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Psych 207 > Brain Basics > Flashcards

Brain Basics Flashcards

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1
Q

Brain is composed of

A

neurons, glia, stem cells, blood vessels

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2
Q

Brain Cells are not

A

Replaced. No adult neurogenesis.

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3
Q

Humans have the highest brain

A

neuron density

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4
Q

The neuron is composed of

A

Dendrite -> soma -> axon -> terminals

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5
Q

Pyramidal shaped neuron

A

Has apical and basal long dendrites.

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6
Q

Stellate shaped neuron

A

Neuron with star like shape. Dendrites in all directions

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7
Q

Purkinje shaped neuron

A

Very thin dendrites in a dense configuration, like roots.

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8
Q

Projection neurons (Shape, function)

A

Long axon. Projects from one brain area to another brain area.
Example: Medium spiny projection neurons (MSNs) 96% of neurons

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9
Q

Interneurons (Shape, function)

A 
Star shaped. 
Axons project locally. 
Modify the signals.
Often inhibitory in nature.
Can synchronize the activity of projection neurons. 
Can gate information.
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10
Q

Glial Cells - Microglia

A

It spots problems and “hunts it”, they engulf the problem. (Like the immune system of your brain.)

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11
Q

Glial Cells - Astrocytes

A

The most abundant.
Regulates the environment of synapses.
Mediates needs and how active the brain is

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12
Q

Glial Cells - Oligodendrocytes

A

Their function is to myelinate multiple axons at once in the central nervous system

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13
Q

Glial Cells - Schwann cells

A

Work in the Peripheral nervous system.

They wrap around axons of motor and sensory neurons to form the myelin sheath.

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14
Q

The Tripartite synapse

A

2 neurons and 1 glial cell wrapped around the synaptic site

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15
Q

Astrocyte in Tripartite synapse

A

Astrocytes release signals in synapse, shaping conditions. Helps with cleaning of NTs. They release D-serine.

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16
Q

D-serine

A

Astrocytes release this to the site to manipulate ???
glutamatergic contribution to central chemoreception
D-Serine activates glutamate receptors that are involved in the formation of new synapses, which are important for learning and memory

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17
Q

Gray matter

A

Cell bodies of the neurons and unmyelinated neurons (like interneurons)

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18
Q

White matter

A

Myelinated axons

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19
Q

Anatomical dimensions

Anterior and posterior

A

Front and back (brain) up and down (spine)
(in most animals it is just front and back)
Varies on a Z-axis

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20
Q

Anatomical dimensions

Left Lateral, Right lateral and Medial

A

Varies on a X-axis. from left to right

21
Q

Anatomical dimensions

Dorsal and ventral

A

Dorsal = superior (top of the head)
Ventral = inferior (bottom surface)
Varies on a Y-Axis on the brain

22
Q

Peripheral nervous system

A

Somatic and autonomic

23
Q

Somatic system

A

Neurons we can control consciously.

Can be Afferent or efferent

24
Q

Autonomic system

A

Neurons our brains control automatically
Can be Afferent or efferent
The autonomic efferent can be sympathetic or parasympathetic

25
Q

Afferent nervous system

A

Nerve impulses from sensory stimuli towards the central nervous system

26
Q

Efferent nervous system

A

motor neurons that carry neural impulses away from the central nervous system and towards muscles to cause movement.

27
Q

Autonomic efferent nervous system

A

Can be sympathetic - mobilize - or parasympathetic - rest and digest.

28
Q

Drugs often act the autonomic…

A

Efferent nervous system. on the sympathetic or parasympathetic

29
Q

Major divisions of the brain

A

Forebrain
Midbrain
Hindbrand

30
Q

Forebrain

A

Cerebral cortex, basal ganglia, thalamus, hypothalamus, pituitary gland, limbic system, and the olfactory bulb

31
Q

Hindbrain (components and function)

A

cerebellum, pons, medulla. Governs most basic functions of body.

32
Q

Convolutions
Gyrus
Sulcus/ fissures

A

Gyrus - outward fold

Sulcus/ fissures - Inward fold

33
Q

Lobes of the brain

Named after the bones

A 
Frontal 
Parietal 
Occipital 
Temporal 
Cerebellum
34
Q

Brain Nuclei

A

Grey matter clusters under the cortex

35
Q

Hypothalamus

A

In the forebrain, cluster of nuclei.
Each has very specific roles. (eating, aggression, sexual behaviors)
Evolutionarily interesting roles, no conscious control over

36
Q

Limbic ‘system’

A

Nuclei below the cortex

Emotion and behaviour

37
Q

Nucleus accumbens

A

Ventral striatum. Part of basal ganglia. Plays a critical role in addiction and motivation.

38
Q

What parts of the brain controls voluntary movement?

A

Prefrontal cortex, premotor cortex, motor cortex, basal ganglia, pons, cerebellum, more

39
Q

Long term memory

A

hippocampus (important in consolidation), basal ganglia very important for learning

40
Q

Short term (working) memory

A

the frontal lobe of the cerebral cortex

41
Q

Cerebral blood flow

no redundancy of supply

A

Left internal carotid
Right internal carotid
Vertebral - 2

42
Q

Blood-brain barriers

A

Protects the brain - astrocytes. doesn’t let most things into the brain.

We need drugs that pass this barrier.
Active transport for large molecules

43
Q

Skull and meninges - protection

Layers?

A

Dura mater
Arachnoid mater
fluid between arachnoid and pia
Pia mater

44
Q

Polymorphisms

A

Genetic Differences between individuals

45
Q

Epigenetics

A

Some drugs, activities and trauma can alter the way the DNA is stored. How tightly or loosely packed it is. Makes it harder or easier to transcript

46
Q

Neurogenetics

A

All the genes that are related to the nervous system

47
Q

Knockout animals

A

We block or decrease a gene in the animal so it doesn’t express a trait

48
Q

Conditional Knockout animals

A

rats normal until they are adult, but something in environment will knockout a gene (and therefore protein)

49
Q

Glial cells

A 
Provide supporting functions to the nervous system.
microglia
astrocytes
oligodendrocytes
schwann cells

Psych 207 (9 decks)

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