Neurotransmission and Brain Development Practice Flashcards

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering neuron anatomy, neurotransmission processes, types of neurotransmitters, brain structures, and adolescent brain development based on lecture notes.

Neuron

Nerve cells that control the reaction of the body, examples including sensory neurons, interneurons, and motor neurons.

Neurotransmitter

A chemical compound used by the nervous system to send messages from one neuron to another.

Neurotransmission

The process of a neuron releasing neurotransmitters into the Synapse and being received by the post-synaptic neuron.

Dendrites

A set of branch-like extensions covered in receptor sites that receive messages from other neighbouring neurons and carry them electrically to the cell body.

Cell body / Soma

The control centre of the neuron containing the nucleus; it determines whether or not the neuron fires.

Axon

A cable-like extension running from the cell body to the end of the neuron that carries the electrical neural message to the axon terminals.

Myelin sheath

A fatty tissue that insulates the axon; increased myelination leads to faster transmission of the electrical message.

Axon terminal

Located at the end of an axon, these release neurotransmitters into a synapse.

Synapse

A small gap between neurons that allows them to communicate since they do not touch each other.

GABA

The main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the nervous system that reduces neuron activity and calms the system down.

Glutamate

An excitatory neurotransmitter involved with learning and memory.

Dopamine

Known as the reward chemical, it creates positive feelings that cause reinforcement and drive behavior.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter with inhibitory effects that plays roles in regulating mood, the sense of well-being, and sleep.

Excitatory neurotransmitters

Chemicals that encourage the neuron to fire.

Inhibitory neurotransmitters

Chemicals that discourage the neuron from firing.

Reuptake

The process where the presynaptic neuron takes back the neurotransmitters it sent into the Synapse for recycling and future use.

Breakdown

The process where enzymes break down the neurotransmitter into parts to be recycled and taken back by the presynaptic neuron.

Forebrain

The largest brain region containing the cerebrum; it handles thinking, planning, reasoning, language processing, and sensory inputs.

Corpus callosum

A fibrous bridge that maintains communications between the two hemispheres of the brain.

Amygdala

A structure located in the temporal lobe responsible for processing emotions such as fear, anger, and pleasure.

Hippocampus

A structure located in the temporal lobe important for memory formation and learning.

Midbrain

A portion of the brainstem that connects the hindbrain and forebrain, serving as a relay centre for processing visual and auditory information.

Hindbrain

Includes the medulla, pons, and cerebellum; it controls vital autonomic functions like heart rate.

Cerebellum

A structure in the hindbrain that coordinates movement and is involved in rote movements.

Developmental plasticity

The term for brain development occurring during childhood and adolescence.

Synaptogenesis

The stage of change where neurons grow and form new synaptic connections with other neurons to facilitate learning.

Myelination

The process where axons become covered in myelin, increasing the speed of neural transmission.

Synaptic Pruning

The removal of unused neurons or rarely used connections to improve the efficiency of brain communication.

Prefrontal cortex

One of the last parts of the brain to mature; responsible for planning, prioritizing, impulse control, and decision-making.

Limbic system

A brain structure including the amygdala and hippocampus that processes emotions, learning, and memory.

Mesolimbic system

A pathway comprised of the VTA and nucleus accumbens that acts as a key detector of rewarding stimuli.

Ventral tegmental area (VTA)

A site in the midbrain that functions to produce dopamine and initiates its release in response to rewarding stimuli.

Nucleus accumbens

Located in the forebrain, it processes reward signals from the VTA and translates them into motivated behaviors.

Asynchronous development

The phenomenon during adolescence where lower parts of the brain (limbic system) develop faster than the prefrontal cortex.