Neuroscience Flashcards
What is the primary function of the nervous system?
to transmit signals between different parts of the body
True or False: Neurons are the basic building blocks of the nervous system.
true
Which part of the neuron receives signals from other neurons?
dendrites
Myelin Sheath
the fatty substance that insulates axons and speeds up signal transmission
What is the small gap between neurons where neurotransmitters are released?
synapse
What is the main function of the endocrine system?
to regulate the body’s hormones
True or False: Hormones are chemical messengers that travel through the bloodstream.
true
Pituitary gland
produces and releases growth hormones to stimulate physical development
What is the hormone responsible for the fight or flight response?
adrenaline
What is the neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward?
dopamine
True or False: The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for the ‘rest and digest’ response.
true
Which neurotransmitter is associated with mood regulation and is targeted by many antidepressant medications?
serotonin
What is the term for the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new connections?
neuroplasticity
Adrenal gland
produces steroid hormones to arouse the body in times of stress
Part of the neuron that contains the nucleus?
cell body
What are axons?
the segmented neuron extension that passes messages away from the cell body to other neurons
What is the role of glial cells?
to support, nourish, and protect neurons
What is the action potential?
the neural impulses that travel down an axon
The level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse is called?
the threshold
The brief pause after a neuron has fired is called?
the refractory period
What is the all-or-none response?
whether or not a neuron fires (at full strength)
What does the autonomic nervous system do?
controls glands and muscles of internal organs (heartbeat, digestion)
Which nervous system has control over skeletal muscles?
somatic
What does the central nervous system consist of?
brain and spinal cord
What is a reflex?
an automatic response to a sensory stimulus
What do nerves do?
carry electrical impulses between the brain and the body
Limbic system function
emotional processing and memory formation
Oldest and innermost brain region
brainstem
What is the hippocampus involved with
processing of memories, facts, and events in the brain
What happens if the hippocampus is damaged
results in poor memory and inability to make new ones
Function of amygdala
emotional control and processing (fear and aggression)
What is the cerebellum involved with
balance and motor control
Thalamus
relay station for sensory information from body to the brain
What structures are in the limbic system
amygdala, hypothalamus, and hippocampus
Corpus callosum
assists communication between the two brain hemispheres
Function of the hypothalamus
regulates hormone release and maintains body temperature, hunger, and thirst
Function of the medulla
regulates breathing and heart beat
Purpose of the pons
connects the brain and spinal cord and regulates relaxation
Function of cerebral cortex
performing higher cognitive functions like complex thinking
Parietal lobe
processes sensory information like touch, pressure, temperature, and pain
Temporal lobe
processes auditory information and language perception
Frontal lobe
responsible for motor function and higher level cognitive skills like problem solving and judgment
Occipital lobe
input from eyes and processing visual information
Surgical procedure done to separate the brain hemispheres by cutting the corpus callosum fibres
split brain
Motor cortex
part of the cerebral cortex that controls voluntary movement
Somatosensory cortex
part of the cerebral cortex that registers and processes touch and movement sensations
Formation of new neurons
neurogenesis
What are reflexes
an automatic response to a sensory stimulus (knee-jerk)
