PSY100 - Ch 4, the biological mind

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