Ch 2. Flashcards
Neuron
A nerve cell or a neuron consist of many different parts
Dendrites
Branching extensions at the cell body that receive messages from other neurons
Axon
Long single extension of a neuron
Action potential
Neural impulse is a brief electrical change that travels down an axon and is generated by the movement of positively charged atoms in and out of channels in the axons membrane
Synapse
A junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron
Neurotransmitters
Chemicals released from the sending neuron that travel across the synapse and bind the receptor sites on the receiving neuron thereby influencing it to generate an action potential
Endorphins
Morphine within-natural opiate like neurotransmitters linked to pain control and pleasure
Nervous system
Consists of all the nerve cells it is the bodies speedy electrochemical communication system
Central nervous system
CNS
The brain and spinal cord
Peripheral nervous system
The sensory and motor neurons that connect the CNS to the rest of the body
Sensory
Carry incoming information from the sense receptors to the CNS
Motor
Carry outgoing information from the CNS to muscles and glands
Interneurons
Connects the two neurons
Hormones
Are chemicals synthesized by endocrine glands that are secreted into the bloodstream hormones affect the brain and many other tissues of the body
Adrenal gland
A pair of endocrine searing glands that said above the kidneys and secrete hormones that help arouse the body in times of stress
Pituitary gland
The endocrine systems most influential gland. Under the influence of the hypothalamus regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands
the master gland
Somatic nervous system
The division of the peripheral nervous system that Controls the body’s skeleton muscles also called the skeletal nervous system
Automatic nervous system
The part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organs(heart) its sympathetic division arouses: it’s parasympathetic division calms
EEG
An amplified recording of the electrical waves sweeping across the brains surface measured by electrodes placed on the scalp
MRI
Uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images that distinguish among different types of brain tissue
PET
A visual display of brain activity that detects a radioactive isotope while the brain performs a given task
FMRI
Scan of a brain while a research participant is lying about the cards being held
Brain
The brain stem begins where the spinal cord swells and enters the skull. It is responsible for automatic survival functions
Brainstem
Includes the medulla the reticular formation and the thalamus
Medulla
The base of the brainstem controls heartbeat and breathing
Thalamus
The brains sensory control center located on top of the brainstem; it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the medulla and cerebellum
Cerebellum
The “little brain” at the rear of the brainstem functions include processing sensory input coordinating movement, output, and balance and enabling nonverbal learning and memory
Limbic system
Natural system located below the cerebral hemispheres associated with emotions and drives
Amygdala
Two Lima bean sized neural clusters in the limbic system linked to emotion
Hypothalamus
A neural structure lying below the thalamus; it directs several maintenance activities, helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland and is linked to emotion and reward
Cerebral cortex
The intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering the cerebral hemispheres; the body’s ultimate control and information- processing center
Frontal lobes
Portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead; involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgments
Parietal loves
Portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head; receives information from the visual fields
Temporal lobes
Lying behind the ears. Receiving information primarily from the opposite ear
Plasticity
Refers to the brains ability to modify itself after home types injury or Illness
Divided
Our brain is divided in two hemispheres right and left
Corpus callosum
Is a wide band of axon fibers that connects the two hemispheres
Myelin sheath
A fatty tissue later segmentally encasing the axons of some neurons; enables vastly greater transmission speed as neural impulses hop from one node to the next
Glial cells
Cells in the nervous system that support nourism and protect neurons ; they also pay a role in learning thinking and memory
