Unit 3 Flashcards
neuron
basic building block of the nervous system
sensory neuron
afferent (input)
motor neurons
efferent (output)
interneurons
info between other neurons, ONLY in brain and spinal cord
dendrite
the bushy, branching extensions of a neuron that receives messages and conducts impulses toward the cell body
axon
the extension of a neuron, ending in branching terminal fibers, through which messages are sent to other neurons or glands
myelin sheath
layers of fatty cells that encase the fibers of many neurons in segments / enables vastly greater transmission speed of neural impulses
action potential
brief electrical charge that travels down an axon
threshold
minimum stimulation necessary to produce an action potential
synapse
Junction between the axon terminal of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron
neurotransmitters
chemical messengers that traverse the synaptic gaps between neurons when released by the sending neurons, neurotransmitters travel across the synapse and bind to receptor sites on the receiving neuron, thereby influencing whether it will generate an action potential
reuptake
excess neurotransmitters are sucked back up
nervous system
the network of nerve cells and fibers that transmits nerve impulses between parts of the body
central nervous system
Brain and Spinal Cord
peripheral nervous system
the nervous system outside the brain and spinal cord
nerves
a whitish bundle of fibers that transmits impulses of sensation to the brain or spinal cord, and impulses from these to the muscles and organs
somatic nervous system
voluntary nervous system
autonomic nervous system
the part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organs. Mostly involuntary functions
endorphins
Control Pain and pleasure, released in respond to pain
sympathetic nervous system
arousal system. (Fear, flight / fight)
Parasympathetic Nervous system
“calms” nervous system
reflex
an action that is performed as a response to a stimulus and without conscious thought
endocrine system
the body’s “slow” chemical communication system a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream
adrenal glands
releases adrenaline (epinephrine)
pituitary gland
“Master gland” in the brain - influences other glands
behavior genetics
study of influence genetics and environment has on behavior
chromosomes
a threadlike structure of nucleic acids and protein found in the nucleus of most living cells, carrying information in the form of genes
genome
set of genes that is distinct for each organism
molecular genetics
the branch of genetics concerned with the structure and activity of genetic material ar the molecular level
evolutionary psychology
psychology philosophy that relies on evolution for answers in psychology
natural selection
survival of the fittest and most adapted
EEG
amplified recording of electrical brain activity waves
CT (CAT)
series of photographs (slices) combined
PET
detects where radioactive glucose forms when brain is performing tasks
MRI
shows brain anatomy, uses radio waves and magnetic fields to form computer generated images
Lesion
tissue destruction
Brainstem
oldest part of the brain - responsible for automatic functions
medulla
controls heartbeat and breathing
Reticular Formation
controls arousal
Thalamus
sensory switchboard. receives info from the senses and transmits them to the medulla and cerebellum
cerebellum
(little brain) coordinates movement and balance
limbic system
emotions and drives
amygdala
linked to emotions
hypothalamus
body maintenance (eating, drinking, and body temperature) and linked to emotions and rewards
cerebral cortex
thin surface of interconnected neural cells; body’s ultimate control and information - processing center
glial cells
cells in nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons
frontal lobes
front part of the cerebral cortex, involved in speaking, muscle movements, and making plans and judgements
parietal lobes
part of the cerebral cortex that is on the top and toward the back. receives sensory input for touch and body position
occipital lobes
back part of the cerebral cortex. receives information from the visual fields
temporal lobes
sides of the cerebral cortex. receives information from opposite ears
motor cortex
area toward the back of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements
sensory cortex
area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations
association areas
areas of the cerebral cortex that are involved in higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking
aphasia
impairment of language, usually due to damage to Broca’s area or Wernicke’s area.
Broca’s area
controls language expression, speaking
Wernicke’s area
controls language reception, understanding
Corpus Callosum
connects the two brain hemispheres and carries messages between them
split brain
a conditions resulting from surgery that isolates the brain’s two hemispheres by cutting the corpus callosum connecting them
plasticity
the brain’s ability to change, especially during childhood, by reorganizing after damage or by building new pathways based on experience
neurogenesis
the formation of new neurons
consciousness
our awareness of ourselves and our environment
cognitive neuroscience
the study of the brain activity linked with cognition
dual processing
information is often simultaneously processed on separate conscious and unconscious tracts.
GABA
most inhibitory neurotransmitter. too much glutamate and too little GABA results in epileptic seizures.
Glutamate
too much glutamate and too little GABA results in epileptic seizures. Major excitatory neurotransmitter
Seratonin
involved in sleep and depression.
Noripnephrine
alertness and arousal. adrenaline. “fight or flight” neurotransmitter
Dopamine
Involved in attention and learning. dopamine imbalance results in schizophrenia / parkinsons disease.
endorphins
pain / pleasure neuro transmitter. releaesed in response to pain / exertion.
acetylcholine
involved in learning and muscle contraction and usage. is found in all motor neurons
agonists…
mimic neurotransmitters
antagonists.
block neurotransmitters
the central nervous system is…
the brain and the spine
older brain structures include…
hypothalamus
pituitary gland
amygdala
hippocampus
The broca’s area…
controls the output of language
the angular gyrus…
converts visual meaning to pheonetic readin. (reading outloud)
