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48 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Thestudy of the brain and the nervous system |
Neuroscience |
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Techniquesthat allow for studying brain activity and structure by obtaining visual imagesin awake humans (CAT scans – computer axial tomography, MRI – Magneticresonance imaging, DTI – Diffusion tensor imaging) |
Neuro-imaging |
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What is a neuron? |
The brain’s communicators, a nerve cell - Specialized in communication with each other - 86 billion neurons with 160 billion connections - Unique shape compared to other cells |
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- Centre of neuron,builds new cell components |
Cell Body (SOMA) |
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- Branchlikeextension that receive information from other neurons |
Dendrites |
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- Tails of theneurons that spread out from cell body and transit information |
Axons |
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- End of axoncontaining synaptic vesicles filled with neurotransmitters |
Axon Terminal |
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- Space betweenneurons where NTs travel |
Synapse |
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- Chemicalmessengers that allow neuron to neuron communication |
Neurotransmitters (NTs) |
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- Cell in thenervous system that plays a role in the formation of myelin and the bloodbarrier - Responds toinjury, removes debris, and enhances learning and memory (two main types ofglial cells – Astrocytes and oligodendrocytes) - Controls nutrientsupply to neurons - Destroys andremoves dead neurons- Provides axonswith myelin sheath |
Glial Cells |
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-Play main role -Found in bloodbrain barrier -Increasereliability of neuronal transmission - Control blood flowin brain |
Astrocytes |
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- Promotes newconnections - Produce myelinsheath around axons - Myelin Sheath(Glial cells wrapped around axons that act as an insulator of the neuron’ssignal |
oligodendrocytes |
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- Neurons respond toNTs by generating electrical activity - Resting potential:When the neuron is not being stimulated on inhibited - Action potential:Electrical impulse that travels down the axon (triggers release ofneurotransmitters) |
Electrical Activity in the Brain |
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Types of Neurotransmitters |
• Glutamate • GABA • Acetylcholine • Monoamines • Neuropeptides • Anandamides |
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- Most common neurotransmitters - Both associated with learning and memory - Glutamate is excitatory and increases the chance neurons will communicate - Toxic in high doses, may contribute to schizophreniaand other mental disorders- GABA is inhibitory, dampening neural activity |
Glutamate and γ-Aminobutyric Acid(GABA) |
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- Acetylcholine influences arousal, selective,attention, sleep, and memory(CNS)- Neurons that connect to muscles release acetylcholineto trigger movement (PNS) - Muscle action, learning and memory |
Acetylcholine |
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- Crucial role inarousal, emotion, and cognition - Norepinephrine,dopamine, and serotonin |
Monoamines |
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- Brain arousal,mood, hunger, sleep - Increasescontractions in the heart - As a stresshormone, affects amygdala to affect attention and responses - Fight or flightresponse, by triggering the release of glucose from energy stores andincreasing blood flow to skeletal muscle |
Norepinephrine |
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- Plays a major rolein reward-motivated behaviour - Most types ofreward increase the level of dopamine in the brain - A variety ofaddictive drugs increase dopamine neuronal activity - Also plays a rolein decision making and behavioural flexibility |
Dopamine |
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- Regulation ofmood, appetite, and sleep - Has some cognitivefunctions including memory and learning- Modulation ofserotonin at synapses is thought to be a major action of several classes ofantidepressant |
Serotonin |
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- The principlefunction of BLANKis to inhibit the transmission of pain signals orpleasure - They may alsoproduce a feeling of euphoria(Excitement & happy) very similar to thatproduced by other opioids compound |
Endorphins |
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- Influences eating,motivation, memory, and sleep - THC compound bindsto same receptors |
Anandamides |
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- target the production or inhabitation of certain NTs - Opiates mimicendorphins and increase activity (agonists) - Antagonistsdecrease activity, like dopamine blockers for schizophrenia |
Psychoactive drugs |
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- Ability of thenervous system to change - Neurons change infour ways during development o Growth of dendrites and axons o Synaptogenesis o Pruning (cutting/ reducing something)o Myelination |
Neural plasticity |
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Brain + Spinal cord |
CNS |
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Somatic + Autonomic -> Sympathetic - parasympathetic |
PNS |
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- The forebrain isresponsible for advanced intellectual abilities - Two hemispheres connected by the corpus callosum which allows communication betweenthem - Majority of theforebrain is composed of.... - Can be dividedinto four lobes, each associated with a different function |
Cerebral cortex |
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- Assist in motorfunction, language and memory - Oversee andorganize most other brain functions (executive functioning) - The prefrontal cortexis responsible for thinking, planning and language - Broca’s area –Language area helps control speech production - Speaking,planning, judging, abstract thinking, personality aspects |
Frontal Lobes |
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- Specialized fortouch and perception - Somatosensorycortex is sensitive to pressure, pain, and temperature - Passes informationto motor cortex every time we reach, grasp or move our eyes - Sense of touch,body position |
Parietal lobe |
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- Lower part of thecerebral cortex, it plays a role in hearing, understanding, language, andstoring autobiographical memories - Contains auditorycortex and Wernicke’s area, responsible for speech comprehension - Sound, speech |
Temporal Lobe |
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Language skills – - Speechcomprehension- Speech production- Phonology - Syntax- Reading- Writing Action skills- Making facialexpressions- Motion detection |
Left hemisphere |
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Coarse language skills- - Simple speech- Simple writing- Tone of voice Visuospatial skills- - Perceptualgrouping - Face perception |
Right hemishpere |
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- The emotional center of the brain that also has a rolein smell, motivation, and memoryLise) |
Limbic system |
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- regulates and controlsinternal bodily states; controls the pituitary gland |
hypothalamus |
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- relays information from the sense organs to primary sensory cortex |
Thalamus |
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plays keyrole in fear, excitement, arousal and motivation |
Amygdala |
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- plays a role inspatial memory; damage causes inability to form new memories |
Hippocampus |
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- Located at very back of the brain- Connects the cerebral cortex and spinal cord- Performs basic bodily functions- Serves as a relay station between the cortex and restof the nervous system- Consists of: reticular activating system and midbrain - Reticular activating system connects the forebrain andcerebral cortex and plays a key role in arousal (damage can result in coma)- Midbrain contributes to movement tracking of visualstimuli, ad reflexes triggered by sound |
Brain stem |
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- Oldest most basic functions, consist of:- Cerebellum, pons, medulla |
Hindbrain |
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- Plays predominant role in our sense of balance andenables us to coordinate movement and learn motor skills Lists |
Cerebellum |
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- Connects cortex to cerebellum and triggers dreams |
Pons |
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- Regulates breathing, heartbeat, and other vitalfunctions |
Medulla |
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- Thick bundle of nerves that conveys signals betweenbrain and body- Sensory nerves carry information from body to brain- Motor nerves carry info from brain to rest of body- Also contains interneurons which allow reflexes tohappen |
Spinal Cord |
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Conveys information from CNS to muscles in body,controlling coordinating voluntary movement |
Somatic Nervous System |
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Controls involuntary actions of our internalorgans and glands; has two divisions |
Autonomic nervous system |
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Division isengaged during a crisis or after actions requiring flight or fight |
Sympathetic |
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Division controls rest and digestion |
Parasympathetic |
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When one is active one is inactive |
Somatic vs autonomic |
