Neuroscience and Behavior Flashcards
Neuron- cell body/soma
Machinery of cell (core section of the neuron, provides energy to drive activities)
Neuron- dendrites
Receives signal/incoming messages
Neurons- axon
“Action”- sends signal/outgoing messages
Myelin sheath
Protective layer of fat that coats each nerve cell body (neuron)
Action potential
- Require activation ABOVE resting potential
- Produces “all or nothing” response
- Always has the same intensity
- Fires more often if lots of stimulation
Brainstem
Part of the brain that connects brain and spinal cord and regulates vital functions:
- Reticular formation: net of interconnected nuclei in brainstem that enables consciousness, sensory and motor function, and neurotransmitter regulation
- Medulla: controls vital processes like heartbeat, blood pressure, and breathing
- Pons: handles unconscious processes (sleep-wake cycle and breathing)
Cerebellum
Hindbrain structure that controls balance, coordination, movement, motor skills, and cognitive and emotional processing
Limbic system
- Amygdala: fear, anger, aggression
- Hippocampus: memory formation
- Thalamus: sensory relay station
- Hypothalamus: regulates glands, autonomic NS
Cerebral cortex
- Frontal
- Parietal
- Occipital
- Temporal lobes
Central nervous system vs. peripheral nervous system
Central: includes brain and spinal cord
Peripheral: nerves that extend from the spinal cord to the rest of the body
- Somatic and autonomic divisions
- Autonomic: sympathetic and parasympathetic
Somatosensory cortex
Region of the brain that processes sensory information from the body
Autonomic nervous system
Part of Parietal Nervous system that controls organs and glands
- Sympathetic system: excite heart rate, slow digestion)
- Parasympathetic system: slow heart rate, stimulate digestion
Neglect syndrome (visuo-spatial neglect)
- Caused by right hemisphere damage (posterior parietal lobe)
- Loss of “spatial awareness”
- Pay attention to one side of space (usually right side) ignore other side
Hemispheric specialization
Right brain: holistic processing, facial recognition, music, art, imagination, 3D forms, left hand control
Left brain: language, sequential processing, number skills, scientific skills, right hand control
Split brain studies
Corpus callosum severed surgically to prevent seizures
- Corpus callosum: major pathway between left and right hemispheres
- Permits data received on one side to be processed in both hemispheres
- Aids motor coordination of left and right side
