Chapter 2 Flashcards
Phrenology
Theory that claimed bumps on the C-skull could reveal our mental abilities and are character traits
Action potential
A neural impulse is: a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon. Potential for a neuron to fire again
Sensory neurons
Carry messages from the bodies tissue and sensory organs in word to the brain and spinal cord for processing (body to brain)
Motor neurons
Carry outgoing information from brain to spinal cord to the muscles and glands (brain to body)
Intern neurons
Information is processed by these in the brain between sensory and motor input/output
Dendrite fiber
Receive information and conducted toward the cell body
Myelin sheath
Insulates the axons of some neurons and help spread their impulses
Neurotransmitters
Chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gap between neurons
They are like grappling hooks thrown to scale a building
Acetylcholine
Euro transmitters that function in motor movement and muscle control: play a role in memory/learning
Lack of it can lead to Alzheimer’s
Dopamine
Functions in motor control and mental alertness
Emotions
Serotonin
Affects mood hunger sleep and arousal
Back of this leads to depression
Norepinephrine
Helps control alertness and arousal. Also linked to Depression
GABA is
A major and have a Tory neurotransmitter. Lack of this is linked to seizures and insomnia
Endorphins
Functions in pain control, involved in serious addiction’s
Released in physical activity such as running biking soccer etc.
Agonist
Similar enough to neurotransmitters to mimic affects
Antagonist
Blocks and neurotransmitters functions
Sensory neurons example of function
Your nerves in your fingers tell you when you touch a hot stove
Example of motor neurons
Your brain telling you to type
Interneurons
Act as a sort of mediator
Somatic nervous system
Divisions of the peripheral nervous system controls the body skeletal muscles
Autonomic nervous system
Divisions of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands in the muscles of the internal organs and the muscles of the internal organs (heart)
Auto gnomic control of body like a heartbeat or breathing in your sleep
Neural networks
Circuit of neurons making connections. Bees build when you learn something. They bond together and fire together
Lesion
Tissue destruction. Done to remove tumors
EEG
And amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity that sweep’s across the brain surface is. These waves are measured by electrodes placed on the scalp
CAT scan
Allows Compaz it of numerous single x-ray images. Display structures but not activity, and expose his body to bad radiation
MRI
Uses magnetic fields to measure/display information of the brain (structure not functions) better detailed than CAT scan is often with color
Pet scan
Can see activity in the brain. Displays glucose levels like a weather map
Medulla
The base of the brainstem, controls heartbeat and breathing
Reticular formation
I nerve network in the brainstem that plays an important role in controlling arousal (keeping us conscious)
Thalamus
The brains 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
Receives sensory info, directs it to different areas of the brain
Limbic system
Neural system of the Amygdala and hypothalamus. Located between the Cerebral hemispheres associated with emotions and drives
Cerebellum
A little brain at the rear of the brainstem: functions: coordination of movement output and balance
Hypothalamus
And neural structure below the thalamus: governs endocrine system (hunger and thirst influences sexual arousal and biorhythms)
Cerebral cortex
Ultimate control and information processing
Glial cells
Provide nutrients for neurons
Sensory cortex
Area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body and movement sensations
Association areas
Involved in higher mental functions rather than motor or sensory
Aphasia
Impairment of language, usually caused by the left hemisphere damage to brokas or Warnicke’s area
Plasticity
Brains ability to re-organize itself by building new pathways based on experience after damage
Heals itself
Corpus callosum
Band of neural fibers that connects to hemispheres and relays messages
Endocrine system
Slow chemical communication system, secretes hormones into bloodstream
Hormones
Chemical messengers manufactured by endocrine gland
Adrenal glands
Set above kidneys, secret hormones that arouse body during stress
Pituitary gland
Regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands
