Test 2- Biology Flashcards
Neurons
Main nervous system cells
Allows the transfer of information
communication cells
Dendrites
Part of a neuron
Branches that receive information
Cell body (soma)
Part of a neuron
where information passes through after the dendrites
life support system of the neuron
Axon
Part of a neuron
Where information travels along from the cell body to the end
encased in a myelin sheath
Action potential
The electrical signal that travels down the axon
Terminal buttons
Forms junctions with other cells to send information
Sends it to another neuron’s dendrites through chemical neurotransmitters
Has “bubbles”- synaptic vesicles
– contains neurotransmitter
molecules
Glia cells
Support system for nervous system
Peripheral Nervous System
Everything that branches off from the brain and spinal cord
Central Nervous System
Brain and spinal cord
Gray matter
Part of brain that is on the outside
Where the cell bodies of neurons are located
White matter
Part of brain that is on the inside
Where the myelin sheaths of the axons are located
CT Scan
Can show structure of the brain
PET Scan
Can show activity in the brain
Inject things into the brain- causes it to light up during the scan
EEG
electroencephalogram
measures brain electrical activity
MRI
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Similar to CT, More accurate
fMRI
functional MRI
similar to pet scan, nothing injected though
Brain plasticity
The brain is flexible and can change over time
constantly changing and evolving
can be suppressed with poor mental and physical health
The microbiome
Trillions of microorganisms coexist peacefully
mostly located in the small and large intestines
people can physically and psychologically change based on the microbiome
Endocrine System
Controlled by the nervous system through the hypothalamus
Oxytocin
Parental hormone
increase during and after childbirth by both parents
Acetylcholine
(Function, Agonists, Antagonists)
Functions:
-Muscle Movement
– transmits signals from motor neurons to skeletal muscles
Agonists:
- Nicotine
- Alzheimer’s Drugs
Antagonists:
- Botox
- Parkinson’s drugs
Norepinephrine
(Function, Agonists, Antagonists)
Function:
-Increased Alertness
– Norepinephrine boosts attention and focus
-Fight or Flight Response
Agonists:
-ADHD Meds
Antagonists:
-Beta-Blockers
Dopamine
(Function, Agonists, Antagonists)
Function:
- Reward and Pleasure
– Encourages you to repeat activities that lead to positive activities - Motivation and Drive
Agonists:
- Parkinson’s Disease Medications
- ADHD Medications
Antagonists:
-Antipsychotics
Serotonin
(Function, Agonists, Antagonists)
Function:
- Mood Regulation
– boosts happiness and emotional stability, reduces anxiety and depression
Agonists:
- SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors)
- Antianxiety drugs
Antagonists:
- Atypical Antipsychotics
GABA
(Function, Agonists, Antagonists)
Function:
- Reduction of Anxiety
– decreases excessive brain activity, reduces anxiety - Promotion of Sleep
– inhibits arousal pathways, leads to relaxation and drowsiness
Agonists:
- Benzodiazepines
- Alcohol
Antagonists
- Flumazenil
Endorphins
(Function, Agonists, Antagonists)
Functions:
- Pain Relief
- Euphoria and Pleasure
Agonists:
- Opiods
Antagonists:
- Beta-endorphins
Medulla (functions)
Regulates bodily activities such as HEART RHYTHM, BREATHING, BLOOD FLOW
Produces reflexive activities such as SNEEZING, VOMITING, COUGHING, SWALLOWING
Pons (functions)
Influences sleep cycle and ALERTNESS when awoken
Reticular Formation (functions)
SLEEP, WAKEFULNESS
Thalamus (functions)
The body’s INFORMATION RELAY STATION
All information in the body is sent through here before the cerebral cortex
Cerebellum (functions)
COORDINATES FINE MUSCLES MOVEMENT AND BALANCE
Amygdala (functions)
Automatically DETECT DANGER
Play are role in EMOTIONAL CONTROL AND AGGRESSION
Hypothalamus (functions)
Keeps the body in HOMEOSTASIS
- BODY TEMPERATURE, HUNGER, THIRST, MOOD, SEX DRIVE, SLEEP
Pituitary Gland (functions)
Regulates the FLOW OF HORMONES
RECIEVES CHEMICAL SIGNALS FROM THE HYPOTHALAMUS THROUGH ITS STALK AND BLOOD SUPPLY
Hippocampus (functions)
Involved in MEMORY
Cerebrum (functions)
Conscious thought
CEREBRAL CORTEX is the outer layer
Divided by a CORPUS CALLOSUM
Frontal lobe (functions)
Involved in SPEAKING, PLANNING, JUDGING, ABSTRACT THINKING
Parietal lobe (functions)
Involved in TOUCH and BODY POSITION
Temporal lobe (functions)
Involved in COMPREHENSION, SPEECH, AND SOUND
Occipital lobe (functions)
Involved in SIGHT
