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
a network of neurons and glia that acts as a gateway for forming new memories
hippocampus
a network of neurons and glia that helps regulate the production of hormones by the endocrine system, giving it an integral role in governing important bodily functions
hypothalamus
something that causes the charge inside a neuron to move away from activation (more negative)
inhibitory
particles with positive or negative charges. The movement os these things creates electricity.
ions
same side of the body
ipsilateral
an anatomical term meaning “toward the sides of the body/head.”
lateral
areas in the brain where neruons have died. It can occur for many reasons, including trauma (getting hit), drug overdose, disease, stroke, or toxic chemical exposure
lesions
a network of neurons and glia dedicated to regulating emotions, helping regulate endocrine activity, and forming emotional memories
limbic system
different sections of the neocortex, each dedicated primarily to a certain set of functions
lobes
an anatomical term meaning “toward the middle and center of the body/head”
medial
the part of the brain closest to your spinal cord that helps regulate life functions like breathing and heart rate
medulla
glial (helper) cells that clean debris and get rid of germs
mircoglia
a protein and fatty substance that wraps around the axon to protect and increase speed of action potentials (electrical impulses)
myelin
the outer part of your brian, with all the bumps (gyri) and valleys (sulcii), responsible for all the high level processing of information
neocortex
anything related to the nervous system structure or function
neural
nerurons organized in an interconnected group, dedicated to a set of functions
neural networks
diseases in which parts of the brain slowly die over time, resulting in greater disability as the disease progresses
neurodegenerative diseases
cells that communicate within the brain and with the body to form thoughts and actions. These cells code information as electrical signals, and also release chemicals that influence other neurons/organs/body parts.
neurons
the ability of neurons and glia to change/adapt to what happens inside and around us
neuroplasticity
chemicals released from the end of an axon that acts as messages to other neurons and body parts. These chemicals typically bind to receptors.
neurotransmitters
gaps in the myelin that allow ions to enter into the axon and change the charge inside
nodes of ranvier
a network of neurons and glia grouped together to perform certain functions
nuclei
the bottom portion of the temporal lobes in the neocortex dedicated to processing electrical impulses from olfactory (smell) nerves
olfactory cortex
glial (helper) cells that wrap the myelin insulation around axons in the central nervous system
oligodendroxytes
the division of your autonomic nervous system that is responsible for resting, digestion, and repairing the body
parasympathetic nervous system
a chemical that comes from outside the body and either partially enhances, partially mimics, or partially blocks a neurotransmitter action
partial agonist/antagonist
the other side of the synpase. The neuron that contains receptors (usually on dendrites) ready to bind to the neurotransmitter released from the presynaptic neuron.
postsynaptic receptors
peripheral means outer. this is any part of the nervous system not in the brain or spinal cord
peripheral nervous system
a network of cells in the brain stem (myelencephalon) that regulate awarness/alterness, sleep and motor function
pons
the front portion of the frontal lobes, a network of neurons and glia heavily involved in decision making
prefrontal cortex
the neuron that releases the neurotransmitter from its axon terminal
presynaptic neuron
circuits of neurons in the temporal lobe dedicated to receiving and processing messages from the ears through axons of the vestibulochlear nerve
primary auditory cortex
proteins that are embedded in the cell body membrane and are built to receive chemical messages from neurotransmitters
receptors
a network of cells in the pons and medulla that help regulate the level of awarness and alterness in humans
reticular activating system (RAS)
glial (helper) cells that wrap the myelin insulation around axons in the peripheral nervous system
schwann cells
the cell body of a neuron
soma
literally of the body. THe division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the movement of the torso, head, and limbs. These are the nerves that control and communicate with skeletal muscles
SOMATIC nerves
a way of using dye to make neurons, axons, and dendrites visible under a microscope
staining methods
dark substance: another part of the basal ganglia that sends inhibitory signals to the thalamus in order to coordinate sensory information with motor (movement) plans
substantia nigra
the division of your autonomic nervous system that is responsible for things we do that require excitement
sympathetic nervous system
a small fluid gap between neurons into which neurotransmitters are released
synpase
the space between the end of the neuron that releases a neurotransmitter (axon terminal) and the end of the receiving neuron (usually a dendrite)
synaptic cleft
the very end of the axon terminal, where the neurotransmitter exits
terminal button
consisting of clustered groups of neurons called the globus pallidus (looks like a pale globe), substantia nigra (black substance), and the subthalamic nucleus (below the thalamus); part of the basal ganglia closer to the neocortex that play a central role in coordinating movement
ventral straitum
little bubbles at the terminal button that store neurotransmitter molecules
vesicles
circuits in the rear temporal lobe that seem to be necessary for processing and understanding language
wenicke’s area
