Chapter 1 The Brain Flashcards
sensory neurons are _______ (afferent/efferent)
afferent
(_A_fferent for _A_scend)
motor neurons are _______ (afferent/efferent)
efferent
(_E_fferent for _E_xit)
interneurons
Found between other neurons
in the CNS only
reflex arcs
the CNS is composed of _______
the brain and spinal cord
the PNS is composed of _______
the nerve tissue and fibres outside of the brain and spinal cord
includes all spinal nerves and cranial nerves
somatic nervous system
the part of the PNS associated with the voluntary control of body movements via skeletal muscles
autonomic nervous system
the part of the PNS that regulates involuntary physiologic processes including heartbeat, respiration, digestion, and temperature control
structures of the hindbrain (3)
medula oblongata
pons
cerebellum
medula oblongata
regulates vital functions (breathing, heart rates, and blood pressure)
pons
latin for “bridge”
links the spinal cord to the forebrain
contains sensory and motor pathways between the cortex and the medulla
handles unconscious processes such as the sleep-wake cycle and breathing
cerebellum
maintains posture and balance and coordinates body movements
thalamus
“information relay station”
all information from your body’s senses (except smell) must be processed through your thalamus before being sent to your brain’s cerebral cortex for interpretation
also plays a role in sleep, wakefulness, consciousness, learning and memory
hypothalamus
maintains homeostasis by influencing the ANS and hormones
controls hormone release by controlling the pituitary gland
links the nervous system and endocrine system
lateral hypothalamus
hunger center; triggers eating and drink
(when the LH is damaged, one _L_acks _H_unger)
ventromedial hypothalamus
satiety center; provides signals to stop eating
(when the VMH is destroyed, one is Very Much Hungry)
anterior hypothalamus
controls sexual behaviour
(when the AH is destroyed, one is Asexual)
pineal gland
involved in several biological rhythms, including circadian rhythms
secretes melatonin
basal ganglia
coordinates muscle movement; makes movements smooth and our posture steady
part of the forebrain
basal ganglia vs cerebellum
both coordinate voluntary muscle movement
basal ganglia smoothes movement out
cerebellum maintains balance and fine motor skills
Parkinson’s disease can result from damage to the ______
basal ganglia
jerky movements and uncontrolled tremors
structures of the limbic system (5)
septal nuclei
amygdala
hippocampus
thalamus
hypothalamus
limbic system
emotion and memory
hippocampus
consolidates information to form long-term memories
anterograde amnesia
cannot form new long-term memories
retrograde amnesia
cannot recall old memories (formed before the event that caused the amnesia)
fornix
a long projection that connects the hippocampus to other parts of the limbic system
Parasympathetic nervous system
Main role: conserve energy
Rest and digest
Sympathetic nervous system
Activated by stress
Fight or flight
