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neuron
a nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system.
dendrites
receives messages and information
axon
sends electrical messages
myelin sheath
allows messages to travel faster
action potential
a neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon.
refractory period
a period of inactivity after a neuron has fired.
threshold
the level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse.
Neural transmission
all-or-nothing response
synapse
the junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron. The tiny gap at this junction is called the synaptic gap or synaptic cleft.
neurotransmitters
chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons. excitatory and inhibatory
reuptake
a neurotransmitter's reabsorption
endorphins
natural, opiate/pain killer
Agonist
A chemical that mimics the action of a neurotransmitter.
Antagonists
Chemical substances that inhibits the release of a neurotransmitter
nervous system
the body's speedy, electrochemical communication network, consisting of all the nerve cells of the peripheral and central nervous systems.
Central nervous system (CNS)
the brain and the spinal cord
Peripheral nervous system (PNS)
includes autonomic and somatic
nerves
bundled axons that form neural "cables" connecting the central nervous system with muscles, glands, and sense organs.
Somatic nervous system
does not happen automatically
Autonomic nervous system
It's sympathetic system arouses and parasympathetic calms.
Sympathetic nervous system
adrenaline
Parasympathetic nervous system
the division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy (Your PARents come home and calm you down)
Reflexes
simple, automatic responses to sensory stimuli, such as the knee-jerk response
Endocrine system
the body's "slow" chemical communication system; a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream
Hormones
chemical substances produced in your body that control and regulate the activity of certain cells or organs
Adrenal glands
a pair of endocrine glands that sit just above the kidneys and secrete hormones (epinephrine and norepinephrine) that help arouse the body in times of stress
Pituitary gland
"THE MASTER GLAND" regulates growth
Lesion
tissue of the brain damaged through injury or disease
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
painless technique used to measure brain wave patterns. often used for sleep, seizures, and tumors
CT (computed tomography) scan
a series of x-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by computer into a composite representaion of a slice through the body. Aslo called a CAT scan
(PET) Positron emission tomography scan
A visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task.
MRI/fMRI
magnetic resonance imaging. can show the brain “working”
Brainstem
the oldest part and central core of brain. AKA reticular formation, or reticular activating system. In charge of automatic survival functions
Medualla
The base of the brainstem. Controls heartbeat and breathing, vomiting.
Pons
sleep and arousal
Thalamus
sorts and sends messages
Reticular activating system
regulates sleep-wake cycle
Cerebellum
coordination of muscle movement, balance is key
Limbic system
A system of neural structures at the border of brainstem. Associated with emotions like fear, agression, and drives such as those for food and sex. Includes the Hippocampus, Amygdala and hypothalamus.
Amygdala
fear and aggression
Hippocampus
Limbic system. Learning and memory matcher.
hypothalamous
regulates things that happens automatically; hunger, thirst, body temp
Glial Cells
Cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons.
Frontal Lobes
the portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead; involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgements.
Parietal lobes
The portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head and toward the rear; includes the sensory cortex. process and organize info
Occipital lobes
the portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head; includes the visual areas, which receive visual info from the opposite visual feild.
Temporal lobes
The portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughyl above the ears; hearing
motor cortex
an area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements.
somatosensory cortex
the area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations.
Plasticity
The brain's ability to change, especially during childhood, by reorganizing after damage or by building new pathways based on experience.
Substance P
involved with perception of pain, transmits pain signals from the body's skin, promotes inflammation in response to injury
Endorphins
our natural pain killer, increased sensitivity to pain
molecular geneticists
subfield of biology that study the molecular structure and function of genes
Glutamate
A major excitatory neurotransmitter; involved in learning and cognitive impairments
Serotonin
Helps regulate our mood and sleep. linked to depression and anxiety
Norepinephrine
Our Fight or Flight neurotransmitter - Helps control alertness.
Dopamine
Influences physical movement, attention and emotion. pleasurable experiences. Schizophrenia. Parkinson's and ADHD
GABA
A major inhibitory neurotransmitter. Undersupply linked to seizures and insomnia. Cognitve impairment
Acetylcholine
A neurotransmitter that helps in memory and also triggers muscle movement. Too little linked to Alzheimer's
Corpus Callosum
the connection between the left and right hemispheres
secret contents unto surface of the body. Pheromones
Memory consolidation - sleep improves memory, lack of sleep makes you more likely to get sick
activation synthesis
activating neurons, evokes visual memories into dreams
alcohol
increases helpful and harmful tendencies, depressent
nicotine
highly addictive psychoactive drug, cigarettes
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