Module 3 Biology & Neuroscience Flashcards
The electrical impulse, or activation energy, that sends a message through a neuron
Action potential
Axons that carry signal to the central nervous system
Afferents
Chemicals that come from outside of the body, and mimic or enhance in some way the actions of neurotransmitters. They can be either more effective, the same, or less effective than the normal neurotransmitter produced in the nervous system
Agonist
A network of neurons and glia (nuclei) that becomes more active when we learn to be fearful and activate our fear response.
amygdala
A chemical that comes from outside of the body to shut off a receptor
antagonist
Parts of the neocortex that merge information from primary areas like the visual and auditory cortex. These circuits help us make sense of what we take in
Association cortex
Glial (helper) cells that help get nutrition to neurons and maintain the balance of charged particles (ions) inside and outside of the neuron
astrocytes
The part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the more automatic functions of the body
autonomic
A part of the neuron’s cell membrane that delivers messages to other neurons and body parts
Axon
The intersection between the soma and the axon. This is where the axon begins
Axon hillock
This is the part of the axon that releases the neurotransmitter. Once the action potential gets to the axon terminal, this triggers the release of the neurotransmitter
Axon terminal
Interconnected groups of neurons near the base of the brain that help us learn movements and coordinate movement patterns
Basal ganglia
The part of the nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord
central nervous system
“Little brain.” A two-lobed part of the brain behind the brainstem that helps coordinate movements and problem-solving
Cerebellum
A network that becomes more active when we experience unpleasant things
cingulate gyrus
opposite side of the body
contralateral
Extensions of the cell body membrane that branch out to communicate with other neurons
dendrites
A method used in combination with MRI scans that allows white matter (axons with myelin) to be seen on the scan
diffusion tensor imaging (DTI)
Consisting of clustered groups of neurons called the caudate and putamen, part of the basal ganglia closer to the neocortex that play a central role in coordinating movement
Dorsal striatum
Axons that carry signals away from the central nervous system
efferents
A substance produced in the body (remember the nervous system is a part of your body)
Endogenous
Something that causes a neuron to move closer to activation (more positive)
Excitatory
A network of neurons and glia grouped together to perform certain functions
ganglia
several different kinds of helper cells that assist neurons in their role as the brain’s communicators, and provide structural support
glial cells
Pale globe: Part of the basal ganglia that plays the role of inhibiting circuits in the thalamus to control how sensory information is coordinated with movement
globus pallidus
A neurotransmitter that excites (activates) neurons
glutamate
A network of neurons and glia that acts as a gateway for forming new memories
Hippocampus
A network of neurons and glia that helps regulate the production of hormones by the endocrine system, giving it an integral role in governing important bodily functions
Hypothalamus
Something that causes the charge inside a neuron to move away from activation (more negative)
inhibitory
Particles with positive or negative changes. The movement of ions creates electricity
ions
same side of the body
ipsilateral
An anatomical term meaning “toward the sides of the body/head.”
lateral
Areas in the brain where neurons have died. A lesion can occur for many reasons, including trauma (getting hit), drug overdose, disease, stroke, or toxic chemical exposure
Lesions
A network of neurons and glia dedicated to regulating emotions, helping regulate the endocrine activity, and forming emotional memories
Limbic system
Different sections of the neocortex, each dedicated primarily to a certain set of functions
Lobes
An anatomical term meaning “toward the middle and center of the body/head.”
Medial
The part of your brain closest to your spinal cord that helps regulate life functions like breathing and heart rate
medulla
Glial (helper) cells that clean debris and get rid of germs
microglia
A protein and fatty substance that wraps around the axon to protect and increase speed of action potentials (electrical impulses)
myelin
The outer part of your brain, with all the bumps (gyri) and valleys (sulci), responsible for all the high-level processing of information
neocortex
Anything related to nervous system structure or function
neural
Neurons organized in an interconnected group, dedicated to a set of functions
Neural network
Diseases in which parts of the brain slowly die over time, resulting in greater disability as the disease progresses
Neurodegenerative diseases
Cells that communicate within the brain and with the body to form thoughts and actions. These cells code information as electrical signals, and also release chemicals that influence other neurons/organs/body parts
Neurons
The ability of neurons and glia to change/adapt to what happens inside and around us
neuroplasticity
chemicals released from the end of an axon that acts as messages to other neurons and body parts. These chemicals typically bind to receptors
Neurotransmitters
Gaps in the myelin that allow ions to enter into the axon and change the charge inside
nodes of ranvier
A network of neurons and glia grouped together to perform certain functions
Nuclei
The bottom portion of the temporal lobes in the neocortex dedicated to processing electrical impulses from olfactory (smell) nerves
Olfactory cortex
Glial (helper) cells that wrap the myelin insulation around axons in the central nervous system
oligodendrocytes
The division of your autonomic nervous system that is responsible for resting, digestion, and repairing the body
Parasympathetic nervous system
A chemical that comes from outside of the body and either partially enhances, partially mimics, or partially blocks a neurotransmitter action
partial agonist/antagonist
Peripheral means “outer.” This is any part of the nervous system not in the brain or spinal cord
peripheral nervous system
A network of cells in the brain stem (myelencephalon) that regulate awareness/alertness, sleep, and motor functions
Pons
the other side of the synapse. The neuron that contains receptors (usually on dendrites) ready to bind to the neurotransmitter released from the presynaptic neuron
postsynaptic
The front portion of the frontal lobes, a network of neurons and glia heavily involved in decision making
Prefrontal cortex
The neuron that releases the neurotransmitter from its axon terminal
presynaptic
Circuits of neurons in the temporal lobe dedicated to receiving and processing messages from the ears through axons of the vestibulocochlear nerve
primary auditory cortex
Proteins that are embedded in the cell body membrane and are built to receive chemical messages from neurotransmitters
receptors
A network of cells in the pons and medulla that helps regulate the level of awareness and alertness in humans
reticular activating system (RAS)
Glial (helper) cells that wrap the myelin insulation around axons in the peripheral nervous system
Schwann cells
The cell body of a neuron
Soma
Literally, of the body. The division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the movement of the torso, head, and limbs. These are the nerves that control and communicate with skeletal muscles
Somatic
A way of using dye to make neurons, axons, and dendrites visible under a microscope
staining methods
Dark substance: Another part of the basal ganglia that sends inhibitory signals to the thalamus in order to coordinate sensory information with motor (movement) plans
substantia nigra
The division of your autonomic nervous system that is responsible for things we do that require excitement
sympathetic nervous system
A small fluid-filled gap between neurons into which neurotransmitters are released
Synapse
The space between the end of the neuron that releases a neurotransmitter (axon terminal) and the end of the receiving neuron (usually a dendrite)
synaptic cleft
The very edge of the axon terminal, where the neurotransmitter exits
terminal button
Consisting of clustered groups of neurons called the globus pallidus (looks like a “pale globe”), substantia nigra (black substance), and the subthalamic nucleus (below the thalamus); part of the basal ganglia closer to the neocortex that play a central role in coordinating movement
ventral striatum
Little bubbles at the terminal button that store neurotransmitter molecules
vesicles
Circuits in the rear temporal lobe that seem to be necessary for processing and understanding language
wernicke’s area
