Chapter 4 Flashcards
Key Terms
Action Potential
A transient all-or-nothing electrical current that is conducted down the axon when the membrane potential reaches the threshold of excitation
Axon
part of the neuron that extends off the soma, splitting several times to connect with other neurons; main output of the neuron
Brain Stem
the ‘trunk’ of the brain comprised of the medula, pons, midbrain, and diencephalon
Broca’s Area
An area in the frontal lobe of the left hemisphere. Implicated in language production
Central Nervous System
The portion of the nervous system that includes the brain and spinal cord
Cerebellum
the distinctive structure at the back of the brain. Latin for “small brain”
Cerebrum
Usually refers to the cerebral cortex and associated white matter, but in some texts includes the subcortical structures
Contralateral
literally “opposite side.” Used to refer to the fact that the two hemispheres of the brain process sensory information and motor commands for the opposite side of the body
Corpus Callosum
The thick bundle of nerve cells that connect the two hemispheres and allow them to communicate
Dendrites
Part of a neuron that extends away from the cell body and is the main input to the neuron
Diffuse Optical Imaging (DOI)
A neuroimaging technique that infers brain activity by measuring changes in light as it is passed through the skull and surface of the brain
Electroencephalography (EEG)
A neuroimaging technique that measures electrical brain activity via multiple electrodes on scalp
Frontal Lobe
The front most (anterior) part of the cerebrum; anterior to the central sulcus and responsible for motor output and planning, language, judgment and decision making
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)
A neuroimaging technique that infers brain activity by measuring changes in oxygen levels in the blood
Limbic System
includes the subcortical structures of the amygdala and hippocampal formation as well as some cortical structures; responsible for aversion and gratification
Myelin Sheath
Fatty tissue, that insulates the axons of the neurons. Myelin is necessary for normal conduction of electrical impulses among neurons
Nervous System
The body’s network for electrochemical communication. This system includes all nerve sells in the body
Neurons
Individual brain cells
Neurotransmitters
Chemical substance released by the presynaptic terminal button that acts on the postsynaptic cell
Occipital Tube
The back most (posterior) part of cerebrum; involved in vision
Parietal Tube
Part of cerebrum between frontal and occipital lobe, involved in bodily sensations, visual attention, and integrating the senses
Paripheral Nervous System
All of the nerve cells that connect the central nervous system to all other parts of the body
Position Emission Tomography (PET)
A neuroimaging technique that measures brain activity by detecting the presence of a radioactive substance in the brain that’s initially injected into the bloodstream and then pulled in by active brain tissue
Soma
Cell body of a neuron that contains the nucleus and genetic information and directs protein synthesis
Spatial Resolution
A term that refers to how small the elements of an image are
Split-Brain Patient
A patient who has had all of their corpus callosum severed
Synapses
Junction between the presynaptic terminal button of one neuron, and the dendrite, axon, or soma of another postsynaptic neuron
Synaptic Gap
Also known as the synaptic cleft, the small space between the presynaptic terminal button and the postsynaptic dendrite, spine, axon or soma
Temporal Lobe
The part of the cerebrum in front of (anterior to) the occipital lobe and below the lateral fissure; involved in vision, auditory processing, memory, and integrating vision and audition
Temporal Resolution
A term that refers to how small a unit of time can be measured
