Chapter 2 - Brain and Behavior Flashcards
What are neurons?
Individual nerve cells
What are dendrites?
Neuron fibers that receive incoming messages
What are soma?
The main body of a neuron or other cell that decides whether or not to pass on the message, and if so, passes it on
What are axon?
Fibers that carry information away from the cell body of the neuron
What are axon terminals?
Structures at the ends of axons that form synapses with the dendrites and soma of other neurons
What is resting potential?
The electric charge of a neuron at rest
What is action potential?
The nerve impulse
What is the threshold for a neuron to release an impulse?
~50 millivolts
What happens during action potential?
Ion channels in the axon pop open, allowing ions to zip through the axon, sending an impulse
What is negative after-potential?
A drop in electrical charge below resting potential after an impulse
What is myelin?
A fatty layer that coats some axon, whose gaps help nerve impulses move faster
What is saltatory conduction?
The process by which nerve impulses jump from gap to gap in the myelin coated axon, as opposed to going down the entire axon
What is a synapse?
The microscopic space between two neurons over which messages pass
What is a neurotransmitter?
Any chemical released by a neuron that alters activity in other neurons
What are neuropeptides?
Brain chemicals that alter the activity of other neurons
What is the difference between neurotransmitters and neuropeptides?
Neurotransmitters carry messages directly, while neuropeptides regulate activity. An example of this would be when you feel pain, endorphins, which are neuropeptides, are released to ease the pain. Neurotransmitters tell you that the pain is actually there, so you can move away/avoid it
What is a neural network?
An interlinked collection of neurons that processes information in the brain
What is neuroplasticity?
The capacity of the brain to change in response to experience
What is the central nervous system?
The brain and spinal cord
What is the peripheral nervous system?
All parts of the nervous system that extend beyond the brain and spinal cord
What is a nerve?
A bundle of neuron axons
What is a neurilemma?
A tunnel that covers nerves, creating a channel for them to regrow on
What is the somatic nervous system?
Links spinal cord with skeletal muscles + sense organs (controls voluntary behavior such as throwing football)
What is the autonomic nervous system?
Carries information to and from internal organs and glands
What is the sympathetic branch?
The emergency system that switches on during high pressure situations; prepares body for flight or fight response
What is the parasympathetic nervous system?
Quiets the body; active after emotional event; keeps vital processes such as heart rate at moderate levels
How many spinal nerves are there?
31
How many cranial nerves are there?
12
What is a reflex arc?
Simple behavior, where stimulus provokes automatic response (moving hand away when it touches something hot). Occurs within spinal cord without help from brain
What is neurogenesis?
The production of new brain cells
What is a CT scan?
A computer enhanced X-ray of the brain or body
What is an MRI scan?
An imaging technique that results in a 3 dimensional image of the brain or body based on its response to a magnetic field
What is localization of function?
The research strategy of linking specific structures in the brain with specific psychological or behavioral functions
What is a clinical case study?
A detailed investigation of a single person
What is ESB?
Electrical stimulation of the brain; direct electrical stimulation and activation of brain tissue
What is an electrode?
A device used to electrically stimulate or destroy nerve tissue or record its activity
What is ablation?
Surgical removal of parts of the brain
What is deep lesioning?
Removal of brain tissue with use of an electrode
What is an electroencephalograph
A device that detects and records electrical activity in the brain
What is a positron emission tomography?
An imaging technique that results in a computer generated image of brain activity based on glucose consumption in the brain
What is a functional MRI?
An MRI technique that makes brain activity visible
What is the cerebral cortex?
The outer, wrinkled layer of the brain
What is corticalization?
An increase in the size and wrinkling of the cortex
What connects the cerebral hemispheres of the cortex?
The corpus callosum
What is a split brain operation?
Cutting the corpus callosum, which essentially creates two brains in one body
What is the right brain good at?
Perceptual skills such as recognizing patterns and faces; putting together a puzzle
What is the left brain good at?
Language, math, judging time, etc.
How does the left brain process information?
Sequentially, broken into parts
How does the right brain process information?
Simultaneously and holistically
What does the frontal lobe do?
Responsible for higher mental abilities
What does the parietal lobe do?
Responsible for sensation such as touch and pressure
What does the occipital lobe do?
Responsible for vision
What does the cerebellum do?
Responsible for posture, coordination, memory of skills + habits
What does the temporal lobe do?
Responsible for hearing and language
What is the primary motor area?
Area of brain associated with control of movement
What is the association area?
Areas of the cerebral cortex that are not primarily sensory or motor in function
What is aphasia?
A speech problem that results from brain damage
What is Broca’s area?
A language area related to grammar and pronunciation
What does damage to the Broca’s area do?
Causes motor aphasia, which makes speech very slow (seep for sleep)
What is the prefrontal cortex?
Area of the brain involved in sense of self, reasoning, and planning
What is the primary somatosensory area?
An area of the parietal lobes that receives body sensations
What is the primary auditory area?
Part of the temporal lobe where auditory information is first registered
What is Wernicke’s area?
Temporal lobe area related to language comprehension
What is the primary visual area?
Part of the occipital lobe that first receives input from the eyes
What is visual agnosia?
Inability to identify seen objects
What is facial agnosia?
Inability to perceive familiar faces
What is the subcortex?
All brain structures below cerebral cortex
What is the brainstem?
Areas of brain including cerebellum, medulla, pons, and reticular formation
What is the medulla?
Structure that connects brain to spinal cord and controls vital life functions (heartbeat, breathing)
What is the pons?
Area on brainstem that acts as a bridge between the medulla and other structures
What is the reticular formation?
Network in medull and brainstem that is associated with attention, alertness, and some reflexes
What is the reticular activating system?
Part of the reticular formation that activates the cerebral cortex
What is the thalamus?
Structure that relays sensory information to the cerebral cortex
What is the hypothalamus?
Area of brain that regulates emotional behaviors and motives
What is the limbic system?
System in the brain that is linked with emotional response (includes thalamus, hypothalamus, amygdala, hippocampus)
What is the amygdala?
Part of limbic system that controls fear responses
What is the hippocampus?
Part of limbic system associated with storing memories
What is the endocrine system?
Glands whose secretions pass directly into the bloodstream or lymph system
What is a hormone?
Glandular secretion that affects bodily functions or behavior
What is the pituitary gland?
Gland whose hormones influence other endocrine glands
What is the pineal gland?
Gland in the brain that helps regulate body rhythms and sleep cycles
What is melatonin?
Hormone released by the pineal gland in response to daily cycles of light and dark
What is the thyroid gland?
Endocrine gland that helps regulate the rate of metabolism
What is acromegaly?
Condition caused by too much release of growth hormone late in the growth period, creating enlarged arms, hands, feet, and facial bones
What is the thyroid gland?
Gland that helps regulate metabolism
What is hyperthyroidism?
Overactive thyroid; tends to be thin, tense, excitable, nervous
What is hypothyroidism?
Underactive thyroid; causes inactivity, drowsiness, depression, obesity
What is epinephrine?
Adrenal hormone that arouses the body, associated with fear (known as adrenaline)
What is norepinephrine?
Adrenal hormone that tends to arouse the body, associated with anger (known as noradrenaline)
What are the adrenal glands?
Glands that arouse body, affect sexual function, adjust body to stress, regulate salt balance
