Chapter 4: The Physical Basis of Behavior(brain) Flashcards
action potential
the electrical signal arising in a neuron’s action
agonists
drugs that enhance the actions of neurotransmitters
amygdala
a subcortical structure located in the temporal lobe believed to participate in emotional processing
antagonists
drugs that inhibit the actions of neurotransmitters
autonomic nervous system
the division of the peripheral nervous system that directs the activity of glands, organs, and smooth muscles
axons
the branch of the neuron that is usually responsible for transmitting information to other neurons
basal ganglia
a collection of subcortical structures that participate in the control of movement
brainstem
the part of the brain containing midbrain, pons, and medulla
cell body
the large, central mass of the neuron, containing the necleus
central nervous system(CNS)
the brain and spinal cord
cerebellum
a structure attached to the brainstem that participates in skilled movement, in humans, complex cognitive processes
cerebral cortex
the thin layer of neurons covering the outer surface of the cerebral hemispheres
cingulate cortex
- a subcortical structure above the corpus callosum
- its anterior(forward) segment participates in decision making
- its posterior(rear) segment participates in memory and visual processing
corpus callosum
a wide band of nerve fibres connection the right and left cerebral hemispheres
dendrites
a branch from a neural cell body that usually receives input from other neurons
endocrine system
a system responsible for the release of hormones into the bloodstream
enteric nervous system
a division of the autonomic nervous system consisting of nerve cells embedded in the lining of the gastrointestinal system
executive functions
the set of basic and higher level cognitive processes that enable self-regulation and behaviour control
frontal lobe
- the most forward of the four lobes of the cerebral cortex
- location of the primary motor cortex and areas responsible for some of the most complex cognitive processes
glia
nervous system cells that perform a variety of support functions including formation of the blood-brain barrier and myelin
hippocampus
a subcortical structure that participates in memory
hypothalamus
a subcortical structure that participates in the regulation of thirst, temperature, hunger, sexual behaviour, and aggression
medulla
the brainstem structure that lies just above the spinal cord
midbrain
the part of the brainstem that lies between the pons and the cerebral hemishperes
myelin
the insulating material covering some axons
neurogenesis
the generation of new neurons
neurons
a cell of the nervous system that is specialized to send and receive neural messagess
neuroplasticity
the ability of neurons to change in structures and function throughout the lifespan
neurotransmitters
a chemical messenger that communicates across a synapse
nucleus accumbens
a subcortical structure that participates in reward and addiction
occipital lobe
- the lobe of the cerebral cortex located at the back of the brain
- location of the primary visual cortex
orbitofrontal cortex
- a part of the prefrontal cortex
- located right behind the eyes
- participates in impulse control
parasympathetic nervous system
the division of the autonomic nervous system
- associated with rest, repair, and energy storage
parietal lobe
- the lobe of the cerebral cortex that lies at the top of the brian between the frontal and occipital lobes
- location of the primary somatosensory cortex
peripheral nervous system(PNS)
the nerves exiting the CNS that carry sensory and motor information to and from the rest of the body
pons
a part of the brainstem located between the medulla and the midbrain
prefrontal cortex
the most forward part of the frontal lobe of the cerebral cortex
receptors
a special channel in the membrane of a neuron that interacts with neurotransmitters released by other neurons
resting potential
the measure of the electrical charge across a neural membrane when the neuron is not processing infromation
reticular formation
a collection of structures located along the midline of the brainstem that participate in mood, arousal, and sleep
reuptake
a process in which molecules of neurotransmitter in the synaptic gap are returned to the axons terminal where they are released
somatic nervous system
- part of the peripheral nervous system
- brings sensory information to the central nervous system
- transmits commands to the muscles
spinal cord
- a long cylinder of neural tissue
- extends from the medulla of the brain down to the middle of the back
- part of the CNS
sympathetic nervous system
- a division of the autonomic nervous system
- coordinates arousal
synapse
a point of communication between two neurons
temporal lobe
- the lobe of the cerebral cortex that curves around the side of each hemisphere
- location of the primary auditory cortex
thalamus
- a subcortial strcure
- involved with the processing of sensory information, state of arousal, learning, and memory
