Ch. 3.2 - Nervous System

Question 1

neural plasticity (2)

Answer 1

• brain’s ability to change structure and function

- structural change can occur at the pathway, neutron, or cellular level

Question 2

adult neurogenesis

Answer 2

formation of new neutrons that are integrated into the adult brain (limited brain regions)

Question 3

does the brain remain unchanged outside critical developmental window during childhood?

Answer 3

no but severe neurological damage is often permanent

Question 4

glial cells (6)

Answer 4

• surround and hold in place neurons
• supplying nutrients and oxygen to neurons
• insulating neurons from one another
• mounting immune responses
• cleanring neurotransmitters after release
• making myelin sheath (multiples sclerosis and saltatory conduction)

Question 5

cations

Answer 5

positively charged ions (sodium, potassium)

Question 6

anions

Answer 6

negatively charged ions (chloride)

Question 7

concentration gradient

Answer 7

ions naturally diffuse from areas of high concentration to low concentration

Question 8

resting potential

Answer 8

refers to a neuron’s stable inactive state during which the cell isn’t transmitting or receiving messages

Question 9

action potential

Answer 9

wave of electrical activity that originates at the base of the axon and rapidly travels down its length (all-or-none principle)

Question 10

refractory period

Answer 10

brief period during which a neutron cannot fire

Question 11

synaptic cleft

Answer 11

minute space between the terminal button and dendrite of another neuron

Question 12

reuptake (2)

Answer 12

• process whereby neurotransmitters released into the synapse are reabsorbed into the axon terminals
• selective serotonin receptor inhibitor (SSRI)

Question 13

excitatory neurotransmitters

Answer 13

increase the likelihood of an action potential occurring

Question 14

inhibitory neurotransmitters

Answer 14

decrease the likelihood of an action potential occurring

Question 15

agonists

Answer 15

drugs that enhance or mimic the effects of a neurotransmitters actions

Question 16

antagonists

Answer 16

inhibits neurotransmitters activity by blocking receptors or preventing synthesis of the neurotransmitters

Question 17

tectum

Answer 17

consist of the superior colliculus, which orients our visual attention, and the inferior colliculus, which orients our auditory attention

Question 18

substania nigra

Answer 18

connected with forebrain and plays a role in producing voluntary movement

Question 19

ventricles

Answer 19

contain cerebrospinal fluid which removes waste products and supplies nutrients and hormones to the brain and spine

Question 20

basal ganglia

Answer 20

involved in facilitating planned movements and skill learning

Question 21

nucleus accumbens (2)

Answer 21

• integrates sensory and movement information with the brains reward system
• ex) activation accompanies rewarding experiences such as sex, gambling, chocolate, drugs, etc

Question 22

amygdala

Answer 22

processes emotional responses and stimuli

Question 23

hippocampus

Answer 23

critical for learning and formation of new memories

Question 24

thalamus

Answer 24

relays sensory information to different regions of the brain

Question 25

hypothalamus (2)

Answer 25

• regulate basic biological needs and motivation systems

- homeostasis: balance of energy, metabolism, body temperature, and other basic functions that keep the body working

Question 26

pituitary gland

Answer 26

master gland of endocrine system

Question 27

hormones

Answer 27

chemicals secreted by the glands of the endocrine system

Question 28

grey matter

Answer 28

composed of cell bodies and dendrites

Question 29

white matter

Answer 29

composed of myelinated axons that interconnect the different structures of the brain

Question 30

frontal lobes (2)

Answer 30

• important for many ‘higher’ cognitive functions, such as planning, inhibition of impulses and emotion, language production, and voluntary movement
• primary motor cortex: control of voluntary movement

Question 31

parietal lobes

Answer 31

somatosensory cortex: responsible for touch sensations for various body parts

Question 32

occipital lobes

Answer 32

located at the rear of the brain, where visual information is processed

Question 33

temporal lobes

Answer 33

located at the sides of the brain near the ears, and involved in hearing, language and aspects of vision such as object and face recognition