Brain Structures and Development - Neurobiology Exam 2 Outline

A set of 50 flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to brain structures, development, neuroanatomy, neurotransmitters, and memory systems studied in Neurobiology.

Prosencephalon

Forebrain; responsible for higher functions such as thinking and reasoning.

Mesencephalon

Midbrain; acts as a relay for motor and sensory signals.

Rhombencephalon

Hindbrain; coordinates fundamental autonomic processes.

Telencephalon

Part of the forebrain, includes the cerebral cortex.

Cerebral Cortex

Largest part of the cerebrum, involved in higher brain functions.

Frontal Lobe

Responsible for executive functions, reasoning, and speech.

Parietal Lobe

Involved in sensory perception and integration.

Temporal Lobe

Responsible for auditory processing and memory.

Occipital Lobe

Primary center for visual processing.

Diencephalon

Includes thalamus and hypothalamus, involved in various sensory functions.

Thalamus

Sensory and motor relay center of the brain.

Hypothalamus

Regulates autonomic functions such as hunger and temperature.

Limbic System

Emotional center of the brain, involved in memory.

Basal Ganglia

Group of nuclei involved in motor control and coordination.

Tectum

Part of the midbrain involved in visual and auditory reflexes.

Tegmentum

Central part of the midbrain, involved in motor control.

Pons

Connects cerebrum with cerebellum and spinal cord, involved in sleep regulation.

Cerebellum

Coordinates voluntary movements, balance, and posture.

Medulla Oblongata

Controls vital autonomic functions, such as heartbeat and breathing.

Acetylcholine (ACH)

Neurotransmitter involved in arousal, attention, and memory.

Cholinergic Projection

Connections from the basal forebrain to the cortex and hippocampus.

Autonomic Functions

Involuntary processes regulated by the nervous system.

M2 Receptors

Inhibitory receptors that negatively modulate adenylyl cyclase.

M1 Receptors

Excitatory receptors that activate internal signaling pathways.

Procedural Memory

Memory for motor skills and habits, often implicit.

Declarative Memory

Memory that can be consciously recalled, includes episodic and semantic.

Anterograde Amnesia

Inability to form new memories after an event.

Retrograde Amnesia

Inability to recall memories prior to an event.

Place Cells

Neurons in the hippocampus that encode specific locations.

Grid Cells

Neurons in the entorhinal cortex that measure distance and direction.

Long Term Potentiation (LTP)

Process that strengthens synaptic connections based on activity.

CaMKII

Enzyme activated by calcium influx that strengthens synaptic connections.

Dopamine

Neurotransmitter involved in reward, motivation, and movement.

Ventral Tegmental Area (VTA)

Region that sends dopamine to areas involved in reward and motivation.

Substantia Nigra

Source of dopamine in the brain, important for motor control.

Dopamine Receptors

Receptors that respond to dopamine, classified into families depending on their effects.

Mesolimbic Pathway

Pathway crucial for reward and pleasure, from VTA to NAc.

Mesocortical Pathway

Involved in higher-level cognition, from VTA to prefrontal cortex.

Nigrostriatal Pathway

Pathway from Substantia Nigra to striatum, important for motor control.

Amphetamines

Substances that increase dopamine release and enhance its effects.

Methylphenidate

Blocks dopamine reuptake, increasing its levels in the synapse.

Basal Ganglia

Regulates voluntary movement and motor activity based on cortical signals.

Direct Pathway

Pathway that enhances motor activity, facilitating desired movements.

Indirect Pathway

Pathway that inhibits unwanted movements.

Cerebellum Functions

Refines motor output, coordinates timing and precision of movements.

Vestibulocerebellum

Part of the cerebellum that helps maintain balance and spatial orientation.

Purkinje Cells

Inhibitory neurons in the cerebellum that regulate cerebellar output.

Granule Cells

Small cells in the cerebellum that relay information to Purkinje cells.

Dorsal Striatum

Involved in goal-directed actions and choices based on rewards.

Ventral Striatum

Manages reward motivation and aversion toward stimuli.

Prosencephalon

Forebrain; responsible for higher functions such as thinking and reasoning.

Mesencephalon

Midbrain; acts as a relay for motor and sensory signals.

Rhombencephalon

Hindbrain; coordinates fundamental autonomic processes.

Telencephalon

Part of the forebrain, includes the cerebral cortex.

Cerebral Cortex

Largest part of the cerebrum, involved in higher brain functions.

Frontal Lobe

Responsible for executive functions, reasoning, and speech.

Parietal Lobe

Involved in sensory perception and integration.

Temporal Lobe

Responsible for auditory processing and memory.

Occipital Lobe

Primary center for visual processing.

Diencephalon

Includes thalamus and hypothalamus, involved in various sensory functions.

Thalamus

Sensory and motor relay center of the brain.

Hypothalamus

Regulates autonomic functions such as hunger and temperature.

Limbic System

Emotional center of the brain, involved in memory.

Basal Ganglia

Group of nuclei involved in motor control and coordination.

Tectum

Part of the midbrain involved in visual and auditory reflexes.

Tegmentum

Central part of the midbrain, involved in motor control.

Pons

Connects cerebrum with cerebellum and spinal cord, involved in sleep regulation.

Cerebellum

Coordinates voluntary movements, balance, and posture.

Medulla Oblongata

Controls vital autonomic functions, such as heartbeat and breathing.

Acetylcholine (ACH)

Neurotransmitter involved in arousal, attention, and memory.

Cholinergic Projection

Connections from the basal forebrain to the cortex and hippocampus.

Autonomic Functions

Involuntary processes regulated by the nervous system.

M2 Receptors

Inhibitory receptors that negatively modulate adenylyl cyclase.

M1 Receptors

Excitatory receptors that activate internal signaling pathways.

Procedural Memory

Memory for motor skills and habits, often implicit.

Declarative Memory

Memory that can be consciously recalled, includes episodic and semantic.

Anterograde Amnesia

Inability to form new memories after an event.

Retrograde Amnesia

Inability to recall memories prior to an event.

Place Cells

Neurons in the hippocampus that encode specific locations.

Grid Cells

Neurons in the entorhinal cortex that measure distance and direction.

Long Term Potentiation (LTP)

Process that strengthens synaptic connections based on activity.

CaMKII

Enzyme activated by calcium influx that strengthens synaptic connections.

Dopamine

Neurotransmitter involved in reward, motivation, and movement.

Ventral Tegmental Area (VTA)

Region that sends dopamine to areas involved in reward and motivation.

Substantia Nigra

Source of dopamine in the brain, important for motor control.

Dopamine Receptors

Receptors that respond to dopamine, classified into families depending on their effects.

Mesolimbic Pathway

Pathway crucial for reward and pleasure, from VTA to NAc.

Mesocortical Pathway

Involved in higher-level cognition, from VTA to prefrontal cortex.

Nigrostriatal Pathway

Pathway from Substantia Nigra to striatum, important for motor control.

Amphetamines

Substances that increase dopamine release and enhance its effects.

Methylphenidate

Blocks dopamine reuptake, increasing its levels in the synapse.

Basal Ganglia

Regulates voluntary movement and motor activity based on cortical signals.

Direct Pathway

Pathway that enhances motor activity, facilitating desired movements.

Indirect Pathway

Pathway that inhibits unwanted movements.

Cerebellum Functions

Refines motor output, coordinates timing and precision of movements.

Vestibulocerebellum

Part of the cerebellum that helps maintain balance and spatial orientation.

Purkinje Cells

Inhibitory neurons in the cerebellum that regulate cerebellar output.

Granule Cells

Small cells in the cerebellum that relay information to Purkinje cells.

Dorsal Striatum

Involved in goal-directed actions and choices based on rewards.

Ventral Striatum

Manages reward motivation and aversion toward stimuli.