Neuro: Introducing the Brain
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PSYC 3370
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83 Terms
Neurons (definition)
a type of cell that makes up the nervous system and supports cognitive function
what are the three components of the neuron
cell body, dendrite, and axon
dendrite definition
protruding extentions of the neuron that receives incoming information
axon definition
long protrusion from neuron that sends information to other neurons
synapse definition
the small gap between neurons in which neurotransmitters are released, permitting signaling between neurons.
Action Potential Definition
a sudden change in the electrical properties of the neuron membrane in an axon, which forms the basis for how neurons code information
Where are NTs released before reaching the post synaptic neuron?
the synaptic cleft
Neurotransmitter Definition
chemical signals that are released by one neuron and affect the properties of other neurons
what do NTs bind to?
receptors on the postsynaptic neuron’s dendrites
synaptic potentials are …
passive; they do not create an action potential unless the summation is strong enough
what are the two most important ions in the cell membrane?
sodium and potassium
what is the resting potential of a neuron?
-70mV
where are voltage-gated ion channels found?
in the axon only
what charge do voltage-gated sodium channels fully open at?
-50mV
at what phase do voltage-gated potassium channels open?
during repolarization
at what phase is the cell membrane more negative than when resting?
during hyperpolarization
what is myelin?
a fatty substance that surrounds axons that helps speed up conduction
action potentials jump from where when traveling down the axon terminal?
from the nodes of ranvier, which are the spaces between the myelin sheath
which primary NT is inhibitory?
GABA
what ion does GABA trigger to be released in the postsynaptic neuron?
Chloride (Cl-)
which primary NT is excitatory?
glutamate
dopamine, serotonin, and acetylcholine are examples of what?
neuromodulators
do NTs have their own type of receptor?
yes
What is spiking rate?
spiking rate is the number of action potentials intiated per second, which control neuronal activity
What is gray matter made up of?
cell bodies
what type of matter makes up the cerebral cortex?
gray matter
what is white matter made up of?
axons and glial cells
Association Tracts Definition
tracts of white matter that project within a hemisphere
Commissures Definition
tracts that projects to regions in a different hemispheres and between the cortical and subcortical regions
What is the most important commissure called?
Corpus Callosum; connects the two hemispheres
What are ventricles?
hollow chambers filled withcerebrospinal fluid that helps carry waste, transfer signals, and protects the brain
what are glial cells
support cells of the nervous system involved in tissue repair and in the formation of myelin
what is a coronal cut?
a vertical cut through both hemispheres
what is a sagittal cut?
a vertical cut through one hemisphere
what is an axial/horizontal cut
a cut of the brain horizontally
how thick is the cortex?
3mm
how many layers of gray matter comprise the neocortex?
six layers
which brain regions make up the mesocortex?
the cingulate gyrus and the insula
which brain regions make up the allocortex?
the primary olfactory cortex and hippocampus
the insula lies beneath which brain region?
bellow the temporal lobe
name four ways to divide the brain into regions
based on gyri and sulci; 2. based on cytoarchitecture (brodmann’s area); based on function; based on connectivity
Which two brain regions make up the subcortex?
the basal ganglia and the limbic system
what is the basal ganglia?
a region of the subcortical gray matter involved in regulating motor control, learning, and reward learning
the basal ganglia surrounds which brain region?
surrounds the thalamus
what does hypokinetic mean
cannot initiate movement
what is an example of a hypokinetic disorder?
parkinson’s
what is hyperkinetic?
excessive movement
what is an example of a hyperkinetic disorder?
huntington’s
what are the three main structures of the basal ganglia?
putamen, globus pallidus, caudate nucleus
What is the limbic system?
a region of subcortex involved in relating the organism to its present environment and past experiences, involved in the detection and expression of emotional responses
what are the five main structures in the limbic system?
amygdala, hippocampus, cingulate cortex, mamillary bodies, and olfactory bulb
which brain region in the limbic system helps us detect fear?
the amygdala
which brain region in the limbic system helps us with learning and memory?
the hippocampus
which brain region in the limbic system helps us detect emotional and cognitive conflicts?
the cingulate cortex
the mamillary bodies are implicated in what brain function?
memory
what two brain regions make up the diencephalon?
the thalamus and the hypothalamus
which structure is the main relay center between all sensory organs (except smell) and the cortex
the thalamus
what is the hypothalamus responsible for?
regulating hormonal activity, body temp, hunger, thrist, sexual activity, and endocrine functions
what are the three important midbrain structures?
superior colliculis, inferior colliculus, and substantia nigra
what are the three important hindbrain structures?
cerebellum, pons, and the medulla oblongata
Superior Colliculus Definition
helps integrate information from vision, hearing, and touch (primarily vision)
Inferior Colliculus Definition
integrates auditory information
what does the cerebellum help with?
supports dexterity and smooth execution of movements
the pons link which two brain regions?
the cerebellum and the cerebrum
what does the medulla oblongata help with?
vital functions; breathing, swallowing, heart rate, sleep-wake cycle
about how many neurons are in the brain?
86 billion
when does neurogenesis take place?
between birth and 2y
how many cortical neurons do we lose per second?
one
myelin breakdown is associated with which disorder?
Multiple Sclerosis
Rostral Definition
towards the front
Caudal Definition
towards the back
What are the three meninges?
dura mater
arachnoid mater
pia mater
How many CSF ventricles are there?
four
what does cerebrospinal fluid do?
adds a protective cushioning to the braind and carries waste and hormones out of the brain
how many cerebral arteries are there?
three
what are the names of two important gyri?
the precentral and postcentral gyri
What is the central sulcus?
an important sulcus that separates the frontal and parietal lobes
What is the sylvian fissue?
an important sulcus that separates the temporal lobes from the frontal and parietal lobes
What is the longitudinal fissure?
an important sulcus that separates both hemispheres of the brain
What is the Fornix?
a white matter tract in the limbic system that connects the mamillary bodies to the hippocampus
which brain structures make up the telencephalon (in the forebrain)
cortex, limbic system, and basal ganglia
which brain structures make up the diencephalon (in the forebrain)
thalamus and hypothalamus
which brain structures make up the metencephalon (in the hindbrain)
the cerebellum and the pons