Modules 4-6: Brain and Nervous System (From Study guide)

Brain Plasticity

The brain's ability to change, reorganize, and build new pathways based on experience.

Neuron

A nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system.

Glial Cells

Support cells that help with waste removal and provide nourishment to neurons.

Action Potential

A neural impulse triggered when excitatory signals cross a threshold, flooding the inside with positive ions.

Refractory Period

A resting period following an action potential.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers that communicate across synapses.

Reuptake

The process where leftover neurotransmitters are re-absorbed by the sending neuron.

Agonists

Molecules that mimic or increase a neurotransmitter's action, such as opiates or nicotine.

Antagonists

Molecules that block or decrease a neurotransmitter's action, such as caffeine.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Links the central nervous system to the rest of the body.

Somatic Nervous System

Controls voluntary movement of skeletal muscles.

Autonomic Nervous System

Controls automatic and regulatory functions like heartbeat, digestion, and respiration.

Sympathetic Nervous System

Arouses the body and expends energy.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Helps the body return to normal after a threat subsides.

Endocrine System

A communication system of glands secreting hormones; slower than the nervous system, but messages linger longer.

Hormones

Chemical messengers that travel through the bloodstream.

Pituitary Gland

The master gland that directs other glands to release hormones for growth, development, and stress.

Brainstem

The oldest part of the brain.

Thalamus

Receives information from sensory organs and routes it to the appropriate areas of the cortex.

Cerebellum

Responsible for nonverbal and skill learning, voluntary movement, and balance.

Amygdala

A limbic system structure linked to fear and aggression.

Hypothalamus

Controls the pituitary gland and maintenance functions; linked to emotion and reward.

Hippocampus

Processes conscious, explicit memories.

Frontal Lobe

Responsible for executive function.

Parietal Lobe

Associated with the motor cortex and somatosensory cortex.

Occipital Lobe

Contains the primary visual cortex.

Temporal Lobe

Contains the auditory cortex.

Lateralization

The principle that each hemisphere controls and communicates with the opposite side of the body.

Right Brain Hemisphere

Handles spatial relations, creativity, speech modulation, and making inferences.

Left Brain Hemisphere

Handles speaking, reading, writing, and mathematical reasoning.

Corpus Callosum

Connects the two brain hemispheres and helps them communicate.