Biological processes(ch.3) Flashcards
neuroscience
interdisciplinary field of study. purpose is to understand brain and its relation to behavior.
resting potential
tiny electrical charge in between inside and outside of the resting neuron.
action potential
all-or-none electrical signal that travels down a neuron.
two types of messages that can be passed between neurons are:
excitatory messages and inhibitory messages.
depolarization (excitatory message)
sodium ion+ flows into cell by channel. Eventually turning the negative electrical potential of cell to be zero.
hyperpolarization (inhibitory message)
either push out +ions or allow -ions into cell. Making more negative electrical potential in cell.
saltatory conduction
transmission from node to node
neurotransmitters (chemical messengers)
relay information from one neuron to the next.
glutamate
(most common neurotransmitter in brain)
Which message is it involved in? excitatory or inhibitory ?
usually an excitatory neurotransmitter.
acetylcholine (neurotransmitter)
plays multiple roles in the central and peripheral nervous systems,
including the excitation of muscle contractions.
dopamine (neurotransmitter)
linked to reward and pleasure systems in brain.
decreased levels linked to Parkinson disease, and increased levels linked to schizophrenia.
serotonin (neurotransmitter)
linked to sleep, dreaming, and general arousal.
GABA (neurotransmitter)
may play a role in regulation of anxiety, produces inhibitory effects.
endorphins (chemicals)
Morphinelike chemicals that act as brain’s natural painkillers.
refractory period (something to do with action potential )
period of time following an action potential, when more action potentials cannot be generated.
central nervous system
brain & spinal cord
peripheral nervous system
nerves network that links the central nervous system with the rest of the body.
nerves
bundles of axons that make up neural “transmission cables”
somatic system (collection of nerves; part of peripheral nervous system)
nerves collection that transmits info toward the brain, and connect to skeletal muscles to initiate movements.
autonomic system (collection of nerves; part of peripheral nervous system
nerves collection that controls the more automatic needs of the body(like heart rate, digestion, blood pressure)
electroencephalograph (EEG)
device used to monitor the gross electrical activity of the brain.
computerized tomography(CT) scan
use of highly focused X-rays to construct detailed anatomical maps of the living brain.
positron emission tomography (PET)
method for measuring how radioactive substances are absorbed in the brain; can be used to detect how specific tasks activate different areas of the living brain.
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
device that uses magnetic fields and radio-wave pulses to construct detailed, 3D images of the brain.
corpus callosum
collection of nerve fibers that connects the two cerebral hemispheres and allows information to pass from one side to the other.
endocrine glands
network of glands that uses the bloodstream, rather than neurons, to send chemical messages that regulate growth and other internal functions.
hormones
chemicals released into the blood by the various endocrine glands to help control a variety of internal regulatory functions.
adaptation
a trait that has been selected for by nature because it increases the reproductive “fitness” of the organism.
genotype
the actual genetic information inherited from one’s parents.
phenotype
a person’s observable characteristics, such as red hair. The phenotype is controlled mainly by the genotype, but it can also be influenced by the environment.
mutation
a spontaneous change in the genetic material that occurs during the gene replication process.
family studies
the similarities and differences among biological(blood) relatives are studied to help discover the role heredity plays in physical or psychological traits.
twin studies
Identical twins, who share genetic material, are compared to fraternal twins in an effort to determine the roles heredity and environment play in psychological traits.
parasympathetic system(Autonomic)
system that brings your body back to its resting “normal”
