Brain & Behavior Flashcards
The central nervous system consists of:
Brain & spinal cord
Glial cells:
- Play a ___________ role to neurons (physically and metabolically)
- Help neurons _________ with each other
- Provide ________ to neurons
- Transport: _______ and ______ products
- Mediate _______ responses
supportive
closely line up
insulation
nutrients & waste
immune
- Interconnected information processors
- Essential for all the tasks of the nervous system.
- Central building blocks of the nervous system
What are they?
Neurons
The nucleus of the neuron is located here
Soma/Cell body
Input sites where signals are received from other neurons
Dendrites
Signals are transmitted electrically across the soma and down a major extension called the _____.
axon
Body of the neuron. Receives and sends messages down the axon
Soma/cell body
Receive messages from other neurons (input sites)
Dendrites
Fiber that carries information away from the cell body of a neuron
Axon
Microscopic space between two neurons over which messages pass
Synapse
Its main job is to take care of the neurons
Glial cells (Glia)
The information processing & transmitting element of the nervous system.
Neurons
Glia cells form a fatty substance called: _______
These fatty substances coat the axons & act as an ________.
Myelin Sheath
insulator
The neuron exists in a fluid environment.(surrounded by ______fluid and contains _______fluid)
What keeps these 2 fluids separate?
extracellular , intracellular
Neuronal membrane
The electrical signal that passes through the neuron depends on the two fluids being electrically _______.
Different
The difference in charge across the membrane:
membrane potential (provides energy for signal)
Between signals: neuron membrane’s potential is in a state of ________ (______ potential)
readiness, resting
______ potential – all-or-none phenomenon (incoming signal is either sufficient/not to reach the threshold of excitation)
Action
Neuronscommunicate with each other via electrical events called ‘_______’ and ________neurotransmitters.
action potentials
chemical
At the junction between two neurons (______), an action potential causes neuron A to release a ___________.
The_________can either help (excite) or hinder (inhibit) neuron B from firing its own action potential.
synapse
chemical neurotransmitter
neurotransmitter
Chemicals that alter activity in neurons; brain chemicals.
neurotransmitters
Drugs that treat psychiatric symptoms by restoring neurotransmitter balance.
Psychotropic medications
All parts of the nervous system outside of the brain and spinal cord.
Connects the CNS to the rest of the body.
Peripheral nervous system (PNS)
What are the 2 Divisions of the Peripheral Nervous System?
Somatic &
Autonomic system
The ______carries messages to and from skeletal muscles and sense organs; controls voluntary behavior.
e.x. jumping , running (anything you do voluntarily).
Somatic system
The ______ serves internal organs and glands; controls automatic functions such as heart rate and digestion.
Autonomic system
2 Divisions of the Autonomic Nervous System
Sympathetic & Parasympathetic
The extension of the brain
Spinal cord
Nerve cell that carries messages from the senses toward the CNS, ie. touch, taste, vision, smell, auditory
Sensory neuron
Cell that carries commands from the CNS to muscles and glands
Motor neuron
_________: Simplest behavior; occurs when a stimulus provokes an automatic response.
ie. hand moving away from heat source
Reflex arc
Neuroplasticity
The brain can be changed, both structurally and chemically, by experience or damage.
Two large hemispheres that covers the upper part of the brain
Cerebrum
Each cerebral hemisphere divided into __lobes
4
Bundle of fibers connecting cerebral hemispheres
Corpus callosum
_________ lobe
Controls movement, sense of smell, and higher mental functions.
Contains _______cortex; controls motor movement.
_______cortex: involved in sense of self, reasoning, and planning
Frontal
primary motor
pre-frontal
Language disturbance resulting from brain damage
Broca’s Aphasia
________ lobe.
Contains Primary________ cortex: Receiving area for bodily sensations.
Controls bodily sensations such as touch, pain, and temperature
Different areas of the cortex processes sensations from different part of our body.
Parietal
somatosensory
_______ lobe.
Understanding language, memory acquisition, face recognition, object recognition, perception, and processing auditory information.
Primary auditory area: Auditory information is first registered here
Temporal
Wernicke’s Area
Related to language comprehension; in the left temporal lobe.
If damaged, a person will have problems with the meanings of words, NOT pronunciation
_______ lobe.
vision center
Responsible for interpreting incoming visual
interpretation.
Primary visual area
Occipital
Visual Agnosia
Inability to recognize visually presented objects
e.x. seeing kettle as a book
Facial Agnosia
Inability to recognize familiar faces
Relays sensory information on the way to the cortex; acts as a switchboard
Thalamus
Regulates emotional behaviors and motives (e.g., sex, hunger, rage, hormone release)
Hypothalamus
Associated with fear responses
Amygdala
Associated with storing permanent memories; helps us navigate through space
Hippocampus
In the hindbrain (brain stem):
____: Controls vital life functions such as heart rate, swallowing, and breathing
Medulla
In the hindbrain (brain stem):
______: Regulates posture, muscle tone, and muscular coordination
Cerebellum
Computer-enhanced X-ray of the brain or body
Computerized Tomographic Scanning (CT):
Uses a strong magnetic field, not an X-ray, to produce an image of the body’s interior
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Computer-generated color image of brain activity, based on glucose consumption in the brain
Positron emission tomography (PET)
MRI that makes brain activity visible
can produce images of brain activity as fast as every second
scientists can determine with greater precision when brain regions become active and how long they remain active.
Functional MRI
fMRI
A device that detects, amplifies, and records electrical activity in the brain. Often used to record cognitive processes.
Electroencephalograph (EEG)
______ gland: Regulates growth via growth hormone
Its hormones influence other endocrine glands
Pituitary
Hypopituitary dwarfism
As adults, perfectly proportioned but tiny
Enlargement of arms, hands, feet, and facial bones; due to too much growth hormone secreted late in growth period
Acromegaly
