The Organization of the Nervous System

These flashcards cover key concepts related to the organization and functioning of the nervous system as discussed in the lecture.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The part of the nervous system composed of the brain and spinal cord, responsible for processing sensory information and coordinating actions.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

The part of the nervous system that connects the CNS to the body’s organs and muscles.

Somatic Nervous System

A subdivision of the PNS that conveys information between skeletal muscles and the CNS, allowing conscious control over bodily movements.

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

A subdivision of the PNS that carries involuntary commands regulating bodily functions, such as heart rate and digestion.

Sympathetic Nervous System

A part of the ANS that prepares the body for action in response to threats or challenges.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

A part of the ANS that helps the body return to a normal resting state after a stress response.

Spinal Reflex

An automatic response to stimuli that involves the spinal cord, enabling quick reflex actions without requiring brain input.

Cerebellum

A hindbrain structure responsible for coordinating voluntary movements and maintaining balance.

Thalamus

A subcortical structure that relays and filters information from the senses to the cerebral cortex.

Hypothalamus

A subcortical structure that regulates essential bodily functions like temperature, hunger, and thirst.

Hippocampus

A critical brain structure for the formation of new memories and knowledge integration.

Amygdala

A brain structure involved in emotional processing and memory formation, particularly related to fear.

Basal Ganglia

Subcortical structures that direct intentional movements and are involved in reward processing.

Endocrine System

A network of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream, influencing various bodily functions.

Brain Plasticity

The ability of the brain to adapt and reorganize itself in response to changes in sensory inputs or damage.

Phantom Limb Syndrome

A phenomenon where amputees feel sensations, including pain, where their missing limb would be.

Cerebral Cortex

The outermost layer of the brain involved in complex cognitive functions and sensory processing.

Cognitive Neuroscience

A field combining psychology and biology to study how brain functions relate to cognitive processes.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers that transmit signals across a synapse from one neuron to another.

Synapse

A junction between two neurons where information is transmitted through neurotransmitters.

Dendrites

Branch-like structures of a neuron that receive signals from other neurons.

Axon

The long, slender part of a neuron that conducts electrical impulses away from the cell body.

Action Potential

A short-lasting event in which the electrical membrane potential of a cell rapidly rises and falls.

Gray Matter

Regions of the brain and spinal cord composed primarily of neuronal cell bodies and dendrites.

White Matter

Regions of the nervous system that are made up of myelinated axons, facilitating communication between different brain regions.

Nerve

A bundle of fibers that transmits impulses of sensation to the brain or from the brain to a muscle or organ.

Myelin Sheath

A fatty layer that surrounds and insulates the axon of a neuron, increasing the speed of signal transmission.

Brain Stem

The part of the brain that connects the brain to the spinal cord and controls basic life functions.

Limbic System

A complex system of nerves and networks in the brain, involved in instinct and mood, and the control of basic emotions.

Neural Plasticity

The brain's ability to change and adapt as a result of experience.

Cerebral Hemispheres

The two halves of the brain, each responsible for different functions and processes.

Somatosensory Cortex

A region of the cerebral cortex that processes sensory information from the body.

Motor Cortex

The region of the cerebral cortex that is involved in planning, control, and execution of voluntary movements.

Neurons

The basic building blocks of the nervous system, specialized for the transmission of information throughout the body.

Glial Cells

Supportive cells in the nervous system that assist neurons by providing structural support, nutrition, and insulation.

Action Potential Threshold

The level of voltage change required to trigger an action potential in a neuron.

Resting Potential

The electrical charge of a neuron when it is not transmitting an impulse, typically about -70mV.

Receptors

Protein molecules located on the surface of neurons that transmit chemical signals (neurotransmitters) from other neurons.

Agonists

Substances that enhance the effects of neurotransmitters by binding to receptors and mimicking their action.

Antagonists

Substances that block or inhibit the effects of neurotransmitters by binding to receptors without activating them.

Peripheral Nervous System Disorders

Conditions that affect the PNS, such as neuropathy or Guillain-Barré syndrome, impacting sensation and movement.

Central Nervous System Disorders

Conditions that affect the CNS, including multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease, impacting cognitive and motor functions.

Cortex Specialization

The concept that different regions of the cerebral cortex are specialized for particular functions, like vision, hearing, and touch.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The part of the nervous system composed of the brain and spinal cord, responsible for processing sensory information and coordinating actions.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

The part of the nervous system that connects the CNS to the body’s organs and muscles.

Somatic Nervous System

A subdivision of the PNS that conveys information between skeletal muscles and the CNS, allowing conscious control over bodily movements.

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

A subdivision of the PNS that carries involuntary commands regulating bodily functions, such as heart rate and digestion.

Sympathetic Nervous System

A part of the ANS that prepares the body for action in response to threats or challenges.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

A part of the ANS that helps the body return to a normal resting state after a stress response.

Spinal Reflex

An automatic response to stimuli that involves the spinal cord, enabling quick reflex actions without requiring brain input.

Cerebellum

A hindbrain structure responsible for coordinating voluntary movements and maintaining balance.

Thalamus

A subcortical structure that relays and filters information from the senses to the cerebral cortex.

Hypothalamus

A subcortical structure that regulates essential bodily functions like temperature, hunger, and thirst.

Hippocampus

A critical brain structure for the formation of new memories and knowledge integration.

Amygdala

A brain structure involved in emotional processing and memory formation, particularly related to fear.

Basal Ganglia

Subcortical structures that direct intentional movements and are involved in reward processing.

Endocrine System

A network of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream, influencing various bodily functions.

Brain Plasticity

The ability of the brain to adapt and reorganize itself in response to changes in sensory inputs or damage.

Phantom Limb Syndrome

A phenomenon where amputees feel sensations, including pain, where their missing limb would be.

Cerebral Cortex

The outermost layer of the brain involved in complex cognitive functions and sensory processing.

Neuroanatomy

The study of the structure and organization of the nervous system.

Somatic Reflex

A reflex action that involves the somatic nervous system, allowing for voluntary muscle movements in response to stimuli.

Cranial Nerves

Nerves that emerge directly from the brain and are responsible for sensory and motor functions of the head and neck.

Spinal Nerves

Nerves that emerge from the spinal cord and innervate various body parts, involved in both sensory and motor functions.

Blood-Brain Barrier

A selective permeability barrier that protects the brain from substances in the bloodstream while allowing necessary nutrients to pass.

Neuroplasticity

The brain's ability to form new neural connections throughout life in response to learning, experience, or injury.

Temporal Lobe

A region of the cerebral cortex associated with processing auditory information and memory.

Occipital Lobe

The region of the cerebral cortex responsible for visual processing and interpretation of visual stimuli.

Frontal Lobe

The front part of the cerebral cortex involved in decision-making, problem-solving, and controlling behavior and emotions.

Parietal Lobe

The area of the cerebral cortex that integrates sensory information and is involved in spatial orientation and awareness.

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

A clear fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, providing cushioning, buoyancy, and nourishment.

Neurogenesis

The process by which new neurons are formed in the brain throughout life, primarily occurring in certain regions like the hippocampus.

Plexus

A network of nerves or vessels in the body, including the brachial and lumbosacral plexuses associated with the spinal cord.

Reflex Arc

The neural pathway that controls a reflex action, involving sensory neurons, interneurons, and motor neurons.

Neural Circuitry

The interconnected pathways of neurons that process and transmit information in the nervous system.

Peripheral Neuropathy

A disorder resulting from damage to the peripheral nerves, leading to weakness, numbness, and pain, usually in the hands and feet.

Brain Mapping

Techniques used to create a map of brain areas and their corresponding functions, often employed in neurology and cognitive neuroscience.

Efferent Nerves

Nerves that carry signals away from the CNS to the muscles and glands, enabling motor response.

Afferent Nerves

Nerves that convey sensory information from the body to the CNS, allowing for perception and response to stimuli.

Synaptic Plasticity

The ability of synapses to strengthen or weaken over time in response to increases or decreases in their activity.

Long-Term Potentiation (LTP)

A persistent strengthening of synapses based on recent patterns of activity, believed to be a cellular mechanism for learning and memory.

Long-Term Depression (LTD)

A long-lasting decrease in synaptic strength, potentially contributing to synaptic pruning and the refinement of neural circuits.

Cognitive Functioning

Mental processes that enable understanding, reasoning, problem-solving, planning, and decision-making.

Neurodegeneration

The progressive loss of structure or function of neurons, often associated with diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

Somatosensory Pathway

The neural pathways that convey sensory information from the body to the brain's somatosensory cortex.

Motor Pathway

The neural pathways responsible for conveying signals from the brain to muscles, facilitating voluntary movement.

Cerebral Blood Flow (CBF)

The blood supply to the brain, important for delivering oxygen and nutrients while removing waste products.

Neuromuscular Junction (NMJ)

The synapse between a motor neuron and a muscle fiber, crucial for muscle contraction.

Chemoreceptors

Sensory receptors that respond to chemical stimuli, playing a key role in taste and smell.

Photoreceptors

Specialized retinal cells that convert light into neural signals, essential for vision.

Mechanoreceptors

Sensory receptors that respond to mechanical pressure or distortion, involved in touch, hearing, and balance.

Thermoreceptors

Sensory receptors that detect changes in temperature, allowing for the sensation of hot and cold.

Vestibular System

A sensory system located in the inner ear that contributes to balance and spatial orientation.

Endorphins

Neuropeptides produced by the brain that act as natural pain relievers and mood enhancers.

Hereditary Neuropathy

A group of disorders caused by inherited genetic mutations that affect the structure and function of peripheral nerves.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

A therapeutic approach that focuses on changing unhelpful cognitive distortions and behaviors, promoting mental health.

Neuroimaging

Techniques used to visualize the structure and function of the brain, such as MRI and PET scans.

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

A recording of electrical activity of the brain, often used to diagnose conditions like epilepsy.

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)

A neuroimaging technique that measures brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow.

Cognitive Dissonance

The mental discomfort experienced when holding two or more contradictory beliefs or values.