chapter 3 Flashcards
d
What is a neuron
individualized nerve cells specified for communications with other neurons
what is cell body and its function
manufactures new cell components and hosts nucleus
what are dendrites and their function
receives info from other neurons and passes it to cell body
what is axon and its function
messages travel to other neurons and releases neurotransmitters
what is myelin sheath and its function
acts as an insulator and speeds neural impulses
what is synaptic vesicle and its function
stores neurotransmitters and fuses with presynaptic membrane
axon terminals and its function
make connections to other neurons and transmit signals
what is the synapse and its function
acts as a junction where transmission of signals occur
what do glial cells do
protect neurons, helps maintain homeostasis and contribute to the formation of myelin sheath
in general, what are neurotransmitters?
chemical messengers that neurons use to communicate with eachother
what happens when someone has irregular levels of dopamine
fatigue, low motivation, paranoia, hallucinations
what happens when someone has too much glutamate
anxiety, restlessness, and cognitive difficulties
what is neural plasticity
nervous system’s ability to change
4 ways our brain changes during development
growth of dendrites and axons, synaptogenesis, pruning, and myelination
CNS (central nervous system)
processes information and makes decisions
PNS (peripheral nervous system)
transmits signals to and from the body, enabling communication between cns and rest of body(nerves extend outside of cns)
where is brocas area located
on the dominant side which is the left side for most
describe cross over movement
having communication between both sides of the brain and body
cerebral cortex
analyzes sensory information, helps perform reasoning and language
frontal lobe
movement, language and memory
parietal lobe
relays visuals and touch information
temporal lobe
hearing
occipital lobe
seeing
basal ganglia
help control movement
limbic system
parts of brain dedicated to emotion
thalamus
sensory relay station
hypothalamus
regulates bodily states
amygdala
excitement, arousal, especially fear
hippocampus
crucial in memory
cerebellum
balance and coordination
brain stem
basic bodily functions that keep us alive
medulla
regulates breathing, heartbeat
spinal cord
conveys information from brain to the rest of the body
somatic nervous system
coordinates voluntary movement
autonomic nervous system
controls involuntary actions, “fight or flight”
corpus callosum
connects left and right hemispheres of the brain
