Chapter 3: Brain and Behavior Flashcards
Neurons
cells in the nervous system that communicate with each other to perform information-processing tasks
cell body (soma)
the part of the neuron that coordinates the information-processing tasks and keeps the cell alive
nucleus
houses chromosomes that contain your DNA
cell membrane
the porous layer that encloses the cell body
dendrites
parts of the neuron that receive information from other neurons and relay it to the cell body
axon
the part of the neuron that carries information to other neurons, muscles, or glands
myelin sheather
an insulating layer of fatty material (glial cells)
glial cells
support cells found in the nervous system
synapse
the junction or region between the axon of one neuron and the dendrites of cell body of another
What are the major types of neurons?
sensory, motor, and interneurons
sensory neurons
receive information from the external world and convey this info to the brain via spinal cord
motor neurons
carry signals from the spinal cord the the muscles to produce movement
interneurons
connect sensory neurons, motor neurons, or other interneurons
resting potential
the difference in electrical charge between the inside and outside of a neuron’s cell membrane
action potential
an electrical signal that is conducted along the length of a neuron’s axon to a synapse
nodes of Ranvier
breakpoints between myelin
refractory period
the time following an action potential during which a new action potential cannot be intiated
terminal buttons
knoblike structures at the end of an axon
neurotransmitters
chemicals that transmit information across the synapse to a receiving neuron’s dendrites
What are the three ways a neurotransmitter can leave the synapse
- reuptake
- broken down by enzymes
- diffusion
reuptake
when neurotransmitters are absorbed by the terminal buttons or by neighboring glial cells
diffusion
when neurotransmitters drift out of the synapse
What are the types of neurotransmitters?
Acetylcholine, Dopamine, Glutamate, GABA, Endorphins, Serotonin, Norepinephrine
Acetylcholine
involved in voluntary motor control, attention, learning, sleeping, dreaming, and memory
- associated with Alzheimer’s (low)
Dopamine
involved in regulating motor behavior, motivation, and emotional arousal
- associated with schizophrenia (high) ad Parkinson’s (low)
Glutamate
excitatory neurotransmitter enhances the transmission of info between neurons
- associated with seizures (high)
GABA
inhibitory neurotransmitters, prevents firing of neurons, neuron becomes hyperpolarized
- associated with seizures (low)
Norepinephrine
involved in state of vigilance or heightened awareness of danger
- associated with mood disorders (low)
Serotonin
influence mood and arousal
- associated with mood disorders (low)
Endorphins
help dull the experience of pain and elevate moods
Agonists
drugs that increase the action of a neurotransmitter
Antagonists
drugs that diminish the function of a neurotransmitter
A drug is able to bind to that neuron’s receptor. Is it an agonist or antagonist?
Agonist
A drug is able to mimic the neurotransmitter. Is it an agonist or antagonist?
Agonist
A drug is able to block the ability of the neurotransmitter to activate the receptor. Is it an agonist or antagonist?
Antagonist
A drug is able to block reuptake. Is it an agonist or antagonist?
Agonist
Nervous System
an interacting network of neurons that conveys information through the body
central nervous system
composed of the brain and spinal cord
peripheral nervous system
connects the CNS to the body’s organs and muscles
somatic nervous system
a set of nerves that conveys information between voluntary muscles and the CNS
autonomic nervous system
a set of nerves that carries involuntary and automatic commands that control blood vessels, body organs. and glands
sympathetic nervous system
a set of nerves that prepare the body for action in challenging or threatening situations
parasympathetic nervous system
helps the body return to a normal resting state
What are the major divisions of the brain?
forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain
hindbrain
an area of the brain that coordinates information coming into and out of the spinal cord
What structures make up the hindbrain?
Medulla, reticular formation, cerebellum and pons
medulla
coordinates heart rate, circulation, respiration
reticular formation
regulates sleep, wakefulness, and arousal
cerebellum
controls fine motor skills
pons
relays information from the cerebellum to the rest of the brain
what are the structures of the midbrain?
tectum and tegmentum
tectum
orients an organism in the environment
tegmentum
involved in movement and arousal
what are the structures of the forebrain?
cerebral cortex, subcortical structures
cerebral cortex
the outermost layer of the brain, visible to the naked eye and divided into two hemispheres
subcortical structures
areas of the forebrain housed under the cerebral cortex near the center of the brain
What makes up the subcortical structures
thalamus, hypothalamus, hippocampus, amygdala, basal ganglia
Thalamus
relays and filters information from the senses and transmits the information to the cerebral cortex
hypothalamus
regulates body temp, hunger, thirst, and sexual behavior
hippocampus
critical for creating new memories and integrating them into a network of knowledge so that they can be stored indefinitely in other parts of the cerebral cortex
amydala
plays a central role in many emotional processes, particularly the formation of emotional memories
basal gang
a set of subcortical structures that directs intentional movements
What are the structures that make up the cerebral cortex?
frontal lobe, parietal lobe, occipital lobe, temporal lobe
corpus callosum
a thick band of nerve fibers that connects large areas of the cerebral cortex on each side of the brain and hemispheres
occipital lobe
back of the cerebral cortex, processes visual information
temporal lobe
lower side of each hemisphere, responsible for hearing and language
parietal lobel
front of the occipital lobe, carries information about touch
frontal lobe
behind forehead, specialized areas for movement, abstract thinking, planning, memory, and judgement
plasticity
adapt to changes in sensory inputs
gene
major unit of hereditary transmission
chromosomes
strands of DNA wound around each other in a double helix configuration
epigenetics
the study of environmental influences that determine how and if genes are expressed, without altering the basic DNA sequences that constitute the genes themselves
gyri
a ridge or fold between two clefts on the cerebral surface in the brain
positron emission tomography (PET)
a harmless radioactive substance is injected into a person’s bloodstream and then the brain is scanned by radiation detectors as the person performs tasks
shows us the function of the brain
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
uses a strong magnetic field to line up the nuclei of specific molecules in the brain tissue
shows us the structure of the brain
computerized axial tomography (CT) scan
a scanner rotates a device around a person’s head and takes a series of X-ray photographs from different angles
shows us the structure of the brain
electroencephalograph (EEG)
a device used to record electrical activity in the brain
Dizygotic twins
fraternal twins
share about 50% of their genes
monozygotic twins
identical twins
share 100% of their genes
