Unit 3: Brain and Biology Flashcards
Neural Plasticity
The ability of neural networks in the brain to change and adapt through growth and reorganization.
Glial Cells
Act as glue, being structural support and nourishment for the nervous system.
Lesions
Destruction found in cell tissue.
Computer Tomography (CT) Scans
Like an x-ray that uses 2-dimensional views of the brain.
Magnetic Resonance Tomography (PET) scans
The use of magnetic fields and radio waves to map out structure in more detail than a CT scan.
EEG (electroencephalogram)
Measures brain activity in waves (commonly used for sleep studies and seizures).
Positron emission tomography (PET) scan
Measures glucose with a radioactive marker to detect activity in the brain.
Functioning MRI
Measures oxygen and blood flow.
Reflex Arc
The pathway of neural stimulation that occurs to translate a sensation into a physical reflexive response. Ex: The Knee Jerk.
Sensory Neurons/Afferent Nerves
Picks up sensory information.
Motor Neurons/Efferent Neurons
Does the moving in the body, including the muscles and organs.
Interneurons
Central nervous system neurons that internally communicate and intervene between the sensory inputs and motor inputs. Ex: The Brain & Spinal Cord.
Dendrite
The parts of the neuron that receive signals.
Axon (Axle)
The part of the neuron that announces and sends signals.
Myelin Sheath
The part of the neuron that acts as a case/sheath for the axons, being used as insulation and protection.
Terminal Buttons
The parts of the neuron that secrete neurotransmitters.
Multiple Sclerosis
A disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks the myelin sheath protection the axons causing random flashes of extreme fatigue and other minor symptoms.
Myasthenia Gravis
A neuromuscular disease that causes weakness in the voluntary muscles, making you to get tired quickly.
Action Potential
A shift in charges that allows signals to be sent down the axon (becomes more positively charged/depolarized). 1st step: Sodium gates. 2nd step: Potassium gates.
Depolarization
The movement of a cell’s membrane potential to a more positive value.
All-or-None Principle
All action potentials are the same (though the frequency differs).
Excitatory Neurotransmitters
A positive voltage shift that increases the likelihood that the postsynaptic neuron will fire.
Inhibitory Neurotransmitters
A negative voltage shift that decreases the likelihood that the postsynaptic neuron will fire.
Threshold
The lowest point at which a particular stimulus will cause a response in an organism.
Synapse
The gap found between the an axon and dendrite of two different neurons acting as a junction.
Absolute Refractory Period
1-2 milliseconds that the neuron can’t fire.
Relative Refractory Period
Can only fire if exposed to a greater and more intense stimulus, such as a burning sensation.
Neurotransmitters
Chemical signals that help neurons communicate (match specific receptors).
Acetylcholine
A neurotransmitter that controls voluntary muscle movement. Is linked to Alzheimer’s and Myasthenia Gravis.
Dopamine
A neurotransmitter that links voluntary movement to “reward pathway” (makes you feel good for doing something). Low levels contribute to Parkinson’s Disease. High levels contribute to Schizophrenia.
Norepinephrine
A neurotransmitter that handles mood and arousal. Low levels contribute to Depression. High levels contribute to Mania.
Serotonin
A neurotransmitter that handles sleep and wakefulness.
Glutamate
An excitatory transmitter that handles learning and memory.
Substance P (SP)
Increases pain perception during stressful situations.
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)
An Inhibitory transmitter that reduces anxiety.
Central Nervous System (CNS)
The Brain and Spinal Cord; connect all of the communications made in the brain to their respective body parts.
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
The outside of the Central Nervous System; divided into somatic and autonomic.
Somatic Nervous System
Contains nerves that connect to voluntary skeletal muscles & sensory receptors.
Autonomic Nervous System
Fire involuntarily in body parts like the heart, vessels, smooth muscles and glands.
Sympathetic Nervous System
A network of nerves that helps your body activate its “fight-or-flight” response.
Parasympathetic Nervous System
Controls and balances the Sympathetic Nervous System so that you’re not constantly in “fight-or-flight.”
Hindbrain
The lower and less developed part of the brainstem, comprising the Cerebellum, Pons and Medulla Oblongata.
Medulla Oblongata
Regulates blood circulation, breathing, coughing, and other involuntary reflexes.
Pons
Regulate sleep and arousal.
Cerebellum
Nicknamed the “Little Brain,” is helps with coordination and movement.
Midbrain
The topmost and most developed part of the brainstem comprising the Reticular Formation.
Reticular Formation (RAS)
Regulates sleep, arousal, and dreams.
Forebrain
Composed of the processing of information for cognitive activities, sensory and associative functions, and voluntary motor activities. Comprises the Thalamus, Hypothalamus, and Corpus Callosum.
Thalamus
Nicknamed “The Relay Station,” it regulates all sensory information (except smell).
Hypothalamus
A part of the Autonomic Nervous System that regulates the 4 F’s, those being Fighting, Fleeing, Feeding, and Reproduction + Body Temperature.
Corpus Callosum
The bridge between the two brain Hemispheres.
Limbic System (Edge)
The border between the cerebral cortex and the deeper areas of the brain.
Hippocampus
Helps to form new memories.
Amygdala
Regulates fear and anger.
Split Brain Patients
Patients that have their Corpus Callosum cut, meaning their brain’s two hemispheres are unable to communicate with each other and this grow independent from each other.
Contralateral Hemisphere Organization
The idea that each side of the brain controls the opposite side of the body. Ex: the left hemisphere controls the right side of the body.
Cerebral Cortex
The top outer layer of the brain that is responsible for the higher-level processes of the human brain, such as memory, thought, language, reasoning, learning, etc.
Occipital Lobe
Regulates vision. When this is hit hard enough you can see stars.
Frontal Lobe
The front of the brain that is responsible for higher cognitive functions, such as social interaction, impulse control, and motor function.
Prefrontal Cortex (Phineas Gage)
The first part of the frontal lobe that is developed. Its executive functions are:
1. Working Memory
2. Planning
3. Relational Reasoning
4. Impulse Control
Mirror Neurons
Nerve cells that activate while imitating or watching others (plays a role in empathy).
Motor Cortex
Regulates voluntary movements and making sure that commands send from the brain are acted out by the muscles.
Temporal Lobe
The bottom section of the brain that is responsible for auditory information, such as sound perception, comprehension of language, as well as long-term memory.
Broca’s Area
Regulates language production. When damaged, words that are spoken are switched up with others.
Wernicke’s Area
Regulates language comprehension. This is the ability to effectively understand a language in both reading and speaking form.
Parietal Lobe
The top middle part of the brain that is responsible for integrating sensory information such as processing touch, pain, temperature, and spatial awareness.
Somatosensory Cortex
Regulates sensations such as touch, pain, pressure, and temperature.
Plasticity
The brain’s ability to reroute or make new connections.
Pituitary Gland
A part of the hypothalamus & Endocrine System that produces and releases hormones.
Adrenaline (Epinephrine)
A hormone that helps to react to dangerous or stressful situations.
Melatonin
A hormone that regulates sleep.
Oxytocin
A hormone that is active in childbirth and lactation. It can be released via hugging.
Genotype
Your genetic make-up.
Phenotype
How the Genotype is manifested in observable characteristics.
Epigenetics
Not a change in the genotype but the phenotype due to the environment.
