Pyschology Chapter 2 Flashcards
also called nerve impulse; a brief disturbance from the resting potential of a neuron that is propagated along an axon, and results in the release of neurotransmitters (chemical messages) at the axon terminal
Action Potential
a neurotransmitter that is involved in muscle activation, sleep regulation, and memory consolidation.
Acetylcholine
the tendency for a drug to bind to a receptor site on a neuron.
Affinity
a drug that promotes the action of a neurotransmitter at the synapse.
agonist
a property of axon conduction whereby the size of action potential does not vary as it travels down an axon.
all-or-none law
the disturbance or loss of memory.
amnesia
a brain structure activated by pain and fear and responsible for evaluating the emotional significance of situations that may involve risk, pain, fear, reward and sexuality.
amygdala
a drug that inhibits or obstructs the action of a neurotransmitter at the synapse.
antagonist
neuron that fires when an individual “sees” an action performed, but is inhibited when the participant “performs” the same action.
anti-mirror neuron
the “following away” process that occurs whereby cells that are not used are absorbed by glial cells
apoptosis
glial cells that function to transport nutrients to neurons from blood vessels.
astrocytes
the branch of the peripheral nervous system that consists of nerves that control the function of smooth muscles, cardiac muscles, internal organs and glands.
autonomic nervous system
the process of a neuron that is specialized to conduct nerve impulses away from the soma towards the axon terminal.
axon
the boundary between the axon and the cell body
axon hillock
a motor area in the brain that activates the muscle contractions that underlie the capacity to speak.
Broca’s area
a brain scan technique whereby the brain tissue is visualized by taking x-ray at different angles of the brain and producing an image or picture of a “slice”, of the brain.
CAT ( computed tomography) scan
that portion of the nervous system in which the cell bodies are encased in bone (the skull and vertebrae).
central nervous system (cns)
the largest part of the brain that is composed of four lobes (frontal, parietal, occipital, and temporal) and is responsible for higher cognitive functions; also known as the neocortex.
cerebral cortex
with regards to brain function, the process whereby an action on one side of the body is carried-out by the opposite-side brain hemisphere
contralateral
the process of a neuron that extends outward from the cell body multiplying the surface area near the cell body that is specialized to receive information from other neurons.
dendrite
a decrement in the polarity of a neuron produced by the inflow of sodium (NA+) ions.
depolarization
a synapse in which the receptor site and the affected ion channel are positioned in close proximity, resulting in rapid communication between neurons.
direct chemical synapse
neurotransmitter that is involved in movement, attention, learning, and reinforcement.
Dopamine
a graph displaying the range of effectiveness of a drug as a function of the dose administered.
dose-response curve
also known as tight junctions are synapses that do not involve the release or neurotransmitters. In these synapses the action potential opens ion channels in the receiving neuron, and they are found in some regions of the brain where time-of-arrival of neural impulses must be measured very precisely.
electrical synapses
a brain scan technique whereby the recording of electrical activity along the scalp is measured by placing electrodes on the scalp and recording the firing of neurons within the brain.
electroencephalogram (EEG)
synapses that depolarize the receiving neuron causing excitation.
excitatory synapses
deep grooves in the brain that separate gyri
fissures
)a type of MRI that is enhanced by measuring changes in brain behavior by looking at brain activation while specific tasks are performed.
(FMRI) functional magnetic resonance imagining
the most anterior portion of the neocortex. This lobe is responsible for activating the muscles underlying movement, and planning for movement.
frontal lobe
also known as “glue” cells; serve as helper cells of neurons by providing protection nourishment and support
glial cells
the parts of a brain comprised of cell bodies and unmyelinated axons.
grey matter
the chemical sense of taste.
gustation
normal protrusions in brain texture that cause irregularities in the surface of the brain.
gyri
a brain structure implicated in the formation of long-term memories, and spatial memory and navigation
hippocampus
the maintenance of a stable constant condition
homeostasis
literal translation is “little human”: a representation of the human body found on the somatosensory and motor areas of the cortex.
homunculus
an increment in the polarity of a neuron caused by the inflow of chloride (CL-) ions, or the outflow of potassium (K+) ions.
hyperpolarization
the brain structure responsible for the regulation of blood pressure, heart rate, hunger, thirst, sexual arousal, and sleep; it also controls the pituitary gland.
hypothalamus
also called a metabotropic synapse involves the activation of a second messenger required to open ion channels. This results in a slower type of interneuron communication.
indirect chemical synapse
synapses that hyperpolarize the receiving neuron causing inhibition.
inhibitory synapses
a multipolar neuron located in the brain or spinal cord that connects motor and sensory neurons.
interneuron
small passages embedded within the cell membrane of neurons that can open and close in order to permit the inflow and outflow of ions.
ion channels
a transmembrane protein that functions to exchange sodium and potassium ions between the intracellular and extracellular fluids required to restore the neuron to its resting potential.
ion transporter
with regards to brain function, the process whereby an action on one side of the body is carried-out by the same-side brain hemisphere.
ipsilateral
a portion of the brain located beneath the cerebral cortex that is not rigidly defined anatomically. The most important structures associated with the limbic system are the thalamus, hypothalamus, amygdala, hippocampus, nucleus accumbens, and pituitary. This system plays a major role in motivation and emotion.
limbic system
the difference between the therapeutic and toxic dose-response curves.
margin of safety
a neuron that fires when an individual performs a specific motor action, and which also fires when an individual sees (and sometimes hears) another individual perform the exact same motor action.
mirror neuron
a neuron located in the CNS that project axons that either directly or indirectly control muscle contractions.
motor neuron
a brain scan technique whereby different brain areas are observed by using magnetic fields and radio waves to produce images of the brain.
MRI ( mirror resonance imaging)
also called action potential; a brief quantal disturbance from the resting potential of a neuron that is propagated along an axon, and that results in the release of neurotransmitters (chemical messages) at the axon terminal.
nerve impulse
the embryo’s precursor to the central nervous system that comprises the brain and spinal cord.
neural tube
the process by which new neurons are generated.
neurogenesis
a type of interneuron communication that blends communicative traits of neurotransmitters and hormones. Neuromodulators are secreted in larger quantities, and must disperse greater distances to reach the receptor sites on the receiving neuron
neuromodulation
the synapse of the axon terminal of a motor neuron on the excitable region of a muscle fiber.
neuromuscular junction
specialized cells that execute the executive functions of the nervous system through the generation and conduction of the nerve impulse.
neurons
a chemical messenger secreted at the synapse that activates the receiving neurons by opening ion channels.
neurotransmitter
a small gap between adjacent segments of myelin found on myelinated axons.
node of ranvier
a neurotransmitter that is involved in vigilance and the regulation of sleep cycles.
norepinephrine
a brain structure activated by stimulation that results in the experience of pleasure
nucleus accumbens
the most posterior lobe in the neocortex. This lobe is responsible for the initial steps in processing visual information.
occipital lobe
the chemical sense of smell.
olfaction
the division of the autonomic nervous system responsible for digestion and replenishment of the body’s energy reservoirs.
parasympathetic branch of the ANS
the most superior lobe in the neocortex. This lobe is responsible for somatosensation, and it plays a role in spatial orientation.
parietal lobe
that portion of the nervous system in which the cell bodies are not surrounded by bone.
peripheral nervous system (PNS)
a brain scan technique whereby the rate of glucose is measured in the brain by capturing images of brain activity while one performs specific tasks.
PET (positron emission) scan
phenomenon that occurs in individuals with a missing or amputated limb where the individual experiences the sensation that the limb actually still exists.
phantom limb
the “master gland”: a small gland at the base of the brain about the size of a pea that protrudes from the hypothalamus
pituitary gland
the cell responsible for receiving the neurotransmitter.
postsynaptic cell
the cell responsible for secreting the neurotransmitter.
presynaptic cell
in biology: a projecting component of a cellular structure. A process is an extension that protrudes from the soma.
processes
a term used to describe communication between neurons where the presynaptic cell is precisely targeting a specific postsynaptic cell.
punctuate
a property of neural communication whereby the amplitude of the nerve message is conveyed by changes in the rate that neurons produce action potentials.
rate law
a region on the postsynaptic cell that is activated by a neurotransmitter.
receptor sites
an electrical potential or voltage difference that neurons preserve by maintaining an imbalance in ion concentrations in the intracellular and extracellular fluids (typically a -70 mV charge).
resting potential
a process whereby neurotransmitters are recycled by being reabsorbed into the axon buttons of the sending neuron, where it is re-stored into the synaptic vesicle for use in later action potentials.
reuptake
type of nerve transmission in which the action potential hops down the length of the axon from one Node of Ranvier to the next Node of Ranvier.
salutatory conduction
a blind spot in the visual field caused by damage to the occipital lobe.
scotoma
the act of calming or reducing agitation, arousal, excitement, or anxiety.
sedation
with regards to a drug, the increase in effectiveness of a drug that occurs as a result of repeated use of that drug.
sensitization
a type of neuron that detects physical stimuli such as light, sound or touch, and transmit this information to the CNS.
sensory neuron
a neurotransmitter that is involved in mood, sleep, arousal, pain, and risk taking
serotonin
the cell body.
soma
the branch of the peripheral nervous system that receives information from sensory receptors, and controls contractions of skeletal muscles.
somatic nervous system
random neural firing that occurs in the absence of excitation.
spontaneous activity
sulci shallow grooves in the brain that separate gyri.
sulci
the division of the autonomic nervous system that prepares the body for the rapid expenditure of energy. Over activation of the sympathetic branch of the ANS is associated with stress related disorders.
sympathetic branch of the ANS
the junction between sending and receiving neurons where neurotransmitters are secreted.
synapse
the very small gap between the terminal button and the postsynaptic cell.
synaptic cleft
spherical structure or bubble that contains a set volume of neurotransmitter.
synaptic vesicle
this lobe is located behind the temporal bone in which the ears are located. This lobe is the auditory cortex, and it also important for analyzing patterns required for object recognition in the visual system.
temporal lobe
the end of an axon where neurotransmitters are secreted.
terminal button
the brain structure that serves as a relay station between the subthalamic structures and the cerebral cortex.
thalamus
also known as the therapeutic ratio is a comparison of the dose of the drug that causes a therapeutic effect relative to the dose that causes a toxic effect.
therapeutic index
level of stimulation or depolarization below which the neuron does not fire.
threshold depolarization
with regards to a drug, the decrease in effectiveness of a drug that occurs as a result of repeated use of that drug.
tolerance
an area of the brain that underlies speech comprehension and understanding.
Wernicke’s area
the parts of a brain comprised of myelinated axons.
white matter
