Studied by 32 people
neuron
A cell of the nervous system that is specialized to send and receive neural messages
axon
The branch of a neuron that is usually responsible for transmitting information to other neurons
dendrite
A branch from the neural cell body that usually receives input from other neurons
myelin sheath
The insulating material covering some axons
cell body
The large, central mass of a neuron, containing the nucleus
nodes of Ranvier
specialized region in the axonal membrane that are not insulated by myelin
action potential
The electrical signal arising in a neuron’s axon
resting potential
The measure of the electrical charge across a neural membrane when the neuron is not processing information
synaptic cleft
space between two neurons across which the impulse is transmitted by a neurotransmitter
receptor
A special channel in the membrane of a neuron that interacts with neurotransmitters released by other neurons
neurotransmitters
A chemical messenger that communicates across a synapse
agonist
Drugs that enhance the actions of neurotransmitters
antagonist
Drugs that inhibit the actions of neurotransmitters
reuptake
A process in which molecules of neurotransmitter in the synaptic gap are returned to the axon terminal from which they were released
autonomic nervous system
The division of the peripheral nervous system that directs the activity of glands, organs, and smooth muscles
basal ganglia
A collection of subcortical structures that participate in the control of movement
brainstem
The part of the brain containing the midbrain, pons, and medulla
central nervous system
The brain and spinal cord
cerebellum
A structure attached to the brainstem that participates in skilled movement and, in humans, complex cognitive processing
cerebral cortex
The thin layer of neurons covering the outer surface of the cerebral hemispheres
cingulate cortex
A subcortical structure above the corpus callosum. Its anterior (forward) segment participates in decision making and emotion, and its posterior (rear) segment participates in memory and visual processing
corpus callosum
A wide band of nerve fibres connecting the right and left cerebral hemispheres
endocrine system
A system responsible for the release of hormones into the bloodstream
executive functions
The set of basic and higher-level cognitive processes that enable self-regulation and cognitive control of behaviour (e.g., planning, decision making, and goal pursuit)
frontal lobe
The most forward of the four lobes of the cerebral cortex; location of the primary motor cortex and areas responsible for some of the most complex cognitive processes
glia
Nervous system cells that perform a variety of support functions, including formation of the blood–brain barrier and myelin
GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)
primary inhibitor neurotransmitter (stop)
glutamate
primary excitatory neurotransmitter (go)
serotonin
mood, impulsiveness, hunger, sleep
dopamine
reward and motivation, voluntary movement
acetylcholine
movement; memory, cognition, sleep
epinephrine
stress response (fight or flight) & general arousal, alertness (effects heart)
norepinephrine
stress response (fight or flight) & general arousal, alertness (effects blood vessels )
hippocampus
A subcortical structure that participates in memory
hypothalamus
A subcortical structure that participates in the regulation of thirst, temperature, hunger, sexual behaviour, and aggression
HPA(Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal)-axis
stimulated by a stressor that instructs the hypothalamus to secrete the corticotropin releasing factor that releases cortisol
neurogenesis
The generation of new neurons
neuroplasticity
The ability of neurons to change in structure and function throughout the life span
nucleus accumbens
A subcortical structure that participates in reward and addiction
occipital lobe
The lobe of the cerebral cortex located at the back of the brain; location of the primary visual cortex
orbitofrontal cortex
A part of the prefrontal cortex located right behind the eyes that participates in impulse control
parasympathetic nervous system
The division of the autonomic nervous system associated with rest, repair, and energy storage
prefrontal cortex
The most forward part of the frontal lobe of the cerebral cortex
reticular formation
A collection of structures located along the midline of the brainstem that participate in mood, arousal, and sleep
somatic nervous system
The part of the peripheral nervous system that brings sensory information to the central nervous system and transmits commands to the muscles
sympathetic nervous system
The division of the autonomic nervous system that coordinates arousal
temporal lobe
The lobe of the cerebral cortex that curves around the side of each hemisphere; location of the primary auditory cortex
thalamus
A subcortical structure involved with the processing of sensory information, states of arousal, and learning and memory
Tatiana and Krista Hogan
craniopagus twins whose brains are connected by the thalamic bridge
Patient George
first case of synesthesia
Patient HM
allowed us to learn that memory is a distinct cerebral function separate from other perceptual and cognitive abilities
medial aspect of the temporal lobe is important for memory
Phineas Gage
survived traumatic brain injury caused by iron rod shot through his skull damaging most of his left frontal lobe
caused major behavioural changes
