Module 3 Biology & Neuroscience - Daniel Flashcards
Cells of nervous system
Neurons/Glial cells
Role/function of Neuron
Neurons are information messengers. They use electrical and chemical signals to send information between different areas of the brain, as well as between the brain, the spinal cord, and the entire body
Role/function of Glial cell
Glial cells provide necessary support and connection to protect neurons of the central and peripheral nervous system also responsible for bring vital nutrients and removal of waste
Strucure of neuron
3 main components that comprise neuron structure include dendrites, an axon, and a cell body or soma
The synapse
Located on the dendrites the synapse is a structure that permits a neuron (or nerve cell) to pass an electrical or chemical signal to another neuron or to the target effector cell
Electrochemical signals
Neurons send what are known as electrochemical signals. Once a neuron has been stimulated by some sort of stimulus, it generates an electric potential that travels down the length of the cell
Action potentials
a temporary shift (from negative to positive) in the neuron’s membrane potential caused by ions suddenly flowing in and out of the neuron
Neurotransmitters
carry chemical signals (“messages”) from one neuron (nerve cell) to the next target cell. The next target cell can be another nerve cell, a muscle cell or a gland
CNS vs PNS
CNS consists of only two organs (brain and spinal cord) PNS consists of everything else including nerves that travel to and from spinal cord to brain
Somatic Nervous system
A Voluntary division of the PNS that contains neurons and nerves that control the muscles for voluntary movement from the body to the brain - system includes nerves that connect to muscles and joints in neck, legs, arms, torso
Autonomic Nervous system
An Automatic subdivision of the peripheral nervous system that is below the level of conciseness and regulate all the automatic functions that keep one alive and healthy
Sympathetic Nervous System
(Fight or flight) - mainly consisting of neurons supporting cells in spinal cord, the sympathetic nervous system is a division of autonomic nervous system responsible for excitement Ie. increased heart rate, blood is pumped to muscles, narrowed vision etc
Parasympathetic Nervous System
(Rest and digest system) - parasympathetic nervous system is a part of the automatic nervous system responsible for resting, digesting, arousal, and repairing the body located in lower brain and sacral spinal cord
Medulla
Lowest anatomical portion of the brain and the transition point between the brain and the spinal cord. Medulla is responsible for basic function regulation such as breath, heartbeat, awareness level etc.
pons
Receives information directly from the medulla for processing - more specially the regulation of arousal or level of excitement/energy
Reticular formation
Networks of neurons that span the medulla and pons bridging the functions of the body and brain via connection with spinal cord and thalamus - Responsible for regulating level of arousal and focus of our attention on tasks, people, or objects
cerebellum
Located behind the spinal cord in the back of the brain it is a vital component in humans responsible for motor movement, regulation, voluntary muscle activity (only), and balance control
Forebrain
Thalamus
Body information’s relay, all information from senses (except smell) must be processed through thalamus before being sent to your brains cerebral cortex for interpretation
Limbic System
Network of neurons and glia responsible for regulating emotion’s, endocrine system and formation of emotional memories, contains prefrontal cortex, olfactory cortex, amygdala, hippocampus and hypothalamus
Cerebrum
Largest part of brain subdivided into 4 components (Frontal, Parietal, temporal, occipital)
2 cerebrum hemispheres
Left hemisphere - speech, comprehension, arithmetic, writing
Right hemisphere controls spatial ability, artistic and musical skills
Endocrine system
made up of up all the body’s different horomones, and regulates all biological processes in the body from conception to adulthood
HPA axis
Soma
Cell body of a neuron
Axon
Nerve fibre that carries nerve impulses away from the cell body
Dendrites
Where the synapse lies, a tree branch like structure where neurons receive input from other cells
Nucleus
Found in soma necessary for the coded production of proteins within the cell
Axon terminal
Bottom like endings of axons where synaptic contact occurs with other nerve cells or effector cells
Nodes
Short specialized regions in the axonal membrane that are not insulated by myelin that allow for the generation of fast electrical impulse along the axon
Myelin Sheath
Allows electrical impulses to transmit quickly and efficiently along nerve cells
Schwann cell
Maintenance cells responsible for regeneration of the motor and sensory neurons of the PNS
The frontal lobe is
Responsible for voluntary movement, expressive language, and managing higher level executive functions
The Parietal Lobe is
Vital for sensory perception and integration, including taste hearing, sight, touch and smell
The Occipital lobe is
Rear most lobe of the brain responsible for visual perception including colour, form and motion
The Temporal lobe is
Parr of brain that helps you use your senses to understand and respond to world around you, also vital for memory recall, language and processing emotions
Hippocampus
Responsible for formation of new memories
Hypothalamus
Area of the brain that produce hormones that control body temp, heart rate, hunger, and mood
Amygdala
Receives sensory input from all senses to make calculations about emotional value and intensity of a stimulus
corpus callosum
thick bundle of fibers whose purpose is to connect the two hemispheres and allowing information to be shared.
