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