chapters 3 Flashcards
neuroscience
neurons
cells in the nervous system that communicate with each other to perform info processing tasks
cell body
component of the neuron that coordinates info processing tasks and keeps the cell alive
dendrite
receives info from the other neurons and relays it to the cell body
axon
carries info to other neurons , muscles , or glands
myelin sheath
an insulating layer of fatty material that speeds up the movement of action potential along the axon
glial cells
support cells found in the nervous system
synapse
the junction or region between the axon of one neuron and the dendrites of another
sensory neurons
receive info from the external world and convey this info to the brain and spinal cord
motor neurons
carry signals from the spinal cord to the muscles to produce movement
interneurons
connect sensory neurons, motor neurons, or other interneurons
nodes of ranvier
the breaks in the myelin sheath. the electric impulses jump from node to node, thereby speeding the conduction
resting potential
the difference in electric charge between the inside and outside of a neurons cell membrane
action potential
an electric signal that is conducted along the length of a neurons axon to a synapse
refractory period
the time following an action potential during which a new action potential cannot be initiated
terminal buttons
knoblike structures that branch out from the axon
neurotransmitters
chemicals that transmit info across the synapse to a receiving neurons dendrites
receptors
parts of the cell membrane that receive the neurotransmitter and either initiate or prevent a new electric signal
acetylcholine (ACh)
a neurotransmitter involved in a number of functions, including motor control
dopamine
a neurotransmitter that regulates motor behavior, motivation, pleasure, and emotional arousal
glutamate
the major excitatory NT in the brain
GABA ( gamma-aminobutyric acid)
the primary inhibitory NT in the brain
norepinephrine
involved in states of vigilance or heightened awareness of dangers in the environment
serotonin
involved in the regulation of sleep , wakefulness, eating, and aggressive behavior
endorphins
chemicals that act with in the pain pathways and emotion centers of the brain
agonists
drugs that increase the action of a NT
antagonist
drugs that decrease the action of a NT
nervous system
an interacting network of neurons that conveys electrochemical info throughout the body
central nervous system
composed of brain and spinal cord
peripheral nervous system
connects CNS to organs and muscles
somatic nervous system
a set of nerves that conveys info between skeletal muscles and 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
set of nerves that prepares the body for action in challenging or threatening situations. Fight or flight
parasympathetic nervous system
helps body return to a normal resting state. rest and digest
hindbrain
the area of the brain that coordinates info coming into and out of the spinal cord
medulla
an extension of the spinal cord into the skull that coordinates heart rate, circulation, and respiration
reticular formation
regulates sleep, wakefulness, and levels of arousal
cerebellum
large structure of the hindbrain that controls fine motor skills
pons
brain structure that relays info from the cerebellum to the rest of the brain
tectum
orients organism in the environment
tegmentum
involved in movement and arousal
cerebral cortex
the outermost layer of the brain, visible to the naked eye. divided into 2 hemispheres
subcortical structures
areas of the forebrain housed under the cerebral cortex near the center of the brain
thalamus
relays and filters info from the senses and transmits the info to the cerebral cortex
hypothalamus
regulates body temperature, 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 cerebral cortex
amygdala
located at the top of each horn of the hippocampus, plays a central role in many emotional processes, particularly formation of emotional memories
basal ganglia
a set of subcortical structures that directs intentional movements and plays a role in reward processing
endocrine system
a network of glands that produce and secrete into the bloodstream chemical messages known as hormones which influence a wide variety of basic functions, including metabolism, growth, and sexual development
pituitary gland
the ‘master gland’ of the body’s hormone producing system, which releases hormones that direct functions of many other glands
corpus callosum
connects large areas of the cerebral cortex on each side of the brain and supports communication of info across hemispheres
occipital lobe
processes visual info
parietal lobe
processes info about touch
frontal lobe
specialized area for movement, abstract thinking, planning, memory, and judgement
temporal lobe
responsible for hearing and language
association areas
composed of neurons that help provide sense and meaning to info processed in the cortex
mirror neurons
neurons that are active when an animal performs a behavior that are activated when another animal observes that animals perform the same behavior
cultural neuroscience
the study of how culture and neurobiological processes influence one another
gene
the 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 whether or not genes are expressed, or the degree to which they are expressed with out altering the basic dna sequences that constitute the gene themselves
epigenetic marks
chemical modifications to dna that can turn genes on or off
dna methylation
adding a methyl group to dna
histone modification
adding chemical modifications to proteins called histones that are involved in packaging dna
heritability
a measure of the variability of behavioral traits among individuals that can be accounted for by genetic factors
electroencephalograph (EEG)
a device used to record electrical activity in the brain
phrenology
detailed study of the shape and size of the cranium and indication of character and mental abilities
non functional brain scans
CT and MRI
functional brain scans
PET and fMRI
magnetic stimulation
TMS
neuroanatomical techniques
Golgi scans , Nissl stain, electron microscopy
Glial cells
Nonneural brain cells that provide structural, nutritional support to the brain
Synaptic vesicle
Spherical sac containing neurotransmitters
Synaptic cleft
A gap into which neurotransmitters are released from the axon terminal
Resting potential
Difference in electrical charge (-70 millivolts) across the neural membrane when the neuron is not being stimulated or inhibited
Depolarization
The reduction of a membranes resting potential so that it becomes less negative
Repolarization
Na+ channels close, k+ channels open. K+ efflux down electro chemical gradient
Postsynaptic potential (PSP)
A voltage change at a receptor site on a postsynaptic cell membrane
Excitatory PSP
A positive voltage shift that increases the likelihood that the postsynaptic neuron will fire action potentials (because it gets closer to the -55mV threshold)
Inhibitory PSP
A negative voltage shift that decreases the likelihood that the postsynaptic neuron will fire action potentials
Neural plasticity in early development
- growth if dendrites and axons
- synaptogenesis (formation of new synapses)
-pruning ( removal of extra synapses to increase the efficiency of. A neural network)
-myelination
Neural plasticity and learning
-Long term potentiation of synapses (a long lasting enhancement in signal transmission between two neurons that results from stimulating them synchronously)
- atonal growth and dendritic branching
Neural plasticity following brain injury
Brain regions can sometimes take over functions previously performed by others,
Stem cell
A cell with the capacity to differentiate into a specialized cell
Neurogenesis
Creation if new neurons in adult brain
Meninges
Three protective membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord
- dura matter
-arachnoid matter
-pia matter
