Unit 3 Flashcards
Sensory Neurons
neurons that carry info to the brain/spinal cord
Motor Neurons
neurons that carry info from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and and glands
Interneurons
neurons within the brain and spinal cord that communicate and intervene between sensory input and motor output
Action Potential
a brief electric charge traveling down an axon
Threshold
A minimum intensity of excitatory and inhibitory signals to trigger neuron impulse
Reuptake
the absorption by a presynaptic nerve ending of a neurotransmitter that it has secreted
Central Nervous System
The brain and spinal cord
Peripheral Nervous System
Sensory and motor neurons connecting to the CNS to the body
Somatic Nervous System
division of the peripheral nervous system controlling skelatal muscles
Autonomic Nervous System
peripheral nervous system part that contrals glands, and muscles in organs
Sympathetic Nervous System
the division of the autonomic nervous system that mobilizes energy in stressful situations
Parasympathetic Nervous System
the division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body to conserve energy
EEG
Amplified recording of brain’s electrical activity (“brainwaves”) via electrodes placed on scalp. Non-invasive
CT/CAT
X-rays give a 3D image of structure
PET
Tracks brain’s consumption of radioactive glucose injection, providing images of brain function. Expensive & lengthy
MRI
Strong magnetic field causes disorientation of atoms in brain; reorientation = signal as to soft tissue density (picture of brain structure)
fMRI
Type of MRI that detects amount of bloodflow in different brain regions (proxy for oxygen consumption; brain function)
Reticular Formation
between your ears. Filters info and diverts to other parts of brain
Thalamus
top of brainstem. Its a sensory switchboard for everthing but smell. Sometimes gets replies from the higher brain
Cerebellum
behind the brain stem. Helps with nonverbal learning and memory
Limbic System
the part between the brainstem and the cerebral hemispheres. Instinct and basic emotion. Amygdala, hippocampus, thalamus, hypothalamus, basal ganglia, and cingulate gyrus
Amygdala
controls rage and fear
Hypothalamus
below the thalamus. It largely controls bodily maintenance such as thirst, temperature, and sexual behavior. It monitors blood chemistry, and takes orders from other parts of the brain
Frontal Lobes
part of cerebral cortex at front. Involved in speaking and muscle movement, planning and judgement
Parietal Lobes
top of brain. Recieves sensory input for touch and body postition
Occipital Lobes
back of head. Includes areas that recieve info from visual fields
Temporal Lobes
above the ears. Takes in sounds from the opposite ear
Aphasia
an impaired ability for language and can result from damage to any number of cortical areas
Broca’s Area
associated with speech production and articulation. Takes the thought and turns it into words, then passes that to the motor cortex
Wernicke’s Area
language comprehension, whether it is written or spoken
Plasticity
The ability of the brain to modify itself after damage
Neurogenesis
The formation of new neurons
Dual Processing
The unconsious and conscious brain activity
Glial Cells
supports the nerve cells in the cerebral cortex, providing nutrients, insulating myelin, and guiding neural connections.
Endorphins
The bodies pain killer. come from the pituitary gland
Association Areas
They integrate information using memories and inputs
Pituitary Gland
It releases hormones that affect your behavior in many ways
Myelin Sheath
fatty tissue encasing neuron fibers letting neural impulses travel faster
Corpus Callosum
The wide band of axon fibers connecting the two hemispheres and carrying messages between them
