Neuroscience And Behavior

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neurons

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cells in the central nervous system that communicate w/ one another to perform info-processing behaviours

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cell body

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the part of a neuron that coordinates information-processing tasks and keeps cells alive

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dendrite

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the part of a neuron that receives info from other neurons and relays it to the body

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axon

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the part of a neuron that transmits info to other neurons muscles or glands

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myelin sheath

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an insulating layer of fatty material

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glial cells

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support cells in the nervous system

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synapse

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the junction of region b/w the axon of one neuron and the dendrites or cell body of another

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sensory neurons

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receive info from the external world and covet this info to the brain via the spinal cord

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motor neurons

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carry signals from the spinal cord to the muscles to produce movement

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interneurons

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connect sensory neurons motor neurons or or other interneurons

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how do the 3 types of neurons work together to transmit info?

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interneurons carry info from sensory into the nervous system, others carry info from nervous system to motor neurons

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resting potential

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the difference in electric charge between the inside and outside of a neuron's cell membrane

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action potential

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an electric signal that is conducted along a neuron's axon to a synapse

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refractory period

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the time following an action potential during which a new action potential cannot be initiated

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why is an action potential all or nothing event?

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electrical stimulation below the threshold fails to produce an action potential, whereas electric stimulation at or above the threshold always produces the action potential

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terminal buttons

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knoblike structure that branch out from an axon

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neurotransmitters

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chemicals that transmit info across the synapse to a receiving neurons dendrites

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receptors

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parts of the cell membrane that receive the neurotransmitter and initiate or prevent a new electric signal

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how does a neuron communicate w/ another neuron?

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synaptic transmission

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acetylcholine (ACh)

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nuerotransmitter involved in a # of functions, including voluntary motor control

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dopamine

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a neurotransmitter that regulates motor behavior, motivation, pleasure, and emotional arousal

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glutamate

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a major excitatory neurotransmitter involved in info transmission throughout the brain

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GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)

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the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain

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norepinephrine

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neurotransmitter that influences mood and arousal

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serotonin

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a neurotransmitter that is involved in the regulation of sleep and wakefulness, eating, and aggressive behavior

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Endorphins

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chemicals that act within the pain pathways and emotion centres of the brain

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agonists

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drugs that increase the action of a neurotransmitter

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antagonists

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drugs that block the function of a neurotransmitter

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nervous system

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interacting network of neurons that conveys electrochemical information throughout the body

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central nervous system (CNS)

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the part of the nervous system that is composed of the brain/spinal cord

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peripheral nervous system (PNS)

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part of the nervous system that connects the CNS to the body's organs and muscles

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somatic nervous system

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a set of nerves that conveys info into and out of the CNS

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autonomic nervous system

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set of nerves that carries involuntary and automatic commands that control blood vessels, body organs, and glands

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sympathetic nervous system

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set of nerves that prepares the body for action in threatening situations

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parasympathetic nervous system

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a set of nerves that helps the body return to a normal resting state

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spinal reflexes

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simple pathways in the nervous system that rapidly generate muscle contractions

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hindbrain

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an area of the brain that coordinates info coming into and out of the spinal cord

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medulla

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extension of the spinal cord into the skull that coordinates heart rate, circulation, and respiration

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reticular formation

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a brain structure that regulates sleep, wakefulness, and levels of arousal

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cerebellum

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a large structure of the hindbrain that controls fine motor skills

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pons

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a brain structure that relays info from the cerebellum to the rest of the brain

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tectum

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part of the midbrain that orients an organism in the environment

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tagmentum

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a part of the midbrain that is involved in movement/arousal

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cerebral cortex

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outermost layer of brain, visible to the naked eye and divided into two hemispheres

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subcortical structures

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areas of the forebrain housed under the cerebral cortex near the very venter of the brain

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limbic system

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a group of forebrain structures including the hypothalamus, the amygdala, and the hippocampus, which are involved in motivation, emotion, learning, and memory

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thalamus

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a subcortical structure that relays and filters info from the senses and transmits the info to the cerebral cortex

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hypothalamus

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a subcortical structure that regulates body temperature, hunger, thirst, and sexual behavior

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pituitary gland

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the "master gland" of the body's hormone-producing system, which releases hormones that direct the functions of many other glands in the body

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hippocampus

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a structure critical for creating new memories and integrating them into a network of knowledge so that they can be stored indefinitely in other parts of the cerebral cortex

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amygdala

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a part of the limbic system that plays a central role in many emotional processes, particularly the formation of emotional memories

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basal ganglia

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occ

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corpus callosum

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a thick band of nerve fibers that connects large areas of the cerebral cortex on each side of the brain and supports communication of info across the hemispheres

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occipital lobe

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a region of the cerebral cortex that processes visual information

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parietal lobe

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a region of the cerebral cortex whose functions include processing info about touch

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temporal lobe

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a region of the cerebral cortex responsible for hearing and language

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frontal lobe

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a region of the cerebral cortex that has specialised areas for movement, abstract thinking, planning, memory, and judgment

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association areas

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areas of the cerebral cortex that are composed of neurons that help provide sense and meaning to info registered in the cortex

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gene

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the unit of hereditary transmission

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chromosomes

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strands of DNA wound around each other in a double-helix configuration

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heritability

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a measure of the variability of behavioral traits among his individuals that can be accounted for by genetic factors

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electroencephalograph

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a device used to record electrical activity in the brain

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what are the functions of a neuron?

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processing information

communicating w/ other neurons

sending messages to body organs and muscles

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signals from other neurons are received and relayed to the cell body by

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dendrites

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signals are transmitted from one neuron to another

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across a synapse

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which type of neuron receives information from the external world and conveys this information to the brain via the spinal cord

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sensory neuron

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an electric signal that is conducted along the length of a neuron's axon to the synapse is called

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an action potential

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the chemicals that transmit info across the synapse to a receiving neuron's dendrites are called

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neurotransmitters

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the _______ automatically controls the organs of the body

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autonomic nervous system

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which part of the hindbrain coordinates fine motor skills

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the cerebellum

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what part of the brain is involved in movement and arousal

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the midbrain

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the _____ regulates body temperature, hunger, thirst, and sexual behavior

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hypothalamus

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what explains the apparent beneficial effects of cardiovascular exercise on aspects of brain function and cognitive performance

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neuron plasticity

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during the course of embryonic brain growth, the ______ undergoes the greatest development

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cerebral cortex

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the first true central nervous system appeared in

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flatworms

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genes set the ________ in populations w/in a given environment

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range of variation

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identifying the brain areas that are involved in specific types of motor, cognitive, or emotional processing is best achieved through

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brain imaging