Use LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to navigate between flashcards;
Use UP and DOWN arrow keys to flip the card;
H to show hint;
A reads text to speech;
69 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
|
Neurons |
Cells in the vervous system that communicate with one another to perform information-processing tasks |
|
|
Cell Body |
The part of a Neuron that coordinates information-processing tasks and keeps the cell alive |
|
|
Dendrites |
The part of a neuron that receives information from other neurons and relays is to the cell body |
|
|
Axon |
The part of a neuron that transmits information to other neurons, muscles, or glands |
|
|
Myelin sheath |
An insulating layer of fatty material |
|
|
Glial cells |
Support cells found in the nervous system |
|
|
Synapse |
The junction or region between the axon of one neuron and the dendrites or cell body of another |
|
|
Sensory neurons |
Neurons that receive information from the external world and convey this information to the brain via the spinal cord |
|
|
Motor neurons |
Neurons that carry signals from the spinal cord to the muscles to produce movement |
|
|
Interneurons |
Neurons that connect sensory neurons, motor neurons, and other interneurons |
|
|
Resting potential |
The difference in electric charge between the inside and outside of a neuron's cell membrane. When the neuron is at rest, positively charged potassium ions flow out. |
|
|
Action potential |
An electric signal that is conducted along a neuron's axon to synapse Occurs only when threshold for stimulation is reached; all-or-none (approximately -55mV) Cell becomes temporarily positively charged (40mV) |
|
|
Refractory period |
The time following an action potential during which a new action potential cannot be initiated |
|
|
Terminal buttons |
Knoblike structures that branch out from an axon |
|
|
Neurotransmitters |
Chemicals that transmit information across the synapse to a receiving neuron's dendrites |
|
|
Receptors |
Parts of the cell membrane that receive the neurotransmitter and initiateor prevent a new electric signal |
|
|
Agonists |
Drugs that increase the action of a neurotransmitter |
|
|
Antagonists |
Drugs that block the function of a neurotransmitter |
|
|
Nervous system |
An interacting network of neurons that conveys electrochemical information throughout the body |
|
|
Central Nervous System (CNS) |
The part of the nervous system that is composed of the brain and the spinal cord |
|
|
Peripheral nervous system (PNS) |
The part of the nervous system that connects the central nervous system to the body's organs and muscles |
|
|
Somatic nervous system |
A set of nerves that conveys information into and out of the central nervous system |
|
|
Autonomic nervous system (ANS) |
A set of nerves that carries involuntary and automatic commands that control blood vessels, body organs, and glands |
|
|
Sympathetic nervous system |
A set of nerves that prepares the body for action in threatening situations |
|
|
Parasympathetic nervous system |
A set of nerves that helps the body return to a normal resting state |
|
|
Spinal reflexes |
Simple pathways in the nervous system that rapidly generate muscle contractions |
|
|
Hindbrain |
An area of the brain that coordinates information coming into and out of the spinal cord |
|
|
Medulla |
An extension of the spinal cord into the skull that coordinates heart rate, circulation, and respiration |
|
|
Reticular formation |
A brain structure that regulates sleep, wakefulness, and levels of arousal |
|
|
Cerebellum |
A large structure of the hindbrain that controls fine motor skills |
|
|
Pons |
A brain structure that relays information from the cerebellum to the rest of the brain |
|
|
Subcortical structures |
Areas of the forebrain housed under the cerebral cortex near the very center of the brain |
|
|
Thalamus |
A subcortical structure that relays and filters information from the senses and transmits the information to the cerebral cortex |
|
|
Hypothalamus |
A subcortical structure that regulates body temperature, hunger, thirst, and sexual behavior |
|
|
Pituitary gland |
The "master gland" of the body's hormone-producing system, which releases hormones that direct the functions of many other glands in the body |
|
|
Hippocampus |
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 cerebrl cortex |
|
|
Amygdala |
A part of the limbic system that plays a central role in many emotional processes, particularly the formation of emotional memories |
|
|
Basal ganglia |
A set of subcortical structures that directs intentional movements |
|
|
Cerebral Cortex |
The outermost layer of the brain, divided into two hemispheres |
|
|
Corpus Callosum |
A thick band of nerve fibers that connects large areas of the cerebral cortex on each side of the brain and supports communication of information across the hemispheres |
|
|
Occipital Lobe |
A region of the cerebral cotex that processes visual information |
|
|
Parietal lobe |
A region of the cerebral cortex whose functions include processing information about touch |
|
|
Temporal lobe |
A region of the cerebral cortex responsible for hearing and language |
|
|
Frontal lobe |
A region of the cerebral cortex that has specialized areas for movement, abstract thinking, planning, memory, and judgment |
|
|
Association areas |
Areas of the cerebral cortex that are composed of neurons that help provide sense and meaning to information registered in the cortex |
|
|
Gene |
The unit of hereditary transmission |
|
|
Chromosomes |
Strands of DNA wound around each other in a double-helix configuration |
|
|
Nodes of Ranvier |
increase efficiency of signal transmission |
|
|
Conduction |
A signal within a neuron from dendrite to cell body and axon. Stage one of communication of imformation |
|
|
Transmission |
Moves signal between neurons over the synapse. Stage 2 of communication of information |
|
|
Ions |
Small electrically charged molecules that flow in and out of the cell |
|
|
Reuptake |
Reabsorption of a neurotransmitter by its transporter of a presynaptic neuron after it has performed its function. One of the 3 events that terminate transmitter's influence on synapse |
|
|
Enzyme deactivation |
One of the 3 events that terminate transmitter's influence on synapse. Process in which enzymes destroy the neurotransmitter |
|
|
Autoreceptors |
One of the 3 events that terminate transmitter's influence on synapse. It binds to the neurotransmitter and deactivates it |
|
|
Acetylcholine (Ach) |
Neurotransmitter that affects voluntary motor control, memory, and learning |
|
|
Dopamine |
Neurotransmitter that regulates motor behavior, pleasure, and emotional arousal |
|
|
Glutamate |
Neurotransmitter that affects excitatory NT, learning, and memory |
|
|
GABA |
Neurotransmitter that acts as a inhibitory NT |
|
|
Norephinephrine (NE) |
Neurotransmitter that influences mood and arousal |
|
|
Serotonin (5-HT) |
Neurotransmitter that regulates sleep, dreaming, mood, aggression, appetite, sexual behavior |
|
|
Endorphins |
Chemicals that act within pain and pleasure pathways and emotion centers of the brain |
|
|
How do drugs mimic neurotransmitters |
many drugs affect the nervous system by increasing, interfering with, or mimicking the manufacture or function of neurotransmitters |
|
|
Sensory nervous system |
A set of nerves transmitting sensory input from body to brain |
|
|
Motor nervous system |
A set of nerves for motor output from brain to body |
|
|
Spinal reflexes |
Simple pathways in the nervous system that rapidly generate muscle contractions |
|
|
Midbrain |
The small, midsection of the brain that is important for orientation and movement (vision, hearing, and voluntary motor control) |
|
|
Forebrain |
Part of the brain critical for complex cognitive, emotional, sensory, and motor functions. Located near the front of the head |
|
|
Responsibility of left hemisphere of brain |
Language, controlling the right side of the body |
|
|
Responsibility of right hemisphere of brain |
Visual-spatial processing, controlling the left side of the body |
