Psychology exam 1

LO 1

Neurons

Exhibit tremendous diversity in shapes and sizes reflecting their differing processing functions

Glial cells

affect neuronal processes by providing neurons with raw materials, chemical signals, and specialized structural components 

Astrocytes

A star-shaped glial cell with numerous processes (extensions) that run in all direction

Oligodendrocytes

forms myelin in the central nervous system.

Schwann cells

forms myelin in the peripheral nervous system.

Microglia 

Extremely small motile glial cells that remove cellular debris from injured or dead cells.

Golgi

Stains the full extent of neurons; small percent of neurons 

Nissl

Stains the cell bodies of neurons; estimates relative densities of cell bodies

Dendrites

An extension of the cell body that receives information from other neurons.

Cell body/soma 

The region of a neuron that is defined by the presence of the cell nucleus

Axon

A single extension from the cell body that carries action potentials from the cell body toward the axon terminals.

Axon hillock

The cone-shaped area on the cell body from which the axon originates.

Axon terminals

End part of a neuron that releases neurotransmitters to send signals to another cell 

Synapse

The cellular location at which information is transmitted from a neuron to another cell.

Synaptic vesicles

A small, spherical structure that contains molecules of neurotransmitter.

Presynaptic

the “transmitting” side of a synapse

Postsynaptic

the region of a synapse that receives and responds to neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitter

Signaling chemicals released by one neuron that cross the synapse and affect another neuron, allowing neurons to communicate

Receptors

A specialized protein, embedded in the cell membrane, that selectively senses and reacts to molecules of a corresponding neurotransmitter

Myelin

fatty insulation around an axon, formed by glial cells

Central

Processes information and control responses (Contains spinal cord and brain cord)

peripheral

All nerves outside the brain and spinal cord

Autonomic

A part of the peripheral nervous system that provides the main neural connections to the internal organs

Somatic

The somatic nervous system controls movement and carries sensory information between the body and brain

Sympathetic 

The part of the autonomic nervous system that acts as the fight-or-flight system, generally preparing the body for action

Parasympathetic

The part of the autonomic nervous system that generally prepares the body to relax and recuperate.

Cerebral cortex

Outer layer of the brain responsible for thinking, memory, senses, and voluntary movement

Gyri

A ridged or raised portion of the cortical surface.

Sulci

A crevice or valley of the cortical surface.

Gyrus

A raised ridge or fold on the surface of the brain

Sulcus

A groove or indentation between the folds of the brain

Frontal Lobe

anterior portion of the cerebral cortex (Thinking, decision making, and movement)

Parietal

The large region of cortex lying between the frontal and occipital lobes in each cerebral hemisphere (Touch and sensory processing)

Temporal

The large lateral region of cortex in each cerebral hemisphere (Hearing, memory, language)

Occipital lobe

 large region of cortex that covers much of the posterior part of each cerebral hemisphere.

Corpus callosum

The main band of axons that connects the two cerebral hemispheres

Dorsal

toward the back of the body or the top of the brain

Ventral

toward the belly or front of the body, or the bottom of the brain

Rostral

toward the front/nose of the brain or body

caudal

toward the back/tail of the brain or body

White matter: myelinated axons

A light-colored layer of tissue, consisting mostly of myelin-sheathed axons, that lies underneath the gray matter of the cortex

Gray Matter: Cell bodies and dendrites

Areas of the brain that are dominated by cell bodies and are devoid of myelin

Basal ganglia

The basal ganglia are deep brain structures involved in movement and skill learning

Amygdala

A group of nuclei in the medial anterior part of the temporal lobe

Hippocampus

A group of nuclei in the medial anterior part of the temporal lobe.

Thalamus

Paired structures to either side of the third ventricle (at the top of the brainstem) that direct the flow of sensory information to and from the cortex.

Hypothalamus

Part of the diencephalon, lying ventral to the thalamus

Midbrain

The middle division of the brain

Substantia nigra

a brain structure that helps control movement by producing dopamine.

Parkinson’s Disease

a disorder caused by loss of dopamine-producing cells, leading to tremors and movement problems.

Cerebellum

A structure located at the back of the brain, dorsal to the pons, that is involved in the central regulation of movement and in some forms of learning.

Pons

The portion of the brainstem that connects the midbrain to the medulla.

Medulla

The posterior part of the hindbrain, continuous with the spinal cord