Brain and Plasticity Flashcards

the nervous system

an organ system that communicates to receive, process and co-ordinate responses to information

CNS

made up of the brain and the spinal cord and receives, processes and transmits information

Peripheral NS

the network of nerves that carries info to the CNS

spinal cord

contains sensory and motor pathways

somatic nervous system

the network of nerves within the body connected to sensory receptors and skeletal muscles

autonomic nervous system

regulates visceral muscles, organs, glands and transmits neural messages (it has 3 subdivisions)

sympathetic branch

activates internal muscles and organs and stuff to prepare the body for stress or activity

parasympathetic branch

keeps the body functioning effectively and is dominating when the body is calm

homeostasis

the state of steady internal, physical and chemical conditions maintained by the body

enteric nervous system

the network of neurons found within the walls of the digestion tract

vagus nerve

the longest cranial neve that connects the gut and the brain

neurons

singular nerves that are specialised to receive, process and/or transmit information

sensory neurons

carries information towards the CNS

motor neurons

carries information towards the body

interneurons

in the spinal cord as part of the spinal reflex

electrochemical

communication type used by neurons

dendrites

receives messages from the presynaptic neuron

axons

carries the neural impulse towards the axon terminals

Myelin Sheath

layer of fatty tissue around the axon which make the info move faster and insulates the neuron

axon terminals

branches that contain terminal buttons that have neurochemicals stored in their vesicles

Neural Synapse

the site of connection between two neurons

Synaptic Gap

the gap between the structures of the neural synapse

Neurochemicals

an umbrella term describing the chemical substances that transmit info in the NS

Neurotransmitters

a type of neurochemical that have an effect on one or more postsynaptic neurons

Neuromodulators

a type of neurochemical that have an effect on multiple postsynaptic neurons

conscious response

a reaction to sensory stimuli that involves awareness and is initiated by the brain

unconscious response

a reaction to sensory stimuli that does not involve awareness

the spinal reflex

an unconscious response to sensory stimuli that is initiated by the interneurons in the spinal cord independently of the brain

structural neuroimaging

provides scans which show brain structure and anatomy

functional neuroimaging

provides scans of the brain "at work" as well as brain structure

CT scan

multiple two-dimensional x-ray images stacked to show brain structure (cheapest)

MRI scan

uses magnetic and radio fields to take a two-dimensional image of the brain (pricey)

PET scan

uses scanning device to take coloured images of the brain showing its activity (pricey and invasive)

fMRI scan

uses magnetic and radio fields to take two and three-dimensional images of the brain and record its activity

hindbrain

located in the lower back part of the brain

cerebellum

in hindbrain, co-ordinates voluntary fine muscle movements, posture and balance

medulla oblongata

in hindbrain, located near brainstem, regulates autonomic processes like blood pressure

pons

in hindbrain, acts as a bridge between cerebellum and cerebral cortex, involved in sleep, arousal and hearing

midbrain

in centre of brain above brainstem, involved in auditory and visual processes, motor control, pain, sleep and arousal

reticular formation

in midbrain, interconnected network of neurons that filters info into appropriate brain place

forebrain

largest region of brain over the top

cerebrum

in forebrain, large, folded outer layer of the brain divided into four lobes

thalamus

in forebrain, filters incoming info from all but smell

hypothalamus

in forebrain, maintains homeostasis by regulating internal processes like hunger, thirst and body temp

cerebral cortex

thin, neuron dense outer layer of brain

neocortex

second layer of cerebral cortex that stores episodic and somatic memories

hemispheric specialization

both sides work together but in certain activities one side can be more dominant

contralateral functioning

describes how the left brain controls your right body

frontal lobe

contains brocas area and prefrontal cortex, plays a role in higher order mental processes and voluntary motor functions

primary motor cortex

in frontal lobe, initiates voluntary motor functions of skeletal muscles

parietal lobe

functions include spatial awareness and spatial reasoning and processes sensory information

primary somatosensory cortex

in parietal lobe, receives and processes sensory info from skin and body

occipital lobe

functions include visual functions/tasks such as colour interpretation, shape and texture

primary visual cortex

in occipital lobe, responsible for receiving and processing incoming visual information

temporal lobe

receives and processes auditory information, memory formation and language comprehension

primary auditory cortex

in temporal lobe, receives and processes auditory info

synaptic plasticity

the ability of synaptic connections to change overtime

sprouting

the ability of a dendrite or axons to develop new extensions or branches

dendrite spines

dendrite growth

filigree appendages

growth of axon sprouts

rerouting

the ability of a neuron that is connected to a damaged neuron to create an alternate synaptic connection

pruning

the elimination of synaptic connections that are not adequately activated

adaptive plasticity

the brains ability to restore and enhance neural functioning overtime due to experience/injury

long term potentiation

pathways that are used often and have been there a long time have enhance function because frequent high intensity stimulation

long term depression

long lasting, experience dependent weakening of synaptic connections due to irregular activation or low threshold stimulation

developmental plasticity

predetermined changes in the brain that occur in response to aging and maturation

neurodegenerative disease

a term for a group of diseases that progressively affect neurons in the brain

Alzheimers disease

a neurodegenerative disease initially resulting from a loss of neurons in the hippocampus which causes memory loss and personality change

amyloid plaques

proteins that form in the axon terminals that blocks transition at the synapse

neurofibrillary tangles

abnormal build up of protein within neurons that causes cell death

lack of acetylcholine

neurons that produce acetylcholine die

acetylcholine

a neurotransmitter that is involved in arousal, memory, learning, and neuroplasticity)

symptoms of alzyheimes

memory loss, personality change, confusion, repetition