Brain and behavior (BS 1) Flashcards
sensory neurons
aka afferent neurons; transmit from receptors to the spinal cord
motor neurons
aka efferent neurons; transmit from the brain/spinal cord to the muscles/glands
interneurons
most numerous located mainly in brain/spinal cord; linked to reflexive behavior
central nervous system (CNS)
composed of brain and spinal cord
peripheral nervous system (PNS)
composed of nerve tissue and fibers, connects the CNS to the rest of the body; subdivided into autonomic and somatic
autonomic nervous system (ANS)
involuntary branch of the PNS, controls involuntary function (ex. HR, temp, digestion); subdivided into parasympathetic and sympathetic
somatic nervous system
voluntary branch of the PNS, consists of sensory and motor neurons used to control body movement
sympathetic nervous system
subset of ANS, activated by stress, controls fight-or-flight response, increase HR and blood flow to muscle, decrease digestion, dilate eyes, release epinephrine
parasympathetic nervous system
subset of ANS, conserves energy and is associated with rest/sleep, reduce HR, constrict pupils, release acetylcholine
limbic system
associated with emotion and memory, includes septal nuclei, amygdala, hippocampus
thalamus
located in forebrain, relay station for incoming sensory information, sends info to cerebral cortex
hypothalamus
regulates homeostatic functions; Feeding, Fighting, Flighting, (sex) Function; divided into lateral, ventromedial, and anterior
lateral hypothalamus (LH)
triggers eating and drinking
ventromedial hypothalamus (VH)
satiety center, provides signals to stop eating
anterior hypothalamus
controls sexual behavior
posterior pituitary
releases hypothalamic hormones (ADH and oxytocin)
pineal gland
secretes melatonin, important in biological rhythms
basal ganglia
maintains steady posture and smooth movement; common illnesses: parkinsons, schizophrenia, OCD
amygdala
part of the limbic system associated with aggression and fear
hippocampus
part of the limbic system involved in learning and memory
anterograde amnesia
inability to establish new long-term memories
retrograde amnesia
memory loss of events from before a brain injury
neurulation (prenatal)
ectoderm furrows over the notochord, forming the neural crest and neural tube
primitive reflexes
disappear with age; includes rooting reflex, Moro reflex, Babinski reflex, and grasping reflex
developmental milestones
gross motor skills progress from head to toe and from the core outward
social skills start off parent-oriented, then self-oriented, then other-oriented
