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Intro to Psychology, MIT > Neuroscience and Behavior > Flashcards

Neuroscience and Behavior Flashcards

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1
Q

Where (how) are signals transmitted from one neuron to another

A

across a synapse

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2
Q

Which type of neuron receives information from the external world and conveys this information to the brain via the spinal cord?

A

Sensory Neurons

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3
Q

An electric signal that is conducted along the length of a neuron’s axon to the synapse is called an

A

action potential

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4
Q

The chemical that transmit information across the synapse to a receiving neuron’s dendrites are called

A

Neurotransmitters

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5
Q

What type of nervous system automatically controls the organs of the body?

A

Autonomic

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6
Q

Which part of the hindbrain coordinates fine motor skills

A

cerebellum

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7
Q

What part of the brain is involved in movement and arousal

A

The midbrain

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8
Q

What regulates body temperature, hunger, thirst, and sexual behavior?

A

hypothalamus

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9
Q

What explains the apparent beneficial efforts of cardiovascular exercise on aspects of brain function and cognitive performance?

A

Neuron plasticity

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10
Q

Genes can be expressed or not expressed depending on the

A

Nutritional Provisions

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11
Q

What are the functions of a neuron?

A

processing information, communicating with other neurons, sending messages to organs and muscles

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12
Q

Signals from other neurons are received and related to the cell body by

A

Dendrites

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13
Q

When you feel threatened, your ________ nervous system prepares you to either fight or run away.

A

sympathetic

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14
Q

In the history of evolution, the first true central nervous system appears in

A

flatworms

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15
Q

Using ________, researchers can observe relationships between energy consumption in certain brain areas and specific cognitive behavioral events.

A

Functional brain imaging

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16
Q

Neurons

A

Cells in the nervous system that communicate with other neurons to coordinate information processing tasks.

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17
Q

Cell body

A

(Soma) Part of a neuron that coordinates information-processing tasks and keeps the cell alive.

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18
Q

Dendrite

A

Part of a neuron that receives information from other neurons and relays it to the cell body.

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19
Q

Axon

A

Part of a neuron that carries information to other neurons, muscles and glands

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20
Q

Myelin Sheath

A

An insulating layer of fatty material around the axon of a neuron

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21
Q

Glial Cells

A

Support cells found in the nervous system.

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22
Q

Synapse

A

The junction or region between the axon and the dendrites or cell body of another which information is transmitted.

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23
Q

Sensory Neurons

A

Neurons that receive information from the external world and convey it to the brain via the spinal cord

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24
Q

Motor Neurons

A

Neurons that carry signals from the spinal cord to the muscles to produce movement

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25
Q

Interneurons

A

Neurons that connect sensory neurons, motor neurons, and interneurons.

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26
Q

Resting Potential

A

The difference in electrical charge between the inside and outside of a neuron’s cell membrane.

27
Q

Action Potential

A

An electrical signal that is conducted along a neuron’s axon to the synapse.

28
Q

Refractory Period

A

The time following an action potential during which a new action potential cannot be initiated

29
Q

Terminal Buttons

A

Knoblike structures that branch out from an axon

30
Q

Neurotransmitters

A

Chemicals that transmit information across the synapse to a receiving neurons dendrites.

31
Q

Receptors

A

Parts of the cell membrane that receive neurotransmitters and either initiate or prevent a new electric signal

32
Q

Agonists

A

Drugs that increase the action potential of a neurotransmitter. “mimicking the neurotransmitter”

33
Q

Antagonists

A

Drugs that diminish the function of a neurotransmitter. “blocking the ability of a neurotransmitter to activate the receptor”

34
Q

Nervous System

A

An interacting network of neurons that conveys information throughout the body

35
Q

Central Nervous System

A

the part of the CNS that is composed of the brain and spinal cord

36
Q

Peripheral Nervous System

A

the part of the CNS that connects the central nervous system to the body’s organs and muscles

37
Q

Somatic Nervous System

A

A set of nerves that conveys information between voluntary muscles and the CNS

38
Q

Autonomic Nervous System

A

A set of nerves that carries involuntary and automatic commands that control blood vessels, body organs, and glands.

39
Q

Sympathetic Nervous System

A

A set of nerves that prepares the body for action in challenging or threatening situations.

40
Q

Parasympathetic Nervous System

A

A set of nerves that helps the body return to a normal resting state.

41
Q

Spinal Reflexes

A

Simple pathways in the nervous system that rapidly generate muscle contractions. Connections between the sensory neurons and motor neurons in the spinal cord mediate spinal reflexes.

42
Q

What structures make up the hindbrain?

A

Medulla, reticular formation, the cerebellum, and the pons.

43
Q

What does the hindbrain control?

A

It controls the most basic functions of life: respiration, alertness, and motor skills.

44
Q

Hindbrain

A

An area of the brain that coordinates information coming in and out of the spinal cord. It looks like a stalk which the rest of the brain sits on.

45
Q

Medulla

A

An extension of the spinal cord into the skull that coordinates heart rate, circulation, and respiration.

46
Q

Reticular Formation

A

A small cluster of neurons begins in the medulla and extends upward. Responsible for regulating sleep, wakefulness, and levels of arousal.

47
Q

Cerebellum

A

Located behind the medulla. It is a large structure of the hindbrain that controls fine motor skills. (latin for “little brain”)- helps orchestrate the proper sequence of movements- riding a bike, playing the piano, etc. It contributes to fine-tuning of behavior

48
Q

Pons

A

Relays information from the cerebellum to the rest of the brain.

49
Q

Cerebral Cortex

A

the outermost layer of the brain, visible to the naked eye and divided into two hemispheres

50
Q

Subcortical Structures

A

areas of the forebrain housed under the cerebral cortex near the center of the brain

51
Q

Thalamus

A

relays and filters information from the senses (besides smell) to the cerebral cortex

52
Q

Hypothalamus

A

regulates body temperature, hunger, thirst and sexual behavior

53
Q

Hippocampus

A

critical for creating and integrating new memories

54
Q

Amygdala

A

plays a role in emotional processes

55
Q

Basal Ganglia

A

a set of subcortical structures that directs intentional movements

56
Q

Endocrine System

A

a network of glands that produce and secrete into the bloodstream chemical messages known as hormones, which influence a wide variety of basic functions, including metabolism, growth, and sexual development

57
Q

Pituitary Gland

A

the master gland of the body’s hormone-producing system, which releases hormones that direct the functions of many other glands in the body.

58
Q

Corpus Collosum

A

A thick band of nerve fibers that connects large areas of the cerebral cortex on each side of the brain and supports the communication of information across hemispheres.

59
Q

Occipital Lobe

A

A region of the cerebral cortex that processes visual information

60
Q

Temporal Lobe

A

A region in the cerebral cortex that is responsible for hearing and language

61
Q

Parietal Lobe

A

a region of the cerebral cortex whose functions include processing information about touch

62
Q

Frontal Lobe

A

a region of the cerebral cortex that has specialized areas for movement, abstract thinking, planning, memory and judgment

63
Q

Association Areas

A

Areas in the cerebral cortex composed of neurons that help provide sense and meaning to information registered in the cortex.

64
Q

Mirror Neurons

A

Mirror neurons are neurons that are active when an animal performs a behavior, such as reaching for or manipulating an object and are also activated when another animal observes that animal perform the same behavior.

Intro to Psychology, MIT (1 decks)

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