Human Brain Anatomy

Front 1

portions of neurons that recieve signals

Back 1

dendrites

Front 2

space between two connecting neurons where neurotransmitters are released

Back 2

synaptic cleft

Front 3

portions of neurons that send signals

Back 3

axons

Front 4

spherical sacs containing neurotransmitters

Back 4

synaptic vesicles

Front 5

chemical messengers specialized for communication and released at the synapse

Back 5

neurotransmitters

Front 6

support cells in nervous system that play roles in the formation o fmyelin and blood-brain barrier, respond to injury, and remove debris

Back 6

glia (glial) cells

Front 7

glial cells forming a fatty coating that prevents certain substances from entering the brain

Back 7

blood-brain barrier

Front 8

glial cell-wrappers around axons that act as insulators of the neuron's signal

Back 8

myelin sheath

Front 9

the autoimmune disease in which the nyelin sheaths surrounding meurons are "eaten away", resulting in a progressive loss of insulation of neural messages

Back 9

multiple sclerosis

Front 10

electrical charge difference (-70 millivolts) across the neuronal membrane, when the neuron is not being stimulated or inhibited

Back 10

resting potential

Front 11

membrane potential necessary to trigger an action potential

Back 11

threshold

Front 12

regenerative electrical impulse that travels down the axon and allows neurons to communicate

Back 12

action potential

Front 13

time during which another action potential is impossible; limits maximal firing rate

Back 13

absolute refractory period

Front 14

locations that uniquely recognize a neurotransmitter

Back 14

receptor sites

Front 15

means of recyling neurotransmitters

Back 15

reuptake

Front 16

the most common neurotransmitter in the central nervous system

Back 16

glutamate

Front 17

the first neurotransmitter discovered, by a Otto Loewi; manufactured in the basal forebrain and released in the cerebral cortex; plays a role in cortical arousal, selective attention, memory, and movement

Back 17

acetylcholine

Front 18

monoamine neurotransmitters; ties reward to movement; activates and deactives parts of the cerebral cortex (x3)

Back 18

norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin

Front 19

chemicals in the brain that play a specialized role in pain reduction (endogenous opioids)

Back 19

endorphins

Front 20

drugs that enhance receptor site activity in neurons

Back 20

agonists

Front 21

drugs that decrease receptor site activity in neurons

Back 21

antagonists