behavioral neuroscience exam 1

Neurons

Cells that receive, process, and transmit information using electrical and chemical signals.

Eukaryotic Cells

Cell type characterized by the presence of a nucleus and organelles, found in all brain cells.

Dendrites

Neuronal structures that receive chemical input from other neurons.

Soma (Cell Body)

Part of the neuron that maintains cell health and integrates incoming signals.

Axon

Structure that conducts electrical signals away from the soma for long-distance communication.

Axon Hillock

The transition point between the soma and axon that contains voltage-gated Na⁺ channels, crucial for decision-making on firing.

Synapse

The site of communication between neurons, occurring across the synaptic cleft where neurons do not touch.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Comprises the brain and spinal cord, responsible for processing and integrating sensory information.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Includes neurons and glia outside the CNS, carries sensory input to the CNS and motor output away.

Gray Matter

Composed of cell bodies, dendrites, and synapses, involved in information processing.

White Matter / Axons

Bundles of myelinated axons responsible for fast signal transmission.

Ascending Tracts

Pathways that carry sensory information to the brain.

Descending Tracts

Pathways that transmit motor commands from the brain to the body.

Dorsal

Refers to the back direction in anatomical terminology.

Ventral

Refers to the front or stomach side in anatomical terms.

Sagittal Plane

Divides the body into left and right parts.

Coronal Plane

Divides the body into front and back parts.

Horizontal Plane

Divides the body into top and bottom parts.

Dopamine

• Movement, reward, motivation

• Think: “Drives action and pleasure”

Norepinephrine

• Alertness, stress response

• Think: “Focus and fight-or-flight”

Serotonin

• Mood, sleep, appetite

• Think: “Stabilizes mood and body rhythms”

Telencephalon (largest)

• Includes cerebral cortex

• Higher cognition and perception

Cerebral Cortex Lobes

• Frontal: planning, decision‑making, voluntary movement

• Parietal: touch and spatial processing

• Occipital: vision

• Temporal: hearing, language, memory

Diencephalon

• Thalamus: sensory relay

• Hypothalamus: homeostasis, hormones

Mesencephalon (Midbrain)

Movement and sensory reflexes

Metencephalon

• Pons: arousal and sleep

• Cerebellum: coordination and balance

Myelencephalon

Medulla: breathing and heart rate