Neuroscience: Nervous System Divisions, Cells, and Brain Functions

CH 1-3 Kasmer's

Autonomic Nervous System

A division of the peripheral nervous system that controls involuntary bodily functions.

Sympathetic Nervous System

A division of the autonomic nervous system that prepares the body for stressful or emergency situations.

Glutamate

A neurotransmitter known for being the major excitatory neurotransmitter, enhancing the transmission of information between neurons.

GABA

A neurotransmitter that tends to prevent or quell the firing of neurons.

Agonists

Drugs that increase the action of a neurotransmitter.

Antagonists

Drugs that diminish the function of a neurotransmitter.

Alzheimer's Disease

A medical condition that severely impairs memory, associated with the deterioration of ACh-producing neurons.

Neurotransmitter Functions

Different neurotransmitters have specific roles in regulating various bodily functions and behaviors.

Neural Transmission

The process by which neurons communicate with each other through electrical and chemical signals.

Central Nervous System

The part of the nervous system that consists of the brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral Nervous System

The part of the nervous system that connects the central nervous system to the rest of the body.

Glial Cells

Cells that provide structural support for neurons and help with the production of myelin.

Functions of Glial Cells

Aid in the control of breathing, form the blood-brain barrier, aid in neural regeneration and repair post injury, remove cellular debris, aid in communication between neurons, and regulate neural transmission.

Neurons

Cells in the nervous system that communicate with each other to perform information-processing tasks.

Sensory neurons

Neurons that receive information from the external world and convey this information to the brain via the spinal cord.

Motor Neurons

Neurons that carry signals from the spinal cord to the muscles to produce movement.

Interneurons

Neurons that connect sensory neurons, motor neurons, or other interneurons.

Achtylcholine (ACh)

A neurotransmitter involved in voluntary motor control, regulation of attention, learning, sleeping & dreaming, and memory.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter that regulates motor behavior, motivation, pleasure, and emotional arousal.

Blood-Brain Barrier

A protective barrier that regulates the passage of substances from the bloodstream into the brain.

Nervous System

an interacting network of neurons that conveys electrochemical information throughout the body.

Somatic Nervous System

The somatic nervous system controls the voluntary or conscious functions of the body.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Returns the body to a relaxed state to rest & digest.

Axon

transmit a neural impulse / message.

Cell Body / Soma

Coordinates information processing, sustains cellular life.

Dendrites

Receive and relay information from outside the cell into the cell body.

Myelin Sheath

Insulate the axon to increase the efficiency of the neural impulse.

Synaptic Gap

Provides a space where communication between neurons occurs.

Synaptic Vesicle

Serves as a holding place for the synaptic vesicles.

Terminal Buttons

The endpoints of a neuron where neurotransmitters are released.

Electrical Process

Conduction occurs within a neuron.

Chemical Process

Transmission occurs between two neurons.

Acetylcholine is…

Involved in a number of functions such as voluntary motor control, attributes to regulation of attention, and to the regulation of learning. Alzheimer's, a medical condition that severely impairs memory, is associated with the deterioration of ACh-producing neurons.

Endorphins

Involved and regulate control, and pleasure with exertion.

Epinephrine

Involved with the energizing properties of the ANS, which activates the 'flight or fight' responses.

Norepinephrine

Involved with energizing properties of the CNS alertness & attention.

Serotonin

Involved with mood control. If levels are too low, it can lead to anxiety, depression, and/or aggression.

Corpus Callosum

A bundle of axons that connect large areas of the cerebral cortex on each side of the brain and supports communication of information across the hemispheres.

Cerebral Cortex

Responsible for the most complex aspects of perception, emotion, movement, and thought.

Frontal lobes

Motor cortex & Broca's area. Primary Functions: reasoning, language, emotional regulation, and movement.

Motor Cortex

Responsible for voluntary movement.

Broca's Area

Responsible for language production.

Parietal lobes

Somatosensory cortex. Primary Function: touch.

Temporal lobes

Auditory cortex & Wernicke's area. Primary Function: audition.

Wernicke's Area

Responsible for speech comprehension.

Occipital lobes

Visual cortex. Primary Function: vision.

Cerebellum

Gross Motor Skills, Fine Motor Skills, and Cognition are their primary functions.

Medulla Oblongata

In charge of respiration, circulation, and heart rate.

Reticular Formation

Body Arousal & alertness are its primary functions.

Tectum & Tegmentum

Body orientation to environmental stimuli are its primary functions.

Thalamus

Receiving and relaying sensory information are its primary functions.

Hypothalamus

In charge of biological drives & motivation as well as controlling the pituitary gland.

Hippocampus

In charge of memory (index & integration of new memories).

Amygdala

In charge of emotional memories (fear and/or aggression).

Brain plasticity

A change in structure or function in the brain in order to adapt to changes in sensory input.