BIO 334 Principles of Neurobiology

These flashcards cover key terminology and concepts from the Principles of Neurobiology course, aiding in the study and understanding of neurobiology.

Neurobiology

The study of the nervous system and its functions, focusing on cells and systems involved in neural processes.

Cerebral Cortex

The outer layer of the brain responsible for complex functions such as perception, cognition, and motor control.

Meninges

Three protective membranes (dura mater, arachnoid, pia mater) that cover the brain and spinal cord.

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

A clear fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, providing cushioning and nutrient delivery.

Ischemic Stroke

A type of stroke resulting from a blockage of blood flow to the brain, often caused by a blood clot.

Hemorrhagic Stroke

A type of stroke caused by bleeding in the brain due to a ruptured blood vessel.

Decussation

The crossing of nerve fibers from one side of the body to the other within the nervous system.

Hydrocephalus

A condition characterized by an accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid within the ventricles of the brain, leading to increased pressure.

Pyramidal Cells

Large neurons found in layers of the cerebral cortex that are involved in motor function and cognitive processing.

Stellate Cells

Interneurons located in the cortex, known for their star-like shape and role in local information processing.

Autonomic Nervous System

A division of the peripheral nervous system that controls involuntary bodily functions, divided into sympathetic and parasympathetic branches.

What are the 3 layers of the meninges?

1. Dura mater: The tough, outermost layer.\n2. Arachnoid mater: The web-like middle layer.\n3. Pia mater: The delicate, innermost layer directly touching the brain.

Contrast: Ischemic vs. Hemorrhagic Stroke

• Ischemic: Caused by a blockage (clot).\n- Hemorrhagic: Caused by a rupture (bleeding).

Fill-in-the-blank: The accumulation of CSF in the ventricles is called ****.

Hydrocephalus

Compare Pyramidal Cells and Stellate Cells

• Pyramidal Cells: Large, primary output neurons of the cortex.\n- Stellate Cells: Small, star-shaped interneurons used for local circuitry.

What is the primary function of CSF?

It provides physical protection (buoyancy and cushioning) and chemical stability by delivering nutrients and removing waste from the CNS.

Branches of the Autonomic Nervous System

1. Sympathetic: Prepares the body for 'fight or flight'.\n2. Parasympathetic: Maintains 'rest and digest' activities.

True or False: Decussation explains why the left side of the brain controls the right side of the body.

True. Decussation refers to the crossing over of nerve fibers.

Choroid Plexus

A specialized network of broken capillaries and ependymal cells located in the ventricles that produces CSF.

Fill-in-the-blank: The space between the arachnoid and pia mater where CSF flows is the **** space.

Subarachnoid

How many histological layers are typically found in the Neocortex?

There are typically 6 distinct layers.

True or False: Gray matter consists primarily of myelinated axons.

False. Gray matter consists primarily of neuronal cell bodies and dendrites; white matter consists of myelinated axons.

Which branch of the Autonomic Nervous System causes pupil dilation and increased heart rate?

The Sympathetic nervous system.

Compare the 'Dura Mater' and 'Pia Mater' by physical description.

• Dura Mater: Thick, durable, and leather-like external layer.\n- Pia Mater: Thin, delicate, and highly vascularized layer that adheres to the brain surface.

What is a 'Transient Ischemic Attack' (TIA)?

A 'mini-stroke' caused by a temporary blockage of blood flow that resolves within 24 hours without permanent damage.

Frontal Lobe

The anterior part of the cerebral cortex associated with reasoning, planning, parts of speech, movement, emotions, and problem solving.

Parietal Lobe

The lobe located at the top of the head that processes sensory information such as touch, temperature, and pain.

Temporal Lobe

The lobe located near the ears, primarily responsible for auditory processing, memory, and language.

Occipital Lobe

The posterior lobe of the brain that serves as the primary processing center for visual information.

Thalamus

The brain's sensory control center; it acts as a relay station for all senses except smell, directing messages to relevant cortical areas.

Hypothalamus

A neural structure below the thalamus that directs maintenance activities (eating, drinking, body temperature) and governs the endocrine system.

Cerebellum

The 'little brain' at the rear of the brainstem that coordinates voluntary movement and balance.

Brainstem

The oldest part of the brain, composed of the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata; responsible for automatic survival functions.

Corpus Callosum

The large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them.

Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB)

A highly selective semipermeable border of endothelial cells that prevents solutes in the blood from non-selectively crossing into the CNS fluid.

White Matter

Tissues in the brain and spinal cord composed of myelinated axons, primarily involved in transmitting signals.

Gray Matter

Tissues in the brain and spinal cord composed of neuronal cell bodies, dendrites, and unmyelinated axons; involved in processing and integration.

Dendrites

The branching extensions of a neuron that receive messages and conduct impulses toward the cell body.

Axon

The long, threadlike part of a nerve cell along which impulses are conducted from the cell body to other cells.

Myelin Sheath

A layer of fatty tissue segmentally encasing the fibers of many neurons; enables vastly greater transmission speed of neural impulses.

Synapse

The junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron.

Astrocytes

Star-shaped glial cells that provide structural support to neurons and help maintain the chemical environment and blood-brain barrier.

Microglia

Glial cells that act as the main form of active immune defense in the central nervous system.

Oligodendrocytes

Glial cells in the Central Nervous System that produce myelin sheaths for multiple axons.

Schwann Cells

Glial cells in the Peripheral Nervous System responsible for the formation of myelin around a single axon.

Nodes of Ranvier

The gaps in the myelin sheath where the axon membrane is exposed and action potentials are regenerated.

Resting Membrane Potential

The stable voltage across the plasma membrane of a resting neuron, typically around -70 mV.

Action Potential

A brief electrical charge that travels down an axon, caused by the movement of ions through voltage-gated channels.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons to transmit signals.

Compare: Afferent vs. Efferent Neurons

• Afferent: Sensory neurons that carry signals toward the CNS.\n- Efferent: Motor neurons that carry signals away from the CNS.

Broca's Area

A region in the frontal lobe, usually in the left hemisphere, that directs muscle movements involved in speech production.

Wernicke's Area

A brain area involved in language comprehension and expression; usually in the left temporal lobe.

Hippocampus

A neural center located in the limbic system; helps process explicit memories for storage.

Amygdala

Two lima-bean-sized neural clusters in the limbic system linked to emotion, particularly fear and aggression.

Sulcus vs. Gyrus

• Gyrus: A convoluted ridge (bump) on the cerebral cortex.\n- Sulcus: A shallow groove or depression in the cerebral cortex.

Ventricles

The series of interconnected, fluid-filled cavities within the brain where CSF is produced and circulated.

Circle of Willis

A circulatory anastomosis (ring of arteries) that supplies blood to the brain and provides collateral circulation.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The part of the nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

The sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system (CNS) to the rest of the body.

Somatic Nervous System

The division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body's skeletal muscles for voluntary movement.