Unit 1 - chapter 2 (biology of mind) Flashcards
neurons are specialized cells but they have the same function as ____________
other cells in the body
parts of a neuron
cell body: the cells lifeline; everything starts here
dendrites: receives a signal from another neuron
axon: passes the message down the neuron from the cell body to the next neuron
terminal branches: forms a connection (junction) with other neurons
myelin sheath: fatty shield surrounding the icon to speed up neural messages
three major types of neurons:
motor neurons (efferent): information is transmitted from the brain to the body
sensory neurons (afferent): information is transmitted from the body in the brain
interneuron: transmits information between sensory and motor neurons
how neurons communicate
electrochemical signaling through an action potential
-all or none response
agonist versus antagonist
agonist: increase a NT action and increase the production/release or block the reuptake
antagonist: decrease a NT action and block production or release
difference between the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system
CNS: brain and spinal cord
PNS: autonomic (sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system - control of glands and internal organ) and somatic (skeletal/voluntary control) (ie: everything else)
oldest brain structures
brainstem: the oldest and most inner region
medulla: controls heartbeat and breathing
pons: relays information from the cerebral cortex to the cerebellum
thalamus: sensory control center, “relay station”
reticular formation: neuronal network going through the brain stem to the thalamus (plays role in arousal, attention, and sleep/wakefulness)
the cerebellum
means "little brain" *know where in the brain* many functions: -nonverbal learning and skill memory -coordinates voluntary movement -judges time -aids in modulating our emotions -discriminates sounds and textures
the limbic system
between the oldest and newest part of the brain
-associated with emotions and motivation
parts of the limbic system
hypothalamus: controls body temperature, hunger, fatigue and sleep
basal ganglia: control of movement, learning, habit, cognition and emotion
amygdala: memory, decision-making and emotional responses
hippocampus: memory and navigation
structure of the cortex
cerebral cortex: interconnected neural network covering the brains hemispheres
frontal: behind forehead, higher order thinking and decision making
parietal: top of head, sensory input for touch and body position
occipital: back of head, recieves sensory inpur from visual fields
temporal: above ears, auditory areas
motor cortex: behind frontal lobe, voluntary movement
somatosensory cortex: front of parietal lobe (next to motor cortex), registers and processes body touch and movement sensations
corporate callous
wide band of axon fibers connecting the two hemispheres of the bran and carry messages to and from each other
endocrine system
a different form of chemical messenger found and released by the endocrine system is called hormones.
glads in the endocrine system
adrenal gland: on top of kidneys, release hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine
pituitary gland: located in the core of the brain and controlled by the hypothalamus, master gland
what does an EEG do?
measures electrical activity in neurons
*use if someone has epilepsy or is experiencing seizures
