Ch 3- Biology and Behavior Flashcards
PNS (peripheral nervous system)
all nerve cells outside of spinal cord and brain
sensory neurons
- aka afferent neurons- takes stimulus -> brain
somatosensory nerves
sensory nerves that give info from skin to muscles
motor neurons
aka efferent neurons - signals from brain -> muscles
interneurons
communicate within local/short distance circuits
nodes of Ranvier
gaps between Myelin Sheath in a neuron
resting membrane potential
(polarization) neuron at rest is different electrically inside and outside
sodium- potassium pump
in the membrane, helps with polarization (keeping inside pf neuron more negative)
action potential
electric signal that travels along axon ad causes release of neurotransmitters
all or one principle
neuron fires with same potency each time, although frequency can vary
receptors
protein molecules that accept neurotransmitters
reputake
neurotransmitter is taken back into presynaptic terminal buttons cycle: reputake, release
agonists
drugs enhance action of neurotransmitters
antagonists
drugs that inhibit action of neurotransmitters
Broca’s area
small part of left frontal region of brain- crucial for language
brain stem
needed for survival: does basic functions (breathing, etc)
Cerebellum
large bulk in the back
-Motor function/ learning, memory, balance
limbic system
border between evolutionarily old/new
Subcortical Structures
some are part of limbic system,
Hippocampus
memory forming/storing/sorting
-spacial memory (where things are in trunk)
Amgydala
emotional response, perception, processing
-sensitive to fear -motivation
Cerebral Cortex
whole outer surface
prefontal cortex
-behind forehead, behind eyes
-complex: personality, “uniquely human,” decisions
working memory (multitask)
-COMPLEXITY/organization of neurons make it special
-better developed in humans than primates
Phineas Gage
man w pole through head
-learned about prefontal cortex
