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46 Cards in this Set

  • Front
  • Back
Neurons
Cells in the nervous 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 it 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, or other interneurons
Resting Potential
The difference in electric charge between the inside and outside of a neuron's cell membrane
Action Potential
An electric signal that is conducted along an axon to a synapse
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 initiate a new electric signal
Nervous System
An interacting network of neurons that conveys electrochemical information throughout the body
Central Nervous System
The part of the nervous system that is composed of the brain and spinal cord
Peripheral Nervous System
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
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
Tectum
A part of the midbrain that orients an organism in the environment
Tegmentum
A part of the midbrain that is involved in movement and arousal
Cerebral Cortex
The outermost layer of the brain, visible to the naked eye and divided into two hemispheres
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 cerebral cortex
Amygdala
A part of the subcortical system that plays a central role in many emotional processes, particularly the mormation of emotional memories
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 cortex 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 cortext responsibile 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