CH 2 & 5 Flashcards
Biology, Behavior, and Learning
What is an Electroencephalogram (EEG)?
a record of brainwave activity made from placing electrodes on various places of the scalp that detects electrical activity of the brain.
What is a Micro-electrode?
Small wire inserted near or into single neuron to monitor its activity or stimulate it.
Why are imaging techniques important?
Aside from diagnosing abnormalities, tumors, injuries, and diseases, brain imaging is important to understand how all parts of the brain connect.
What is a CT scan?
Scan that uses large donut structure and x-rays to create cross-sectional images of the brain to show tumors and other abnormalities.
What are MRIs?
Magnetic resonance imaging, gives clearer more detailed images than CT scans without the use of potentially harmful x-rays.
What are PET scans?
Positron-emission tomography, shows patterns of blood flow, oxygen use, and glucose metabolism in the brain. Useful to see action of drugs in the brain and other organs.
What are Functional MRIs (fMRI)?
Uses magnetic impulses making it quicker and more accurate than PET scans and doesn’t require injections.
What is the Neuron?
Specialized cells that conduct impulses through nervous system.
What are Neurotransmitters?
Chemicals that facilitate or inhibit transmission of impulses from one neuron to the next. Released into synaptic cleft from axon terminal of sending neuron.
Ex. Dopamine, Epinephrine, Serotonin, Glutamate, Endorphins
What is the structure of a neuron?
-Cell body(Nucleus, respb. for metabolic f. of neuron)
-Dendrites(receive messages from cell bodies & other neurons)
-Axon(transmits messages to other neurons and parts of body)
-Glial cells(support neurons’ vital functions, remove waste from brain)
What is a Afferent Neuron?
Sensory- Relays messages from the sense organs and receptors to brain or spinal cord.
What is a Efferent Neuron?
Motor- signals from central NS to glands.
What are Interneurons?
Carry information between neurons.
What are Synaptic Clefts?
Tiny, fluid-filled gaps that separate the axon terminal from the dendrites.
What is a Synapse?
Connection point where the axon terminal of a sending(presynaptic) neuron communicates with a recieving(postsynaptic)neuron. (Are not physically connected)
What is Resting Potential?
When at rest, axon membrane has negative charge of -70millivolts. Once impulse reaches a neuron, ion channels open in membrane of axon to allow positive ions to flow in.
What is Action Potential?
Sudden reversal(from a negative to positive value) of resting potential on cell membrane that initiates firing of a neuron.
What are Synaptic vesicles?
Small, sphere-shaped containers with thin membranes inside axon terminals that hold neurotransmitters.
What is the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)?
Includes all nerves that are not encased in bone, outside of the skull and backbone.
Splits into Somatic and Autonomic nervous systems, Autonomic splits into Sympathetic and Parasympathetic nervous systems.
What is the Central Nervous System(CNS)?
Includes all neural tissues inside skull and backbone.
What is the Somatic Nervous system?
Controls skeletal muscles; interacts w external environment.
What is the Autonomic Nervous system?
Regulates body’s internal environment, including organs, glands, and blood vessels. Not consciously controlled.
What is the Sympathetic Nervous System?
Prepares body for action; mobilizes energy resources. Fight or flight.
What is the Parasympathetic Nervous System?
Conserves body’s energy; returns body to normal quiet state after emergency.
What 3 sections is the brain divided into?
Hindbrain, midbrain, forebrain.
The hindbrain consists of what 5 components?
-Brain stem
-Medulla
-Pons
-Reticular formation(RAS- reticular activating system)
-Cerebellum
The midbrain consist of?
-Substantia nigra
The forebrain consists of what 5 areas?
-Thalamus
-Hypothalamus
-Limbic system (Amygdala and Hippocampus)
-Cerebral cortex
-Corpus Callosum
What is the Hypothalamus?
Part of forebrain; helps control hunger,thirst, body temp and endocrine system; involved in emotion.
What is the Cerebrum?
Part of forebrain; thinking part of the brain
What is the Cerebral Cortex?
Upper part of brain; convoluted gray matter covering cerebral hemispheres responsible for higher mental processes.
What is the Corpus Callosum?
Part of Forebrain; Band of nerve fibers that connects the two hemispheres of the brain.
What is the Limbic system?
Part of forebrain; Group of structures involved in emotional expression, memory, and motivation.