chapter 3 biology and neuroscience Flashcards
what are the main cells triggered by electrical impulses to send chemical messages in the brain
neurons
two main types of cells in the nervous system
glial cells and neurons
helps to regulate increases and decreases in heart rate
medulla
helps to regulate involuntary muscular control of facial expressions
pons
helps to regulate levels of arousal
reticular activating system
the electrical impulse, or activation energy, that sends a message through a neuron
action potential
axons that carry signals to the central nervous system
afferents
a part of the neuron’s cell membrane that delivers messages to other neurons and body parts
axon
chemicals that come from outside of the body, and mimic or enhance in some way the actions of neurotransmitters. They can be either more effective, the same, or less effective than the normal neurotrasnmitter produced in the nervous system
agonists
A network of neurons and glia (nuclei) that becomes more active when we learn to be fearful and activate our fear response.
amygdala
parts of the neocortex that merge information from primary areas like the visual and auditory cortex. These circuits help us make sense of what we take in.
association cortex
part of the brain that is a major processing center for emotions
amygdala
Glial (helper) cells that help get nutrition to neurons and maintain the balance of charges particles (ions) inside and outside of the neuron
astrocytes
the part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the more automatic functions of the body
autonomic
the intersection between the soma and the axon. This is where the axon begins
axon hillock
This is the part of the axon that releases the neurotrasmitter. Once the action potential gets to the axon terminal, this triggers the release of the neurotransmitter
axon terminal
interconnected groups of neurons near the base of the brain that help us learn movements and coordinate movement patterns
basal ganglia
the part of the nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord
central nervous system
“little brain” A two lowed part of the brain behind the brainstem that helps coordinate movements and problem solving
cerebellum
a network that becomes more active when we experience unpleasant things
cingulate gyrus
opposite side of the body
contralateral
a method used in combination with MRI scans that allows white matter (axons with myelin) to be seen on the scan
diffusion tensor imaging (DTI)
extensions of the cell body membrane that brand out to communicate with other neurons
dendrites
consisting of clustered groups of neurons called the caudate and putamen, part of the basal ganglia closer to the neocortex that play a central role in coordinating movement.
dorsal straitum
axons that carry signals AWAY from the central nervous system
efferents
a substance produced in the body
endogenous substance
a network of neurons and glia grouped together to perform certain functions
ganglia
several different helper cells that assist neruons in their role as the brains communicators, and provide structural support
glial cells
pale globe: part of the basal ganglia that plays the role of inhibiting circuits in the thalamus to control how sensory information is coordinated with movement
globus pallidus
a neurotransmitter that excites (activates) neurons
glutamate