Brain and Neuropsychology Flashcards

Flashcards covering the structure and function of the nervous system, brain structures, and neuropsychology.

Nervous System

Complicated network of cells that pass information around the body.

Central Nervous System

Processes information, makes decisions, and creates responses; includes the brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral Nervous System

Collects sensory information and enacts signals from the brain; includes somatic and autonomic systems.

Somatic Nervous System

Division of the peripheral nervous system responsible for movement/reflexes.

Autonomic Nervous System

Division of the peripheral nervous system responsible for life functions.

Fight or Flight Response

Prepares the body for action by activating the sympathetic division of the ANS.

James-Lange Theory of Emotion

How we interpret our physiological arousal affects our emotion; no physical changes = no emotion.

Neurons

Nerve cells that send electrical and chemical signals to each other.

Sensory Neurons

Converts external stimuli from the senses, carrying them from the PNS to the spinal cord in the CNS.

Relay Neurons

Quickly transmits impulses within the CNS & relays information between sensory & motor neurons in the spinal cord.

Motor Neurons

Carries movement-related signals from the brain in the CNS to the muscles in the PNS, causing movement.

Nucleus

Contains the neuron's DNA.

Soma

Cell body that contains the nucleus.

Dendrite

Carries signals from the axons of other neurons to the soma.

Axon

Carries signals from the soma to the dendrites of other neurons.

Myelin Sheath

Protects the axon & speeds up electrical signals.

Node of Ranvier

Gaps in the myelin sheath that electrical signals jump down.

Terminal Button

End of an axon where communication with dendrites occurs over the synaptic cleft.

Frontal Lobe

Controls thinking, planning, and movement.

Parietal Lobe

Integrates sensory information.

Occipital Lobe

Processes visual information, such as color, movement, and shape.

Temporal Lobe

Houses auditory processing, memory, and emotions.

Cerebellum

Controls fine movement such as balance and timing.

Localization of Function

Different brain areas are responsible for specific jobs.

Broca's Area

Controls speech production; damage results in Broca's aphasia.

Wernicke's Area

Controls speech comprehension; damage results in Wernicke's aphasia.

Synaptic Transmission Step 1

Electrical signal travels down the axon to the vesicles.

Synaptic Transmission Step 2

Vesicles are activated and release neurotransmitters.

Synaptic Transmission Step 3

Neurotransmitters travel across the synaptic cleft.

Synaptic Transmission Step 4

Neurotransmitter binds to receptor sites in the post-synaptic neuron.

Synaptic Transmission Step 5

Excitatory or inhibitory signal created in post-synaptic neuron.

Synaptic Transmission Step 6

Multiple signals travel down the dendrite to the soma for summation.

Synaptic Transmission Step 7

Neurotransmitters left in synaptic cleft are broken down by enzymes or absorbed back into pre-synaptic neuron vesicles-reuptake.

Hebb's Theory of Learning

When learning, new connections are made between neurons; repeated excitation = synapse becomes stronger.

Cell Assemblies & Neuronal Growth

Groups of neurons that grow as they are activated together.

Brain Plasticity

The brain's ability to be constantly changing and developing.

Engrams

A trace of information in the brain that is then rehearsed.

Cognitive Neuroscience

The scientific study of the influence of brain structures on mental processes.

Neurological Damage

Any damage to neurons in the brain which may be permanent or temporary.

Stroke

Blood supply to part of the brain is blocked, causing neurons to die. Can be recovered through plasticity.

CT Scan

Images are taken from many angles, showing cross-sections of the brain to identify lesions.

PET Scan

Journey of a radiotracer is tracked. More active areas will consume more of the radiotracer.

fMRI

Changes in blood flow is tracked. More active areas need blood to get oxygen.