UCSD PSYC 2: Biological Foundations of Psychology Final Exam, Professor Fred Rose

catecholamines

dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine

excitatory ionotropic synapses use what neurotransmitter

glutamate

inhibitory ionotropic synapses use what neurotransmitter

GABA

Ionotropic use what neurotransmitters primarily

gaba and glutamate

metabotropic effects

sequence of metabolic reactions that produce slow and long-lasting effects at a synapse, use neuromodulaters

chemicals used by metabotropic synapses

dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin, neuropeptides and sometimes glutamate and GABA too

second messenger

a chemical that, when activated by a neurotransmitter, initiates communication to many areas within the neuron

which type of synapse influences activity in much or all of the cell and over a longer time

metabotropic

which type of synapse has effects localized to one point on the membrane

ionotropic

which aspects of behavior are the ionotropic synapses responsible for

vision and hearing

which aspects of behavior are the metabotropic synapses responsible for

taste, smell, pain, arousal, hunger, thirst, emotion, attention

which receptors do hallucinogens attach to

serotonin 2a

which receptors do opiates attach to

endorphins

what does cocaine do

blocks reuptake of dopamine

what do amphetamines do

blocks reuptake of dopamine and other neurotransmitters

why does withdrawal happen from stimulants

after drug wears off presynaptic cell needs time to replenish supply causing lower dopamine levels than usual

how do Cannabinoids work

mimics reverse transmitters leading to decrease the release of both glutamate and GABA

Reuptake

process where neurotransmitters are reabsorbed by the neuron that released them after they've performed their function

Autorecepter

receptors on a presynaptic neuron that provide negative feedback by responding to the transmitter released by that neuron

which is faster electrical or chemical transmission

electrical

when do we use electrical transmission

cases where exact synchrony between cells is important (breathing) (heartbeat)

what is it called with electrical synapse when membrane of one neuron makes direct contact with the membrane of another

gap junction

Hormones

chemical that is secreted by cells in one part of the body and conveyed by the blood to influence other cells

Oxytocin

hormone released by posterior pituitary; important for sexual and parental behavior

Vasopressin

(antidiuretic hormone) hormone released by posterior pituitary; raises blood pressure and enables kidneys to conserve water

Neuroanatomy

the anatomy of the nervous system

central nervous system (CNS)

the brain and the spinal cord

peripheral nervous system (PNS):

nerves outside the brain and spinal cord

somatic nervous system

part of the PNS that consists of the axons conveying messages from the sense organs to the CNS and from the CNS to the muscles

autonomic nervous system

part of the PNS that controls the heart, intestines, and other organs

enteric nervous system

part of the ANS, set of neurons that control digestion

Dorsal

located toward the back

Ventral

toward the stomach

Anterior

Toward the front end

Posterior

Toward the rear end

Superior

Above another part

Inferior

Below another part

Lateral

Toward the side, away from the midline

Medial

Toward the midline, away from the side

Proximal

Located close (approximate) to the point of origin or attachment

Distal

Located more distant from the point of origin or attachment

Ipsilateral

On the same side of the body (e.g., two parts on the left or two on the right)

Contralateral

On the opposite side of the body (one on the left and one on the right)

Coronal plane (or frontal plane)

A plane that shows brain structures as seen from the front

Sagittal plane

A plane that shows brain structures as seen from the side

Horizontal plane (or transverse plane)

A plane that shows brain structures as seen from above

Lamina

A row or layer of cell bodies separated from other cell bodies by a layer of axons and dendrites

Column

A set of cells perpendicular to the surface of the cortex, with similar properties

Tract

A set of axons within the CNS, also known as a projection. If axons extend from cell bodies in structure A to synapses onto B, we say that the fibers "project" from A onto B.

Nerve

A set of axons in the periphery, either from the CNS to a muscle or gland or from a sensory organ to the CNS

Nucleus

A cluster of neuron cell bodies within the CNS

Ganglion

A cluster of neuron cell bodies, usually outside the CNS (as in the sympathetic nervous system)

Gyrus (gyri)

A protuberance on the surface of the brain

Sulcus (sulci)

A fold or groove that separates one gyrus from another

Fissure

A long, deep sulcus

spinal cord

part of the CNS; it communicates with all the sense organs and muscles except those of the head

dorsal root nerves

carry sensory info from body to brain through spinal cord

ventral root nerves

carry motor info to muscles and glands from spinal cord

dorsal root ganglia

clusters of sensory neurons outside the spinal cord

gray matter

areas of the nervous system that are densely packed with cell bodies and dendrites

white matter

area of the nervous system consisting of myelinated axons

how do neurons from gray matter of spinal cord send axons to brain/other parts of cord

through white matter

sympathetic nervous system

a network of nerves that prepare the organs for vigorous activity (fight or flight system)

parasympathetic nervous system

system of nerves that facilitate vegetative, nonemergency responses by the body's organs ("rest and digest" system)

Olfactory

Smell

Optic

Vision

Oculomotor

Control of eye movements; pupil constriction

Trochlear

Control of eye movements

Trigeminal

Skin sensations from most of the face; control of jaw muscles for chewing and swallowing

Abducens

Control of eye movements

Facial

Taste from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue; control of facial expressions, crying, salivation, and dilation of the head's blood vessels

Statoacoustic

Hearing; equilibrium

Glossopharyngeal

Taste and other sensations from throat and posterior one-third of the tongue; control of swallowing, salivation, and throat movements during speech

Vagus

Sensations from neck and thorax; control of throat, esophagus, and larynx; parasympathetic nerves to control stomach, intestines, and other organs

Accessory

Control of neck and shoulder movements

Hypoglossal

Control of muscles of the tongue

medulla oblongata

cranial nerves originating in the medulla control vital reflexes such as breathing, heart rate, vomiting, salivation, coughing, and sneezing

Pons

hindbrain structure that lies anterior and ventral to the medulla

Cerebellum

highly folded hindbrain structure that is important for behaviors that depend on accurate timing

Tectum

roof of the midbrain

superior colliculus

swelling on either side of the tectum; important to visual processing

inferior colliculus

swelling on the surface of the tectum that contributes to hearing

Tegmentum

intermediate level of the midbrain

substantia nigra

a midbrain structure that gives rise to a pathway releasing dopamine

thalamus

main source of input to the cortex

cranial nerves

nerves that control sensations from head, muscle movements in head, and much of parasympathetic output to the organs

Medulla

hindbrain structure located just above spinal cord; could be regarded as enlarged extension of spinal cord

Brainstem

medulla, pons, midbrain, and central structure of the forebrain

parts of hindbrain

pons, medulla, cerebellum

Cerebellum

highly folded hindbrain structure that is important for behaviors that depend on accurate timing

Tectum

roof of the midbrain

superior colliculus

swelling on either side of the tectum; important to visual processing

inferior colliculus

swelling on the surface of the tectum that contributes to hearing

Tegmentum

intermediate level of the midbrain

substantia nigra

a midbrain structure that gives rise to a pathway releasing dopamine

thalamus

main source of input to the cortex

Hypothalamus

control of eating, drinking, temperature control, and reproductive behaviors

Amygdala

temporal lobe structure important for evaluating emotional information especially fear

Basal ganglia

a group of subcortical forebrain structures lateral to the thalamus

nucleus basalis

a forebrain structure that lies on the ventral surface; receives input from the hypothalamus and basal ganglia; sends axons to areas in the cerebral cortex