Neurons Flashcards
What tasks does the brain perform?
- controls body temperature
- blood pressure
- heart rate
- breathing
- accepts information using various senses
- handles physical movement
- lets you think, dream, reason, and experience emotions
Central Nervous System
An information-processing and control system that is made up of your brain, spinal cord, and peripheral.
Neuroscience/Neurobiology
The scientific study of the brain and nervous system.
Neurons function?
Gather and transmit electrochemical signals.
Structure of a neuron consists of?
- cell body
- axon
- dendrites
Function of cell body?
Contains all necessary components of a cell.
Function of axon?
Carries the electrochemical message along the length of the cell.
Function of dendrites?
Makes connections with other cells and allows the neuron to talk with other cells.
Why do neurons have different shapes?
Neurons have different shapes depending on their function.
Sensory neuron function?
Carries signals from the outer parts of your body into the central nervous system.
Motor neuron function?
Carries signals from the central nervous system to the outer parts of the body.
Interneuron function?
Connects various neurons within the brain and the spinal cord.
Monosynaptic Reflex Pathway
Simplest type of neural pathway.
Neural Nets
Individual neurons linked together that form a net around the entire brain.
Ganglia
Localized collections of neuronal cell bodies that control sensory and motor functions.
Instinctual Processes
The manner of concerning yourself with everyday business, rather than “thinking”.
Nuclei
Centers of neuronal cell bodies that are specialized for particular functions.
Vestibular System
Responsible for maintaining posture, balance, and spatial orientation (located in inner ear).
Outside layer of cerebellum?
gray matter
Inside layer of cerebellum?
white matter
Folds in the brain?
Gyri
Grooves in the brain?
Sulci
What divides the cerebral cortex into various lobes?
Several large sulci.
Interhemispheric Fissure
Separates the brain into left and right halves.
Corpus Callosum & Anterior Commissure
Tracts of fibers that help lobes communicate.
Cingulate Gyrus
Area between the groove and the corpus callosum.
Parietal Lobe Function?
Recieves and processes all somatosensory input from the body.
Frontal Lobe Function?
Motor skills and cognitive functions.
Temporal Lobe Function?
Processes auditory information.
Occipital Lobe Function?
Recieves and processes visual information.
Homunculus
Connections that form a map of the body’s surface on the parietal lobe.
Wernicke’s Area responsible for?
Language understanding.
Damage to Wernicke’s Area causes?
Sensory Aphasia
Precentral Gyrus
Motor center of the brain.
Broca’s Area responsible for?
Processing language by controlling the muscles that make sound.
Damage to Broca’s Area causes?
Motor Aphasia
What does the Choroid Plexus produce?
Cerebrospinal Fluid
Meninges
Series of tough membranes that protect organs from rubbing against the bones of the skull and spine.
Ventricles
Series of cavities in the brain.
Blood-Brain Barrier
Separates supply and cerebrospinal fluid.
