Ch. 3 Flashcards
refers to the study of the parts/function of a neuron
Neuroanatomy
individual nerve cells that make up the entire nervous system. Has a slightly negative charge
Neuron
Root-like parts of the cell that stretches out go the cell body, grows to make synaptic connections with other neurons
Dendrites
Contains the nucleus/other part of the cell needed to sustain life. AKA soma
Cell body
wirelike structure einfing in terminal buttons that extends from the cell body
Axon
A fatty covering around the axon of the some neurons that speeds the neuron impulses
Myelin Sheath
The branched end of the axon that contain neurotransmitters. AKA End buttons, ___ axon, ____ branches
Terminal buttons
Chemicals contained in terminal buttons that enable neurons to communicate and fir into receipt sites like lock and key
Neurotransmitters
The space between the terminal buttons of one neuron and dendrites of the next neuron
Synapse
Sites that are capable of recognizing/bonding to specific molecules. Neurotransmitters go here
Receptor Sites
When enough neurotransmitters are received in order for the neuron to become permeable, positive, and fire/action potential
Threshold
The electric message firing down the axon
Action potential
Either the neuron fire completely or not at all
All-or-none principle
An electrochemical process where electricity travels between axons/cells in the synapse
Neutral firing
Neurotransmitters that excite the next cell into firing
Excitatory neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitters that inhibit the next can from firing
Inhibitory neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitter that helps with motor movement. Lack of this is associated with Alzheimer’s disease
Acetylcholine (ACh)
Neurotransmitter that helps motor movement and alertness. Lack of this is associated with Parkinson’s disease. Overabundance is associated with schizophrenia.
Dopamine
Neurotransmitter that helps with pain and pleasure control and is involved with addictions. Exercise!
Endorphins
Neurotransmitter that helps with mood control. Lack of this is associated with clinical depression.
Serotonin
Neurotransmitter that regulates inhibitory neurotransmitters. Lack of this is associated with seizures and insomnia.
GABA
Neurotransmitter that regulates excitatory neurotransmitters and is involved with memory. (***)
Glutamate
Neurotransmitter that helps with alertness and arousal
Norepinephrine
neurons take the information from the senses to the brain
Afferent neurons
neurons take information from the brain to the senses
Efferent neurons
Consists of the spinal cord/brain. Master control. Transmits information from the rest of the body to/from the brain
Central Nervous System
All the nerves housed within bone. Includes skull/vertebrae
Spinal cord
Consists of all the other nerves in your body- nerves not encased in bone.
Peripheral Nervous System
Apart of the PNS. Controls all voluntary muscle movement
Somatic Nervous System (SNS)
Apart of the PNS. Control automatic functions of our body. Activates flight/flight mode. Controls organs such as heart, lungs, internal organs, glands, and so on.
Automatic Nervous System
Part of ANS. Mobilizes our body in response to stress. Carries out messages to control system to organs, glands, and muscles that direct our bodies’ response to stress.
Sympathetic Nervous System
Part of ANS. Carries messages to the stress response system that cause our body to slow down after the stress response. The break pedal to stress.
Parasympathetic Nervous System
An unfortunate incident that happens unexpectedly and unintentionally, typically resulting in damage/injury. Ex: Phineas Gage
Accidents
The removal or destruction of a part of the brain. Ex: frontal lobotomy
Lesions
A type of brain scan that detects brain waves and examines types of waves produced at different stages of consciousness. Generalizes brain functions and is the least intrusive brain scan.
EEG
A sophisticated x-ray that utilizes several x-ray cameras and combines pictures into a detailed 3-D image of the brain’s structures
CAT or CT Scan
Uses magnetic fields to measure the density/location of brain material in order to document its structure. Similar to the CAT/CT Scan.
MRI
Utilizes a chemical (glucose) ignorer to see what areas of the brain are most active during certain tasks.
PET Scan
Shows detail of brain structure and information regarding blood flow. Shows both structure and activity and combine MRI/PET Scans.
fMRI
The brain’s life support system and controls basic biological function that keeps us alive. Located at the top of the spinal cord.
Hindbrain
Part of the brain stem that control blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing. Located above spinal cord.
Medulla (Medulla oblongata)
Part of brain stem that connect hindbrain with mid/front brain. Controls facial expressions and sleep. Located above medulla, toward frontbrain
Pons
Coordinate some habitual muscle movements (such as tracking with peepers and playing sax). Located at the bottom rear of brain.
Cerebellum
Coordinates simple movement and sensory information. Located above spinal cord but below forebrain
Midbrain
A net-like collection of cells throughout midbrain that controls general body arousal/focusing. Located within midbrain. If cannot function, will result in coma.
Reticular formation
Controls through, logic, and reason and is what makes humans, human. Located in the from area of the brain.
Forebrain
Receives the sensory signals coming up the spinal cord and sending them to the appropriate areas in the rest of the forebrain. Located at the top of the brain stem.
Thalamus
Small structure. Controls several metabolic functions such as body temperature, libido, hunger, thirst, and endocrine system. Located next to the thalamus.
Hypothalamus
Utilized to experience emotion, especially fear. Located at the end of each hippocampal arm.
Amygdala
Processes/codes memories and sends them to cerebral cortex. Located as the two arms surround the thalamus.
Hippocampus
The name for the grouping of the thalamus, hypothalamus, amygdala, and hippocampus–> all have have to do with emotion and memory
Limbic System
The gray, wrinkled surface of the brain of densely packed neurons. Connects more as we develop.
Cerebral Cortex
The two parts of the cerebral cortex. The left and right mirror each other but differ in function.
Hemispheres
Part of the cerebral cortex. Receives sensory messages and control the motor function of the right hand of the body.
Left hemisphere
Part of the cerebral cortex. Receives sensory messages and controls the motor function of the left half of the brain.
Right hemisphere
Specialization of function in each hemisphere of the cerebral cortex.
Brain lateralization
The nerve bundle that connects the two hemispheres in the cerebral cortex and allows them to communicate.
Corpus callosum
Parts/regions of the cerebral cortex Four on each hemisphere of the brain.
Lobes
any area of the cerebral cortex that is not associated with receiving sensory information or controlling muscle movements
Association Area
Large areas of the cerebral cortex located at the top front of the brain. Directs thought process, predicts consequences, pursues goals, maintains emotional and engages in abstract thought.
Frontal Lobe
Responsible for controlling the muscles involved in producing speech. Damage yields loss of language ability. Located in frontal lobe.
Broca’s area
Responsible for interpreting both written and spoken speech. Damage affects ability to understand language and speak cohesively. Located in temporal lobe.
Wercicke’s Lobe
Thin, vertical strip on back of frontal lobe. Sends signals to muscles and controls voluntary movements.
Motor cortex
Located behind frontal lobe, but still on top of brain. Vital for sensory perception and integration, including the management of taste, hearing, sight, touch, and smell
Pariental Lobe
Thin, vertical strip behind motor cortex in frontal lobe. Receives incoming touch sensations
Sensory cortex
Located at the back of the brain, farthest from the eyes. Interprets messages from the eyes in visual cortex.
Occipital Lobes
Processes sound sensed by the ears. Located in the temple area.
Temporal Lobes
The ability of neural networks in the brain to change through growth/reorganization. rewired to function in some way that differs from previous functions.
Brain Plasticity
System of glands that secretes hormones that affects the body. Hypothalamus connection.
Endocrine System
Produces adrenaline or flight/fight. Incites involuntary responses such as heart rate and blood pressure
Adrenal glands
Identical twins developed from one fertilized egg (zygote) and share genetic material. Usual for intelligence or nature vs. nurture studies.
Monozygotic twins.