PSYC 306 Exam 2 Study Guide

Set of vocabulary flashcards derived from the PSYC 306 lecture notes covering neuroanatomy, sensory systems, neurotransmission, and related disorders.

Reticular formation

Part of the brain that controls arousal levels.

Thalamus

Relay center for sensory information, except for olfaction.

Hypothalamus

Controls hormones and thermoregulation within the endocrine system.

Cerebellum

Involved in fine motor control and motor learning.

Raphe nucleus

Major serotonergic nucleus in the brain.

Substantia nigra

Major dopaminergic nucleus associated with movement.

Medulla

Reflex center for sneezing, coughing, and vomiting.

Muscle spindle fibers

Stretch receptors within skeletal muscle that tell the brain about muscle position.

Sensory transduction

Turning physical stimuli into a form the brain can understand, such as action potentials.

Receptor potential

A graded membrane potential related to sensory systems.

Rate code

How a neuron represents the intensity of a stimulus via action potential frequency.

Adaptation

Diminished response to repeated stimulation.

Ossicles

Structure that transmits vibrations from the tympanic membrane to the oval window.

Organ of Corti

Transduces pressure waves into action potentials.

Conduction deafness

Loss of function of the tympanic membrane or ossicles.

Nerve deafness

Damage to hair cells or the temporal lobe preventing sound processing.

Cornea

Protective, clear structure that allows light to enter the eye.

Fovea centralis

Area of the retina that contains 100% cones for color vision.

Rhodopsin

Photopigment in photoreceptors that captures light for vision.

GABAergic neuron

A neuron that releases GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter.

cAMP

Cyclic adenosine monophosphate, a secondary messenger that modulates cellular activity.

Phototransduction

Process by which light is converted into electrical signals in the retina.

Na+-K+ pump

Maintains the electrochemical gradient by moving Na+ out and K+ into the cell.

Apoptosis

Programmed cell death that can occur due to excess Ca2+ in the cell.

Ischemic stroke

Stroke resulting from a blood clot preventing oxygen from reaching brain tissue.

Multiple Sclerosis

Autoimmune disease where the body attacks myelination.

Huntington's disease

Neurodegenerative disorder caused by problems with the Huntington protein.

Epilepsy

A condition characterized by recurrent seizures, often linked to abnormal neuronal excitability.