Studied by 22 people
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neurons
nerve cells in the brain
synapses
a small gap at the end of the neuron that allows signals to pass between neurons
neurotransmitters
chemical messages that allow our body to function
ACh (acetylcholine)
makes muscles contract
is a neurotransmitter influence
Endorphins
natural opiates released in response to pain and vigorous exercise
neurotransmitter influence
Parkinson disease
tremors result when nerve cells that produce dopamine die
neurotransmitter influence
Central nervous system
brain and spinal cord
peripheral nervous system
links CNS with our sense receptors muscles and glands
sensory neurons or affrent
send info from body tissues and sense organs to CNS
Motor neurons aka effrent
send info from CNS back to body tissues
Axon
protected by myelin sheath
carries nerve impulse away from cell body
Dendrite
tree like extensions from neuron that receive info from other neurons
Skeletal nervous system
controls voluntary movements
automatic nervous system
controls involuntary automatic glands and organs
sympathetic nervous system
arouses for defense
parasympathetic nervous system
calms us down
reflexes
automatic response to stimuli
run out from spinal cord before brain receives and responds to info
Endocrine system
slower than CNS or PNS but longer lasting effects
network of glands across the body that secrete hormones (chemical messengers from tissue to tissue through blood stream)
Adrenal glands
release epinephrine (adrenaline) + non adrenaline to give us energy
pituitary gland
pea shaped near the brains base influences growth
brainstem
oldest innermost part of the brain
medulla
controls heartbeat and breathing
reticular formation
nerve network important in controlling arousal
thalamus
the brain sensory switchboard
cerebellum
coordinates voluntary movements without conscious effort
limbic system
associated with emotions and drives
amygdala
influences fear and agression
hypothalamus
directs eating and body temp
helps direct endocrine system
linked to emotion
cerebral cortext
outermost layer of brain tissue
frontal lobes
behind forehead
speaking planning muscle movements
parietal lobes
top and rear
sensory cortex
occipital lobes
back
visual area
temporal lobes
above ears
auditory area
motor functions
in motor cortex at rear of frontal lobes
body areas requiring precise control
mouth and fingers occupy more cortical space
sensory functions
in sensory cortex at front of parietal lobes
more sensitive body regions occupy more sensory cortex space
association functions
these areas integrate and interpret
¾ of the cerebral cortex
aphasia
language impairment cause by damage to broca’s area (impairing speaking) or wernicke’s area (impairing understanding)
brain reorganization
injured brain neurons can regenerate just not as quickly as other neurons
brain has plasticity and can modify itself
corpus callosum
band of axon fibers connecting the hemispheres
Right hemisphere
perceptual tasks spatial reasoning
artist
left hemisphere
language logic
lawyer
L for left lawyer and logic
Note 
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