Exam 1 Vocab Flashcards
Ablation
brain lesions; usually an accident in humans but can be surgically done on animals
Afferent
“admission,” bringing information into a structure
Aggregation
cells that are migrating align themselves with other cells and form structures
Alzheimer’s Disease
a disorder characterized by progressive brain deterioration and impairment of memory and other mental abilities; the most common form of dementia
Amygdala
small limbic system structure in each of the temporal lobes that seem to be involved in emotion. Also participates in memory formation, especially when negative emotions are involved (fear and anxiety).
Anterior cingulate cortex
a part of the limbic system important in attention, cognitive processing, possibly consciousness and emotion, including the emotion of pain
Anterior
front of head, towards the head
Autonomic nervous system
one of the two branches of the PNS; includes the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems
Axon growth and synapse formation
4th phase of neurodevelopment- axons and dendrites begin to grow
Basal Ganglia
Buried deep in the Cerebral Cortex, controls motor functions
Bilateral
occurring in both sides of the brain
Biopsychology
the scientific study of the biology of behavior
Blood-brain barrier
limits passage between the bloodstream and the brain, provides constant protection from toxic substances and from neurotransmitters circulating in the blood.
Brain stem
set of structures ventral to the telencephalon that are necessary for basic functioning (breathing, heart rate, sleep, etc)
Bregma
a point located on the top of the skull often used as a reference point for surgery on the brain.
Caudal
set of structures ventral to the telencephalon that are necessary for basic functioning (breathing, heart rate, sleep, etc)
Cell death and the rearrangement of synapses
this is the 5th phase of neurodevelopment.
Central fissure/sulcus
groove that separates the frontal and parietal; 2 (like a headband).
Central nervous system (CNS)
the part of the nervous system made up of the brain and spinal cord.
Cerebellum
input from the first and second degree motor cortex and brain stem motor muscle, feedback from motor responses, involved in fine-tuning and motor learning
Cerebral cortex
outer surface, which is made up mostly of cell bodies of neurons. (gray matter) Divided into 2 hemispheres, with 4 lobes each
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
Fluid in the ventricles and spinal canal that carries material to and from the CNS, also it cushions the brain
Chemoaffinity Hypothesis
describes synapse formation; states that a series of chemical signals attract or repel axons and that these signals are released by glial cells and other axons.
Cognitive neuroscience
studies human cognition (the way we think and solve problems) through an understanding of the brain and nervous system.