Neuroscience and Behavior Flashcards
Where (how) are signals transmitted from one neuron to another
across a synapse
Which type of neuron receives information from the external world and conveys this information to the brain via the spinal cord?
Sensory Neurons
An electric signal that is conducted along the length of a neuron’s axon to the synapse is called an
action potential
The chemical that transmit information across the synapse to a receiving neuron’s dendrites are called
Neurotransmitters
What type of nervous system automatically controls the organs of the body?
Autonomic
Which part of the hindbrain coordinates fine motor skills
cerebellum
What part of the brain is involved in movement and arousal
The midbrain
What regulates body temperature, hunger, thirst, and sexual behavior?
hypothalamus
What explains the apparent beneficial efforts of cardiovascular exercise on aspects of brain function and cognitive performance?
Neuron plasticity
Genes can be expressed or not expressed depending on the
Nutritional Provisions
What are the functions of a neuron?
processing information, communicating with other neurons, sending messages to organs and muscles
Signals from other neurons are received and related to the cell body by
Dendrites
When you feel threatened, your ________ nervous system prepares you to either fight or run away.
sympathetic
In the history of evolution, the first true central nervous system appears in
flatworms
Using ________, researchers can observe relationships between energy consumption in certain brain areas and specific cognitive behavioral events.
Functional brain imaging
Neurons
Cells in the nervous system that communicate with other neurons to coordinate information processing tasks.
Cell body
(Soma) Part of a neuron that coordinates information-processing tasks and keeps the cell alive.
Dendrite
Part of a neuron that receives information from other neurons and relays it to the cell body.
Axon
Part of a neuron that carries information to other neurons, muscles and glands
Myelin Sheath
An insulating layer of fatty material around the axon of a neuron
Glial Cells
Support cells found in the nervous system.
Synapse
The junction or region between the axon and the dendrites or cell body of another which information is transmitted.
Sensory Neurons
Neurons that receive information from the external world and convey it to the brain via the spinal cord
Motor Neurons
Neurons that carry signals from the spinal cord to the muscles to produce movement
Interneurons
Neurons that connect sensory neurons, motor neurons, and interneurons.
Resting Potential
The difference in electrical charge between the inside and outside of a neuron’s cell membrane.
Action Potential
An electrical signal that is conducted along a neuron’s axon to the synapse.
Refractory Period
The time following an action potential during which a new action potential cannot be initiated
Terminal Buttons
Knoblike structures that branch out from an axon
Neurotransmitters
Chemicals that transmit information across the synapse to a receiving neurons dendrites.
Receptors
Parts of the cell membrane that receive neurotransmitters and either initiate or prevent a new electric signal
Agonists
Drugs that increase the action potential of a neurotransmitter. “mimicking the neurotransmitter”
Antagonists
Drugs that diminish the function of a neurotransmitter. “blocking the ability of a neurotransmitter to activate the receptor”
Nervous System
An interacting network of neurons that conveys information throughout the body
Central Nervous System
the part of the CNS that is composed of the brain and spinal cord
Peripheral Nervous System
the part of the CNS that connects the central nervous system to the body’s organs and muscles
Somatic Nervous System
A set of nerves that conveys information between voluntary muscles and the CNS
Autonomic Nervous System
A set of nerves that carries involuntary and automatic commands that control blood vessels, body organs, and glands.
Sympathetic Nervous System
A set of nerves that prepares the body for action in challenging or threatening situations.
Parasympathetic Nervous System
A set of nerves that helps the body return to a normal resting state.
Spinal Reflexes
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.
What structures make up the hindbrain?
Medulla, reticular formation, the cerebellum, and the pons.
What does the hindbrain control?
It controls the most basic functions of life: respiration, alertness, and motor skills.
Hindbrain
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.
Medulla
An extension of the spinal cord into the skull that coordinates heart rate, circulation, and respiration.
Reticular Formation
A small cluster of neurons begins in the medulla and extends upward. Responsible for regulating sleep, wakefulness, and levels of arousal.
Cerebellum
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
Pons
Relays information from the cerebellum to the rest of the brain.
Cerebral Cortex
the outermost layer of the brain, visible to the naked eye and divided into two hemispheres
Subcortical Structures
areas of the forebrain housed under the cerebral cortex near the center of the brain
Thalamus
relays and filters information from the senses (besides smell) to the cerebral cortex
Hypothalamus
regulates body temperature, hunger, thirst and sexual behavior
Hippocampus
critical for creating and integrating new memories
Amygdala
plays a role in emotional processes
Basal Ganglia
a set of subcortical structures that directs intentional movements
Endocrine System
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
Pituitary Gland
the master gland of the body’s hormone-producing system, which releases hormones that direct the functions of many other glands in the body.
Corpus Collosum
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.
Occipital Lobe
A region of the cerebral cortex that processes visual information
Temporal Lobe
A region in the cerebral cortex that is responsible for hearing and language
Parietal Lobe
a region of the cerebral cortex whose functions include processing information about touch
Frontal Lobe
a region of the cerebral cortex that has specialized areas for movement, abstract thinking, planning, memory and judgment
Association Areas
Areas in the cerebral cortex composed of neurons that help provide sense and meaning to information registered in the cortex.
Mirror Neurons
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.
