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PSYC 101 > 4 > Flashcards

4 Flashcards

1
Q

Central Nervous System (CNS)

A

brain and the spinal cord

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2
Q

Spinal Cord

A

a long, thin collection of nerve cells attached to the base of the brain and running the length of the spinal column

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3
Q

Nerve

A

a bundle of fibres that transmits information between the CNS and the body’s muscles, sense organs and gland

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4
Q

Peripheral Nervous System

A

the cranial and spinal nerves that part off the CNS

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5
Q

Cranial Nerve

A

a bundle of nerve fibres attached to the base of the brain; conveys sensory information from the face and head and carries messages to muscles and glands

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6
Q

Spinal Nerve

A

a bundle of nerve fibres attached to the spinal cord; conveys sensory information from the body and carries messages to muscles and glands

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7
Q

Brain Stem

A

the ‘stem’ of the brain; including the medulla, pons and midbrain

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8
Q

Cerebral Hemisphere

A

the largest part of the brain; covered by the cerebral cortex and containing parts of the brain that have evolved most recently

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9
Q

Cerebellum

A

a pair of hemispheres resembling the central hemisphere but much smaller; controls posture and movements

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10
Q

Vertebra

A

one of the bones that encase the spinal cord and constitute the vertebral column

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11
Q

Meninges

A

the 3 layered set of membranes that enclose the brain and spinal cord

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12
Q

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

A

the liquid in which the brain and spinal cord float; provides a shock-absorbing cushion

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13
Q

Blood-Brain Barrier

A

a barrier between the blood and the brain produced by the cells in the walls of the brain’s capillaries; prevents some substances from passing from the blood into the brain

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14
Q

Cerebral Cortex

A

the outer layer of the cerebral hemispheres of the brain; approx 3mm thick

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15
Q

Grey Matter

A

the portions of the CNS that are abundant in cell bodies of neutrons rather than axons; colour appears grey relative to white matter

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16
Q

White Matter

A

the portions of the CNS that are abundant in axons rather than cell bodies of neutrons; colour derives from the presence of the axon’s myelin sheaths

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17
Q

Neuron

A

a nerve cell; consists of a cell body with dendrites and an axon whose branches end in terminal buttons that synapse with muscle fibres, gland cells or other neurons

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18
Q

Glial Cell

A
  • a cell of the CNS that provides support for neurons and supplies them with some essential chemicals
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19
Q

Dendrite

A

a tree-like part of a neuron on which other neurons form synapses

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20
Q

Soma

A

a cell body; largest part of a neuron

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21
Q

Dendritic Spine

A

a small bud-like protuberance on the surface of a neuron’s dendrite

22
Q

Axon

A

a long thin part of a neuron attached to the soma; divides into branches ending in terminal buttons

23
Q

Terminal Button

A

the rounded swelling at the end of the axon of a neuron; releases a neurotransmitter

24
Q

Neurotransmitter

A

a chemical released by the terminal buttons that cause the postsynaptic neutron to be excited or inhibited

25
Q

Myelin Sheath

A

he insulating material that encases most large axons

26
Q

Action Potential

A

a brief electrochemical event that is carried by an axon from the soma of the neuron to its terminal buttons; causes the release of a neurotransmitter

27
Q

Ion

A

positive or negatively charged particle

28
Q

Ion Channel

A

a special protein molecule located in the membrane of the cell; controls the entry/exit of particular ions

29
Q

Ion Transporter

A

a special protein molecule located in the membrane of a cell; actively transports ions into or out of the cell

30
Q

All-Or-None Law

A

the principle that once an action potential is triggered in an axon it is sent to the end of the axon

31
Q

Sensory Neuron

A

a neuron that detects changes in the external or internal environment and sends info about these changes to the CNS

32
Q

Motor Neuron

A

a neuron whose terminal buttons form synapses with muscle fibres. When an action potential travels down its axon the associated muscle fibres will twitch

33
Q

Synapse

A

the junction between the terminal button of one neutron and the membrane of a muscle fibre, gland or another neuron

34
Q

Presynaptic Membrane

A
  • a neuron whose terminal buttons form synapses with and excite or inhibit another neuron
35
Q

Postsynaptic Neuron

A
  • a neuron with which the terminal buttons of another neutron form synapses with and that is exited or inhibited by that neuron
36
Q

Synaptic Cleft

A

fluid filled space between the presynaptic and postsynaptic membranes; the terminal button releases a neurotransmitter into this space

37
Q

Neurotransmitter Receptor

A

a special protein molecule located in the membrane of the postsynaptic neuron that responds to molecules of the neurotransmitter

38
Q

Reuptake

A

the process by which a terminal button retrieves the molecules of a neurotransmitter that it has just released; terminates the effect of the neurotransmitter on the receptors of the postsynaptic neuron

39
Q

Glutamate

A

he most important excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain and spinal cord

40
Q

GABA

A

the most important inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain

41
Q

Barbiturate

A

a drug that causes sedation; one of several directives of barbituric acid

42
Q

Anti Anxiety Drug

A

a ‘tranquilizer’ which reduces anxiety

43
Q

Acetylcholine (ACh)

A

a neurotransmitter found in the brain, spinal cord and parts of the peripheral nervous system; responsible for muscular contraction

44
Q

Botulinum Toxin

A

a drug that prevents the release of acetylcholine by terminal buttons

45
Q

Black Widow Spider Venom

A

a drug that stimulates the release of acetylcholine by terminal buttons

46
Q

Neostigmine

A

a drug that enhances the effects of acetylcholine by blocking the enzyme that destroys it

47
Q

Nicotine

A

a drug that bind with and stimulates acetylcholine receptors; mimicking the effects of this neurotransmitter

48
Q

Curare

A
  • a drug that binds and blacks acetylcholine receptors, preventing the neurotransmitter from exerting its effects
49
Q

Monoamine

A

a category of neurotransmitters that include dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin

50
Q

Dopamine (DA)

A

a monoamine neurotransmitter involved in control of brain mechanisms of movement and reenforcement

51
Q

Parkinson’s Disease

A

a neurological disorder characterized by tremors rigidity of the limbs, poor balance and difficulty initiating movements; caused by degeneration of a system of dopamine secreting neurons

PSYC 101 (4 decks)

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