Unit 3 Topic 1: Localisation of function of the Brain Flashcards
The central nervous system
comprised of the brain and spinal cord. Controls the body by processing and responding to sensory input from the PNS.
The peripheral nervous system
communicates information from the body to the CNS and to the body’s organs, glands and muscles.
Sensory neurons
carry information from the body and outside world to the CNS.
Somatic nervous system
the division of the PNS that controls skeletal muscles and motor control.
motor neurons
neurons that communicate messages from the CNS to muscles.
autonomic nervous system
a branch of the PNS consisting of the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems. Controls all involuntary bodily functions.
sympathetic nervous system
a branch of the autonomic nervous system responsible for the fight-flight-freeze response
parasympathetic nervous system
a branch of the autonomic nervous system, responsible for maintaining day-to-day functioning. The rest-digest response such as digestion, heart rate, breathing etc.
cerebral cortex
the outer surface of the cerebrum comprised of the lobes of the brain
corpus callosum
the band of neural fibres that connect the right and left cerebral hemispheres
frontal lobe
the largest lobe of the brain. Responsible for initiating movement, language, planning, problem-solving, emotions and higher order thinking.
parietal lobe
the location of the primary somatosensory cortex which is responsible for sensory processing and spatial awareness.
occipital lobe
located at the rear of the brain. The location of the primary visual cortex.
temporal lobe
located at the side of the brain above the ears. Responsible for processing auditory information. Contains Wernicke’s area and the primary auditory cortex.
neurons
nerve cells responsible for communication within the body
Broca’s area
the speech production centre of the brain
Wernicke’s area
part of the brain responsible for language reception and interpretation
Geschwind’s territory
area of the brain that provides a connection between Broca’s area and Wernicke’s area
reflex
simple, automatic response to a sensory stimulus
monosynaptic reflex arc
a reflex arc made up of only two neurons (one sensory and one motor)
polysynaptic reflex arc
a reflex arc made up of multiple neurons, with one or more interneurons connecting the sensory and motor neurons.
Basal ganglia
Key brain structure in voluntary movement - responsible for control of movement, gathering, collecting and channeling information from all areas of the brain.
The cerebellum
Area of the brain responsible from coordinating and remembering smooth, well-sequenced voluntary movements
The primary motor cortex
responsible for movement of the skeletal muscles of the body
limbic system
structure of the brain consisting of the amygdala, hypothalamus and midbrain. Involved in memory, emotion and behaviour.
hippocampus
area of the brain responsible for consolidation of explicit memories and transfer into long term memory storage.
hypothalamus
a structure in the forebrain that plays a major role in controlling emotion and motivated behaviours such as eating, drinking and arousal
Amygdala
brain structure central to emotion, aggression and implicit learning.
pre-frontal cortex
connects brain regions that are involved in the processing and production of emotion.
dendrites
a component of a nerve cell that receives information from other nerve cells and transports them to the cell body
soma
largest part of the neuron. Controls metabolism and maintenance of the neuron. Also known as the cell body.
axon
the part of the neuron along which the electrochemical nerve impulse is transmitted
axon terminals
located at the end of the axon, it transmits messages to the next neuron by secreting neurotransmitters
myelin
a white fatty substance that coats some axons and insulated them, protecting them from electrical interference. This increases the efficiency of transmission of nerve impulses
neurotransmitters
chemicals that help communication across nerve impulses
synapse
the connection between two neurons
synaptic transmission
the process of neurons sending information to each other via neurotransmitters
excitatory synapse
a neuron that receives information from another neuron
inhibitory synapse
causes the target cell to become inhibited and less likely to cause an action potential
action potential
a momentary change in the electrical potential of a cell, which allows a nerve cell to transmit a signal or impulse towards another nerve cell
Glutamate
an excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain involved in learning
GABA (gamma-amino butyric acid)
an inhibitory neurotransmitter. Involved in arousal and sleep.
Acetylcholine
a neurotransmitter responsible for muscle contractions, learning, memory and REM sleep
epinephrine
a neurotransmitter and hormone involve in the stress resposne
norepinephrine
a neurotransmitter and hormone involved in the stress response, alertness, arousal emotional regulation and attention
dopamine
a neurotransmitter involved in thoughts, feelings, motivation and behaviour
Serotonin
a neurotransmitter involved in regulation of mood, sleep, eating, arousal and pain
Parkinson’s disease
A progressive neurological condition known to affect the control of movement. Caused by degeneration of dopamine-releasing neurons.
Alzheimer’s disease
a disease that progressively destroys neurons in the brain, causing memory loss. Amyloid plaques interfere with communication between neurons resulting in a decreased concentration of acetylcholine in the brain
