Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Biopsych > chapter 2: cells and structures > Flashcards

chapter 2: cells and structures Flashcards

1
Q

Neurons

A

The basic unit of the nervous system, each composed of receptive extensions called dendrites, and integrating cell body, a conducting axon, and a transmitting axon terminal

Also called nerve cells

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Glial cells

A

Nonneuronal brain cells that provide structural, nutritional, and other types of support to the brain

Also called glia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Synapse

A

The cellular location at which the information is transmitted from a neuron to another cell

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Input zone

A

The part of a neuron that receives information, from other neurons or from specialized sensory structures

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Dendrite

A

An extension of the cell body that receives information from other neurons

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Integration zone

A

The part of a neuron that initiates nerve electrical activity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Cell body or soma

A

The region of a neuron that is defined by the presence of the cell nucleus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Conduction zone

A

The part of a neuron over which the nerve’s electrical signal may be actively propagated

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Axon

A

A single extension from the nerve cell that carries action potentials from the cell body toward the axon terminals

Also called nerve fiber

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Output zone

A

The part of a neuron at which the cell sends information to another cell

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Axon terminal

A

The end of an axon or axon collateral, which forms a synapse on a neuron or other target cell

Also called synaptic bouton

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Motoneuron

A

A neuron that transmits neural messages to muscles or glands

Also called motor neuron

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Sensory neuron

A

A nerve cell that is directly affected by changes in the environment, such as light, odor, or touch

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Interneuron

A

A nerve cell that is neither a sensory neuron nor a motoneuron; interneurons receive input from and send output to other neurons

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Multipolar neuron

A

A nerve cell that has many dendrites and a single axon

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Bipolar neuron

A

A nerve cell that has a single dendrite at one end and a single axon at the other end

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Unipolar neuron

A

A nerve cell with a single branch that leaves the cell body and then extends in two directions; one end is the input zone, and the other end is the output zone

Also called monopolar neuron

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Presynaptic

A

Referring to the region of a synapse that releases neurotransmitter

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Postsynaptic

A

Referring to the region of a synapse that receives and responds to neurotransmitter

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Presynaptic membrane

A

The specialized membrane on the axon terminal of a nerve cell that transmits information by releasing neurotransmitter

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Postsynaptic membrane

A

The specialized membrane on the surface of a nerve cell that receives information by responding to neurotransmitter from a presynaptic membrane

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Synaptic cleft

A

The space between the presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons at a synapse

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Synaptic vesicle

A

A small, spherical structure that contains molecules of neurotransmitter

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Neurotransmitter

A

The chemical released from the presynaptic axon terminal that serves as the basis of communication between neurons

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

Golgi stains

A

Cell stain that fills the whole cell, useful for identifying type and shape of cells in a region

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

Nissl stains

A

Outline all cell bodies, useful for measuring cell body size and density of cells in particular regions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

Autoradiography

A

Cells are manipulated into taking photographs of themselves by staining them with radioactive drugs and placing the brain section on a slide

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

Immunocytochemistry (ICC)

A

Brain sections exposed to antibodies that are selective for a protein of interest, then chemicals make the antibodies visible (reveals only the cells that make that protein visible)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

In situ hybridization

A

Uses radioactively labeled lengths of nucleic acid to identify neurons in which a gene of interest has been turned on

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

Immediate early genes (IEGs)

A

Expressed when neurons become more active

Researchers use ICC to label the IEG product to identify brain regions that are active during particular behaviors being performed by the animal before death

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

Horseradish peroxidase (HRP)

A

Used to identify the cells of origin of a particular set of axons; HRP is taken up into the axon at the terminals and transported back to the cell body

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

Neurotransmitter receptors

A

A protein that captures and reacts to molecules of a neurotransmitter or hormone

Also called receptor

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

Neural plasticity

A

The ability of the nervous system to change in response to experience or the environment

Also called neuroplasticity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

Axon hillock

A

The cone-shaped area on the cell body from which the axon originates

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

Innervate

A

To provide neural input to

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

Axon collateral

A

A branch of axon

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

Axonal transport

A

The transportation of materials from the neuronal cell body to distant regions in the dendrites and axons, and from the axon terminals back to the cell body

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
38
Q

Oligodendrocyte

A

A type of glial cell that forms myelin in the central nervous system

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
39
Q

Schwann cell

A

A type of glial cell that forms myelin in the peripheral nervous system

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
40
Q

Myelin

A

The fatty insulation around an axon, formed by glial cells. This sheath improves the speed at which nerve impulses are conducted

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
41
Q

Node of Ranvier

A

A gap between successive segments of the myelin sheath where the axon membrane is exposed

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
42
Q

Multiple sclerosis

A

A disorder characterized by the widespread degeneration of myelin

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
43
Q

Astrocytes

A

A star-shaped glial cell with numerous processes (extensions) that run in all directions. Help to modulate neural activity (and blood flow), form synapses, and form the tough outer membranes that swaddle the brain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
44
Q

Microglial cells

A

Extremely small glial cells that remove cellular debris from injured or dead cells

Also called microglia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
45
Q

Edema

A

The swelling of tissue, especially in the brain, in response to injury

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
46
Q

Gross neuroanatomy

A

Anatomical features of the nervous system that are apparent to the naked eye

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
47
Q

Central nervous system (CNS)

A

The portion of the nervous system that includes the brain and the spinal cord

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
48
Q

Peripheral nervous system

A

The portion of the nervous system that includes all the nerves and neurons outside the brain and spinal cord

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
49
Q

Nerve

A

A collection of axons bundled together outside of the central nervous system

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
50
Q

Motor nerve

A

A mere that transmits information from the central nervous system to the muscles and glands

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
51
Q

Sensory nerve

A

A nerve that coneys information from the body to the central nervous system

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
52
Q

Cranial nerve

A

A nerve that is connected directly to the brain; there are 12 pairs (one left-sided and one right-sided in each pair)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
53
Q

Spinal nerve

A

A nerve that emerges from the spinal cord; there are 31 pairs of nerves (one left, one right)

Also called somatic nerve

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
54
Q

Autonomic nervous system

A

The part of the peripheral nervous system that supplies neural connections to glands and to smooth muscles of internal organs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
55
Q

Cervical

A

Referring to the topmost 8 segments of the spinal cord, in the neck region

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
56
Q

Thoracic

A

Referring to the 12 spinal segments below the cervical (neck) portion of the spinal cord, corresponding to the chest

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
57
Q

Lumbar

A

Referring to the 5 spinal segments that make up the upper part of the lower back

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
58
Q

Sacral

A

Referring to the 5 spinal segments that make up the lower part of the lower back

59
Q

Coccygeal

A

Referring to the lowest spinal vertebra (the coccyx, also known as the tailbone)

60
Q

Sympathetic nervous system

A

The division of the autonomic nervous system that arises fro the thoracic and lumbar spinal cord. This division prepares the body for immediate action (fight or flight responses)

61
Q

Parasympathetic nervous system

A

The division of the autonomic nervous system that arises from both the cranial nerves and the sacral spinal cord. This division helps the body to relax, recuperate, and prepare for future action.

62
Q

Cerebral hemisphere

A

One of the two halves–right or left–of the forebrain

63
Q

Cerebral cortex

A

The outer covering of the cerebral hemispheres, which consists largely of nerve cell bodies and their branches

Also called cortex

64
Q

Gyrus

A

A ridged or raised portion of a convoluted brain surface

65
Q

Sulcus

A

A crevice or valley of a convoluted brain surface

66
Q

Frontal lobe

A

The mot anterior portion of the cerebral cortex

67
Q

Parietal lobe

A

The large region of cortex lying between the frontal and occipital lobes in each cerebral hemisphere

68
Q

Temporal lobe

A

The large lateral region of cortex in each cerebral hemisphere. It is continuous with the parietal lobe posteriorly and separated from the frontal lobe by the Sylvian fissure

69
Q

Occipital lobe

A

A large region of cortex that covers much of the posterior part of each cerebral hemisphere

70
Q

Sylvian fissure

A

A deep fissure that demarcates the temporal lobe

Also called lateral sulcus

71
Q

Central sulcus

A

A fissure that divides the frontal lobe from the parietal lobe

72
Q

Corpus callosum

A

The main band of axons that connects the two cerebral hemispheres

73
Q

Sagittal plane

A

Bisects the body into right and left halves

74
Q

Coronal plane

A

Divides the body into a front (anterior) and back (posterior) part

Also called frontal plane or transverse plane

75
Q

Horizontal plane

A

Divides the brain into upper and lower parts

76
Q

Medial

A

Toward the middle

77
Q

Lateral

A

Toward the side

78
Q

Ipsilateral

A

Same side of body

79
Q

Contralateral

A

Opposite side of body

80
Q

Superior

A

Above

81
Q

Inferior

A

Below

82
Q

Anterior, rostral

A

Head end

83
Q

Posterior, caudal

A

Tail end

84
Q

Proximal

A

Near the center

85
Q

Distal

A

Toward the periphery or end of a limb

86
Q

Afferent

A

An axon, tract, or nerve that carries information into a region

Afferents arrive

87
Q

Efferent

A

An axon, tract, or nerve that carries information away from a region

Efferents exit

88
Q

Dorsal

A

Toward or at the back

89
Q

Ventral

A

Toward or at the belly

90
Q

Postcentral gyrus

A

The strip of parietal cortex, just behind the central sulcus, that receives somatosensory information from the entire body

91
Q

Precentral gyrus

A

The strip of frontal cortex, just in front of the central sulcus, that is crucial for motor control

92
Q

Gray matter

A

Areas of the brain that are dominated by cell bodies and devoid of myelin. Gray matter mostly receives and processes information

93
Q

White matter

A

A lighter-colored layer of tissue, consisting mostly of myelin-sheathed axons, that lies underneath the gray matter of the cortex. White matter mostly transmits information

94
Q

Neural tube

A

An embryonic structure with subdivisions that correspond to the future forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain

95
Q

Forebrain

A

The frontal division of the neural tube, containing the cerebral hemispheres, the thalamus, and the hypothalamus

96
Q

Midbrain

A

The middle division of the brain

97
Q

Hindbrain

A

The rear division of the brain which contains the cerebellum, pons, and medulla

98
Q

Telencephalon

A

The anterior part of the fetal forebrain, which will become the cerebral hemispheres in the adult brain

99
Q

Diencephalon

A

The posterior part of the fetal forebrain, which will become the thalamus and hypothalamus in the adult brain

100
Q

Brainstem

A

The region of the brain that consists of the midbrain, the pons, and the medulla

101
Q

Nucleus

A

A collection of neuronal cell bodies within the central nervous system (e.g., the caudate nucleus)

102
Q

Tract

A

A bundle of axons found within the central nervous system

103
Q

Pyramidal cell

A

A type of large nerve cell that has a roughly pyramid-shaped cell body and is found in the cerebral cortex

104
Q

Cortical column

A

One of the vertical columns that constitute the basic organization of the cerebral cortex

105
Q

Basal ganglia

A

A group of forebrain nuclei, including the caudate nucleus, globes pallidus, and put amen, found deep within the cerebral hemispheres

106
Q

Caudate nucleus

A

One of the basal ganglia; it has a long extension or tail

107
Q

Putamen

A

One of the basal ganglia

108
Q

Limbic system

A

A loosely defined, widespread group of brain nuclei that innervate each other to form a network

109
Q

Amygdala

A

A group of nuclei in the medial anterior part of the temporal lobe

110
Q

Hippocampus

A

A medial temporal lobe structure that is important for learning and memory

111
Q

Fornix

A

A fiber tract that extends from the hippocampus to the mammillary body

112
Q

Cingulate gyrus

A

A strip of cortex, found in the frontal and parietal midline, that is part of the limbic system and is implicated in many cognitive functions

113
Q

Olfactory bulb

A

An anterior projection of the brain that terminates in the upper nasal passages and, through small openings in the skull, provides receptors for smell

114
Q

Thalamus

A

The brain regions that surround the third ventricle

115
Q

Hypothalamus

A

Part of the diencephalon, lying ventral to the thalamus

116
Q

Superior colliculi

A

Paired gray matter structures of the dorsal midbrain that process visual information

117
Q

Inferior colliculi

A

Paired gray matter structures of the dorsal midbrain that proces auditory information

118
Q

Tectum

A

The dorsal portion of the midbrain consisting of the inferior and superior colliculi

119
Q

substantia nigra

A

a brainstem structure that innervates the basal ganglia and is the source of all dopaminergic projections

120
Q

reticular formation

A

an extensive region of the brainstem (extending from the medulla through the thalamus) that is involved in sleep and arousal

121
Q

cerebellum

A

a structure located at the back of the brain, dorsal to the pons, that is involved in the central regulation of movement

122
Q

pons

A

the portion of the brainstem that connects the midbrain to the medulla

123
Q

medulla

A

the posterior part of the hindbrain, continuous with the spinal cord

124
Q

meninges

A

the three protective membranes – dura mater, pia mater, and arachnoid – that surround the brain and spinal cord

125
Q

dura mater

A

the outermost of the three meninges that surround the brain and spinal cord

126
Q

Pia mater

A

The innermost of the three meninges that surround the brain and spinal cord

127
Q

Arachnoid

A

The thin covering of the brain that lies between the dura mater and pia mater

128
Q

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

A

The fluid that fills the cerebral ventricles

129
Q

Meningitis

A

An acute inflammation of the meninges, usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection

130
Q

Meningioma

A

A noninvasive tumor of the meninges

131
Q

Ventricular system

A

A system of fluid-filled cavities inside the brain

132
Q

Lateral ventricle

A

A complexly shaped lateral portion of the ventricular system within each hemisphere of the brain

133
Q

Choroid plexus

A

A specialized membrane lining the ventricles that produces cerebrospinal fluid by filtering blood

134
Q

Third ventricle

A

The midline ventricle that conducts cerebrospinal fluid from the lateral ventricles to the fourth ventricle

135
Q

Fourth ventricle

A

The passageway within the pons that receives cerebrospinal fluid from the third ventricle and releases in to surround the brain and spinal cord

136
Q

Stroke

A

Damage to a region of brain tissue that results from the blockage or rupture of vessels that supply blood to that region

137
Q

Blood-brain barrier

A

The mechanisms that make the movement of substances from blood vessels into brain cells more difficult than exchanges in other body organs, thus affording the brain greater protection from exposure to some substances found in blood

138
Q

Computerized axial tomography (CAT/CT)

A

A noninvasive technique for examining brain structure through computer analysis of X-ray absorption at several positions around the head

139
Q

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

A

A noninvasive technique for examining brain structure that uses magnetic energy to generate images that reveal some structural details in the living brain

140
Q

Functional MRI (fMRI)

A

Magnetic resonance imaging that detects changes in blood flow and therefore identifies regions of the brain that are particularly active during a given task

141
Q

Positron emission tomography (PET)

A

A technique for examining brain function that combines tomography with injections of radioactive substances used by the brain

142
Q

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)

A

A noninvasive technique for examining brain function that applies strong magnetic fields to stimulate cortical neurons, in order to identify discrete areas of the brain that are particularly active during specific behaviors

143
Q

Magnetoencephalography (MEG)

A

A passive and noninvasive technique for examining brain function that measures the tiny magnetic fields produced by active neurons, in order to identify regions of the brain that are particularly active during a given task

Biopsych (16 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions