
Neurons
Cells in the nervous system that communicate with one another to perform information-processing tasks
Cell soma
The part of a neuron that coordinates information-processing tasks and keeps the cells alive
Dendrites
The part of a neuron that receives information from other neurons and relays it to the cell body
Axon
The part of a neuron that carries information to other neurons, muscles, or glands
Synapse
The junction or region between the axon of one neuron and the dendrites or cell body of another
Myelin sheath
An insulating layer of fatty material
Glial cells
Support cells found in the nervous system
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 a neuron’s axon to a synapse
Terminal buttons
Knoblike structures that branch out from an axon
Neurotransmitters
Chemicals that transmit information across the synapse to a receiving neuron's dendrites Acetylcholine Dopamine Glutamate Serotonin Norepinephrine Endorphins
Receptors
Parts of the cell membrane that receive the neurotransmitter and initiate or prevent a new electric signal
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
The part of the nervous system that is composed of the brain and spinal cord
Peripheral nervous system
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 conveys information between voluntary muscles and CNS
Autonomic nervous system
A set of nerves that carries involuntary and automatic commands that control blood vessels, body organs, and glands
Sympathetic nervous system
A set of nerves that prepares the body for action in challenging or threatening situation
Parasympathetic nervous system
A set of nervous that helps 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
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
Filters sensory information
Shuts pathways during sleep
Hypothalamus
A subcortical structure that regulates body temperature, hunger, thirst, and sexual behaviour
Lesions result in overeating or lack of appetite
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
Adrenocorticotropic hormone activates sympathetic nervous system
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 that plays a central role in many emotional processes, particularly the formation of emotional memories
Basal ganglia
A set of subcortical structures that directs intentional movements
Cerebral cortex
The outermost layer of the brain, visible to the naked eye and divided into two hemispheres
Corpus callosum, occipital lobe, parietal lobe, temporal lobe, frontal lobe
Corpus callosum
A thick band of nerve fibers 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
Temporal lobe
A region of the cerebral cortex responsible for hearing and language
Frontal lobe
A region of the cerebral cortex that has specialized areas for movement, abstract thinking, planning, memory, and judgement
Sets humans apart from other species
Association areas
Areas of the cerebral cortex that are composed of neurons that help provide sense and meaning to information registered in the cortex
Mirror neurons
Neurons that are active when an animal performs a behaviour, such as reaching for or manipulating an object, and are also activated when another animal observes that animal performing the same behaviour
Gene
The major unit of hereditary transmission
Chromosomes
Strands of DNA wound around each other in a double-helix configuration
Epigenetics
Environmental influences that determine whether or not genes are expressed, without altering the basic DNA sequences that constitute the genes themselves
Where is language processed?
Largely in the left hemisphere
Midbrain
Tegmentum and tectum
Hindbrain
Reticular formation, medulla, cerebellum, pons
Forebrain
Subcortical structures, cerebral cortex
Contralateral control
One side of the brain controls the other side of the body
Somatosensory cortex
Represents the skin areas on the contralateral surface of the body
Behind motor cortex
Motor cortex
Initiates voluntary movements
Sends messages to basal ganglia, cerebellum, spinal cord
In front of somatosensory cortex
Different parts correspond to different body parts
Homunculus
Little man
Giri and sulci
Smooth and indentations on brain
Amphetamine
Stimulates release of norepinephrine and dopamine
