Chapter 2 Flashcards
Neurons
Basic cell unit of information processing
Glial cells
Provide support, insulation, and protection for neurons
Input zone
Receives info from other cells through dendrites and the cell body (soma)
Integration zone
Where electrical inputs are combined and transformed (axon hillock)
Conduction zone
Single axon conducts output information away from the cell body as an electrical impulse
Output zone
Axon terminals communicate activity to other cells (neurons, muscles, glands)
Myelin
Fatty substance (made by glia) that surround some axons for faster signals
Flow of information
Input Zone –> Integration Zone –> Conduction Zone –> Output Zone
Dendritic spine
Small protrusion from dendrite that receives input from single axon at synapses
Synapse
Electrical communication within a neuron along the axon
Neurotransmitter
Chemical communication between neurons
Neuroplasticity
Alteration in number and configuration of neurons, dendrites,
(Neurons) As you age…
Number of neurons and synapses declines, number and size of dendrites decreases, and neurotransmitter levels are altered
Grey matter
Contains more neuron cell bodies and dendrites
White matter
Consists mostly of axons with white myelin sheaths
Central nervous system
Consists of the brain and spinal cord
Peripheral nervous system
All other parts of the nervous system (neurons and nerve processes)
The nervous system is described in terms of both…
Structure and function
Anterior / Rostral
To the front
Posterior / caudal
To the back
Superior
To the top
Dorsal
To the top (in brain)
Inferior
To the bottom
Ventral
To the bottom (in brain)
Medial
Toward the midline or center
Lateral
To the side (left or right)
Ipsilateral
On the same side
Contralateral
On the opposite side
Brain is dominated by two…
Cerebral hemispheres
Cerebral cortex
The outermost layer of the cerebral hemispheres
First type of area on the cerebral cortex
Gyrus; ridged or peaked portion
Second type of area on the cerebral cortex
Sulcus; a furrow or valley
Frontal lobe
Plan and perform motor actions, cognition, executive processing, working memory, emotional regulation
Parietal lobe
Somatic (body) sensation, spatial-motor processing, attention, higher order cognition, etc.
Temporal lobe
Auditory processes, higher visual processing, memory
Occipital lobe
Visual processing
Subcortical structures
Basal ganglia, limbic system
Cerebellum
Motor coordination and control
Ventricular system
Series of chambers (ventricles) filled with cerebrospinal fluid which functions as a shock absorber
Stroke
Caused by a rupture or blockage of blood vessels
Blood-brain barrier
Result of higher resistance in brain capillaries that restricts passage of large molecules
(Brain structure) As you age…
Less grey and white matter, larger ventricles, decrease in cerebrovascular function
Correlation
Examine relationship between two variables
Behavioral manipulation
Manipulate experience/behavior, measure effects on the brain
Somatic manipulation
Manipulate the brain/body, measure effects on behavior
Spatial resolution
Ability to pinpoint where there happens to be brain activity (where)
Temporal specificity
Ability to catch signals as they appear (when)
MRI
Structural imaging that generates ‘static’ high resolution images of tissue
Diffusion imaging
Structural imaging that generates images of the pathways or white matter tracts in the brain
fMRI
Functional imaging that indexes the distribution of blood flow to make inferences about the level of activation. High spatial resolution, limited temporal resolution
Electroencephalography (EEG)
Functional imaging that measures electrical activity of neurons. Good temporal resolution, poor spatial resolution
Positron emission tomography (PET)
Inject radioactive isotope that binds to specific molecules to detect gamma rays. Poor temporal and spatial resolution
Neurogenesis
Cell division to make newly born neurons, made inside the ventricular zone
Synapse rearrangement / remodeling
Loss, growth, and competition of synapses
Neurotrophic factors
Chemicals that facilitate many aspects of neural development (cell migration, differentiation, synaptogenesis)
Myelination
Addition of myelin to axons, starts at 24 weeks post-conception
Dopamine declines are associated with…
Goal-directed and motor functions, acceleration of Parkinson’s disease
Acetylcholine loss is associated with…
Memory decline
Negative high-arousal
Automatic in nature, activation of the amygdala
Negative low-arousal
More activation of the prefrontal cortex
Core emotional network consists of…
Amygdala, Hippocampus, Lateral Orbitofrontal cortex
Cognitive reserve
Enriched environments
Lead to increased BDNF (Brain-derived neurotropic factor)
Role of exercise
Brain plasticity is enhanced
