Midterm 1 Flashcards
What type of organisms first inhabited the planet?
Single celled organisms
What are gap junctions?
Channels that allow the passage of chemicals between two cells
Define autocrine signaling.
Signaling where chemical messengers released by signaling cells affect receptors on the same cell
What is paracrine signaling?
Signaling where chemical messengers affect receptors on adjacent cells
Describe endocrine signaling.
Signaling where hormones are released into the bloodstream to affect distant target cells
What is the primary focus of this course?
Neural signaling
What is the difference in speed between nervous and endocrine system signaling?
Nervous system signaling is fast; endocrine system signaling is slow
How does the nervous system achieve spatial specificity?
By affecting specific neurons directly
What are the two general areas of the nervous system?
- Central Nervous System (CNS) * Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
What does the central nervous system consist of?
The brain and spinal cord
What is a nerve?
A bundle of axons within the peripheral nervous system
What are ganglia?
Collections of cells in the peripheral nervous system
Differentiate between sensory neurons and motor neurons.
- Sensory neurons: Respond to stimuli * Motor neurons: Stimulate muscles to make movements
What does the autonomic nervous system control?
The action of organs and glands
What is the function of the somatic nervous system?
Controls voluntary movements of skeletal muscles
What are the three major parts of the vertebrate brain?
- Forebrain * Midbrain * Hindbrain
What is the gray matter in the spinal cord?
Consists of neurons and the processes of neurons
What is the white matter in the spinal cord?
Consists of bundles of myelinated axons
What is the role of interneurons?
Integrate information and organize output within the central nervous system
What are the subdivisions of the forebrain?
- Telencephalon * Diencephalon
What major structures are found in the telencephalon?
- Cerebral cortex * Hippocampus * Basal ganglia * Limbic system
What are the primary sensory areas of the brain?
- Visual cortex * Primary auditory cortex * Somatosensory cortex
What is the somatosensory cortex responsible for?
Touch sensation
What are Broca’s area and Wernicke’s area responsible for?
- Broca’s area: Initiation of speech * Wernicke’s area: Understanding of speech
