Bio Psych

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Neurons

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The basic unit of the nervous system. Composed of a cell body, receptive extensions (dendrites) and a transmitting extension (axon)

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Conserved

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In the context of evolution, referring to a trait that is passed on from a common ancestor to two or more species.

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Ontogeny

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The process by which an individual changes in the course of its lifetime - that is, "grows up and grows old"

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Somatic Intervention

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An approach to finding relations between body variables and behavioural variables that involves manipulating body structure or function and looking for resultant changes in behaviour

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Behavioural interventions

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An approach to finding relations between body variables and behavioural variables that involves intervening in the behaviour of an organism and looking for resultant changes in body structure or function

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Neuroplasticity

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The ability of the nervous system to change in response to experience or the environment

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Phrenology

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The belief that bumps on the skull reflect enlargements of brain regions responsible for certain behavioural faculties

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Glial cells

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Nonneuronal brain cells that provide structural, nutritional, and other types of support to the brain

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Neuron doctrine

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The hypothesis that the brain is composed of separate cells that are distinct structurally, metabolically, and functionally

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Synapse

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the tiny gap between neurons where information is passed from one to the other

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Mitochondrion

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A cellular organelle that provides metabolic energy for the cell's processes.

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Cell nucleus

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The spherical central structure of a cell that contains the chromosomes

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Ribosomes

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Structures in the cell body where genetic information is translated to produce proteins

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Dendrite

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One of the extensions of the cell body that are the receptive surfaces of the neuron

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Input zone

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The part of a neuron that receives information, from other neurons or from specialized sensory structures. Usually corresponds to the cell's dendrites.

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Cell body or Soma

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The region of a neuron that is defined by the presence of the cell nucleus.

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Integration zone

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The part of the neuron that initiates nerve electrical activity. Usually corresponds to the neuron's axon hillock.

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Axon

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A single extension from the nerve cell that carries nerve impulses from the cell body to other neurons.

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Conduction zone

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the part of the neuron over which the nerve's electrical signla may be actively propagated. Usually corresponds to the cell's axon.

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Axon terminal or Synaptic bouton

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The end of an axon or axon collateral, which forms a synapse on a neuron or other target cell.

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Output zone

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The part of the neuron, usually corresponding to the axon terminals, at which the cell sends information to another cell.

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Golgi stain

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A histological stain that fills a small proportion of neurons with a dark, silver-based precipitate.

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Nissl stain

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Stain that outlines all cell bodies because the dyes are attracted to RNA, which encircles the nucleus (eye balls).

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Autoradiography

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Technique that shows the distribution of radioactive chemicals in tissues

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Immunocytochemistry (ICC)

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A method for detecting a particular protein in tissues in which an antibody recognizes and binds to the protein and then chemical methods are used to leave a visible reaction product around each antibody

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In situ hybridization

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A method for detecting particular RNA transcripts in tissue sections by providing a nucleotide probe that is complementary to, and will therefore hybridize with, the transcript of interest.

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C-fos

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An immediate early gene commonly used to identify activated neurons

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Horseradish peroxidase (HRP)

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An enzyme found in horseradish and other plants that is used to determine the cells of origin of a particular set of axons.

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Multipolar neuron

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A nerve cell that has many dendrites and a single axon

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Bipolar neuron

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A nerve cell that has a single dendrite at one end and a single axon at the other end .

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Unipolar neuron (or monopolar neuron)

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A nerve cell with a single branch that leaves the cell body and then extends in two directions; one end is the receptive pole and the other end the output zone.

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Motoneuron

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A nerve cell that transmits motor messages, stimulating a muscle or gland.

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Sensory neuron

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A neuron that is directly affected by changes in the environment, such as light, odor, or touch.

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Interneuron

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A neuron that is neither a sensory or motoneuron; it receives input from and sends output to other neurons.

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Aborization

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The elaborate branching of the dendrites of some neurons

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Presynaptic

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The region of the synapse that releases neurotransmitter

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Postsynaptic

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The region of the synapse that receives and responds to neurotransmitter.

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Presynaptic membrane

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The specialized membrane of the axon terminal of the neuron that transmits information by releasing neurotransmitter.

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Postsynaptic membrane

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The specialized membrane on the surface of the cell that receives information by responding to neurotransmitter from a presynaptic neuron.

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Synaptic cleft

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The space between the presynaptic and postsynaptic elements

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Synaptic vesicle

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A small, spherical structure that contains molecules of neurotransmitter

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Neurotransmitter

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The chemical released from the presynaptic axon terminal that serves as the basis of communication between neurons.

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Receptor

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A protein that binds and reacts to molecules of a neurotransmitter or hormone

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Axon hillock

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A cone-shaped area from which the axon originates out of the cell body. Functionally, the integration zone of the neuron.

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Axon collateral

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A branch of an axon from a single neuron

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Innervate

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To provide neural input

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Axonal transport

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The transportation of materials from the neuronal cell body to distant regions in the dendrites and axons and from the axon terminals back to the cell body.

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Astrocyte

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A star-shaped glial cell with numerous processes (extensions) that run in all directions.

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Microglial cell

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Extremely small glial cell that remove cellular debris from injured or dead cells.

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Oligodendrocyte

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A type of glial cell that forms myelin in the central nervous system

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Shwann cell

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The glial cell that forms myelin in the peripheral nervous system.

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Myelination

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the process of myelin formation

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Myelin

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The fatty insulation around an axon, formed by glial cells, that improves the speed of conduction of nerve impulses.

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node of Ranvier

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A gap between successive segments of the myelin sheath where the axon membrane is expressed.

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Edema

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The swelling of tissue, especially in the brain, in response to injury

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Multiple sclerosis

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Literally meaning, "many scars"; a disorder characterized by widespread degeneration of myelin.

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Gross neuroanatomy

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Anatomical features of the nervous system that are apparent to the naked eye.

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Peripheral nervous system

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The portion of the nervous system that includes all the nerves and neurons outside the brain and spinal cord.

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Central nervous system

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The portion of the nervous system that includes the brain and spinal cord

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Nerve

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A collection of axons bundled together outside the central nervous system

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Motor nerve

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A nerve that conveys neural activity to muscle tissue and causes it to contract

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Sensory nerve

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a nerve that conveys sensory information from the periphery into the central nervous system

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Cranial nerve

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a nerve that is connected directly to the brain

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spinal nerve

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also called, Somatic Nerve. A verve that emerges from the spinal cord

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autonomic nervous system

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the part of the peripheral nervous system that supplies neural connections to glands and to smooth muscles of internal organs

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12 pairs of cranial nerves

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1. olfactory 2. optic 3. oculomotor

4. trochlear 5. abducens (3-5 muscles that move the eyes) 6.trigeminal (face, sinuses, teeth) 7.Facial (tongue) 8. vestibulocochlear (inner ear) 9.glossopharyngeal (taste and mouth) 10.Vagus (information from internal organs) 11.Spinal accessory (neck muscles) 12.Hypoglossal (tounge muscle)

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dorsal root

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The branch of a spinal nerve, entering the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, that carries sensory information from the peripheral nervous system to the spinal cord

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ventral root

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the branch of a spinal nerve, arising from the ventral horn of the spinal cord, that carries motor messages from the spinal cord to the peripheral nervous system

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cervical

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referring to the topmost 8 segments of the spinal cord, int he neck region

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thoracic

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the 12 spinal segments below the cervical (neck) portion of the spinal cord, corresponding to the chest.

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lumbar

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the 5 spinal segments that make up the upper part of the lower back

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sacral

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the 5 spinal segments that make up the lower part of the lower back

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coccygeal

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the lowest spinal vertebra (or tailbone)

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autonomic ganglia

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collections of nerve cell bodies, belonging to the autonomic division of the peripheral nervous system, that are found in various locations and innervate the major organs.

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preganglionic

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neurons in the autonomic nervous system that run from the CNS to the autonomic ganglia

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post ganglionic

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neurons in the ANS that run from the autonomic ganglia to various targets in the body

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sympathetic nervous system

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a component of the ANS that arises from the thoracic and lumbar spinal cord

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sympathetic chain

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a chain of ganglia that runs along each side of the spinal column; part of the SNS

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Parasympathetic nervous system

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a component of the autonomic nervous system that arises from both the cranial nerves and the sacral spinal cord

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norepinephrine

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a neurotransmitter produced and released by sympathetic post ganglionic neurons to accelerate organ activity.

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acetylcholine

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produced and released by parasympathetic postganglionic neurons, by motorneurons, and by neurons throughout the brain

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enteric nervous system

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an extensive meshlike system of neurons that governs the functioning of the gut

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cerebral hemispheres

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the right and left halves of the forebrain

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cerebral cortex

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the outer covering of the cerebral hemispheres that consists largely of nerve cell bodies and their branches

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gyrus

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a ridged or raised portion of a convoluted brain surface

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sulcus

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a furrow of a convoluted brain surface

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frontal lobe

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the most anterior portion of the cerebral cortex

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parietal lobes

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large regions of cortex lying between the frontal and occipital lobes. (top)

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temporal lobes

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Sides of cortex. separated from the frontal lobe by the Sylvian fissure

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occipital lobes

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back. vision

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sylvian fissure

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or "lateral sulcus"; a deep fissure that demarcates the temporal lobe

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central sulcus

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a fissure that divides the frontal lobe from the parietal lobe

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postcentral gyrus

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the strip of parietal cortex, just behind the central sulcus, that receives somatosensory information from the entire body

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precentral gyrus

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the strip of frontal cortex, just in front of the central sulcus, that is crucial for motor control

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sagittal plane

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the plane that bisects the body into right and left halves

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coronal plane

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the plane that divides the body into a front (anterior) and a back (posterior) part

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horizontal plane

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divides the brain into upper and lower parts

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corpus callosum

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the main band of axons that connects the two cerebral hemispheres

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white matter

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a shiny layer underneath the cortex that consists largely of axons with white myelin sheaths

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gray matter

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areas of the brain that are dominated by cell bodies and are devoid of myelin

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neural tube

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an embryonic structure with subdivisions that correspond to the future forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain

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forebrain

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the anterior division of the brain, containing the cerebral hemispheres, the thalamus, and the hypothalamus

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midbrain

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the middle division of the brain

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hindbrain

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the rear division of the brain, contains the cerebellum, pons, and medulla

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telencephalon

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the frontal subdivision of the forebrain that includes the cerebral hemispheres

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diencephalon

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the posterior part of the forebrain, including the thalamus and hypothalamus

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metenchephalon

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a subdivision of the hindbrain that includes the cerebellum and the pons

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cerebellum

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a structure located at the back of the brain, dorsal to the pons, that is involved in the central regulation of movement

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dorsal

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towards the back

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ventral

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towards the belly

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pons

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a portion of the metencephalon; part of the brainstem connecting midbrain to medulla

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medulla

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the posterior part of the hindbrain, continuous with the spinal cord

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brainstem

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the region of the brain that consists of the midbrain, the pons, and the medulla

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tract

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a bundle of axons found within the CNS

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allocortex

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brain tissue with three layers or unlayered organization

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pyramidal cell

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a type of large nerve cell that has a roughly pyramid-shaped cell body; found in the cerebral cortex

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apical dendrite

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the dendrite that extends from a pyramidal cell to the outermost surface of the cortex

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basal dendrite

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one of several dendrites on a pyramidal cell that extend horizontally from the cell body

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cortical column

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one of the vertical columns that constitute the basic organization of the neocortex

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basal ganglia

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a group of forebrain nuclei, including caudate nucleus, globus pallidus, and putamen, found deep within the cerebral hemispheres

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substantia nigra

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a brainstem structure in humans that innervates the basal ganglia

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limbic system

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a loosely defined, widespread group of brain nuclei that innervate each other to form a network

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amygdala

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a group of nuclei in the medial anterior part of the temporal lobe

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hippocampus

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a medial temporal lobe structure that is important for learning and memory

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fornix

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a fiber tract that extends from the hippocampus to the mammillary body

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cingulate gyrus

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a cortical portion of the limbic system, found in the frontal and parietal midline

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olfactory bulb

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an anterior projection of the brain that terminates in the upper nasal passages, and through small openings in the skull, provides receptors for smell

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thalamus

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complex cluster of nuclei that acts as a switchbox, directing almost all incoming sensory information to the appropriate regions of the cortex for further processing, and receiving instructions back from the cortex to control which sensory information is transmitted

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hypothalamus

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involved in many vital functions, such as, hunger, thirst, temperature regulation, sex etc. brains main interface with the hormonal systems.

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superior colliculi

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parired gray matter structures of the dorsal midbrain that receive visual information and are involved in direction of visual gaze and visual attention to intended stimuli

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inferior colliculi

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paired with gray matter structures of the dorsal midbrain that receive auditory information

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tectum

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the dorsal portion of the midbrain, including the inferior and superior colliculi

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red nucleus

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a brainstem structure related to motor control

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reticular formation

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an extensive region of the brainstem (extending from the medulla through the thalamus) that is involved arousal (waking)

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purkinje cell

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a type of large nerve cell in the cerebellar cortex

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granule cell

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a type of small nerve cell

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parallel fiber

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one of the axons of the granule cells that form the outermost layer of the cerebellar cortex

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meninges

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the 3 protective sheets of tissue - dura mater, pia mater, and arachnoid - that surround the brain and spinal cord

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dura mater

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the outermost of the three meninges

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pia mater

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the inner most of the three meninges

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arachnoid

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the thin covering (one of the meninges) of the brain that lies between the dura mater and pia mater

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cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

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the fluid that fills the cerebral ventricles

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meningitus

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an acute inflammation of the meninges, usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection

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meningiomas

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any of a class of noncancerous tumors arising from the meninges

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ventricular systems

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a system of fluid-filled cavities inside the brain

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lateral ventricle

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a complexly shaped lateral portion of the ventricular system within each hemisphere of the brain

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choroid plexus

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a highly vascular portion of the lining of the ventricles that secretes cerebrospinal fluid

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third ventricle

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a midline ventricle that conducts cerebrosinal fluid from the lateral ventricles to the forth ventricle

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fourth ventricle

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the passageway within the pons that receives cerebrospinal fluid from the 3rd ventricle and releases it to surround the brain and spinal cord

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carotid arteries

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the major arteries that ascend the let and right sides of the neck to the brain, supplying blood to the anterior and middle cerebral arteries

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anterior cerebral arteries

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2 large arteries, arising from the carotids,, that provide blood to the anterior poles and medial surfaces of the cerebral hemispheres

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middle cerebral arteries

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2 large arteries, arising from the carotids, that provide blood to most of the lateral surfaces of the cerebral hemispheres