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85 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
Refers to the idea that the brain is constantly changing throughout the lifetime |
Plasticity |
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Process of removing unnecessary synapses |
Synaptic Pruning |
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A condition that negates neuroplasticity |
Autism |
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General rule in plasticity |
Use it or lose it |
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Allows plasticity |
Learning new things |
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Prefrontal cortex develops rapidly between ____ months |
7-12 months |
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If it is not seen, it is not recognized |
Object permanence |
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The human CNS begins to form when the embryo is ____ old |
2 weeks old |
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4 Processes of Development of Neurons in the Brain |
1. Proliferation 2. Differentiation 3. Myelination 4. Synaptogenesis |
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Refers to the production of new cells/neurons in the brain primarily occurring early in life |
Proliferation |
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Refers to the movement of the newly formed neurons and glia to their eventual locations |
Migration |
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Forms their arrangement and occurs via cells following chemical paths in the brain of immunoglobins and chemokines |
Migration |
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Refers to the forming of the axon and dendrite that gives the neuron its distinctive shape |
Differentiation |
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Refers to the process by which glia produce fatty sheath that covers the axons of some neurons |
Myelination |
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Speeds up the transmission of neural impulses |
Myelin |
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Myelination first occurs in the ______ |
Spinal cord |
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Final stage of the process of development in the neurons and refers to the formation of synapses between neurons |
Synaptogenesis |
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This process of development in the neuron occurs gradually for decades |
Myelination |
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This process of development in the neuron slows significantly later in the lifetime |
Synaptogenesis |
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In this process of development in the neuron, neurons are constantly forming new connections and discarding old ones |
Synaptogenesis |
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Undifferentiated cells found in the interior of the brain that generate daughter cells which can transform into glia or neurons |
Stem Cells |
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New research suggests that new olfactory receptors have the ability to _____ |
Replace dying ones |
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Animal research suggested that song birds have a ________________ |
Steady replacement of new neurons in the singing area of the birds |
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What happens when neurons initially reach their targets? |
They form synapses w/ several cells |
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These cells strengthen connection w/ some cells and eliminate connections w/ others |
Postsynaptic Cells |
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The ____ the stimulation, the ________ activated/retained |
The higher stimulation, the more info/parts that are activated/retained |
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What happens to the neurons during prenatal |
The number of motor neurons decrease |
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It is a selection process of neural connections in which most successful axon connections and combinations survive while others fail to sustain active synapses |
Neural Darwinism |
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BDNF |
Brain derived Neurotropic Factor |
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It is a chemical that promotes the survival and activity of neurons and is produced by the neuron itself |
Neurotropin |
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It is a BDNF and is necessary for memory retention and all the activities of the brain |
Neurotropin |
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Axonsthat are not exposed to neurotropins after making connections undergo ___ |
Apoptosis |
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Preprogrammed mechanism of cell death |
Apoptosis |
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A type of neurotrophin released by muscles that promotes the survival & growth of axons |
NGF |
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NGF |
Nerve Growth Factor |
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These increase the branching on axons and dendrites throughout life |
Neurotrophins |
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Chemical distortions in the brain during early development can cause |
Significant impairment and developmental problems |
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A condition that children are born w/ if the mother drinks heavily during pregnancy |
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome |
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Fetal Alcohol syndrome symptoms |
Hyperactivity & impulsiveness Varying degrees of mental retardation Motor problems and heart defects Facial abnormalities |
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The gain and loss of spines in dendrites indicates |
New connections and potentially new info processing |
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Effects of enriched environment |
Thicker cortex and increased dendrite branching in rats Permits activity and wellbeing |
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Being physically active results in ___ |
Maintaining development of nerve growth |
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Blind people often have |
Enhanced tactile senses and increased verbal skills |
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Extensive practice of a skill changes the brain n what way? |
In a way that improves the ability for that skill |
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Part of the brain in professional musicians that are enhanced compared to non musicians |
30% larger temporal lobe in the right hemisphere |
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"Musician's cramp" |
Focal hand Dystonia |
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Condition wherein the reorganization of the brain goes too far and the fingers of musicians who practice intensively become clumsy, fatigue easily, and make involuntary movements |
Focal hand dystonia |
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This condition is a result of the area of the brain responsible for a specific finger movement growing and overlapping w/ others |
Focal Hand Dystonia |
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Possible causes of brain damage: |
-Tumors Infections -Exposure to toxic substances -Degenerative Diseases -Closed Head Injuries |
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Example of closed head injuries |
Concussion and trauma |
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A trauma that occurs when a sharp blow to the head drives the brain tissue against the inside wall of the skull and there is no open wound |
Closed head injuries |
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An area surrounding the brain damage and prevents the reconnection of neurons and development |
Penumbra |
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Temporary loss of blood flow in the brain and is a common cause of brain damage in the elderly |
Stroke or Cerebrovascular Accident |
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Types of Strokes |
Ischemia Hemorrhage Edema |
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Most common type of stroke that results from a blood clot or obstruction of artery |
Ischemia |
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Neurons lose their oxygen and glucose supply in this type of stroke |
Ischemia |
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It is a less frequent type of stroke resulting from a ruptured artery and where neurons are flooded w/ excess calcium oxygen and other products |
Hemorrhage |
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Can be caused by ischemia and hemorrhage and is the accumulation of fluid in the brain resulting in an increased pressure on the brain and increasing the probability of further strokes |
Edema |
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Edema and excess potassium triggers ___ |
the release of excitatory NT glutamate |
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Overstimulation of neurons leads to ____ |
Na and other ions entering the neuron in excessive amounts |
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Excess positive ions in the neuron ___ |
It blocks the metabolism in the mitochondria and kill the neuron |
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It is a drug that breaks up blood clots and reduces the effects of ischemic strokes |
tPA |
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tPA |
tissue Plasminogen Activator |
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It is a drug that save cells in the penumbra by blocking glutamate synapses |
tPA |
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One of the most effective lab methods used to minimize damage caused by strokes is to _____ |
Cool the brain |
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Temperature of a cooled brain |
91 - 97 F |
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It is characterized by less activity, lower energy needs, and less risk of overstimulation |
Cool brain |
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Have been shown to potentially minimize cell loss after the brain damage by decreasing the release of glutamate |
Cannabanoids (cannabinoids) |
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Decreased activity of surviving neurons after damage to other neurons |
Diaschisis |
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It makes a mechanical barrier to axon growth |
Scar tissue |
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Releases proteins that inhibit axon growth |
Myelin sheath in the CNS |
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New branches formed by other non-damaged axons that attach to vacant receptors |
Collateral sprouts |
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If soma is damaged, what happens to the neuron? |
It dies |
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Cells that have lost their source of innervation release neurotrophins that induce axons to form _____ |
Collateral sprouts |
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Where collateral sprouts fill in |
Most vacated synapses |
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Class of glycolipids formed by the combination of carbohydrates and fat molecules and are believed to adhere to neuron membranes & aid recognition of one neuron by another |
Gangliosides |
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These promote the restoration of damaged brains |
Gangliosides |
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This increase the release of neurotrophin w/c promotes axon sprouting and the formation of new synapses |
Progesterone |
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Ways the brain compensates for decreased input and restores normal functioning: |
Denervation supersensitivity and Disused supersensitivity |
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Heightened sensitivity to a NT after the destruction of an incoming axon and usually a result of increased receptors |
Denervation supersensitivity |
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The hypersensitivity to a NT after a result of inactivity |
Disused supersensitivity |
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Continuation of sensation of an amputated body part and reflects this process |
Phantom Limb |
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Cortex reorganizes itself after the amputation of the body part by becoming responsive to other parts of the body |
Phantom Limb |
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Limbs that have lost their afferent sensory input |
Deafferenated limb (deafferented) |
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Canstill be used but are often not because use of other mechanisms to carry outthe behavior are easier |
Deafferenated limb (deafferented) |