unit 1 a notecards (set 2)

excitatory (neurotransmitter)

signals that make a neuron more likely to send a message to other neurons

inhibitory (neurotransmitter)

signals that make a neuron less likely to send a message to other neurons

acetylcholine (neurotransmitter)

a neurotransmitter that helps with muscle movement, learning, and memory

norepinephrine (neurotransmitter)

A neurotransmitter that helps with alertness, attention, and the body’s response to stress

glutamate (neurotransmitter)

an excitatory neurotransmitter that helps with learning, memory, and sending signals between brain cells

dopamine (neurotransmitter)

helps control movement, motivation, pleasure, and reward

serotonin (neurotransmitter)

helps regulate mood, sleep, and appetite

GABA (neurotransmitter)

the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, it slows down brain activity and helps calm the nervous system

substance P (neurotransmitter)

helps transmit pain signals from the body to the brain

endorphins (neurotransmitter)

natural chemicals made by the brain that reduce pain and create feelings of pleasure

multiple sclerosis

a disease where the immune system damages the protective covering of nerve cells, causing problems with communication between the brain and body

myasthenia gravis

an autoimmune disease that weakens muscles by disrupting communication between nerves and muscles

alcohol (depressant, drug)

drug that slows down the central nervous system, affecting brain activity, judgment, coordination, and reaction time

caffeine (stimulants, drug)

stimulant drug that increases alertness and reduces tiredness by blocking adenosine, a chemical that makes you feel sleepy

cocaine (stimulants, drug)

drug that increases brain activity by causing neurotransmitters like dopamine to build up in the brain

marijuana (hallucinogens, drug)

drug that affects the brain, changing mood, memory, perception, and coordination

heroin (opioids, drug)

drug that slows down the central nervous system and reduces pain by affecting opioid receptors in the brain

tolerance

when the body gets used to a drug, so the same amount has less of an effect over time

addiction

two types: physical dependence and psychological dependence

physical dependence (addiction)

when the body becomes used to a drug and relies on it to function normally, sometimes causing withdrawal symptoms when the person stops using it

psychological dependence (addiction)

when a person feels a strong emotional or mental need to use a drug because they crave its effects or believe they need it to feel good or cope with stress

withdrawal

physical and mental symptoms that happen when a person stops or reduces using a drug their body has become dependent on

brain stem

in the hind - mid brain, part of the brain that controls basic life functions, such as breathing, heart rate, and sleep

has two parts: medulla and pons

medulla

the part of the brainstem that controls automatic functions like breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure

pons

a part of the brainstem that helps control sleep, breathing, and movement, and connects different parts of the brain

cerebellum (the hind and mid-brain)

the part of the brain that controls balance, coordination, and smooth movements

reticular activating system (the hind and mid-brain)

network in the brainstem that controls alertness, attention, and wakefulness

reward center (the hind and mid-brain)

group of brain areas that create feelings of pleasure and motivation when you do something rewarding, partly using dopamine

hippocampus (reward center)

the part of the brain that helps form new memories and learn new information

ventral tegmental area (reward center)

releases dopamine and helps create signals related to motivation and reward.

nucleus accumbens (reward center)

receives dopamine signals and helps you feel motivated to seek rewards and repeat rewarding behaviors

pre-frontal cortex (reward center)

the front part of the brain that helps with decision-making, planning, self-control, and thinking about consequences. It helps you make choices about rewards

limbic system (cerebral cortex)

a group of brain structures that help control emotions, motivation, learning, and memory; it is involved in the brain’s reward system

thalamus (limbic system)

a brain structure that acts like a relay station, sending most sensory information to the cerebral cortex for processing. It also helps regulate alertness and sleep.

hypothalamus (limbic system)

a small brain structure that controls hunger, thirst, body temperature, and hormones. It helps maintain the body's balance and is involved in emotions

pituitary gland (limbic system)

a small gland at the base of the brain that releases hormones and controls other glands, helping regulate growth and development

hippocampus (limbic system)

a part of the limbic system that helps form new memories and learn new information

amygdala (limbic system)

processes emotions, especially fear, anger, and emotional reactions

corpus callosum

a thick band of nerve fibers that connects the brain’s left and right hemispheres, allowing them to communicate with each other

lobes

the four main sections of the cerebral cortex: frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital. each lobe has different jobs

frontal lobe

the part of the brain that controls decision-making, planning, problem-solving, personality, and voluntary movement

has two parts: prefrontal cortex, motor cortex

prefrontal cortex (frontal lobe)

controls planning, decision-making, problem-solving, and self-control

motor cortex (frontal lobe)

controls voluntary body movements, like walking, talking, and moving your arms

parietal lobe

processes sensory information like touch, temperature, pain, and body position

has two parts: association areas and somatosensory cortex

association areas (parietal lobe)

combine sensory information to help you understand your surroundings and know where your body is in space

somatosensory cortex (parietal lobe)

processes sensations like touch, pain, temperature, and pressure from your body

occipital lobe

processes visual information and helps you see

temporal lobe

processes hearing, helps you understand language, and stores memories

contralaterality

each side of the brain controls the opposite side of the body

brain lateralization

the two sides of the brain specialize in different functions, like language or spatial skills

split brain / hemispherectomy

a condition where the connection between the two brain hemispheres is cut

bronca’s area

a part of the frontal lobe that helps produce speech and form words

wernicke’s area

a part of the temporal lobe that helps you understand language and speech

aphasia

a condition that makes it difficult to speak, understand, read, or write language

brain plasticity AKA

the brain’s ability to change, adapt, and form new connections

neuroplasticity

the brain’s ability to reorganize itself and form new connections through learning or after injury

structural brain scans

show the brain’s physical structures, such as its size, shape, and damage

two types: CAT AKA CT scan, MRI scan

CAT AKA CT scan (structural)

uses X-rays to create detailed pictures of the brain’s structure

MRI scan (structural)

uses magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the brain’s structure

functional brain scans

show brain activity and which areas are working during different tasks

three types: PET scan, fMRI, electroencephalogram

PET scan (functional)

measures brain activity by tracking how the brain uses a radioactive substance, such as glucose

fMRI (functional)

measures brain activity by tracking changes in blood flow and oxygen levels

electroencephalogram (functional)

records the brain’s electrical activity using sensors placed on the scalp

lesioning

damaging or removing a specific area of the brain to study its function