brain anatomy Flashcards
axon
the extension of a neuron, ending in branching, terminal fibers through which messages pass to other neurons
afferent nerve fibers
cary impulses toward the central nervous system
cerebellum
the “little brain” attached to the real of the brainstem; it helps coordinate voluntary movement and balance
dendrites
receive messages from other cells
endocrine system
collection of glands of an organism that secrete hormones directly into the circulatory system to be carried towards a distant target organ
hormones
chemical messengers, mostly those manufactured by the endocrine glands, that are produced in one tissue and affect another
limbic system
a doughnut-shaped system of neural structures at the border of the brainstem and cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions such as fear and aggression and drives
motor neurons
neurons that carry outgoing information from the central nervous system to the muscles and glands
parasympathetic nervous system
the division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy
recessive gene
gene that produces its characteristic phenotype only when its allele is identical
soma
cell body
synapse
a structure that permits a neuron to pass an electrical or chemical signal to another cell
thalamus
the brain’s sensory switchboard, located on top of the brainstem; it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replied to the cerebellum and medulla
neurotransmitters
chemical messengers that traverse the synaptic gaps between neurons
brain stem
the oldest part and central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull; the brainstem is responsible for automatic survival functions
agonists
a drug molecule that is similar enough to the neurotransmitter to mimic its effects
basal ganglia
associated with a variety of functions including; control of voluntary motor movements, procedural learning, routine behaviors, eye movements, cognition and emotion
cingulate cortex
an integral part of the limbic system, which is involved with emotion formation and processing, learning, and memory
efferent fibers
carry nerve impulses away from the central nervous system
gilal cells
primary function is to nourish the nerve cell
hypothamamus
a neural structure lying below the thalamus; it directs several maintenance activities (eating, drinking, body temperature), helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion
medulla
the base of the brainsteam; controls heartbeat and breathing
nucleus accumbens
pleasure including laughter, reward, and reinforcement learning, as well as fear, aggression, impulsivity, addiction, and the placebo effect
peripheral nervous system
the sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous sytem to the rest of the body
