Brain and Behavior Exam 1

Afferent axon

axon brings info into a structure

Efferent Axon

Neruons that carry info away from a structure

schwann cells

glia cells that build myelin sheaths

Sympathetic nervous system

network of nerves prepared the organs for viguoruos activity

Parasympathetic Nervous system

system nerves facilitate vegatitve, non emergency responses by body organs

Agonist

a drug that mimics or increases the effects of neurotransmitters

Antagonist

drug that blocks a neurotransmitter

Spatial Summation

Combination of effects of activity from two or moer synapses onto a single neuron

Temporal Summation

cummulative effect of repeated stimuli within a brief time

Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potential (IPSP)

temporary hyperpolarization of a membrane

Excitatory Postsynaptic Potential (EPSP)

graded depolarization

Resting Potential

condition of neuron’s membrane when it has not been stimulated or inhibited

Gyrus

A protuberance on the surface of the brain

Sulcus

A fold or groove that separates one gyrus from another

Binding Problem

question of how various brain areas produce a perception of a single object

Epigenetics

a field that deals with changes in gene expression without modification of the DNA sequence

Astrocytes

star-shaped glia that synchronize the activity of the axons

Concentration gradient

difference in distribution of ions across the neuron’s membrane

Ionotropic

synaptic effects that depend on the rapid opening of some kind of gate in the membrane

Metabatropic effects

a sequence of metabolic reactions that produce slow and long-lasting effects at a synapse

Absolute refractory period

a time when the membrane is unable to produce an action potential

Action Potential

messages sent by axons

Depolarization

to reduce polarization toward zero across a membrane

Hyperpolarization

increased polarization across a membrane

Oligodendrocytes

produce myelin sheaths that insulate certain vertebrate axons in the central nervous system

Korsakoff’s Syndrome

(Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome) brain damage caused by prolonged thiamine deficiency

Spontaneous Firing Rate

a periodic production of action potentials even without synaptic input

Vesicles

tiny nearly spherical packets filled with neurotransmitter molecules

Exocytosis

Pituitary Gland

tiny nearly spherical packets filled with neurotransmitter molecules

Hypothalamus

Various releasing hormones, promote/inhibit release of hormones from pituitary

Thalamus

a pair of structures in the center of the forebrain

Nucleus Accumbens

Corpus Collosum

Hippocampus

a large structure located toward the posterior of the forebrain, between the thalamus and the cerebral cortex

Frontal Lobe

section of cerebral cortex that extends from the central sulcus to the anterior limit of the brain

Temporal Lobe

the lateral portion of each hemisphere, near the temples

Parietal Lobe

 lobe of the brain is responsible for having the motor strip and touch sensation

Occipital Lobe

posterior section of the cerebral cortex

Superior Colliculus

Inferior Colliculus

Cerebellum

highly folded hindbrain structure that is important for behaviors that depend on accurate timing

Pons

hindbrain structure that lies anterior and ventral to the medulla

Tectum

roof of the midbrain

Ribosomes

sites for cell synthesization of new protein molecules

Endoplasmic Reticulum

network of thin tubes that transport newly synthesized proteins to other locations

Hindbrain

the posterior part of the brain

Medulla

hindbrain structure located just above the spinal cord; could be regarded as an enlarged extension of the spinal cord

Ischemia

type of stroke resulting from a blood clot or other obstruction in an artery

Hemorrhage

type of stroke resulting from a ruptured artery

Diaschisis

decreased activity of surviving brain neurons after damage to other neurons

Amygdala

2 basic cells in nervous system

Neurons and Glia

Limbic System

most related to emotional behaviors

Microglia

immune system, removing waste material, viruses, and fungi from the brain

Radial glia

guide migration of neurons and axons and dendrites during embryonic development