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Intro To Neuroscience > Exam 1 Terms > Flashcards

Exam 1 Terms Flashcards

1
Q

Cells specialized for the conduction and transmission of electrical signals in the nervous system

A

Neurons

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2
Q

Process in which a substance is released by synaptic terminals for the purpose of transmitting information from one nerve cell to another

A

Neurotransmission

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3
Q

A functional entity consisting of interconnected neurons that is able to regulate its own activity

A

Neural circuits

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4
Q

The neuronal process that carries the action potential from the nerve cell body to a target

A

Axon

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5
Q

A neuronal process arising from the cell body that receives synaptic input

A

Dendrite

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6
Q

The specialized end of a growing axon (or dendrite) that generates the motive force for elongation

A

Growth cone

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7
Q

Wrapping around an axon that provides electrical insulation formed by glia cells: Oligodendrocytes or Schwann cells

A

Myelin

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8
Q

A general term for parts of the central nervous system (CNS) that are rich in axons (rich in lipids)

A

White matter

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9
Q

Describes parts of the CNS that are rich in cell bodies

A

Gray matter

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10
Q

Specialized apposition between a neuron and its target cell for transmission of information by release and reception of a chemical transmitter agent

A

Synapse

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11
Q

Substance released by synaptic terminals for the purpose of transmitting information from one nerve cell to another

A

Neurotransmitter

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12
Q

Spherical, membrane-bound organelles in presynaptic terminals that store neurotransmitters

A

Synaptic vesicle

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13
Q

A molecule specialized to bind any one of a large number of chemical signals, preeminently neurotransmitters

A

Receptor

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14
Q

Referring to the component of a synapse specialized for transmitter release. Upstream of a synapse.

A

Presynaptic

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15
Q

Referring to the component of a synapse specialized for transmitter reception. Downstream of a synapse.

A

Postsynaptic

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16
Q

Nerve cells within the nervous system responsible for converting external stimuli from the organism’s environment into internal electrical impulses

A

Sensory neuron

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17
Q

A nerve cell forming part of a pathway along which impulses pass from the brain or spinal cord to a muscle or gland

A

Motor neuron

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18
Q

A neuron that innervates other neurons; technically links a primary sensory neuron to a primary effector neuron (reflex arc)

A

Interneurons

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19
Q

Transmit signals between brain areas

A

Communication neuron

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20
Q

Extract and process information from input neurons

A

Computation neuron

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21
Q

A synapse that increases the likelihood of the downstream neuron sending a signal (action potential)

A

Excitatory synapse

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22
Q

A synapse that decreases the likelihood of the downstream neuron sending an action potential

A

Inhibitory synapse

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23
Q

Synapse made by a motor neuron on a skeletal muscle fiber

A

Neuromuscular junction

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24
Q

The axis of symmetry of a bilaterally symmetric organism

A

Midline

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25
Q

The electrical signal conducted along axons (or muscle fibers) by which information is conveyed from one place to another in the nervous system

A

Action potential

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26
Q

The visual phenomena where an individual has the ability to depict visual information although they are not entirely conscious of the experience

A

Blindsight

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27
Q

Anterior end of the brain stem

A

Midbrain

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28
Q

Ridges of the brain

A

Gyrus

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29
Q

Grooves of the brain

A

Sulcus

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30
Q

“Executive function”

  • All of neocortex from front to the central sulcus
  • Planning, emotional expression, problem solving, memory
  • Includes primary motor cortex
A

Frontal lobe

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31
Q

Fissure that separates the frontal and parietal lobes

A

Central sulcus

32
Q

“Sensory information”

- Includes somatosensory cortex

A

Parietal lobe

33
Q
  • “Vision”
  • Processes visual input
  • Size indicates importance of vision to humans
A

Occipital lobe

34
Q
  • “Memory, listening”
  • Includes hippocampus: critical in forming long term memories
  • Primary auditory perception/processing (hearing)
  • Visual memories
A

Temporal lobe

35
Q

Portion of the CNS that extends from the lower end of the brain stem

A

Spinal cord

36
Q

Cerebellum, pons and medulla

A

Hindbrain

37
Q

Relay station (like thalamus); initiates dreams

A

Pons

38
Q

Controls involuntary functions such as breathing

A

Medulla

39
Q

Regulates motor coordination, posture and balance

A

Cerebellum

40
Q

Midbrain, pons and medulla

A

Brainstem

41
Q

200+ million axons connecting the two hemispheres

A

Corpus callosum

42
Q

Dividing brain regions into evolutionary age:

  • Lizard brain (brain stem, cerebellum - flight or fight)
  • Mammalian brain (limbic system - emotions, memories, habits)
  • Human brain (neocortex - language, abstract thought, imagination, consciousness)
A

Tribune Brain Theory

43
Q

Pseudoscience primarily focused on measurements of the human skull, based on the concept that the brain is the organ of the mind, and that certain brain areas have localized, specific functions or modules

A

Phrenology

44
Q

Neocortical regions not involved in primary sensory or motor processing; carries out tasks not associated with a single sense

A

Association cortex

45
Q

Frontal lobe area specialized in the production of language

A

Broca’s Area

46
Q

Temporal lobe area that mediates language comprehension

A

Wernicke’s Area

47
Q

Physical representation of the body located within the brain

  • Motor homunculus: motor neurons projected out
  • Sensory homunculus: sensory neurons projecting in
A

Homunculus

48
Q

Also called somatosensory or sensory cortex – the region of the neocortex concerned with processing of sensory information

A

Somatic sensory cortex

49
Q

Group of neurons with similar properties that represent a functional unit within the neocortex. The basic unit of the neocortex, repeated many times.

A

Neocortical or minicolumn

50
Q

Subcortical brain structures that are crucial in planning, organizing and executing movement, addiction

  • Functions with the frontal lobes
  • Caudate, putamen, globus palladus, substantia nigra, subthalamic nucleus
  • Produces a lot of dopamine: involved in addiction
A

Basal ganglia

51
Q

Nucleus in the basal ganglia involved in initiating voluntary movement

  • Dopaminergic neuron die in Parkinson’s disease
  • Dopamine metabolism: black coloration
A

Substantia nigra

52
Q

Cortical and subcortical structures concerned with emotions and memory

A

Limbic system

53
Q

Part of the temporal lobe involved in consolidation of

short-term memories into long-term memories (cortex)

A

Hippocampus

54
Q

Major part of the limbic system, monitors progress towards goals

A

Cingulate gyrus

55
Q

A nuclear complex in the temporal lobe whose major functions concern autonomic, emotional and sexual behavior; most often connected with the major emotions such as fear and avoiding situations that induce fear

A

Amygdala

56
Q

Imaging technique that uses a combination of radio waves and magnetic fields to scan the brain or a body part; generates a static image

A

Magnetic Resonance imaging (MRI)

57
Q

Uses MRI techniques to image blood flow, which reflects neuronal activity; multiple images are taken over time to generate a dynamic view, albeit at much lower resolution than a standard MRI scan

A

Functional magnetic Resonance imaging (fMRI)

58
Q

Variation of MRI that measures movement of water molecules along axons; allows tracing of brain wiring

A

Diffusion Tensor Imaging

59
Q

Radioactive sugar or glucose injected

which is taken up by active neurons; emitted positrons annihilate and convert to gamma rays which are detected

A

Positron Emission Tomography

60
Q

Delivery of low current to brain region of interest via electrodes on the scalp. Thought to the likelihood that neurons will fire (neuronal excitability)

A

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)

61
Q

Implantation of a electrode or device to deliver electrical stimulation to a region effectively inactivating the region

  • Parkinson’s disease: Globus palidus and other regions
  • Multiple sclerosis: Thalamus
A

Deep Brain Stimulation

62
Q

Uses x-rays from many different angles and a computer to build up an image of the brain or body

A

Computerized Tomography (CT) scan

63
Q
  • Memory of “autobiographical” events
  • Event is linked to when and/or where you learnt something (emotions, personal experience, “episodes”)
  • Recalling where you were when Kennedy was shot
  • Warning: autobiographical memory is more than just episodic
A

Episodic memory

64
Q
  • “Factual” memory

- Ideas and concepts not drawn from personal experience

A

Semantic memory

65
Q

Memories held briefly in mind that enable a particular task to be accomplished (e.g., efficiently searching a room for a lost object)

A

Working memory

66
Q

Ability to learn; Pavlov pairing a bell with food

A

Associative memory

67
Q

Use of a placebo group in clinical trials or tests

A

Control

68
Q

Random assignment of test subjects to experimental and control (placebo) groups; neither the subjects nor the experimenters know who is in which group

A

Double blind study

69
Q

Experimenters know who is in which group

A

Single blind

70
Q

Must be included in studies

A

Statistics

71
Q

Recording activity, say in fMRI, before asking test subject to perform task

A

Baseline

72
Q

Any treatment used to ameliorate a symptom or disease, but is actually ineffective for the condition

A

Placebo

73
Q

Surgical severing of the corpus callosum (usually to control grand mal seizures); brain sides function independently

A

Split brain patient

74
Q

Harmless substance that when taken by a patient is associated with harmful effects due to negative expectations or the psychological condition of the patient

A

Noceibo

75
Q

Having a psychological origin

A

Psychogenic

76
Q

Difficulty comprehending language due to damage to these areas (or others)

A

Aphasia

77
Q

Inability to name objects

A

Agnosia

Intro To Neuroscience (4 decks)

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