Chapter 3 Flashcards
Neuroscience
Study of the body’s electrochemical communication circuity
Nerves carry information through
Afferent and efferent
Afferent
Body to the brain and spinal cord. Communicates external information from their sensory receptors
Efferent
Brain and spinal cord to the body
The nervous system is?
- Complex
- Adaptable (plasticity)
- Integrated
4 Uses electrochemical transmission
Central nervous system (CNS)
Brain and spinal cord. Also is what carries out the commands of the central nervous system
Peripheral (PNS)
Consists of the somatic nervous system and autonomic nervous system
Autonomic nervous system
Takes messages to internal organs. Regulates breathing, heart rate, and digestion
Comprised of both the sympathetic nervous system and parasympathetic nervous system
Somatic nervous system
To convey information from the skin and muscles to the central nervous system. It regulates information of pain and temperature
Sympathetic nervous system (Autonomic PNS)
Prepares a person for a stressful situation
(Fight or flight)
Parasympathetic nervous system (Autonomic PNS)
Calms the body down after a stressful situation
(Rest and digest)
Glial cells
Provide support and nutrition
Neurons
About 100 billion in the brain
Controls the information processing system
Mirror neurons
Specialized cells that respond to both sensory and motor
Neuron structure
Check PowerPoint
Myelin sheath
Is semipermeable and is responsible for insulation of the axon and also for the speed of the transmission
Neural impulse
- In order for a neuron to send information to another one the source neuron sends an electrical charge
- Inside the membrane of the axon are gated channels known as ion channels and they can open and close allowing ions out of the axon
- When neuron is at rest the ion channels are closed / when a neuron is inactive it is at a resting potential
Action potential
When the electrical impulses flow down the axon
The amount of charge has to hit the threshold in order to kick of the action potential
Neurons communicate with each other through?
Chemicals (neurotransmitters) that carry messages across the spaces between them
Synapse is the name of the space between neurons
Neurotransmitters carry the information across the synaptic gaps
Drugs can?
Interfere with neurotransmitters. Drugs can also mimic or increase it
Neural networks
Develops across the years. Is an interconnected pathway of nerve cells. Integrates sensory input and motor output
They vary in shape and can be altered. The strength of connected neurons determines how well a person remembers information
They are not visible to the human eye
Scientist study brain lesioning because it allows them see neurons
Either if it occurs on a person naturally or they induce it on animals in order to study
They make brain lesions by removing or destroying brain tissue
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
Recording of brain activity. They can see many things in this such as disorders
Single-unit recording is used when a probe is inserted in or near and individual neuron
CT-Scan
Produces a 3 dimensional image that is obtained through x-rays of the head and is assembled into composite image by a computer. Provides information about structure but not about activity
PET Scan
Measures the amount of glucose in certain areas of the brain
MRI
Creates a magnetic field around the person’s body and uses a radio-wave to construct images of a person’s tissue and biochemical activities
fMRI
Can let us see what is happening in the brain while it is working
Hindbrain
The lowest portion of the brain. Connects the spinal cord with the rest of the brain
Regulates breathing, heart rate, arousal, and other basic survival functions
Consists of:
- Brain stem (medulla) (pons)
- Cerebellum
Medulla (Hindbrain)
Located on the brain stem. Responsible for controlling breathing
Pons (Hindbrain)
Located on the brainstem. Responsible for sleep and arousal
Cerebellum (Hindbrain)
Motor coordination
Midbrain
Located between the hindbrain and forebrain. Processes what you see and hear and initiates voluntary movement
Consists of:
- Substantia Nigra
- Reticular formation
Substantia Nigra (Midbrain)
Parkinson’s disease damages this structure. Located above the pons
Recticular formation (Midbrain)
Involved in walking, sleeping or turning
Forebrain
Controls cognitive sensory and motor function. Regulates emotion, body temperature, sleeping, and reproductive function
Consists of the:
- Limbic system
- Hippocampus
- Thalamus
- Basal ganglia
- Hypothalamus
Limbic system (Forebrain)
Memory and emotion
Hippocamus (Forebrain)
Involved in memories
Thalamus (Forebrain)
Relay station between lower and higher brain centers for sensory information
Basal ganglia (Forebrain)
Coordination of voluntary movement
Hypothalamus (Forebrain)
Eating, drinking, sexual behaviors, emotion, and stress
The main difference of the brain across species is?
The size
Cerebral cortex
Controls some of the highest mental functioning such as thinking and planning
The outermost part is called the neocortex and makes up 80%
There are 4 lobes:
1. Frontal
2. Parietal
3. Occipital
4. Temporal
Occipital lobe
Vision
Temporal lobe
Hearing and language
Frontal lobe
Intelligence, voluntary muscles, and personality
Motor cortex is found here
Parietal
Spacial location, attention, and motor control
Somatosensory cortex is found here
Corpus callosum
Large bundle of axons that connects the two hemispheres of the brain
Specialization of the hemispheres
Left hemisphere: verbal processing, speech, and grammar
Right hemisphere: spatial perception, visual recognition, emotion
Glands regulate the body by
Secreting hormones into the blood stream through chemical messengers. This is interconnected with the nervous system
Recovery from brain damage depends on?
Age of the individual and the extent of the damage
Ways to repair the damaged brain
- Collateral sprouting
- Substitution of function
- Neurogenesis
- Brain tissue grafts
Genotype
A person’s genetic heritage
Phenotype
A person’s observable characteristics. Both physical and psychological
TMS
A brain imaging technique that allows researchers to make casual statements about brain activity and behavior. This is what causes virtual lesions
EEG
Most effective in determining the electrical activity that might be seen during epileptic seizure. Records the brains electrical activity
Prefrontal cortex
Specific region of the brain responsible for higher-order cognitive functions such as planning and reasoning
Brocas area
In the left hemisphere. Is involved in control of speech
Wernicke’s area
Is responsible for understanding language
Brain graft
Experimental procedure involving the implantation of healthy tissues into damaged regions of the brain
Acetylcholine
Usually stimulates the firing of neurons and is involved in muscle action, learning, and memory. Also linked to Alzheimer’s disease
GABA
Inhibits neurons from firing. It is like the body’s break pedal. Low levels of GABA are linked with anxiety
Glutamate
It is the most prevalent. It is the brain’s accelerator. Too much glutamate can cause headaches, migraines, and seizures
Norepinephrine
Stress stimulates norepinephrine. It inhibits the firing of neurons in the central nervous system but also simultaneously excites the heart muscles, intestine, and urogenital tracts. Too little norepinephrine is associated with depression
Dopamine
Helps control voluntary movements and affects sleep, mood, attention, and learning. Low levels of dopamine are associated with Parkinson’s disease
Seratonin
Involved in the regulation of sleep, mood, attention, and learning. Low levels are associated with depression
Endorphin
Natural opiates. Depress the nervous system and eliminate pain. Can elevate feelings of pleasure
Oxytocin
Plays an important role in love and social bonding. Present in female lactation
Four techniques that allow scientists to get a picture of the brain are
- CAT
- PET
- MRI
- fMRI
Somatosensory cortex
Processes information about body sensations. It is located at the front of the partial lobes
Motor cortex
At the rear of frontal lobes. Processes information about voluntary movement
