Chapter 2 Flashcards
Afferent
Nerve fibers that carry sensory information from the body to the central nervous system.
Example sentence: Afferent neurons transmit signals from the skin to the brain.
Allocortex
The part of the cerebral cortex characterized by fewer layers than the neocortex, involved in olfaction and memory.
None
Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
The part of the nervous system that controls involuntary functions, such as heart rate and digestion.
None
Basal Ganglia
A group of nuclei in the brain involved in movement control, motor learning, and emotions.
None
Brainstem
The lower part of the brain connecting the spinal cord with the forebrain, responsible for basic life functions like breathing and heart rate.
None
Cerebral Cortex
The outer layer of the brain, involved in higher-order brain functions like sensory perception, cognition, and motor control.
None
Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)
Clear fluid that circulates in the brain and spinal cord, providing cushioning and nutrient delivery.
None
Corpus Callosum
A thick band of nerve fibers connecting the two cerebral hemispheres, allowing for communication between them.
None
Cranial Nerves
Twelve pairs of nerves that emerge directly from the brain, responsible for sensory and motor functions in the head and neck.
None
Cytoarchitectonic Map
A map of the brain based on the cellular composition of its tissues.
None
Dermatome
An area of skin supplied by sensory nerves from a single spinal nerve root.
None
Diencephalon
A part of the forebrain that includes structures such as the thalamus and hypothalamus.
None
Efferent
Nerve fibers that carry motor commands from the central nervous system to muscles and glands.
None
Enteric Nervous System (ENS)
A subdivision of the autonomic nervous system that directly controls the gastrointestinal system.
None
Forebrain
The anterior part of the brain, including the cerebral hemispheres, thalamus, and hypothalamus.
None
Gray Matter
Regions of the central nervous system that are rich in neuronal cell bodies.
None
Gyri (sing. Gyrus)
The ridges or folds on the surface of the cerebral cortex.
None
Hindbrain
The lower part of the brain that includes the cerebellum, pons, and medulla oblongata.
None
Hypothalamus
A region of the brain involved in regulating autonomic functions, emotions, and endocrine activities.
None
Limbic System
A group of brain structures involved in emotion, motivation, and memory.
None
Meninges
The three membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord (dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater).
None
Midbrain
A part of the brainstem involved in vision, hearing, motor control, sleep/wake, arousal, and temperature regulation.
None
Neocortex
The part of the cerebral cortex involved in higher-order brain functions such as sensory perception, cognition, and motor control.
None
Nuclei (sing. Nucleus)
Clusters of neuron cell bodies in the central nervous system.
None
Occipital Lobe
The region of the cerebral cortex located at the back of the brain, responsible for visual processing.
None
Parietal Lobe
The region of the cerebral cortex located at the top of the brain, involved in processing sensory information from the body.
None
Reticular Formation
A network of neurons in the brainstem involved in regulating arousal, sleep, and consciousness.
None
Somatic Nervous System (SNS)
The part of the peripheral nervous system responsible for voluntary control of body movements via skeletal muscles.
None
Sulci (sing. Sulcus)
The grooves or furrows on the surface of the cerebral cortex.
None
Tectum
The dorsal part of the midbrain involved in visual and auditory reflexes.
None
Tegmentum
The ventral part of the midbrain involved in movement and arousal.
None
Temporal Lobe
The region of the cerebral cortex located on the sides of the brain, involved in auditory processing and memory.
None
Thalamus
A structure in the diencephalon that acts as a relay station for sensory and motor signals to the cerebral cortex.
None
Tract
A bundle of nerve fibers (axons) in the central nervous system.
None
Ventricles
Cavities within the brain that produce and contain cerebrospinal fluid.
None
White Matter
Regions of the central nervous system that are rich in myelinated nerve fibers (axons).
None
Alzheimer Disease
A neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive memory loss, cognitive decline, and personality changes.
None
Parkinson Disease
A neurodegenerative disorder characterized by tremors, rigidity, bradykinesia, and postural instability.
None
Stroke
A medical condition caused by the interruption of blood supply to the brain, resulting in brain tissue damage.
None
Tourette Syndrome
A neurological disorder characterized by repetitive, involuntary movements and vocalizations called tics.
None
Behavior
The actions or reactions of an organism in response to external or internal stimuli.
None
Excitation
The process by which a nerve or muscle cell becomes activated, usually by an increase in electrical activity.
None
Inhibition
The process by which a nerve or muscle cell is prevented from becoming active, often by decreasing electrical activity.
None
Ischemic Stroke
caused by the interruption of blood supply to the brain, resulting in brain tissue damage.
Example sentence: He suffered an ischemic stroke last year.
Tourette Syndrome
A neurological disorder characterized by repetitive, involuntary movements and vocalizations called tics.
Additional information: Tourette Syndrome often begins in childhood.
Behavior
The actions or reactions of an organism in response to external or internal stimuli.
Example sentence: The behavior of the monkeys was observed in the wild.
Excitation
The process by which a nerve or muscle cell becomes activated, usually by an increase in electrical activity.
Additional information: Excitation is essential for muscle contraction.
Inhibition
The process by which a nerve or muscle cell is prevented from becoming active, often by decreasing electrical activity.
Example sentence: The drug acts by inhibiting the activity of certain enzymes.
Law of Bell and Magendie
The principle stating that the dorsal roots of spinal nerves carry sensory information into the spinal cord, while the ventral roots carry motor information out.
Additional information: Named after Charles Bell and François Magendie.
Neuroplasticity
The ability of the brain to change and adapt in response to experience, injury, or learning.
Example sentence: Neuroplasticity plays a role in recovery after brain injury.
Phenotypic Plasticity
The ability of an organism to change its phenotype in response to environmental influences.
Additional information: Phenotypic plasticity is important for survival in changing environments.
Dualism
The philosophical idea that the mind and body are distinct and separable entities.
Example sentence: Descartes was a proponent of dualism.
Materialism
The doctrine that only material things (physical matter) are real, and everything can be explained in terms of matter and physical phenomena.
Additional information: Materialism contrasts with dualism.
Meme
A unit of cultural information spread by imitation.
Example sentence: The internet is full of viral memes.
Nerve
A bundle of fibers (axons) that transmits electrical signals between the brain and spinal cord and the rest of the body.
Additional information: Nerves can be sensory, motor, or mixed.
Neuronal Circuit
A network of interconnected neurons that process specific kinds of information.
Example sentence: The visual neuronal circuit is responsible for processing visual information.
Orienting Movement
Movements or postures by which an organism positions itself in response to sensory stimuli.
Additional information: Orienting movements help organisms navigate their environment.
Parasympathetic Division
The part of the autonomic nervous system that conserves energy by slowing down the heart rate and increasing intestinal and gland activity.
Example sentence: The parasympathetic division is active during rest and digestion.
Sympathetic Division
The part of the autonomic nervous system that prepares the body for ‘fight or flight’ responses by increasing heart rate and blood flow to muscles.
Additional information: The sympathetic division is responsible for the body’s stress response.
Vertebrae (sing. Vertebra)
The series of small bones that form the backbone and protect the spinal cord.
Example sentence: The vertebrae provide structural support for the body.
Vomeronasal Organ (VNO)
A sensory organ involved in the detection of pheromones and chemical signals, primarily in animals.
Additional information: The VNO plays a role in social and reproductive behaviors in many species.
