Introduction to Behavioral Neuroscience and Neural Communication

Behavioral neuroscience

Study of brain's role in behavior.

Dualism

Philosophical view separating mind and body.

Localization of function

Specific brain areas control specific functions.

Phrenology

Study of skull shape to determine personality.

Neuroplasticity

Brain's ability to reorganize and adapt.

Neuron

Basic unit of the nervous system.

Glial cells

Supportive cells in the nervous system.

Golgi stain

Visualizes entire neuron structure.

Nissl stain

Highlights cell bodies in neural tissue.

Dendrites

Branch-like structures receiving signals.

Axon

Long projection transmitting signals away.

Synapse

Junction between two communicating neurons.

Neurotransmitter

Chemical messenger transmitting signals across synapses.

Myelin

Insulating layer speeding up neural transmission.

Central nervous system

Brain and spinal cord; main control center.

Autonomic nervous system

Controls involuntary bodily functions.

Sympathetic nervous system

Prepares body for 'fight or flight' response.

Parasympathetic nervous system

Restores body to calm state.

Cerebral cortex

Outer layer of the brain involved in complex functions.

Gyri

Ridges on the cerebral cortex.

Sulci

Grooves separating gyri on the cortex.

Corpus callosum

Connects left and right brain hemispheres.

White matter

Myelinated axons forming brain's communication pathways.

Gray matter

Neural cell bodies processing information.

Basal ganglia

Group of nuclei regulating voluntary movement.

Amygdala

Emotion processing and memory formation.

Hippocampus

Critical for memory formation.

Thalamus

Relay station for sensory information.

Hypothalamus

Regulates homeostasis and endocrine functions.

Midbrain

Involved in vision, hearing, and motor control.

Cerebellum

Coordinates voluntary movements and balance.

Meninges

Protective membranes covering the brain.

Cerebrospinal fluid

Fluid cushioning the brain and spinal cord.

Blood-brain barrier

Protective barrier preventing harmful substances entry.

Independent variable

Manipulated factor in an experiment.

Dependent variable

Measured outcome in an experiment.

Correlation

Statistical relationship between two variables.

Causality

Indicates one event causes another.

CT scan

Imaging technique using X-rays for brain structure.

MRI

Magnetic resonance imaging for detailed brain images.

fMRI

Functional MRI measuring brain activity via blood flow.

PET scan

Imaging technique using radioactive tracers.

Action potential

Electrical impulse traveling along a neuron.

All-or-none property

Neuron fires completely or not at all.

Voltage-gated channels

Open in response to membrane potential changes.

Refractory phase

Period post-action potential where neuron cannot fire.

Saltatory conduction

Rapid signal transmission along myelinated axons.

Multiple sclerosis

Disease affecting myelin in the nervous system.

EPSP

Excitatory postsynaptic potential increasing likelihood of firing.

IPSP

Inhibitory postsynaptic potential decreasing likelihood of firing.

Calcium ions

Essential for neurotransmitter release at synapses.

Epilepsy

Neurological disorder causing recurrent seizures.

Seizures

Sudden electrical disturbances in brain activity.