Key Terms 2 Flashcards
action potential
a neural impulse, or brief electrical charge, that carries information along the axon of a neuron; movement is generated when positively charged ions move in and out through channels in the axon’s membrane
agonist drug
a substance that binds to a receptor and triggers a response that mimics or enhances a neurotransmitter’s effect
amygdala
a part of the limbic system linked to the production and regulation of emotions- especially aggression and fear
antagonist drug
a substance that binds to a receptor and triggers a response that blocks a neurotransmitter’s effect
association areas
the “quiet” areas in the cerebral cortex involved in interpreting, integrating, and acting on information processed by other parts of the brain
autonomic nervous system(ANS)
the subdivision of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) that controls the body’s involuntary motor responses; it connects the sensory receptors to the central nervous system (CNS) and the CNS to the smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and glands
all or nothing principle
the principle that a neuron’s response to a stimulus is either to fire with a full strength response or not at all; also known as the all-or-none law
axon
a long, tube like structure that conveys impulses away from a neuron’s cell body toward other neurons or to muscles or glands
cell body
the part of a neuron that contains the cell nucleus and other structures that help the neuron carry out its functions, also known as the soma
central nervous system (CNS)
the part of the nervous system consisting of the brain and the spinal cord
cerebellum
the hindbrain structure responsible for coordinating fine muscle movement, balance, and some perception and cognition
cerebral cortex
the thin surface layer on the cerebral hemispheres that regulates most complex behavior, including sensations, motor control, and higher mental processes
corpus callosum
a bundle of neural fibers that connects the brain’s two hemispheres
dendrites
the branching fibers of neurons that receive neural impulses from other neurons and convey impulses toward the cell body
endorphin
a chemical substance in the nervous system similar in structure and action to opiates; involved in pain control, pleasure, and memory
endocrine system
a network of glands located throughout the body that manufacture and secrete hormones into the bloodstream
forebrain
the collection of upper level brain structures including the cerebral cortex, limbic system, thalamus, and hypothalamus
frontal lobes
the two lobes at the front of the brain that govern motor control, speech production, and higher functions, such as thinking, personality, emotion, and memory
glial cells
the cells that provide structural, nutritional, and other functions for neurons; also called glia or neuroglia
hindbrain
the lower or hind region of the brain; collection of structures including the medulla, pons, and cerebellum
hippocampus
the seahorse shaped part of the limbic system involved in forming and retrieving memories
hypothalamus
the small brain structure beneath the thalamus that helps govern drives (hunger, thirst, sex, and aggression) and hormones
limbic system
the interconnected group of forebrain structures involved with emotions, drives, and memory; its two most important structures are the hippocampus and amygdala
medulla
the hindbrain structure responsible for vital, automatic functions, such as respiration and heartbeat
midbrain
the collection of structures in the middle of the brain responsible for coordinating movement patterns, sleep, and arousal
myelin sheath
the layer of fatty insulation wrapped around the axon of some neurons that increases the rate at which neural impulses travel along the axon
neurogenesis
the formation (generation) of new neurons
neuron
the basic building block (nerve cell) of the nervous system; responsible for receiving, processing, and transmitting electrochemical information
neuroplasticity
the brain’s lifelong ability to reorganize and change its structure and function by forming new neural connections
neurotransmitter
a chemical messenger released by neurons that travels across the synapse and allows neurons to communicate with one another
occipital lobes
the two lobes at the back of the brain that are primarily responsible for vision and visual perception
parasympathetic nervous system (ANS)
the subdivision of the autonomic nervous system(ANS) that is responsible for calming the body and conserving energy
parietal lobes
the two lobes located at the top of the brain in which bodily sensations are received and interpreted
peripheral nervous system(PNS)
the part of the nervous system composed of the nerves and neurons connecting the central nervous system (CNS) to the rest of the body
reflex
an innate, automatic response to a stimulus that has a biological relevance for an organism (ex. knee jerk reflex)
reticular formation
the diffuse set of neurons that helps screen incoming information and helps control arousal
somatic nervous system(SNS)
a subdivision of the peripheral nervous system(PNS) that connects the central nervous system (CNS) to sensory receptors and controls skeletal muscles
split brain surgery
the cutting of the corpus callosum to separate the brain’s two hemispheres; used medically to treat severe epilepsy; also provides information on the functions of the two hemispheres
stem cells
immature (uncommitted) cells that have the potential to develop into almost any type of cell, depending on the chemical signals they receive
sympathetic nervous system
the subdivision of the autonomic nervous system(ANS) that is responsible for arousing the body and mobilizing its energy during times of stress; also called the “fight-flight-freeze” system
synapse
the gap between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite and/or cell body of the receiving neuron; during an action potential, neurotransmitters are released and flow across the synapse
temporal lobes
the two lobes on each side of the brain above the ears that are involved in audition(hearing), language comprehension, memory, and some emotional control
thalamus
the forebrain structure at the top of the brainstem that relays sensory messages to and from the cerebral cortex
