NEURON & BRAIN STRUCTURE Flashcards
MEMORIZE
Refractory Period
The short time after a neuron fires before it can fire again; like a rest period
Synapse
The junction between two neurons where the axon terminal of one neuron meets with the dendrite or cell body of another; its where neurotransmitters are released to transmit between neurons
Resting Potential
The neurons stable negative charge when its inactive; baseline state; ready to fire when it receives enough stimulation like positively charged ions
Action Potential
The signal that travels down the axon and its how neurons communicate; starts with depolarization and moves along the axon to pass info to the next neuron or target
Node of Ranvier
A gap in the mylinen sheath that allows action potential to jump from one node to the next which speeds up signal transmutation along axon
Mylenin Sheath
A fatty layer that wraps around axon of neurons; speeds electrical signals around axon
Glia Cells
Support cells that maintain environment around neurons by providing nutrients, removing waste, and helping with insulation
Dendrites
The branch-like extensions of a neuron that receive signals from other neurons and gather info and send to cell body
Sodium Ion
A Positively charged particle when a sodium atom loses an electron. In a neuron, they are a key role in acting potentials
Post Synaptic Neuron
The neuron that receives the signal after it crosses synapse; it has receptors and either processes the signal or responds accordingly
Axon terminal
The endpoint of an axon where the neuron communicates with/ other neurons by releasing neurotransmitters
Antagonist
Substance that binds to a receptor and blocks+dampens action of a naturally occurring substance and prevents or reduces effect that would have occurred
Agonist
Substance that binds to a receptor and activates it; triggers a response
Endorphines
Neurotransmitters that work as natural painn killers and mood boosters; helps reduce pain+ establishes sense of well being
Re-Uptake
The process where neurotransmitters are reabsorbed by neuron that releases them; stopping their action and recycling them for future use
Acetylcholine
A neurotransmitter that plays a key role in muscle movement and functions like memory+attention; transmits signals from nerves to muscles
Neurotransmitter
Chemical messenger that carries signals between neurons or neurons to other cells
Axon
The long slender part of a neuron that carries electrical signals away from the cell bodies to other neurons
Soma
The central part of a neuron that contains the nucleus; it keeps cell functioning properly
Threshold of Excitation
The level of depolarization a neuron must reach to fire; once this level is reached it sends a signal down to its axon, then fires
Depolarization
When a neurons membrane potential becomes less negative which makes it more likely to fire; happens when positively charged ions enter the neuron
All or None Law
The all-or-none law refers to the principle that a neuron either fires an action potential completely or does not fire at all.
Neuron
A neuron is a specialized cell in the nervous system responsible for transmitting information. It acts as the basic building block of communication in the brain
Inhibitory Messages
Inhibitory messages are signals that reduce the likelihood of a neuron firing an action potential. These messages are transmitted through inhibitory neurotransmitters
Excitatory Messages
Excitatory messages are signals that increase the likelihood of a neuron firing an action potential. These messages are transmitted through excitatory neurotransmitters
Vesticles
Vesicles in the context of neurons are small, membrane-bound sacs found in the axon terminals. They play a crucial role in neurotransmission by storing and releasing neurotransmitters
Medulla
A critical structure located at the base of the brainstem, just above the spinal cord. It plays an essential role in regulating many of the body’s most vital and automatic functions.
Example : When your eating, Medulla tells you to swallow
Pons
The pons is essential for coordinating many automatic and voluntary processes. Damage to the pons can lead to issues like sleep disturbances, difficulty in breathing, or problems with balance and movement.
Cerebellum
The cerebellum is vital for everyday tasks requiring coordination and balance.
Example : Riding a bike
Thalamus
The thalamus is essential for organizing sensory information and ensuring it reaches the correct areas of the brain. Damage to the thalamus can lead to sensory impairments, motor difficulties, or problems with alertness, attention, and memory.
Example : Waking up when you hear your alarm
Hypothalmus
The hypothalamus is responsible for maintaining the body’s internal balance. It regulates critical physiological processes and behaviors to keep the body functioning optimally.
Example : When your full, the hypothalamus prevents overeating
Hippocampus
Involves emotion, learning, and memory. It plays an essential role in processing and organizing information for storage and retrieval.
Example : Studying for a test
Amygdala
The amygdala is crucial for helping us navigate emotional and social aspects of life, ensuring we respond appropriately to threats, rewards, and interactions.
Example : Emotions when thinking about a memory (MW)
Corpus Callosum
It serves as a communication bridge, allowing the two hemispheres to share information and coordinate their activities.
Example : Reading and writing
Cerebral Cortex
It is responsible for many of the brain’s most complex functions, such as thought, perception, memory, language, and decision-making.
Driving a Car: The motor cortex guides your movements, the parietal lobe helps you distinguish distances, and the frontal lobe handles decision-making.
What are the four parts in the Cerebral Cortex and what are they responsible for ?
Frontal Lobe: Decision-making, problem-solving, movement, and personality.
Parietal Lobe: Sensory processing, spatial orientation, and body awareness.
Temporal Lobe: Hearing, memory, and language comprehension.
Occipital Lobe: Vision and visual processing.
Primary Motor Cortex
The primary motor cortex is essential for all voluntary movements, from the smallest gestures to complex physical actions, and its precise control is what allows humans to perform fine and coordinated tasks.
Example : Playing an instrument
Primary Somatosensory Cortex
It is responsible for processing sensory information from the body, including touch, pressure, temperature, pain, and body position
Example : Touching a hot surface
Broca’s Area
It is primarily responsible for speech production and plays a critical role in language processing and motor control for speaking.
Example : Speaking (Bocas Area organizes the words then sends a signal to articulate them)
Wernicke’s Area
It is primarily responsible for language comprehension and plays a critical role in understanding spoken and written language.
Example : Listening to a conversation (When someone says, “Let’s go to the park,” Wernicke’s area processes the sounds, interprets the words, and extracts their meaning.)
Reticular Formation
The reticular formation is essential for keeping you alert, helping you respond to your environment, and maintaining basic life functions.
Example : Waking up (The reticular formation activates your brain when your alarm goes off, helping you transition from sleep to wakefulness.)
