biology Flashcards
define central nervous system (CNS)
the portion of the nervous system that includes the brain and spinal cord; encased in bone
define action potential
an all or nothing electrical current conducted down the axon when the membrane potential reaches the threshold of excitation
define axon
part of the neuron extending off the soma, splitting many times to connect with other neurons
define brain stem
the trunk of the brain
what are the 4 main parts of the brain stem
medulla, pons, midbrain, diencephalon
define broca’s area
area in the frontal lobe of the left hemisphere implicated in language production
define cerebellum
the distinctive structure at the back of the brain (small brain)
define cerebrum
largest part of the brain, typically referring to the cerebral cortex and associated white matter
define contralateral
the 2 hemispheres of the brain process sensory information and motor commands for the opposite side of the body
define corpus callosum
thick bundle of nerve cells that connect the two hemispheres of the brain and allow them to communicate
define dendrites
part of a neuron that extends away from the cell body, and is the main receiving input of the neuron
define diffuse optical imaging (DOI)
a neuroimaging technique that infers brain activity by measuring changes in light as it passes through the skull and surface of the brain
define electroencephalography (EEG)
a neuroimaging technique that measures electrical brain activity via multiple electrodes on the scalp
define frontal lobe
the front most part of the cerebrum responsible for motor output and planning, language, judgment, and decision making
define functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
a neuroimaging technique that infers brain activity by measuring changes in oxygen levels in the blood
define limbic system
includes the subcortical structures of the amygdala and hippocampal formation as well as some cortical structures; responsible for aversion and gratification
define myelin sheath
fatty tissue insulating the axons of the neurons, that is necessary for normal conduction of electrical impulses among neurons
define nervous system
the body’s network for electrochemical communication including all of the nerve cells in the body
define neuron
an individual brain cell