Brain & Behavior exam 1

Two basic kinds of nervous system cells

Neurons and glial cells

Structure that holds DNA

Nucleus

Structure that synthesizes proteins

Ribosomes

Branching fibers that receive information

Dendrites

Gaps in myelin sheath

Nodes of Ranvier

Mechanism that protects brain from infection

Blood-brain barrier

Korsakoff’s syndrome

Memory disorder caused by chronic alcohol use (thiamine deficiency)

Temporal summation

Repeated weak stimulus over time that can trigger a response

EPSP

Excitatory postsynaptic potential (positive charge in dendrite)

Vesicles

Store neurotransmitters in the axon terminal (button)

Spontaneous firing rate

Baseline firing of neurons even at rest

Hindbrain

Consists of medulla, pons, and cerebellum

Medulla

Controls vital functions like breathing and heart rate

Cerebellum

Controls movement and coordination

Limbic system

Associated with emotional behavior (TRUE)

Occipital lobe

Responsible for vision

Temporal lobe

Responsible for hearing

Exocytosis

Release of neurotransmitters into the synapse

Endocrine glands

Glands that produce hormones

Saltatory conduction

Jumping of electrical signal from node to node

Absolute refractory period

Time after action potential when neuron cannot fire

Na+ channel

First channel to open during action potential

Sympathetic nervous system

Prepares body for action (fight or flight)

Amygdala

Located in temporal lobe; responsible for fear

GABA

Most common inhibitory neurotransmitter

Glutamate

Most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter

Parietal lobe

Contains motor/sensory areas (touch sensation)

Ischemia

Stroke caused by blockage of blood flow to brain

Spatial summation

Multiple inputs from different locations combine to trigger firing

Neuron

The basic cell of the nervous system that sends and receives signals

Glial cells

Support cells that protect, nourish, and assist neurons

Astrocytes

Glial cells that maintain the environment and support the blood-brain barrier

Oligodendrocytes

Glial cells that form myelin in the central nervous system

Schwann cells

Glial cells that form myelin in the peripheral nervous system

Microglia

Glial cells that act as immune defense in the brain

Limbic system

System involved in emotion, memory, and motivation

Amygdala

Processes fear and emotion

Hippocampus

Forms and stores memories

Hypothalamus

Regulates hunger, hormones, and homeostasis

Dendrites

Receive incoming signals from other neurons

Soma (cell body)

Processes incoming signals

Axon

Sends electrical signals away from the neuron

Myelin sheath

Insulates axon and speeds up signal transmission

Axon terminals

Release neurotransmitters into the synapse

Resting potential

Stable negative charge of a neuron at rest (-70mV)

Depolarization

When Na+ enters the cell, making it more positive

Hyperpolarization

When K+ leaves the cell, making it more negative

Action potential

The electrical signal that travels down the axon

Sodium (Na+)

Enters the neuron during depolarization

Potassium (K+)

Leaves the neuron during repolarization

Concentration gradient

Movement of ions from high to low concentration

Vesicles

Store neurotransmitters in the neuron

Exocytosis

Process of releasing neurotransmitters into the synapse

Transporter proteins

Reabsorb neurotransmitters back into the neuron

EPSP

Excitatory signal that increases likelihood of firing

IPSP

Inhibitory signal that decreases likelihood of firing

Spatial summation

Multiple neurons firing at the same time

Temporal summation

One neuron firing rapidly over time

Ionotropic receptors

Fast receptors that directly open ion channels

Metabotropic receptors

Slow receptors that use second messengers

Afferent axon

Sensory neuron carrying information to the brain

Efferent axon

Motor neuron carrying information away from the brain

Agonist

Substance that mimics a neurotransmitter

Antagonist

Substance that blocks a neurotransmitter

Absolute refractory period

Time when neuron cannot fire again

Spontaneous firing rate

Baseline level of neuron activity

Frontal lobe

Responsible for decision-making and personality

Temporal lobe

Responsible for hearing and memory

Parietal lobe

Responsible for touch and spatial awareness

Occipital lobe

Responsible for vision

Thalamus

Sensory relay station of the brain

Pituitary gland

Controls hormone release

Corpus callosum

Connects left and right hemispheres

Nucleus accumbens

Involved in reward and pleasure

Pons

Controls sleep and breathing

Medulla

Controls heart rate and vital functions

Cerebellum

Controls balance and coordination

Tectum

Involved in visual and auditory reflexes

Gyrus

Ridge on the brain surface

Sulcus

Groove on the brain surface