SciOly Prep- Life Science

Cerebrum

Responsible for thinking and sensory/motor functions.

Cerebellum

Controls coordination and balance.

Brainstem

Manages vital functions.

Limbic System

Involved in emotion and memory.

Neuron Anatomy

Includes structures like myelin and Schwann cells/oligodendrocytes.

Action Potential

Generated by the influx of sodium (Na+) and efflux of potassium (K+).

Neurotransmitters

Biochemicals such as acetylcholine, dopamine, serotonin, and GABA that are involved in neural communication.

Electrical Synapses

A type of synapse allowing direct communication between neurons.

Chemical Synapses

A type of synapse where neurotransmitters transmit signals across a synaptic cleft.

Excitatory Synapses

Synapses that increase the likelihood of the firing action potential in the post-synaptic neuron.

Inhibitory Synapses

Synapses that decrease the likelihood of the firing action potential in the post-synaptic neuron.

Summation

The combined effect of multiple synaptic inputs.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Includes the spinal cord and cranial nerves, and is involved in sleep regulation.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Consists of sensory neurons and motor neurons.

Somatic Nervous System

Part of PNS responsible for voluntary control.

Autonomic Nervous System

Part of PNS that controls involuntary functions.

Sympathetic Nervous System

Part of the autonomic nervous system responsible for 'fight or flight' responses.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Part of the autonomic nervous system responsible for 'rest and digest' activities.

Reflex Arc

A neural pathway that controls a reflex action.

Proprioception

The sense of body position.

Epilepsy

A common nervous system disorder characterized by recurrent seizures.

Alzheimer’s Disease

A progressive neurodegenerative disorder affecting memory and cognitive function.

Parkinson’s Disease

A movement disorder characterized by rigidity, bradykinesia, and tremors.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

An autoimmune disease affecting the brain and spinal cord.

Cerebral Palsy (CP)

A group of disorders affecting movement and muscle tone or posture.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

A progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting motor neurons.

Alcohol

Acts as a depressant on the central nervous system.

Caffeine

A stimulant that blocks adenosine receptors.

Nicotine

Stimulates acetylcholine receptors.

Marijuana

Acts as a CB1/CB2 receptor agonist.

Alpha Waves

Brain waves associated with relaxation.

Beta Waves

Brain waves indicating an alert state.

Delta Waves

Brain waves seen in deep sleep.

Theta Waves

Brain waves associated with light sleep or meditation.

Steroid Hormones

Lipid-soluble hormones that bind to nuclear receptors.

Peptide Hormones

Protein-based hormones that bind to membrane receptors.

Amine Hormones

Hormones derived from tyrosine, examples include epinephrine and thyroxine.

Nuclear Mechanisms

Hormonal action involving changes in gene transcription.

Cytoplasmic/Membrane Mechanisms

Mechanisms utilizing second messengers like cAMP, IP3, and Ca²⁺.

Pituitary Gland

Secretes hormones like GH, TSH, ACTH, LH, FSH, ADH, and oxytocin.

Thyroid Gland

Produces T3/T4 (metabolism) and calcitonin (calcium regulation).

Parathyroid Glands

Secrete PTH to increase blood calcium levels.

Pancreas

Produces insulin (lowers glucose) and glucagon (raises glucose).

Adrenal Glands

Include cortex (cortisol, aldosterone) and medulla (epinephrine/norepinephrine).

Gonads

Produce estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.

Diabetes

A common endocrine disorder characterized by high blood glucose levels.

Hypoglycemia

A condition characterized by abnormally low blood glucose levels.

Graves' Disease

An autoimmune disorder that results in an overactive thyroid gland.

Hashimoto's Disease

An autoimmune disorder leading to thyroid gland failure.

Goiter

An enlargement of the thyroid gland.

Cretinism

A severe form of hypothyroidism in children.

Cushing's Syndrome

A disorder caused by excessive cortisol production.

Addison's Disease

A disorder resulting from insufficient production of adrenal hormones.

Myxedema

Severe hypothyroidism in adults.

Acromegaly

A disorder from excess growth hormone leading to enlarged bones.

Mechanoreceptors

Sensory receptors that detect touch and pressure.

Thermoreceptors

Sensory receptors that sense temperature.

Nociceptors

Sensory receptors that detect pain.

Chemoreceptors

Sensory receptors involved in taste and smell.

Photoreceptors

Sensory receptors that detect light.

Touch

A general sense that includes pressure and pain.

Pressure

A general sense related to the mechanical force applied to the skin.

Pain

A general sense that indicates potential harm.

Temperature

A general sense related to heat and cold.

Itch

A sensation that provokes the desire to scratch.

Proprioception

The awareness of body position.

Vision

Involves the retina (rods/cones), optic nerve, and lens accommodation.

Hearing

Relies on cochlear hair cells and the auditory nerve.

Balance

Managed by the vestibule (static balance) and semicircular canals (dynamic balance).

Smell

Involves olfactory bulb and receptors.

Taste

Involves receptors detecting sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami.

Myopia

A vision disorder also known as nearsightedness.

Hyperopia

A vision disorder also known as farsightedness.

Presbyopia

Age-related difficulty in focusing on close objects.

Nyctalopia

Night blindness due to a lack of vitamin A.

Astigmatism

A vision condition caused by an irregularly shaped cornea.

Conjunctivitis

An inflammation of the eye commonly known as pink eye.

Color Blindness

A condition affecting the ability to perceive colors.

Monohybrid Crosses

Involve the inheritance of a single trait.

Dihybrid Crosses

Involve the inheritance of two traits.

Dominant Alleles

Alleles that mask the effect of recessive alleles in heterozygotes.

Genotype

The genetic makeup of an individual (e.g., Aa).

Phenotype

The physical expression of a genetic trait (e.g., brown eyes).

Sex-Linked Traits

Traits that are carried on the X chromosome.

Pedigrees

Charts used to track inheritance patterns through generations.

XX Chromosomes

Determine female sex.

XY Chromosomes

Determine male sex.

ABO Blood Types

Examples of multiple allele variations, including A, B, AB, and O.

Punnett Squares

Tools used to predict the genetic makeup of offspring.

Sex-Linked Inheritance

Inheritance patterns of genes located on sex chromosomes.

DNA Replication

A semi-conservative process involving base pairing of A-T and C-G.

Mutations

Changes in DNA that can be silent, harmful, or helpful.

Mitosis

Produces two identical body cells during cell division.

Meiosis

Produces four unique sex cells (gametes) through cell division.

Crossing Over

The exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes during meiosis.

Independent Assortment

The random distribution of alleles during gamete formation.

Karyotype Analysis

A laboratory procedure that examines the number and structure of chromosomes.

Nondisjunction

An error in meiosis leading to extra or missing chromosomes.

Trisomy 21

The condition caused by an extra 21st chromosome, also known as Down syndrome.

Incomplete Dominance

A genetic situation in which one allele does not completely dominate another.