EXPH 2106 - Neuromotor System: Neurons & the Brain

neuron cell body

contains the cells organelles

neuron dendrites

brings info to the cell body

neuron axon

electricity conducting fiber that sends info away from the cell body

myelin

insulates some axons to keep the signal strong and fast which is helpful for reflexes

nerve terminals

end of the axon and contains neurotransmitter

synapses

contact points to pass along a signal

what do ion channels do within the neuron

adjusts the charge of the cell

is the charge positive or negative inside the cell?

negative

is the charge positive or negative outside the cell?

positive

action potential

electrical signal down the axon

what happens if the ion channels do not open?

there is no signal (action potential) sent

two types of neurotransmitters

facilitatory or inhibitory

where are neurotransmitters released to?

into the synapse

different types of neurons

motor, sensory, autonomic, interneurons

what makes up the central nervous system?

brain and spinal cord

what does the peripheral nervous system have the ability to do?

ability to regenerate if injured/damaged

what is grey matter made up of?

cell bodies

what is white matter made up of?

myelinated axons

somatotopic

specific part of the body

spinal cord

bundles of neurons organized by information making "tracts"

sensory neurons send information…

toward brain (PNS to CNS)

motor neurons send information…

from CNS to PNS

synergies

groups of muscles constrained to act together for a common goal

what is the last part of the brain to develop?

frontal lobes

what are some of the functions of the frontal lobe?

makes decisions, applies rules, understanding, strategizing, high level thinking

what is the primary motor cortex ("motor strip")

a region on the frontal lobe responsible for eliciting muscle contraction

what type of organization does the primary motor cortex have?

somatotopic organization

what are the functions of the primary motor cortex?

production of skilled movements, particularly fine motor, and regulation of muscular force production

how does the primary motor cortex regulation muscular force production?

by how strong of a signal is in the motor strip

what are the functions of the parietal lobes?

sensory processing and integration

what is the primary sensory cortex responsible for?

receiving sensory information, providing conscious awareness of sensation

how is the primary sensory cortex organized?

with somatotopic organization

how are the primary sensory cortex and primary motor cortex separated?

by sulci

what are the functions of the temporal lobes?

hearing, memory, language

what are the functions of the occipital lobes?

visual processing

what are association areas?

areas distributed throughout the cortex (usually adjacent to the primary sensory and motor areas), that is responsible for recognition, selection, and integration of relevant sensory inputs

what are the functions of association areas?

recognition, selection, and integration of relevant sensory inputs

what are association areas connected with and via what?

with limbic system via a complex network

where are association areas located in the brain?

in the frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital areas

what does cerebellum mean?

little brain

what is the cerebellum involved in?

unconscious, indirect coordination, for smoothness and accuracy of movement, and learning new movement patterns

how does the cerebellum provide detection and correction of movement errors?

compares information from body with the intended movement plan sent out from the cortex

what structures does the cerebellum have elaborate connections with?

cerebral cortex, brainstem, and spinal system

what are the two things of deep brain matter we talk about?

basal ganglia and limbic system

what are basal ganglia?

collections of neurons within the brain that indirectly and unconsciously control and effect movement

what is basal ganglia responsible for (differing from the cerebellum with indirect and unconscious control of movement)?

scaling specific parameters and assisting with preparations for action like postural "set", initiation and amplitude of movement

example of basal ganglia function

stabilizing (firing) back extensors before picking up a heavy weight or opening a door to prepare for the movement (also think about what happens when you think something is heavier than it actually is)

what is the limbic system responsible for?

fulfilling our desire to act in response to the demands of the environment

what important memory structures are included in the limbic system?

amygdala, hypothalamus, and hippocampus

left side brain description

math, logical, analytical

right side brain description

creative, visual