Ch. 3: Bio Flashcards
Somatosensory Nerves
The sensory nerves that provide information from the skin and muscles.
Type of Neuron that directs muscles
motor neuron
Reflexes
Automatic motor responses. For each reflex action, a handful of neurons convert sensation into action.
Grey Matter
In the spine, dominated by neurons’ cell bodies. In the brain, consists mostly of neurons without myelin sheaths on the axons and that only communicate with nearby neurons.
White Matter
In the spine, consists mostly of axons and the fatty myelin sheaths that surround them. In the brain, consists mostly of myelinated axons that travel between brain regions.
What does the Brain Stem consist of
the medulla oblongata, the pons, and the midbrain.
What functions does the Brain Stem house
functions of survival such as heart rate, breathing, swallowing, vomiting, urination, and orgasm. The brainstem also houses many reflexes such as gagging.
Reticular formation
a network of neurons that project up to the cerebral cortex and affects general alertness, as well as is involved in inducing and terminating the different stages of sleep.
The Cerebellum’s functionality
Extremely important for proper motor function, and damage to its different parts produces very different effects. It seems to be “trained” by the rest of the nervous system, and operates independently and unconsciously, allowing a person to , for example, ride a bike and plan your next meal. The cerebellum may be involved in cognitive processes such as making plans, remembering events, using language, and experiencing emotion.
All members of the Forebrain
Cerebral cortex, Basal ganglia, Thalamus, Hippocampus, Hypothalamus, Amygdala.
Function of the Basal ganglia
planning and producing movement; these structures receive input from the entire cerebral cortex and send that input to the motor sensors of the brain stem. Also contains the nucleus accumbens which is key for experiencing reward and motivational behavior.
Function of the thalamus
sensory gateway to the cortex; it receives almost all incoming sensory information, organizes it, and relays it to the cortex. The only exception to this rule is the sense of smell, which is the oldest and has a direct route to the cortex.
Function of the Hippocampus
Plays an important role in the formation of new memories by creating new interconnections within the cerebral cortex with each new experience. It also may be involved in how we remember the arrangements and positions of objects in space.
Function of the Amygdala
Important for learning about biologically relevant stimuli. It plays a special role in responding to stimuli that elicit fear. It is also involved in evaluating a facial expression’s emotional significance, and seems to be part os a system that automatically directs visual attention to the eyes when evaluating a facial expression. The Amygdala also intensifies the function of memory during times of emotional arousal.
Function of the hypothalamus
The brain’s master regulatory structure. It receives input from everywhere in the body and brain, and it projects its influence to almost everywhere in the body and brain. It regulates many internal organs and body temperature, and is often involved in many motivated behaviors like thirst, hunger, and lust.
Limbic System
Where the subcortical structures meet the cerebral cortex. Regulates the endocrine and autonomic nervous system. The members of the limbic system are especially important for controlling appetitive behaviors and emotions.
The Occipital lobes location and function
located at the back portion of the head. They are devoted almost exclusively to vision, and contain the primary visual cortex (PVC), which is the primary destination for visual information. Visual information is generally organized in a way that preserves spacial relationships, and as a result, two objects near each other will activate neurons near one another in the PVC
The parietal lobes location and function
Located behind the frontal lobes. Devoted partially to touch, and each parietal lobe contains the Primary Somatosensory Cortex (PSC) that is in charge for touch information. Similar to the PVC, the PSC stores information of body parts that are near each other in nearby locations. Also important with attention (makeup on half face example)
The temporal lobes function
Hold the primary auditory cortex (PAC), which is the brain region responsible for hearing. It also contains the fusiform face area, which is activated when looking at a face of someone else.
The Fusiform face area
Activated when someone looks at someone else’s face.
The Frontal Lobe location and function
Located at the front of the brain, the frontal lobes are essential for planning and movement. the rearmost portion of the frontal lobe is the Primary Motor Cortex (PMC). The PMC includes neurons that project directly to the spinal cord to move the body’s muscles. The rest of the frontal lobe is the prefrontal cortex, which in short is responsible for conscientiousness, acting in sync with society, and planning.
The prefrontal cortex function
Responsible for directing and maintaining attention, keeping ideas in mind while distractions bombard people from the outside world, developing and acting on a plan, understanding what people are thinking, behaving according to cultural norms, and contemplating one’s own existence
the somatic nervous system function
transmits sensory signals to the CNS via nerves. Specialized receptors in the skin, muscles, and joints send sensory information to the spinal cord, which relays it to the brain. In addition, the CNS sends signals through the SNS to muscles, joints, and skin to initiate, modulate, or inhibit movement.
The autonomic nervous system function
regulates the body’s internal environment by stimulating glands and by maintaining internal organs. Nerves from the ANS also carry somatosensory signals from the glands and internal organs to the CNS, providing information about, for example, how full your stomach is or how anxious you feel.
