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149 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
Afferent
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Nerves that carry sensory signals to the central nervous system; sensory nerves.
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Amygdala
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A structure in the anterior temporal lobe, just anterior to the hippocampus; plays a role in emotion.
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Anterior
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Toward the nose end of a vertebrate.
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Applied Research
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Research intended to bring about some direct benefit humankind.
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Arachnoid mater
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The meninx that is located between the dura mater and the pia mater and has the appearance of a gauzelike spiderweb.
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Astroglia
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Largest glial cell. Once thought to not do ****. Have been shown to send and receive signals from neurons and other glial cells, to control the establishment and maintenance of synapses between neurons, to modulate neural activity, maintain the function of axons, and to participate in glial circuits.
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Atsrocytes
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Large, star-shaped glial cells that play a role in the passage of chemicals from the blood into CNS neurons and perform several other important functions that are not yet well understood.
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Autonomic Nervous System
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The part of the peripheral nervous system participates in the regulation of the body's internal environment.
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Axon Hillock
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The conical structure at the junction between axon and the cell body.
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Basal Ganglia
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The collection of subcortical nuclei (Striatum, Pallidum, Substantia nigra, Subthalamic nucleus,) that have important motor functions
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Brain stem
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The part of the brain on which the cerebral hemispheres rest; in general, it regulates reflex activities that are critical for survival (e.g. heart rate and respiration)
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Caudal
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Same as posterior (back)
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Caudate
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The tail like structure that is part of the striatum.
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Cell Body
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The metabolic center of the neuron; also called the soma.
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Cell Membrane
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The semipermeable membrane that encloses the neuron. Composed of a lipid bilayer.
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Central Canal
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The small CSF-filled channel that runs the length of the spinal cord.
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Central Nervous System (CNS)
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The portion of the nervous system within the skull and spine.
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Cerebellum
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The metencephalitic structure that has been shown to many mediate the retention of Pavlovian eyeblink conditioning.
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cerebral aqueduct
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The duct connecting the 3rd and 4th ventricles. Of interest due to its role in mediating the analgesic effects of opiate drugs.
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Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)
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The colorless fluid that fills the subarachnoid space, the central canal, and the cerebral ventricles.
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Choroid Plexus
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The networks of capillaries that protrude into the ventricles from the pia mater and continuously produce cerebrospinal fluid.
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Cingulate Cortex
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The cortex of the cingulate gyri, which are located on the medial surfaces of the frontal lobes.
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Cognitive Neuroscience
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Studies neural bases of cognition, a term that generally refers to higher intellectual processes such as thought, memory, attention, and complex perceptual processes.
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Commisures
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The connections between the brain hemispheres.
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Comparative Psychology
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The study of evolution, genetics, and adaptiveness of behavior, largely through the use of the comparative method.
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Converging Operations
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The use of several research approaches to solve a single problem.
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Corpus Callosum
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The largest cerebral commissure.
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Cytoplasm
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The clear internal fluid of the cell.
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Decussate
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To cross over to the other side of the brain.
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Dendrites
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The short process emanating from the cell body, which receive most of the synaptic contacts from other neurons.
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Dependent Variable
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The variable that is measured by the experimenter to assess the affect of the variable that was manipulated.
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Diencephalon
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One of the five major divisions of the brain; composed of the thalamus and hypothalamus; Sensory relays and endocrine function feedback loop.
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Dizygotic
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Fraternal twins; twins the developing from two zygotes and thus tend to be as genetically similar as any pair of siblings.
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Dorsal
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Toward the surface of the back of a vertebrate or toward the top of the head.
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Dorsal Horns
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The two dorsal arms of the spinal gray matter.
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Dorsal Root Ganglia
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Structures just outside the spinal cord that are composed of the cell bodies of dorsal root axons
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Dorsal Roots
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The spinal root containing unipolar sensory (afferent) neurons with cell bodies grouped together just outside the spinal cord.
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Dura mater
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The tough outer meninx.
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Efferent
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Nerves that carry motor signals from the central nervous system to the skeletal muscles or internal organs.
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Electron Microscopy
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A neuroanatomical technique used to study the fine details of cellular structure.
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Endoplasmic reticulum
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A system of folded membranes in the cell body; rough portions (those with ribosomes) play a role in the synthesis of proteins; smooth portions (those without ribosomes) play a role in the synthesis of fats.
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Ethology
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The study of animal behavior in its natural environment.
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Evolution
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To undergo gradual orderly change.
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Forebrain
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Brain structure composed of the Telencephalon and Diencephalon
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Forebrain (Telencephalon, Diencephalon); Midbrain (Mesencephalon); Hindbrain (Metencephalon, Myencephalon)
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Name (in order) the 3 divisions and 5 major structures of the brain.
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Fornix
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The major tract of the limbic system; it connects the hippocampus with the septum and mammillary bodies.
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Frontal Lobe
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The most anterior of the cerebral lobes. Involved in motor function, inhibition of emotional response, and working memory.
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Frontal Lobe (Anterior to the Central Fissure), Parietal Lobe (Posterior to the Central Fissure), Temporal Lobe (dorsal to the Lateral Fissure), and Occipital (furthest posterior)
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Name and show the describe the locations of the 4 Cerebral Hemispheres
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Ganglia
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Clusters of cell bodies in the PNS
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Glial Cells
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Several classes of nonneural cells of the nervous system, whose important contributions to nervous system function are just starting to be understood.
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Globus Pallidus
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One of the basal ganglia; it is located between the putamen and the thalamus.
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Golgi Complex
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A connected system of membranes that packages molecules in vesicles.
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Golgi Stain
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A neural stain that completely darkens a few of the neurons in each slice of tissue, thereby revealing their silhouettes. Useful for visualizing structure of neurons.
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Gray Matter
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Portions of the nervous system that are gray because they are composed largely of neural cell bodies and unmyelinated interneurons.
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Gyri
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The cortical regions that are located between fissures.
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Gyrus
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Ridges of brain folds.
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Heritability Estimate
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Numerical estimate of the proportion of variability that occurred in a particular trait in a particular study and that resulted from the genetic variation among the subjects in that study.
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Hindbrain
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Brain structure composed of the Metencephalon and Myencaphalon.
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Hippocampus
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A structure of the medial temporal lobes and Limbic System that plays a role in memory for spatial location.
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Hydrocephalus
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“Water Head”, blocked drainage sinuses result in excess CSF.
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Hypothalamus
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The diencephalic structure that sits just below the anterior portion of the thalamus; it plays a role in motivated behaviors, in part by controlling the pituitary gland.
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Independent Variable
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This difference between the conditions in an experiment. It is what is being manipulated.
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Inferior
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Toward the bottom of the primate head or brain.
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Inferior Colliculi
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The structures of the tectum that receive auditory input from the superior olives.
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Interneurons
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Neurons with short axons or no axons at all, whose function is to integrate activity within a single brain structure - not to conduct from one structure to another.
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Korsakoff’s Syndrome
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A neuropsychological disorder that is common in alcoholics and whose primary symptom is severe memory loss.
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Lateral
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Away from the midline of the body of a vertebrate, toward the body's lateral surfaces.
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Lateral Fissure
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Fissure separating the Temporal lobe from the Frontal and Parietal Lobes.
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Lateral Geniculate Nuclei
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The six-layered thalamic structures that receive input from the retinas and transmit their output to the primary visual cortex.
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Layer 4
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The layer of densely packed cells in the neocortex that are a major sensory input point.
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Limbic System
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Contains Hippocampus (spacial), Amygdala (emotional learning (facial expressions, etc)), and Cingulate Cortex (emotional response to pain). Influences the endocrine system.
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Longitudinal Fissure
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The large fissure that separates the two cerebral hemispheres.
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Mammillary Bodies
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Pair of spherical nuclei that are located on the interior surface of the posterior hypothalamus. Directly involved with the formation of episodic memories. Destroy it and no more ep mems. (Korsikoff's syndrome and kid who got sworded).
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Medial
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Toward the midline of the body of a vertebrate.
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Medial Geniculate Nuclei
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The auditory thalamic nuclei that receive input from the inferior colliculi and project to primary auditory cortex.
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Medulla
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The myelencephalon
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Meninges
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The three protective coverings that encase the CNS.
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Mesencephalon
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One of the five major divisions of the brain; composed of the tectum and the tegmentum; low level auditory and visual sensory input reactions, movement initiation.
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Metencephalon
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One of the five major divisions of the brain; made up of the Pons and Cerebellum; houses many ascending and decending tracts (reticular formation) and neural bridges. Coordination, smooth movements, procedural (not conscious) memory.
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Microglia
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Class of glial cells that respond to injury or disease by multiplying, engulfing cellular debris, and triggering inflammatory responses.
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Microtubules
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Responsible for the rapid transport of material throughout neurons.
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Midbrain
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Brain structure composed of the Mesencephalon.
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Monozygotic
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Identical twins; twins they develop from the same zygote and are thus genetically identical.
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Multipolar neurons
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A neuron with more than two processes extending from its cell body. Most neurons are this type.
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Myelencephalon
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The most posterior of the five major divisions of the brain. Reflexes, breathing, heart rate, sleep, etcetera.
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Myelin
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The fatty insulation around many axons.
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Myelin Sheath
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Coverings on the axons of some CNS neurons that are rich in myelin and increase the speed and efficiency of axonal conduction.
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Myelin Stain
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Neuroanatomical view technique used to viewing where axons are. Stains the myelin in cells.
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Nature-Nurture
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The debate about the relative contributions of nature (genes) and nurture (experience) to the behavioral capacities of individuals.
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Neocortex
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Six-layered cerebral cortex of relatively recent evolution; it constitutes 90% of human cerebral cortex.
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Nerves
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bundles of axons in the PNS
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Neural tube
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The tube that is formed in the vertebrate embryo when the edges of the neural groove fuse and that develops into the central nervous system.
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Neurons
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Cells that are specialized for the reception, conduction, and transmission of electrochemical signals.
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Neuropsychology
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Study of the physiological effects of brain damage in human patients. Deals almost exclusively with case studies and quasiexperimental studies of patients with brain damage.
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Neurotransmitters
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Molecules that are released from active neurons and influence the activity of other cells.
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Nissl Stain
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A neural strain that has an affinity for structures in neuron cell bodies. Used for visualizing the number of neurons.
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Nodes of Ranvier
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The gaps between adjacent myelin segments on the axon.
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Nuclei
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Clusters of cell bodies in the CNS
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Occipital Lobe (Primary Visual Cortex)
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The most posterior of the 4 cerebral lobes; its function is primarily visual.
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Oligodendroglia
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Myelin-rich glial cells that myelinate axons of the CNS.
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Optic Chiasm
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The X-shaped structure on the inferior surface of the diencephalon; the point where the optic nerves decussate.
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Parasympathetic
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Those motor nerves of the autonomic nervous system that project from the brain (as components of cranial nerves) or from the sacral region of the spinal cord.
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Parietal Lobe (Postcentral Cortex)
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One of the four cerebral lobes; it is located just posterior to the central fissure. Involved in sensory recognition, physical self-awareness, and visual association. Damage can result in Contralateral neglect of the body and Alien Limb Syndrome.
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Periaquaductal Gray
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The gray matter situated around the the cerebral aqueduct
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Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
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The portion of the nervous system outside the skull and spine.
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Physiological Psychology
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The division of biopsychology that studies the neural mechanisms of behavior through the direct manipulation of the brain and controlled experiments - surgical and electrical methods of brain manipulation are most common. Subjects are almost always laboratory animals.
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Pia mater
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The delicate, innermost meninx.
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Pons
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The metencephalic structure that creates a bulge on the ventral surface of the brain stem.
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Postcentral Gyrus
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The gyrus located just posterior to the central fissure; its function is primarily somatosensory. Also called the primary somatosensory cortex.
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Posterior
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Toward the tail end of a vertebrate or toward the back of the head.
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Precentral Gyrus
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The gyrus located just anterior to the central fissure; its function is primarily motor. Also called the primary motor cortex.
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Prefrontal cortex
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The areas of frontal cortex that are anterior to the frontal motor areas. Involved in working memory (keeping track of lists dynamically), inhibition of emotional response. Thought to be the last part of the brain to be myelinated (late teens).
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Psychopharmacology
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Similar to physiological psychology, except that it focuses on the manipulation of neural activity and behavior with drugs.
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Psychophysiology
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The division of biopsychology that studies the relation between physiological activity and psychological processes in human subjects. Because the subjects of this type of research are human, recording procedures are typically noninvasive.
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Pure Research
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Research motivated primarily by the curiosity of the researcher-done solely for the purpose acquiring knowledge.
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Putamen
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Structure that is joined the caudate by a series of fiber bridges; together with the caudate, they compose the striatum.
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Quasi Experimental Studies
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Studies of groups of subjects who have been exposed to conditions of interest in the real world. These studies have the appearance of experiments but are not true experiments because potential confounded variables have not been controlled - for example by random assignment of subjects to conditions.
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Red Nucleus
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A motor structure that is located in the tegmentum of the mesencephalon.
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Reticular Activating System
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The hypothetical arousal system in the reticular formation.
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Reticular Formation
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A complex network of nuclei in the core of the brain stem that contains, among other things, motor programs that regulate complex species-common movement such as walking and swimming.
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Ribosomes
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Internal cellular structures on which proteins are synthesized; they are located on the endoplasmic reticulum.
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Rostral
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Same as anterior (front)
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Satellite Cells
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PNS Glial cells similar to Schwann cells. They supply nutrients to the surrounding neurons and also have some structural function.
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Scanning Electron Microscope
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Used to image neural structure in three dimensions, but lacks as much magnification.
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Schwann Cells
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A type of glial cell only located in the PNS that constitutes one myelin segment and can guide axonal regeneration after damage. (the reason that effective axonal regeneration is restricted to the PNS.
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Sensory Relay Nuclei
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Those nuclei of the thalamus whose main function is to relay sensory signals to the appropriate areas of the cortex.
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Sociobiology
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Evolutionary biology and how it relates to humans.
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Somatic Nervous System (SNS)
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The part of the peripheral nervous system that interacts with the external environment.
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Subarachnoid Space
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The space beneath the arachnoid membrane, which contains many large blood vessels and cerebrospinal fluid.
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Substantia Nigra
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The membrane nucleus whose neurons project via the nigrostriatal pathway to the striatum of the basal ganglia; it is part of the mesotelencephalic dopamine system and degenerates in cases of Parkinson's disease.
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Superior
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Toward the top of the primate head.
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Superior Colliculi
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Two of the four nuclei they compose the tectum; they receive major visual input.
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Sympathetic
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Those motor nerves of the autonomic nervous system the project from the CNS in the lumbar and thoracic areas of the spinal cord.
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Synaptic vesicles
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Spherical membrane packages that store neurotransmitter molecules ready for release near synapses.
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Tectum
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"The ""roof"", or dorsal surface, of the mesencephalon; it includes the superior and inferior colliculi."
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Tegmentum
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The ventral division of the mesencephalon; it includes part of the reticular system, substantia nigra, and red nucleus.
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Telencephalon
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One of the brain's five major divisions; mediates the brain's most complex functions.
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Temporal Lobe
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One of the four major cerebral lobes; it lies adjacent to the temples and contains the hippocampus and amygdala. Involved in memory (STM to LTM), speech in left hemisphere, auditor, and object recognition.
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Terminal Buttons
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the end of the axon.
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Thalamus
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The large two-lobed diencephalic structure that constitutes the anterior end of the brain stem; many of its nuclei are sensory relay nuclei that project to the cortex.
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Thiamine
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The cause of Korsakoff's syndrome is largely caused by the brain damage associated with the deficiency of this vitamin.
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Tracts
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bundles of axons in the CNS
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Unipolar neurons
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A neuron with the one process extending from its cell body.
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Ventral
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Toward the chest surface of vertebrate or twoard the bottom of the head.
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Ventral Horns
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The two ventral arms of the spinal gray matter.
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Ventral Posterior Nuclei
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A thalamic relay nucleus in both the somatosensory and gustatory systems.
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Ventral Roots
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The spinal root containing multipolar motor (efferent) neurons with cell bodies grouped together within the spinal cord.
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Ventricular System
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is a set of structures containing cerebrospinal fluid in the brain. It is continuous with the central canal of the spinal cord.
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White Matter
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Portions of the nervous system that are white because they are composed largely of myelinated axons.
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