Chapter 1: What Are the Origins of Brain and Behaviour?, Chapter 2: What Is The Nervous Systems Functional Anatomy?, Chapter 3: What Are The Nervous Systems Functional Units?

Behaviour

Any form of observable action or reaction of a person or animal in response to external or internal stimuli

Bilateral symmetry

A characteristic of an organism where its body can be divided into two roughly equal halves along a central axis, typically with a left and right side that mirror each other.

Brainstem

The lowest part of the brain that connects to the spinal cord and is responsible for basic life-sustaining functions like breathing, heart rate, and alertness.

Central nervous system (CNS)

The part of the nervous system that includes the brain and spinal cord and is responsible for processing information, decision-making, and coordinating bodily functions.

Cerebellum

A region in the brain that plays a crucial role in coordinating movement, balance, and posture.

Cerebrum (forebrain)

The largest part of the brain responsible for higher cognitive functions such as thinking, reasoning, and conscious perception.

Chordate

A group of animals characterized by having a notochord (a flexible rod-like structure) at some point in their development, which includes vertebrates like humans.

Cladogram

A branching diagram used in biology to show the evolutionary relationships between different species or groups of organisms.

Clinical trial

A scientific study designed to test the safety and effectiveness of new medical treatments, interventions, or drugs on human subjects.

Common ancestor

The shared evolutionary ancestor from which two or more species have descended.

Concussion

A mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) typically caused by a blow to the head, resulting in temporary disruption of normal brain function.

Connectome

A comprehensive map of the neural connections (synapses) in the brain, detailing how neurons are wired together and communicate.

Culture

The collective beliefs, customs, practices, and behaviors of a group of people, often transmitted through social learning and influencing individual behavior.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS)

A surgical treatment involving the implantation of electrodes into specific brain regions to treat neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease or depression.

Dualism

The philosophical perspective that posits the existence of both a material body and an immaterial mind or soul, often associated with the mind-body problem.

Embodied behavior

A concept suggesting that cognition and behavior are deeply intertwined with the physical body and its interactions with the environment.

Encephalization quotient (EQ)

A measure of brain size relative to body size, often used to compare the cognitive capabilities of different species.

Epigenetics

The study of changes in gene expression that are not caused by alterations in DNA sequence but are influenced by environmental factors and can be inherited.

Ganglia

Collections of nerve cell bodies found outside the central nervous system, often involved in regulating specific functions like digestion or the autonomic nervous system.

Genotype

An organism's genetic makeup or the specific combination of genes it possesses.

Glial cell

Non-neuronal cells in the nervous system that provide support, insulation, and nourishment to neurons, including astrocytes and oligodendrocytes.

Hemisphere

One of the two halves of the brain, divided into left and right hemispheres, each responsible for different functions.

Hominid

A family of primates that includes modern humans and their ancestors.

Locked-in syndrome

A neurological condition where a person is conscious and aware but unable to move or communicate due to complete paralysis of voluntary muscles.

Materialism

A philosophical perspective that posits that everything, including the mind and consciousness, can be explained by physical matter and processes.

Meme

A concept or idea that spreads through cultural transmission, often in the form of behaviors, beliefs, or symbols.

Mentalism

The philosophical perspective that emphasizes the primacy of the mind and consciousness in explaining behavior and phenomena.

Mind-body problem

A philosophical dilemma concerning the relationship between the physical body and the mind or consciousness.

Minimally conscious state (MCS)

A condition where a person has limited but discernible levels of consciousness and awareness, often as a result of brain injury.

Natural selection

The process by which certain traits or characteristics become more or less common in a population over generations due to their impact on reproductive success.

Neoteny

The retention of juvenile traits into adulthood, often seen in the evolution of species and believed to be a factor in human development.

Nerve net

A simple nervous system found in some primitive animals, consisting of interconnected nerve cells without a centralized brain.

Neuron

The basic functional unit of the nervous system, responsible for transmitting electrical and chemical signals.

Peripheral nervous system (PNS)

The part of the nervous system that consists of nerves and ganglia outside the central nervous system, responsible for transmitting sensory and motor information.

Persistent vegetative state (PVS)

A condition where a person appears awake but lacks awareness and cognitive function due to severe brain damage.

Phenotype

The observable physical and behavioral traits of an organism, resulting from a combination of genetics and environmental factors.

Plasticity

The brain's ability to adapt and reorganize its structure and function in response to learning, injury, or environmental changes.

Psyche

A term often used to refer to the mind, soul, or mental processes.

Segmentation

The division of an organism's body into repeating, similar segments, often seen in animals like earthworms.

Species

A group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring, sharing common genetic characteristics.

Species-typical behavior

Behaviors that are characteristic of a particular species and are often influenced by genetic factors and evolved adaptations.

Topographic

Relating to the mapping of specific regions or features within a larger area, such as the brain.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI)

Damage to the brain caused by a sudden physical trauma, resulting in a wide range of cognitive, physical, and emotional symptoms.

Brain And Behavior

The study of how the brain's functions and structures result in our behaviors.

Consciousness

The state of being aware of and able to think and perceive one's surroundings.

Evolution

The process by which different kinds of living organisms developed and diversified from earlier forms during the history of the earth.

Genetics

The study of genes, heredity, and genetic variation in living organisms.

Innate Behavior

The inherent inclination of a living organism towards a particular behavior.

Learned Behavior

A behavior that an organism develops as a result of experience or learning.

Sensory Deprivation

The absence of stimuli in the environment resulting in a lack of sensory experiences.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

The simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, especially computer systems.

Epigenetic factors

Biochemical changes that influence whether a gene is active or inactive.

Adaptations

Characteristics or traits evolved over time in organisms to enhance survival and reproduction in specific environments.

Afferent

Nerves or pathways transmitting sensory information from the periphery to the central nervous system, enabling sensory stimuli perception and processing.

Allocortex

A brain cortex part involved in processing primitive functions, including the limbic system and olfaction, distinct from the neocortex's advanced cognitive functions.

Alzheimer's Disease

A progressive neurological disorder marked by memory loss, cognitive decline, and behavioral changes, leading to dementia.

Amygdala

An almond-shaped gray matter mass in each cerebral hemisphere, crucial for emotion processing.

Anterior

Positioned towards the front or ahead.

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

Regulates involuntary bodily functions, including heart rate, digestion, and respiratory rate, with two branches: sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.

Basal Ganglia

Nuclei deep in the brain contributing to motor control, learning, and emotions.

Bell Palsy

Temporary facial muscle weakness or paralysis.

Brainstem

The brain's lower part connecting to the spinal cord, managing basic life functions like breathing, heart rate, and swallowing.

Caudal

Pertaining to the tail end of an organism.

Cerebral Cortex

The brain's outer layer, responsible for higher cognitive functions, thought, reasoning, perception, and voluntary muscle movements.

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF).

A clear fluid surrounding and cushioning the brain and spinal cord, facilitating protection and nutrient exchange.

Cingulate Cortex

A medial cerebral cortex area involved in emotion and behavior regulation.

Corpus Callosum

A nerve fiber bundle connecting the brain's two hemispheres, enabling their communication.

Coronal Section

A cut dividing the body into front and back parts.

Cytology

The study of cells.

Dermatomes

Skin areas supplied by a specific spinal nerve.

Diencephalon

A brain region including structures like the thalamus and hypothalamus, involved in sensory relay and physiological process regulation.

Dorsal

Referring to an organism's back side.

Enteric Nervous System (ENS)

A gastrointestinal tract neuron network controlling digestive processes independently of the central nervous system.

Excitation

The process making a neuron more likely to transmit an electrical signal to other neurons or muscles.

Forebrain

The brain's anterior part, including the cerebral cortex and structures for higher cognitive functions.

Frontal Lobe

A brain region for executive functions, decision-making, motor control, and personality.

Ganglia

Structures with numerous nerve cell bodies, typically interconnected by synapses.

Gray Matter

Central nervous system tissue with nerve cell bodies, dendrites, and synapses, appearing gray due to myelin lack.

Gyri

Ridges or folds on the cerebral cortex surface, increasing surface area for more neurons and cognitive processing.

Hippocampus

A complex, deep temporal lobe structure crucial for learning and memory.

Hindbrain

The brain's posterior part, controlling vital functions like breathing, heart rate, and movement coordination.

Hypothalamus

A brain region regulating physiological processes, including temperature, hunger, thirst, and hormone release.

Inferior

Positioned below or lower.

Law of Bell and Magendie

Distinguishes between sensory (afferent) and motor (efferent) spinal cord nerve fibers, indicating dorsal roots carry sensory information and ventral roots carry motor information.

Limbic System

Brain structures for emotions, memory, and motivation, including the amygdala, hippocampus, and hypothalamus parts.

Lateral

Positioned towards the side.

Meninges

Three protective brain and spinal cord membranes (dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater).

Medial

Positioned towards the middle.

Microbiota

A specific environment or region's microorganism community.

Nerve

Fibers transmitting electrical signals between the central nervous system and body parts.

Neocortex

The cerebral cortex's recently evolved part, associated with higher cognitive functions like reasoning, language, and conscious thought.

Neuroanatomists

Scientists studying the nervous system structure.

Neuroplasticity

The brain's ability to adapt and form new neural connections throughout life due to learning, experience, or injury.

Nuclei

Central nervous system clusters of cell bodies (neurons) performing specific functions.

Occipital Lobe

The brain region mainly for visual processing and perception.

Parasympathetic Division

The autonomic nervous system division conserving energy, slowing heart rate, and promoting digestion and relaxation

Parietal Lobe

A brain region for sensory processing, spatial perception, and sensory information integration.

Parkinson's Disease

A neurodegenerative disorder with motor symptoms like tremors, bradykinesia, and muscle rigidity due to dopamine-producing cell loss.

Phenotypic Plasticity

An organism's ability to adapt and change physical characteristics in response to environmental cues or conditions.

Posterior

Positioned towards the back or after.