Unit One (Biology) Flashcards
AHHHHHHH KILL ME
Nervous System
Electrochemical communication circuitry-made of billions of interconnected cells
-complex
-adaptable
-integrated
Neuroplasticity
The changing of neural pathways when new skills are learned
Electrochemical Transmission
How our brain works to communicate among different components
Biopsychology
Study of how biology, behavior processes, and mental activity are related
Genotype vs. Phenotype
Genetic makeup of an organism vs. Observable characteristics
Endocrine System
Uses hormones to communicate in the body, slower acting than nervous system
Afferent Neurons
Sensory nerves that carry info to the brain
Efferent Neurons
Motor nerves that carry commands from the brain
Interneurons
Relay nerves that coordinate between afferent and efferent neurons, found in brain and spinal cord
Cell Body (Soma)
Contains nucleus, makes substances needed for cell maintenance and growth
Dendrites
Receive and orients info towards the cell body
Axon
Carries info from cell body to other cells–one per neuron
Myelin Sheath
Fat that encases and insulates axons-speeds transmission
Action Potential (Depolarization)
Brief electrical wave that sweeps down axon during transmission of a nerve impulse
Refractory Period (Repolarization)
A brief time when the neuron will not fire, a resting period
Synapses
Tiny gaps between neurons
Acetylcholine
Fires neurons, involved in muscles, learning and memory, deficiency can cause Alzheimer’s disease (E)
GABA
In as many as 1/3 of all synapses, keeps neurons from firing, ensures precise reception by the appropriate cell, related to the effects of alcohol (I)
Substance P
The pain/stress neurotransmitter that transmits through the spinal cord (E)
Dopamine
Controls voluntary movement, affects learning, sleep mood, and attention, related to Parkinson’s disease and Schizophrenia (E)
Serotonin
Regulates mood, attention and learning, involved in depression and OCD (I)
Endorphins
Shields us from pain
Norepinephrine
Controls alertness and arousal, under supply can cause depression (E)
Glutamate
NT involved in memory particularly with mood, higher order thinking, over production can cause migraines and seizures (E)
Agonist
Drug that mimics or increases an NT’s effects-cocaine, caffeine
Antagonist
Drug that blocks the NT’s effects-alcohol
Neural Pathways
Bundle of nerve cells that generally follow the same route and use the same NT
Collateral Sprouting
Axons grow new branches next to damaged cells
Substitution Function
New regions house functions normally assigned elsewhere
Neurogenesis
Creation of new neurons
Glial Cells
Structural support neurons and help in forming new synapses, forms the myelin sheath
Myasthenia Gravis
An autoimmune disorder with chronic weakening of the muscles where the nerves and muscles have trouble communicating
Multiple Sclerosis
An autoimmune disorder that attacks myelin in the central nervous system.
Spinal Reflexes
Actions that do not require the brain such as the knee jerk reflex
Peripheral Nervous System
Nerve network that connects the brain and spinal cord to other parts of the body, divided in two
Somatic NS
Sensory nerves which relays info to the CNS gives command through motor nerves
Autonomic NS
Communicates with internal organs
Endocrine Glands
Nervous system and endocrine system sends info to and from the brain
Pituitary Gland
Center of control for endocrine system, secretes many hormones, contributes to metabolism, growth, reproduction, ovulation
Hypothalamus
Monitors amounts of hormones, sends messages to control imbalances, monitors blood to determine condition of the body, primary reward center
Thyroid Gland
Produces thyroxine (metabolism), important to all tissues of the body, too little makes people lazy, too much causes sleep loss
Adrenal Glands
Active when frightened or angry, produces epinephrine (adrenaline), also secretes corticosteroids
Medulla
Controls breathing and heart rate
Pons
Regulates brain activity during sleep and dreams, also movement
Reticular Formation
Core of the brain stem, keeps brain alert and attentive
Thalamus
Where all messages pass through in the brain
Cerebellum
Coordination and Balance
Hippocampus
In charge of memory
Amygdala
Memory and emotion, especially fear and aggression
Cerebral Cortex
Has clusters of neurons responsible for thinking and perceiving
Frontal Lobes
Movement and higher order thinking (motor cortex)
Parietal Lobes
Touch, sensation, spatial relationships: Somatosensory cortex
Occipital Lobes
Visual Cortex: visual processing
Temporal Lobes
Process sounds including speech, also involved in long term memory: Auditory Cortex
Corpus Callosum
Bundle of axons that connects the hemispheres, integrates functions
Electroencephalograph (EEG)
Records the brain’s electrical activity, measures it in neurons, can monitor seizures/epilepsy
Computerized Tomography (CT)
Examines the brain through x-ray probes, can be used to check for internal damage
Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
Tracks where glucose goes while the subject performs a given task, can be used to asses cancer, neurological diseases, and cardiovascular diseases
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
Changes brain chemistry through electric currents being passed through the brain, can be used to improve depression or bipolar disorder
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)
Measures blood flow to brain regions, can be used to find out functions of different brain parts, and evaluate aftereffects of a stroke
