Chapter 2 Neurons: The Basic Unit of Communication Flashcards
Neuroscience/Biological Psychology
Biological psychologists investigate the physical processes that underlie psychological experience and behavior. Neuroscience is the study of the nervous system, especially the brain.
Neurons
Information in the nervous system is transmitted via cells specialized for communication, called neurons.
Sensory Neurons
Communicate information from the environment to the central nervous system
Motor Neurons
Communicate information from the central nervous system to the muscles
Interneurons
Communicate information from one neuron to another
Glial Cells
The support cells that assist neurons by providing structural support, nutrition, and the removal of cell wastes; glial cells manufacture myelin
Myelin sheath
A white, fatty covering wrapped around the axons of some neurons that increases their communication speed
Dendritic Growth
The brain is incredibly plastic, changing every moment of every day. An important component of plasticity is the ability of dendrites to grow longer, or add more spines to their surface.
Resting Potential
The state in which a neuron is prepared to activate and communicate its message if it receives sufficient stimulation. -70 millivolts is a neuron’s resting potential
Depolarization
During depolarization, the charge within the cell rapidly shifts from negative to positive. It takes at least -55 millivolts for this to occur
Repolarization
Repolarization happens at 40 millivolts. Specific gates will open which cause the now positive neuron to shift back to becoming negative again
Hyperpolarization
This occurs after repolarization. The neuron will become too negative and eventually settle back to -70 millivolts
Synapse
The communication point between two neurons is called the synapse
Neurotransmitter
Neurotransmitters, also known as chemical messengers, are endogenous chemicals that enable neurotransmission
Action Potential
A brief electrical impulse which sends messages from the nucleus across the axon
The Nervous System
The primary internal communication network of the body; divided into the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system
Central vs Peripheral
CNS is the division of the nervous system that consists of the brain and spinal cord. The division of the nervous system that includes all the nerves lying outside the CNS.
Somatic System
The subdivision of the peripheral nervous system that communicates sensory information to the central nervous system and carries motor messages from the central nervous system to the muscles. Handles voluntary action.
Autonomic System
The subdivision of the peripheral nervous system that regulates involuntary functions. I.E. heartbeat, blood pressure, breathing, and digestion.
Sympathetic System
The branch of the autonomic nervous system that produces rapid physical arousal in response to perceived emergencies or threats. Arouses body to spend energy.
Parasympathetic System
The branch of the autonomic nervous system that maintains normal bodily functions and conserves the body’s physical resources. Calms body to conserve and maintain energy.
Brainstem
A region of the brain that is made up of the hindbrain and the midbrain
Lateralization
The notion that specific psychological or cognitive functions are processed primarily on one side of the brain. Left brain language tasks. Right brain is for visual-spatial tasks. I.E. Deciphers visual cues such as completing a puzzle or manipulating blocks to match a particular design.
Forebrain
Uppermost and largest brain region
Hindbrain
A region at the base of the brain that contains several structures that regulate basic life functions. Connects the spinal cord with the rest of the brain.
Midbrain
The middle and the smallest brain region, involved in processing auditory and visual sensory information.
Contains structures involved in processing visual and auditory information
Corpus Callosum and the effects of the split brain operation
The Corpus Callosum is a thick band of axons that connect the left and right hemispheres of the brain together. It allows communication between both sides. The effects of the split brain operation was the inability to verbal describe an object that was shown on the left side of the person’s view which is connected to the right hemisphere. However, the person could still grab the correct object when asked to do so.
Occipital Lobe
An area at the back of each cerebral hemisphere that is the primary receiving area for visual information
Temporal Lobe
An area on each hemisphere of the cerebral cortex, near the temples, that is the primary receiving area for auditory information
Parietal Lobe
An area on each hemisphere of the cerebral cortex located above the temporal lobe that processes somatic sensations
Frontal Lobe
The largest lobe of each cerebral hemisphere; processes voluntary muscle movements and is involved in thinking, planning, and emotional control
Broca’s area
Located in the lower left frontal lobe. It is known to play a crucial role in speech production. Patients had great difficulty speaking, but could comprehend written or spoken language.
Aphasia
The partial or complete inability to articulate ideas or understand spoken or written language because of a brain injury or damage
Wernicke’s area
Located in the left temporal lobe. Patients had great difficult understanding spoken or written communications, but they could speak quickly and easily, but their speech sometimes made no sense.
Limbic System
Limbic means border. It surrounds the brainstem. It is composed of the hippocampus, thalamus, and hypothalamus. Critical roles in learning, memory, and emotional control
Hippocampus
Means sea horse. Plays an important role in your ability to form new memories of events and information.
Thalamus
Means inner chamber. Processes and distributes motor information and sensory information going to and from the cerebral cortex. Also regulates levels of awareness, attention, motivation, and emotinoal aspects of sensations.
Hypothalamus
Means beneath or below. Size of a peanut. It regulates both divisions of the autonomic nervous system, increasing and decreasing such functions as heart rate and blood pressure. It also helps regulate a variety of behaviors related to survival, such as eating, drinking, frequency of sexual activity, fear, and aggression.
