Unit 4- Biology Flashcards
Myelin Sheath
The fatty coating of an axon, speeds up neuron communication
Neuron
Building blocks of the nervous system, communicate through neurotransmitters
Synapse
The process of sending neurotransmitters from one neuron to another
Reuptake
reabsorption of unused neurotransmitters back into the sending neuron
Neurotransmitters
Chemical messages used by neurons to communicate
Dopamine
Neurotranmitter responsible for movement, learning, attention, emotion (oversupply linked to schizophrenia)
Acetylcholine
Neurotransmitter responsible for muscle movement
Norepinephrine
controls alertness and arousal
Serotonin
Controls mood, hunger, and sleep (undersupply linked to depression)
GABA
Inhibitory (blocks) neurotransmitter
Glutamate
Excitatory neurotransmitter (oversupply can overstimulate brain and cause headaches)
Endorphins
neurotransmitter linked to pleasure and pain control
Agonists
drugs that mimic neurotransmitters
Antagonists
drugs that block neurotransmitters
Endocrine System
Body’s slow chemical messaging system- uses the bloodstream and hormones to communicate
Hormones
Chemical messages passed through the bloodstream
Adrenal gland
gland responsible for producing adrenaline
Pituitary gland
master gland of the endorcrine system, regulates multiple hormones
Plasticity
ability for the brain to adapt to changes. For example, if part of the brain is missing, the brain can adapt.
- higher in children than adults
Right Hemisphere
Side of the brain that controls spatial reasoning and creativity
- controls the left side of the body
Left Hemisphere
Side of the brain responsible for logic and language
- Only side that can control language
- Controls the right side of the body
Central Nervous System
Brain and Spinal Cord
Autonomic Nervous System
Controls the vital functions (automatic body functions) like heart and breathing
Somatic Nervous System
Controls the skeletal muscles
Sympathetic Nervous System
Arouses the body (increases heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, lowers digestion)
Parasympathetic Nervous system
Relaxes the body (decreases heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, increases digestion)
Frontal Lobe/Prefrontal Cortex
Responsible for decision making and logical reasoning
Occipital Lobe
Responsible for eyesight-processes visual information
Cerebellum
Controls balance and implicit memories (movements like running or walking)
Hippocampus
Responsible for Long Term Memory
Reticular Formation
Responsible for arousal
Broca’s area
Part of the brain responsible for Speech
Wernicke’s Area
Part of the brain responsible for processing and understanding language
Amygdala
Responsible for fear, anger and aggression
Medulla
Part of the brain responsible for vital functions (heart rate and breathing)
Hypothalamus
Master gland. Controls the endocrine system
Drug
any substance that alters brain chemistry
Tolerance
Over long term drug use, a person requires more of the drug to get the same effect
Withdrawal
After discontinued drug use a person will experience bodily discomfort (headaches, shaking, etc)
Depressants
Drugs responsible for slowing down the nervous system
Ex- Alcohol, opiates, etc.
Stimulants
Drugs that speed up the nervous system
Ex- Caffeine, Nicotine, Amphetamines
Hallucinogens
Drugs that create sensory information that does not exist
Ex. Marijuana (THC), LSD, Shrooms
Opiates
Drugs that mimic endorphins as painkillers and are highly addictive
Ex. Vicodin, Morphine, etc.
Circadian Rhythm
Bodies natural 24 hour internal clock
- makes you tired when you usually sleep, wakes you up when you are usually awake
REM Sleep
Rapid Eye Movement Sleep following deep sleep
- stage of sleep responsible for dreams
Insomnia
Sleep disorder where someone has difficulty falling asleep
Narcolepsy
Sleep disorder where a person can fall spontaneously into deep sleep
Sleep Apnea
Sleep disorder where a person suddenly stops breathing during sleep. Makes it difficult to maintain deep and restful sleep.
Night Terrors/ Sleepwalking
A person experiences dread at night, but no recollection of the events. decreases restful sleep (occurs during deep sleep, not REM)
Dreams
Vivid sensory experiences during sleep. Occur ONLY during REM sleep
Manifest Content
The remembered content of a dream. The details of a dream
Latent Content
The underlying meaning of a dream
