Chap 2 Flashcards
THE TRIUNE BRAIN
Human, Mammal, Reptile
THE TRIUNE BRAIN
Excecutive state(Prefrontal lobes), Emotional state(limbic system), Survival State(Brain stem)
THE BRAINSTEM
Reptile brain
Thalamus [THAL-uh-muss]
The brain’s sensory switchboard, located on top of the brainstem
It directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla
Pons
Links cerebellum with mesencephalon, diencephalon, cerebrum, and spinal cord
Reticular Formation
A nerve network in the brainstem that plays an important role in controlling arousal
CEREBELLUM
Little brain
erebellum [sehr-uh-BELL-um]
the “little brain” attached to the rear of the brainstem.
It helps coordinate voluntary movement and balance
LIMBIC SYSTEM
Animal brain
A doughnut-shaped system of neural structures at the border of the brainstem and cerebral hemispheres
Associated with emotions such as fear and aggression and drives such as those for food and sex
Includes the hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus.
HIPPOCAMPUS
Important in learning and the storage and retrieval of long-term memories
AMYGDALA
Two almond-shaped neural clusters that are components of the limbic system and are linked to emotion
HYPOTHALAMUS
Influence on the pituitary gland
Reward Centers
Reward deficiency syndrome
CEREBRUM
human brain
The intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells that covers the cerebral hemispheres
The body’s ultimate control and information processing center
HOW NEURONS COMMUNICATE
Synapse
Synaptic gap (synaptic cleft)
Neurotransmitters
Reuptake
SYNAPSE
junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron
tiny gap at this junction is called the synaptic gap or cleft
ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
The other communication system
Glands secrete chemical messengers called hormones
Hormones start in one tissue and travel through the bloodstream to affect other tissues, including the brain
They act on the brain and influence behavior
HORMONES
Some hormones are chemically identical to neurotransmitters
This makes the nervous system and endocrine systems kindred spirits
Hormones are slower than the zippy messengers of the nervous system
Their effects outlast the effects of the neurotransmitters
Hormones influence many aspects of our lives – growth, reproduction, metabolism and mood
The scientific discipline in which similarities among individuals are analyzed based on how biologically related they is called
quantitative genetics
A(n) ________ is a sudden, permanent change in a sequence of DNA.
mutation
The theory of evolution by natural selection requires variability of a given trait. Why is variability necessary and where does it come from?
Variability is essential for natural selection to work. If all individuals are the same on a given trait, there will be no relative difference in their reproductive success because everyone will be equally adapted to their environments on that trait. Mutations are one source of variability, but sexual reproduction is another important source of variation given that individuals inherit half of their genetic makeup from each of their parents.
Acetylcholine
It is involved with voluntary motor control. (Alzheimers
How does a neuron enter and leave a synapse?
It enters through a sodium-potassium pump. It can leave by either being taken up by the post-synaptic cell, it can be broken down by enzymes, through reuptake, and by auto receptors.
Synapse
It is the area in which axons are allowed to communicate with one another
Mirror Neurons
Neurons that fire when someone you see is performing an action and you are able to empathize similarly to it.
Motor Neurons
It receives information from the spinal cord and relays it to the muscle to produce movement
Interneurons
It connects sensory and motor neuron
Sensory Neurons
It receives information from the outside world and relays it to the spinal cord and brain
Name each part of a neuron and how it processes information?
The dendrites receive information and relays it to the cell body. A cell body coordinates the information and keeps the cell alive. The axon carries this information to other neurons, muscles, or glands. The myelin sheath is a fatty layer covering the axon to insulate it. It is composed of glial cells which is used to support the nervous system. Lastly, the action potential reaches the terminal button, or presynaptic gap to be released into it. This gap between this axon and the dendrites of another is called the synapse.
