chapter 3 Flashcards
action potential
electrical signal that moves down the neuron’s axon
agonist
drug that mimics or strengthens the reacts of a near transmitter
all-or-none
phenomenon that incoming signal from another neurone is either sufficient or insufficient to reach the threshold of excitation
amygdala
structure in limbic system involved in our experience of emotion and trying motional meaning to our memories
antagonist
drug that blocks or impedes the normal activity of a given neurotransmitter
auditory cortex
strip of Corte in the temporal lobe that is responsible for processing auditory information
autonomic nervous system
controls our internal system
axon
major extension of the soma
biological perspective
view that psychological disorders like depression and schizophrenia are associated with imbalances in one or more neurotransmitter systems
broca’s area
region in the left hemisphere that is essential for language production
central nervous system (CNS)
Brain and spinal cord
cerebellum
hindbrain structure that controls our balance, coordination, movement, and motor skills, and it is thought to be important in processing some types of memory
cerebral cortex
surface of the brain that is associated with our highest mental capabilities
computerized tomography (CT) scan
imaging technique in which a computer coordinates and integrates multiple x-rays of a given area
corpus callosum
thick band of neural fibres connecting the brains two hemispheres
degradation
the process by which an enzyme breaks neurotransmitters in the synaptic cleft down into their components so they can no longer interact with the receptors on the posy synaptic neurone
dendrite
branch like extensions of the soma that receives incoming signals from other neuron’s
electroencephalography (EEG)
recording that electrical activity of the brain via electrodes of the scalp
fight or flight response
activation of the sympathetic diction of the autonomic nervous system, allowing access to energy reserves and heightened sensory capacity is that we might fight iff a given threat or run away to safety
forebrain
largest part of the brain, contains the cerebral cortex, the thalamus, and the limbic system, among other structures
frontal lobe
part of the cerebral cortex involved in reasoning, motor control, motion, and language; contains motor cortex
glial cell
nervous system cell that provides physical and metabolic support to neurone, including neuronal insulation and communication, and nutrient and waste transport
gyrus (plural: gyri)
bump or ridge in the cerebral cortex
hemisphere
left or right half of the brain
hindbrain
division of the brain containing the medulla, pons, and cerebellum
hippocampus
structure in the temporal lobe associated with learning and memory
homeostasis
state of equilibrium - biological conditions, such as body temperature, are maintained as optimal levels
hypothalamus
forebrain structure that regulates sexual motivation and behaviour and a number of homeostatic processes; serves as an interface between the nervous system and the endocrine system
lateralization
concept that each hemisphere of the brain is associated with specialized functions
limbic system
collection of structures involved in processing emotion and memory
longitudinal fissure
deep grove in the brains cortex
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
magnetic fields used to produce a picture of tissue being imaged
medulla
hindbrain structure that controls automated processes like breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate
membrane potential
difference in charge across the neuronal membrane
midbrain
division of the brain located between the forebrain and the hindbrain; contains the reticular formation
motor cortex
strip of cortex involved in planning and coordinating movement
myelin sheath
fatty substance that insulates axons
neuron
cels in the nervous system that act as interconnected information processors, which are essential for all of the tasks of the nervous system
neuroplasticity
nervous systems ability to change
nodes of ranvier
open spaces that are found in the myelin sheath that encases the axon
occipital lobe
part of the cerebral cortex associated with visual processing; contains the primary visual cortex
parasympathetic nervous system
associated with routine, day to day operations of the body
parietal lobe
part of the cerebral cortex involved in processing various sensory and perceptual information; contains the primary somatosensory cortex
peripheral nervous system (PNS)
connects the brain and spinal cord to the muscles, organs, and senses in the periphery of the body
pituitary gland
secret a number of key hormones, which regulate fluid levels in the body, and a number of messenger hormones, which direct the activity of other glands in the endocrine system
pons
hindbrain structure that connects the brain and spina cord; involved in regulating the brain activity during sleep
position emission tomography (PET) scan
involves injecting individuals with a widely radioactive substance and monitoring changes in blood flow to different regions of the brain
prefrontal cortex
area in the frontal lobe responsible for higher level cognitive functioning
psychotropic medication
drugs that treat psychiatric symptoms by restoring the neurotransmitter balance
receptor
protein on the cell surface where neurotransmitters attach
resting potential
the state of readiness of a neutron membranes potential between signals
reticular formation
midbrain structure important in regulating sleep/wake cycle, arousal, alertness, and motor activity
reuptake
neurotransmitter is pumped back into the neurone that released it
semipermeable membrane
cell membrane that allows smaller molecules without an electrical charge to pass through it, while stopping anger or highly charged molecules
soma
cell body
somatic nervous system
relays sensory and motor information to and from the CNS
somatosensory cortex
essential for processing sensory information from across the body, such as touch, temperature, and pain
substantia nigra
midbrain structure where dopamine is produced; involved control of movement
sulcus (plural: sulci)
depressions or grooves in the cerebral cortex
sympathetic nervous system
involved in stress related activities and functions
synaptic cleft
small gap between two neutrons where communication occurs
synaptic vesicle
storage site for neurotransmitters
temporal lobe
pert of the cerebral cortex associated with hearing, memory, emotion, and some aspects of language; contains primary auditory cortex
thalamus
sensory relay for the brain
threshed of excitation
level of charge in the membrane that causes the neurone to become active
ventral tegmental area (VTA)
midbrain structure where dopamine is produced: associated with mood, reward, and addiction
Wernicke’s area
important for speech comprehension
