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46 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
Neurons
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Cells in the nervous system that communicate with one another to perform information-processing tasks
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Cell body
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The part of a neuron that coordinates information-processing tasks and keeps the cell alive
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Dendrites
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The part of a neuron that receives information from other neurons and relays it to the cell body
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Axon
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The part of a neuron that transmits information 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 found in the nervous system
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Synapse
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The junction or region between the axon of one neuron and the dendrites or cell body of another
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Sensory Neurons
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Neurons that receive information from the external world and convey this information to the brain via the spinal cord
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Motor Neurons
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Neurons that carry signals from the spinal cord to the muscles to produce movement
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Interneurons
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Neurons that connect sensory neurons, motor neurons, or other interneurons
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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 an 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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Terminal Buttons
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Knoblike structures that branch out from an axon
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Neurotransmitters
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Chemicals that transmit information across the synapse to a receiving neuron's dendrites
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Receptors
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Parts of the cell membrane that receive the neurotransmitter and initiate a new electric signal
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Nervous System
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An interacting network of neurons that conveys electrochemical information throughout the body
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Central Nervous System
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The part of the nervous system that is composed of the brain and spinal cord
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Peripheral Nervous System
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The part of the nervous system that connects the central nervous system to the body's organs and muscles
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Somatic Nervous System
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A set of nerves that conveys information into and out of the central nervous system
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Autonomic Nervous System
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A 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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A 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 information coming into and out of the spinal cord
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Medulla
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An 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 information from the cerebellum to the rest of the brain
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Tectum
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A part of the midbrain that orients an organism in the environment
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Tegmentum
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A part of the midbrain that is involved in movement and arousal
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Cerebral Cortex
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The outermost layer of the 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 center of the brain
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Thalamus
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A subcortical structure that relays and filters information from the senses and transmits the information 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 subcortical system that plays a central role in many emotional processes, particularly the mormation of emotional memories
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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 information 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 information about touch
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Temporal Lobe
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A region of the cerebral cortext responsibile for hearing and language
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Frontal Lobe
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A region of the cerebral cortex that has specialized 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 information 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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