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Acetylcholine (ACh)
neurotransmitter involved in many functions including muscle stimulation, memory formation, and learning
neurotransmitter
memory
Action Potential
a neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon
Na and K
impulse
Activation-synthesis Theory of Dreams
dreams are the result of the cerebral cortex's attempt to make sense of the neural activity occurring in other parts of the brain during sleep
explanation for dreams
make sense
Adrenaline
a hormone your adrenal glands make to help you prepare for stressful or dangerous situations
stress
hormone
Agonist Molecules
a molecule that, by binding to a receptor site, stimulates a response
binds
stimulates
Alpha Waves
waves are typically observed in relaxed states with minimal mental activity, especially during wakefulness
relaxed
awake
Antagonist Molecules
a molecule that, by binding to a receptor site, inhibits or blocks a response
binds
blocks response
Automatic Nervous System
the part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organs (such as the heart). Its sympathetic division arouses; its parasympathetic division calms
glands
muscles
Axon
the neuron extension that passes messages through its branches to other neurons or to muscles or glands
holds K
holds Na
Brainstem
the oldest part and central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull; the brainstem is responsible for automatic survival functions
old
survival
Central Nervous System
the brain and spinal cord; body’s decision maker
decisions
brain
Cerebellum
the “little brain” at the rear of the brainstem; functions include processing sensory input, coordinating movement output and balance, and enabling nonverbal learning and memory
sensory input
movement
balance
Cerebral Cortex
the intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering the cerebral hemispheres; the body’s ultimate control and information - processing center
info
control center
Circadian Rhythm
the physical, mental, and behavioral changes an organism experiences over a 24-hour cycle
awakefulness
24 hr
Consolidation Theory of Dreams
dreaming is influenced by the consolidation of memory during sleep
to consolidate memories
theory of why dreams happen
Corpus Callosum
the large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them
connect hemispheres
carries messages
Delta Waves
a type of high amplitude brain wave found in humans that is associated with deep sleep
deep sleep
slow
Dendrite
a neuron’s bushy, branching extensions that receive messages and conduct impulses toward the cell body
send messages
part of neuron
Depressants
one classification of drugs that reduce or slow our neural activity and body functions
slow
drug
Dopamine
A neurotransmitter involved in mood, movement, attention, and learning
mood
learning
EEG Scan
records the electrical activity of the brain via electrodes attached to the scalp
stickers on scalp
electrical activity
Endocrine System
the body’s “slow” chemical communication system; a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream
slow
hormones
Endorphins
“morphine within”—natural, opiate-like neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure
control pain
natural painkillers
Excitatory Signal
electrical signals that increase the likelihood that a neuron will fire an action potential
increase likelihood
action potential
fMRI Scan
a technique for revealing bloodflow and, therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans. fMRI scans show brain function as well as its structure
brain fuction
brain structure
Frontal Lobes
portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead; involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgments
maturity
judge
GABA
an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. It reduces neural activity and helps to regulate anxiety and levels
reduced activity
regulate anxiety
Genes
the basic units of heredity that maintain their structural identity from one generation to another
identity
genetics
Glial Cells
cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons; they may also play a role in learning and thinking
protect neurons
thinking
Glutamate
The main excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system
excitatory
learning and memory
Hallucinogens
a group of drugs that alter a person's perception of reality
hallucinations
perception
Hormones
chemical messengers that are manufactured by the endocrine glands travel through the bloodstream and affect other tissues
messengers
endocrine
Hypothalamus
a neural structure lying below (hypo) the thalamus; it directs several maintenance activities (eating, drinking, body temperature), helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion and reward
maintenance
emotion
Hypnagogic Sensation
Brief hallucinations that happen while you’re falling asleep
falling dream
fake
Inhibitory Signal
Block chemical messages from being passed further
stops
inhibits
Insomnia
A sleep disorder that causes trouble falling asleep and staying asleep
cant sleep
stress can cause this
Interneurons
Neurons in between which connect spinal motor and sensory neurons
between
connect
Lesion
any abnormal damage or change in the tissue of an organism, often caused by disease or trauma
damage
change
Limbic System
neural system (including the hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus) located below the cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions and drives
emotions
drives
Medulla
the base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing
heartbeat
breathing
Melatonin
A hormone manufactured by the pineal gland that produces sleepiness
sleep
hormone
Motor Cortex
an area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements
movement
frontal lobe
Motor Neurons
neurons that carry outgoing information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands
brain to muscles
leaving brain
MRI Scan
a technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer generated images of soft tissues
magnet
brain anatomy
Multiple Sclerosis
occurs with the deterioration of the myelin sheaths, causing slower communication of muscles
deterioration of myelin sheaths
muscles
Myasthenia Gravis
body produces antibodies against ACh receptors, causing muscle fatigue and temporary paralysis
muscle fatigue
antibodies
Myelin Sheath
a fatty tissue layer segmentally encasing the axons of some neurons; enables vastly greater transmission speed as neural impulses hop from one sausage-like node to the next
protects
speeds transmission
Narcolepsy
a neurological disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness, often with episodes of falling asleep suddenly during the day
sleep
like passing out
Neuron
a nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system
building block
basics
Neurogenesis
the formation of new neurons
new
gen- generate
Neurotransmitter
chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons. When released by the sending neuron, neurotransmitters travel across the synapse and bind to receptor sites on the receiving neuron, thereby influencing whether that neuron will generate a neural impulse
messages
go to neurons
Night Terrors
A sleep disorder that causes the sleeper to wake from NREM sleep suddenly with feelings of extreme fear, agitation, or dread
nightmares
fear
nREM Sleep
A period of dreamless sleep divided into four distinct, continuous stages
not deep sleep
Norepinephrine
A neurotransmitter important in controlling alertness, wakefulness, mood, and attention
neurotransmitter
alert
Occipital Lobes
portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head; includes areas that receive information from the visual fields
vision
back
Opioids
a class of drugs that act on the body's opioid receptors, reducing pain and producing feelings of euphoria
drug
painkiller
Oxytocin
a hormone that's produced in the hypothalamus and released into the bloodstream by the pituitary gland
love
social
Parasympathetic Nervous System
the division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy
calms body
energy
Peripheral Nervous System
the sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system (CNS) to the rest of the body
motor
sensory
PET Scan
a visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task
visual display
glucose
Pituitary Gland
the endocrine system’s most influential gland. Under the influence of the hypothalamus, the pituitary regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands
growth
endocrine
Plasticity
the brain’s ability to change, especially during childhood, by reorganizing after damage or by building new pathways based on experience
change
mold
Pons
allows for the right and left hemispheres of the brain to exchange information about the senses, including sensory input and function
exchange info
sensory
REM Sleep
the stage of sleep where most dreams happen
rapid eye movement
sleep
Reflex Arc
the pathway of neural stimulation that occurs to translate a sensation into a physical reflexive response
reflex
stimulation
Refractory Period
a period of inactivity after a neuron has fired
a break
recharging
Resting Potential
the value its membrane potential keeps as long as it is not receiving stimulation or undergoing an action potential
at rest
Reticular Activating System/ Reticular Formation
a nerve network that travels through the brainstem and thalamus and plays an important role in controlling arousal
arousal
network
Reuptake
a neurotransmitter’s reabsorption by the sending neuron
absoption
restore
Reuptake Inhibitor
Drugs that prevent a neurotransmitter from being reabsorbed by presynaptic axons, causing greater activation of postsynaptic receptors
stops
no reabsorbtion
Reward Center
a complex network of neural circuits that help regulate motivation, reinforcement, and pleasure responses
motivation
reinforcement
Sensory Neurons
neurons that carry incoming information from the sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord
sensory to brain
carry info
Serotonin
A neurotransmitter that regulates sleep, mood, appetite, and body temperature
happy
mood
Sleep Apnea
episodes during which a sleeper's breathing stops
snoring
not breathing
Somatic Nervous System
the division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body’s skeletal muscles
skeletal muscles
peripheral nervous system
Somatosensory Cortex
area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations
touch
sensory
Stimulants
substances that excite functional activity in the central nervous system
central
stimulate activity
Substance P
The neurotransmitter (excitatory) associated with feelings of pain
pain
neurotransmitter
Sympathetic Nervous System
the division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy in stressful situations
energy
stress
Synapse
the junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron
gap
space
Temporal Lobes
portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears; includes the auditory areas, each receiving information primarily from the opposite ear
listening
cerebral cortex
Terminal Branches
change electrical impulses or action potentials within a neuron into chemical messages in the form of neurotransmitters
neuron
messages
Thalamus
the brain’s sensory control center, located on top of the brainstem; it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla
sensory
directs messages
Threshold
the level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse
the limit
barrier
Depolarization
stage of action potential in which the axon gains a positive charge as sodium enters
gains positive
sodium enters