Unit 1 Quest Flashcards
Somatic Nervous System
Enables voluntary(conscious, intentional) control of our skeletal muscles
Glial cells
Helps to feed and cover neurons; also helps with neural communication
- They have like feeding tubes to feed the neurons
Pituitary Gland
Commands all glandular activity in coordination with neurotransmitter signals; secretes hormones to regulate body growth as we mature. Also releases oxytocin. Brain signals this gland which
communicates with other glands to produce hormones which also
influences vital bodily and brain processes(like stress response)
Reuptake
When the sending neuron reabsorbs(reuptakes) excess neurotransmitters into the axon terminal(synaptic vesicle) from the synapse after the reaction has occurred
Firing Threshold
- All or none response system
Amount of stimulation or activity necessary to trigger a neural impulse/firing
- A neuron either fires or it doesn’t; so if the threshold isn’t reached it just will not fire
Cerebral cortex
- Definition
- Is it mostly gray or white matter?
- In terms of the physical structure of the brain, why is it important that this layer of brain tissue is composed of several folds?
- The thin layer of interconnected neural cells covering each hemisphere . Includes the frontal Lobe - Parietal Lobe - Occipital Lobe - Temporal Lobe. Also Known as the “thinking crown” where most information is processed and behaviors are controlled.
- Gray matter
- Brain folds allow for more surface area thus more cortex for learning and complex thinking
Hormones
Chemical messengers that travel through blood and affect tissues and brain
Resting potential
The electrical charge difference between the inside and outside of a neuron when it is not actively sending signals. The inside of the cell is more negative than the outside.
If I flashed a blue light in the right eye of a split-brain patient (their hemispheres are surgically separated to treat seizures) and a yellow light in the left eye, would each hemisphere observe its own color? What color would the person actually report seeing? Consider the more verbal hemisphere.
In a split-brain patient, the hemispheres are surgically separated, meaning they cannot directly communicate through the corpus callosum. If a blue light is flashed in the right eye, the information is processed by the left hemisphere, and if a yellow light is flashed in the left eye, it is processed by the right hemisphere. Because the left hemisphere is dominant for spoken language and verbal processing, the person would report seeing blue—the color processed by the left hemisphere—even though the right hemisphere sees yellow. The two hemispheres cannot share information due to the severed corpus callosum, so the verbal hemisphere (left) determines the reported perception.
Cortisol
Body’s main stress hormone that works with certain parts of your brain to control your mood, energy, motivation, fight-flight fear response, blood pressure, and tissue inflammation
While walking home from school, Jimmy is chased by a snarling dog that has escaped from
its owner’s yard. How will his sympathetic system help him avoid the dog? Describe the bodily sensations and changes that Jimmy will experience due to this incident (choose three physiological reactions and one psychological reaction). Once
Jimmy is home and safe from attack, how will his physiology and psychology change due to the parasympathetic system? Again, provide three physiological reactions and one psychological.
His sympathetic nervous system will increase his blood supply to help him escape from the dog and return to safety. Jimmy will experience an increased heartbeat, increased blood pressure, reduced digestion, and have racing thoughts. Once home, Jimmy will have a slowed heartbeat, increased digestion, calmed down blood pressure, and more self-control.
In the proper order, explain the process of a neuron receiving a chemical signal and firing
to release its own chemical compounds to communicate with a nearby neuron. Begin with dendrites receiving
neurotransmitters. Be sure to focus on the specific function(s) of each piece of anatomy in your answer. You must include
these terms: Dendrite, Axon, Nucleus, Threshold, Synapse, Reuptake, Synaptic Vesicles, Neurotransmitters, Myelin Sheath,
Axon Terminal and Action Potential – underline all terms (5 points)
When a neuron receives a chemical signal, the process begins with its dendrites receiving neurotransmitters from a neighboring neuron across the synapse. These neurotransmitters bind to receptors on the dendrites, and if the signal is strong enough, it causes the neuron’s membrane potential to reach the threshold. This triggers an action potential, an electrical impulse that travels down the axon, which is insulated by the myelin sheath to speed up the signal. As the action potential reaches the axon terminal, it causes synaptic vesicles to release neurotransmitters into the synapse. These neurotransmitters then bind to receptors on the next neuron to continue the signal. Afterward, any leftover neurotransmitters are either broken down or taken back up into the original neuron through a process called reuptake for reuse.
Reflex
A simple automatic response to a sensory stimulus
- ex: jumping when someone frightens you
Repolarization
Brings the cell back to resting potential and makes the cell more negative. The sodium channels close and potassium channels open(which brings potassium out of the cell), stopping the inward rush of positive ions
Taking the perspective of a scientist studying neurotransmitters: Why would a person enjoy eating very spicy foods, getting
tattoos, or the muscle burn that comes with sports training (running, weightlifting, etc.)?
They would enjoy these things because of endorphins where you feel pleasure instead of pain.
Depolarization
Positively charged sodium ions (Na+) rush into a neuron through the sodium channels and due to this the inside of the neuron is more positive
Temporal Lobe
Processes auditory information
Let’s say you stub your toe on the coffee table leg. Using the central nervous (CNS) and peripheral nervous (PNS) systems, as well as sensory and motor neurons, briefly detail the process of a pain signal being felt and sent to the brain, as well as
the resulting action of pulling your hand away.
When you stub your toe, sensory receptors in your skin detect the pain and send a signal through sensory neurons in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) to your spinal cord, part of the central nervous system (CNS). This triggers a reflex, causing you to quickly pull your foot away via motor neurons. Meanwhile, the pain signal travels to the brain where it’s processed, making you aware of the pain. Finally, your brain sends a signal through motor neurons, allowing you to react further, like rubbing your toe.
Agonist
Mimics a neurotransmitter on the receiving neuron’s receptor site. They are typically excitatory molecules
- ex: Morphine mimics(acts like) endorphins which amplifies pleasure and eases pain by increasing dopamine production
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)
- Successive MRI scans that show the movement of oxygenated blood in the brain which reveals the most active areas of the brain
Action Potential
An electrical charge(neural impulse) that travels down an axon once the neuron’s firing threshold is reached
Peripheral Nervous System(PNS)
Sensory and motor neurons linking CNS to rest of the body
Reflex arc
- Defintion
- Example
- Why do these function?
- Pathway that a reflex takes in the body. It goes receptors on skin- sensory neuron- interneurons- motor neuron- muscles
- Ex: If you put your hand on a hot stove, your skin receptors will first detect the hot temperature. Then, a sensory neuron sends electrical impulses to the spinal cord by using interneurons. You have relay neurons that connect the sensory neurons and motor neurons. The motor neurons send signals to your muscle, then your muscle contracts and your hand will pull away from the hot stove.
- These function to maintain balance while walking, with your posture, and to avoid major injury
Brain plasticity
The ability of the brain to rewire itself
throughout our lives based on experiences, thoughts, and injuries to help us adapt to new things. Brain plasticity makes things move faster and more coordinated. It also makes brain energy more energy efficient.
List 3 functions of the right brain hemisphere- you must include contralateral organization as one of the functions
- Symbols and images
- Imagination and intuiton
- Controls left side movement(contralateral organization)
- Creative
Which neurotransmitter is most active in the pleasure pathway and reward responses? Which neurotransmitter or receptor
site is of most concern to scientists working on antidepressant medication that block reuptake?
Dopamine; Serotonin
Stroke
Ruptured artery in the brain or an artery carrying blood to the brain becomes blocked by a blood clot or plaque buildup (poor diet, tobacco use, etc.)
Corpus callosum
Connective tissue between the hemispheres of the brain and carries messages between them
fMRI vs MRI
MRI shows anatomy; an fMRI shows the brain functioning
Read through study guide and notes
Central Nervous System(CNS)
Brain and spinal cord
Melatonin
Helps with the timing of your circadian rhythms (24-hour internal clock) and with sleep – being exposed to light (including screens, overhead lights, sun, etc.) at night can block melatonin production
3 functions of the limbic system
Memory, instinct, mood/emotions
Neural Networks
- Interconnected neural cells, similar to electrical circuits
- Electrical activation and firing leads to neural or dendrite branching and interconnections that look like multidimensional webs
Antagonist
Drugs that blocks the receptor site. They are typically inhibitory molecules.
- ex: Some snake and spider venom blocks Ach receptors, which paralyzes muscles
Parts of a Neuron and Functions(Be able to label on a diagram)
- Dendrite
- Axon
-Nucleus
- Synapse
- Synaptic vesicles
- Axon Terminal
- Part of a neuron that is on the end and it receives messages and conducts impulses towards the cell body
- Long part of a neuron that passes message along to other neurons or to muscles
- In the center of the cell body of a neuron. The nucleus controls the entire neuron.
- The space between two neurons(the axon of one neuron and the dendrite on the other neuron)
- Little pockets that hold neurotransmitters; they are found in the axon terminal
- Bottom part of a neuron that connects with another neuron; They send messages to the next neuron
Hyperpolarization
Change in a cell’s membrane potential that makes it more negative. It is the opposite of a depolarization
Name the medical diagnosis and related symptoms that arise from degeneration of myelin on neural axons.
Multiple sclerosis(MS); The symptoms are unpredictable however some lose the ability to see clearly, to write, speak, or walk.
Motor Neurons
Carry outgoing info from CNS to muscles or glands; they deal with body movement
Multiple sclerosis(MS)
MS is a chronic disease of the central nervous system(CNS). It is an autoimmune disorder when the body attacks itself because of myelin degeneration. MS flare ups could be from 24 hours to months. Sometimes symptoms don’t appear for years.
Which of the brain imaging techniques would be best suited for watching the neurological process of reading a book? Name two options
fMRI and PET scan
What brain areas make up the limbic system?
Thalamus, hypothalamus, amygdala, hippocampus, olfactory bulb
Endorphins
Naturally occurring opiate-like neurotransmitter linked to pleasure and pain signaling(around 20 types); These make you feel pain but as pleasure instead.
Top-Down Processing
Slow thinking, deliberate and voluntary, CONSCIOUS cognitive processes, interpreting info, schema-driven, relies on knowledge and previous experiences
Motor Cortex
Brain area that controls body movement and outgoing signals from the body
List foods a nutritional psychiatrist might suggest to a depressed patient who mainly relies mostly on simple sugars, fried foods and processed carbohydrates for their calories.
Fish(for fatty acids), fermented foods like kimchi and yogurt
Explain the basic maturation process of the brain in terms of directionality (front, back, bottom, top, etc.). What is the average age range at which the brain is considered essentially mature? What is the final brain area to mature and how does this help to explain why children are more likely than middle-aged adults to make poor decisions, focus/attention, drug
addiction, impulsiveness, etc.?
- The brain develops from the bottom back to the top front(think of a backwards C)
- The brain is considered fully mature around 23-25 years old
- The final brain area to mature is the prefrontal cortex which includes logical thinking. This explains why teens make impulsive and emotional decisions rather than logic.
Bottom-Up Processing
fast thinking, SENSORY level, unconscious and involuntary, lower level cognition, organizing info
Oxytocin
Produced in the hypothalamus, it plays a role insocial bonding,sex and reproduction,childbirth. It also plays a role inbonding with one’s babyandstimulating milk production for breast feeding
Under what conditions or which types of injuries might a CT scan be recommended by a physician?
Tumors, internal bleeding, head injuries
Myelin sheath
Layer of fatty tissue that speeds up neural impulses
Neural/synaptic pruning
When you don’t use a part of your brain, it becomes slowly eliminated to make space for something else useful
Leptin
A hormone that inhibits hunger (you’re full, stop eating), which in turn diminishes fat storage
Review brain areas and neuron anatomy diagrams
Endocrine System
The body’s “slow” chemical communication system that employs a set of glands which secrete hormones into the bloodstream
Computed Axial Tomography (CAT or CT) Scan
-Examines brain for damage or lesions using X-ray images and computer systems – more detailed than an X-ray
- Uses computer processing to create cross-sectional images (slices) of bones, blood vessels and soft tissues (identifies tumors, blood clots, internal bleeding )
Neurogenesis
Formation or growth of new neurons (created by glial cells)
▫ After suffering a brain injury, neurogenesis may try to self-repair by reorganizing existing tissue or producing new cells
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan
- Depicts brain activity by showing each brain area’s consumption of the sugar glucose (which is made temporarily radioactive)
- Used in pharmaceutical research to help “tag and trace” certain compounds as they move through the brain
What is the brain’s hormonal communication process?
Brain - Pituitary Gland- Other Glands - Hormone Release- Body & Brain
List 3 functions of the left brain hemisphere- you must include contralateral organization as one of the functions
- Controls right side movement(contralateral organization)
- Organization and order
- Logical/ rational thinking
- Written and spoken language
- Prefers safer activities and predictability; controlling types
- Concrete facts and details; objective and analytical
Good at separating and seeing differences
Parasympathetic Nervous System
- Saves energy, calms down
systems or arousal levels; heartbeat slows - Frontal Lobe and more
evolved brain areas active(you are thinking logically and have self-control and voluntary actions)
Ghrelin(aka _____ hormone)
(Hunger hormone) Hormone produced in your stomach that is released when it’s empty to signal your brain that it’s time to eat
Neurotransmitters
Chemical messengers that bind to receptor sites; 100s of kinds
Lesioning
Small areas of radiofrequency burn damage (lesions) are made in your brain. This is a last resort because it is painful, but these lesions target cells that control movement and pain and are used to treat movement disorders like tremors and dystonia (twitching, spasms)
Somatosensory Cortex
Brain area that controls tactile(touch) sensation of entire body and incoming signals from body
Refractory Period
A period of time during which a cell is incapable of repeating an action potential
Dual Processing
Deals with the brain’s ability to simultaneously process incoming stimuli and information in various brain regions.
For example → Vision is our brain putting together color, motion, shape, and depth, which combines these separate pieces into one whole image which you “see” and unconsciously compare to stored memories to help in the identification of the image.
What happens if a blocked artery in the brain bursts?
If the artery bursts, we call this a cerebral aneurysm.
Norepinephrine
- Helps control alertness and arousal; close connections with adrenaline response
- Undersupply can depress mood; too much leads to anxiety
Sympathetic Nervous System
Deals with emotions(lower brain region)
Fight or flight response system to environmental stressors; uses energy and increases blood pressure and heartbeat. You are not rational or reasonable in this state of mind.
Take me through the activation of the sympathetic nervous system using the Hypothalamic Pituitary Adrenal (HPA) axis
slide in the PowerPoint as well as the hormone feedback system in your notes. Include the adrenal glands, adrenaline and
cortisol (hormones), the pituitary gland, as well as the role of the hypothalamus in the brain to initiate this change in the
body-mind.
The hypothalamus recognizes an environmental stressor through high norepinephrine levels. Then, it tells your pituitary gland to tell your adrenal gland to release adrenaline and cortisol into the blood. Then, once you reach enough your hypothalamus tells your pituitary to tell your adrenal gland that it can slow down.
Myelination
Tissues thicken over time when you repeat it a lot for more efficient processing so that things you do all the time can be done faster.
Autonomic Nervous System
Part of the PNS that regulates muscles and glands of
internal organs (mostly involuntary(unconscious and reflex) action like digestion), divided into Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Nervous System
Using the scenario of learning to play the violin, explain how brain plasticity operates in the
brain by including these terms: Dendrite Branching and Neural Networking Formation (mention neural activation/electrical
firing from practice sessions), Neurogenesis, Myelination, Somatosensory Cortex (incoming signals from body), Motor
Cortex (outgoing signals to body), Temporal Lobe (auditory area). As you write, be sure to make the point of how plasticity
makes movements faster and more coordinated, brain activity more energy efficient, etc. Start by defining neuroplasticity.
Use complete sentences – please underline all terms (5 points)
Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s ability to rewire itself throughout our lives based on experiences. When someone starts learning the violin, the brain goes through dendrite branching because of the repeated practice, which means dendrites are making new connections between neurons and a neural network is forming. As practice continues, neural activation through electrical firing becomes more efficient and neurogenesis occurs, which means new neurons are formed to help you play the violin better. Then, myelination would occur and the fatty tissue would thicken to speed up your movements because you are more experienced and used to playing the violin. The somatosensory cortex would make your fingers more sensitive and used to the strings of the violin, while the motor cortex makes your hand movements quicker and more precise. Lastly, your temporal lobe would help your hearing be more sensitive and to understand if you were offkey. Consistent practice makes movements faster and more coordinated/energy-efficient brain activity.
Adrenal glands
Sit atop kidneys and secrete hormones that arouse the body, like adrenaline
Sensory Neurons
Carry incoming information to the CNS; think of them as signals that deal with touch sensation of entire body
Explain the gut-brain axis of the enteric nervous system: How does the gut impact the brain? How does the brain impact the
gut?
Gut biome is negatively affected under high levels
of chronic stress and extreme emotional states. The gut impacts the brain’s neurotransmitters, mood, etc. The brain influences the gut’s motility, secretion, etc.
How much of the body’s energy and oxygen is used by the brain?
Approximately 20-25 % of the body’s energy (calories) and oxygen
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
Records the ELECTRICAL waves of the brain. It tells us how active the brain becomes in certain areas; not as detailed as an fMRI
