Neuroscience Flashcards
CNS
brain and spinal cord
PNS
peripheral nerves
divided into autonomic and somatic systems
autonomic nervous system
PNS that controls self-regulated action of internal organs and glands
divided into sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions
sympathetic divsion
controls arousing actions
parasympathetic
controls calming actions
electroencephalograph (EEG)
neuroimaging technique that monitors electrical activity of the brain
computerized tomography (CT)
neuroimaging technique that gives a 3D x-ray of the brain
positron emission tomography (PET)
neuroimaging technique that examines brain function
functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
neuroimaging technique that monitors blood flow and oxygen consumption in the brain
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
neuroimaging technique that maps out brain structure
transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
technique that can enhance or depress activity in a specific area of the brain
forebrain
executive center of the brain
cerebrum
frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital lobes
midbrain
emotional center of the brain
controls localization, dopamine production, and integrates sensory processes
hindbrain
survival center of the brain
cerebellum, pons, medulla
subcortical brain
amygdala hippocampus thalamus hypothalamus pituitary gland basal ganglia
pons
controls sleep and arousal
medulla
houses survival functions
cerebellum
controls coordination and balance
basal ganglia
controls movement and reward system
may be involved with addictions
thalamus
controls incoming and outgoing signals
hypothalamus
controls hunger, thirst, body temperature, and sexual behavior
pituitary gland
controls the endocrine system (hormones)
amygdala
controls emotion
hippocampus
controls memory and learning
frontal lobe
controls movement
parietal lobe
controls touch
temporal lobe
controls hearing
occipital lobe
controls vision
motor cortex
controls movement
messages are sent from it to various body regions
somatosensory cortex
controls sensation
messages are sent from various body regions to it
left hemisphere
houses language functions and the right visual field
controls the right side of the body
analytical
right hemisphere
houses nonverbal abilities and the left visual field
controls the left side of the body
synthetic
corpus callosum
facilitates communication between the two brain hemispheres
functions of the prefrontal cortex
orchestration of thoughts and actions planning of complex cognitive behaviors personality decision making social behavior
neurons
the primary cells of the nervous system
receive, process, and transmit information to other cells
glia
hold neurons together
facilitate neural transmission
remove damages and dead neurons
prevent poisons in blood form reaching the brain
how do neurons communicate within themselves?
action potentials
how do neurons communicate between different neurons?
neurotransmitters
parts of a neuron
dendrites soma axon hillock axon myelin sheath axon terminals
synapse
junction between neurons where neurotransmitters are release for neural communication
parts of a synapse
presynaptic axon terminal synaptic vesicles synaptic gap receptor site postsynaptic dendrite
neurotranmitters
chemicals that transmit information from neuron to neuron
acetylcholine
neurotransmitter that controls movement, learning, and memory
dopamine
neurotransmitter that controls movement, pleasure, learning, attention, and emotion
norepinephrine
neurotransmitter that controls mood and arousal
serotonin
neurotransmitter that controls alertness, arousal, hunger, and sleep
endorphines
neurotransmitter that controls mood and pain
GABA
neurotransmitter that causes inhibition and arousal
neuroplasticity
lasting change to the brain throughout life
neurons that fire together wire together
agonist
chemical that mimics that action of a neurotransmitter
antagonist
chemical that negates the action of a neurotransmitter
somatic nervous system
PNS that controls voluntary movement
