Animal Physiology and Neurobiology

This set of flashcards includes key vocabulary and concepts related to animal physiology, neurobiology, and the structure and function of various tissues.

Internal State Regulation

The ability of animals to maintain homeostasis in changing environments through adaptations in form, function, and behavior.

Adaptations

Changes in anatomy and physiology that help organisms maintain their internal environment and survive in their surroundings.

Convergent Evolution

The independent evolution of similar traits in different species facing the same environmental challenges.

Epithelial Tissue

Type of tissue that covers body surfaces, lines organs and cavities, with closely packed cells.

Connective Tissue

Supports, binds, and holds tissues and organs in place; characterized by sparse cells scattered within an extracellular matrix.

Muscle Tissue

Responsible for movement in animals, comprising skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscle types.

Nervous Tissue

Comprises neurons and glial cells; functions in the receipt, processing, and transmission of information.

Resting Potential

The membrane potential of a neuron not actively sending signals; usually between -60 to -80 mV.

Action Potential

A brief all-or-none change in membrane potential that propagates along a neuron's axon.

Synapse

A junction between two neurons or between a neuron and another cell, facilitating communication.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers released by neurons to transmit signals across synapses.

Postsynaptic Potential

Changes in membrane potential of the postsynaptic neuron in response to neurotransmitter binding.

Graded Potentials

Changes in membrane potential that vary in magnitude based on the strength of the stimulus.

Saltatory Conduction

The jumping of action potentials between nodes of Ranvier in myelinated axons, speeding up signal transmission.

Neuronal Plasticity

The ability of synapses to strengthen or weaken over time in response to increases or decreases in activity.

Sensory Reception

The process by which sensory receptors convert stimulus energy into changes in membrane potential.

Amplification

The strengthening of a sensory signal during transduction.

Mechanoreceptors

Sensory receptors that respond to mechanical pressure or distortion.

Photoreceptors

Cells in the retina that respond to light; include rods (light-sensitive) and cones (color-sensitive).

Olfaction

The sense of smell, involving detection of odorant molecules by olfactory receptors.

Gustation

The sense of taste, involving detection of chemical substances known as tastants.

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

Fluid that fills the ventricles of the brain and the central canal of the spinal cord, providing nutrients and cushioning.

Lateralization of Cortical Function

The specialized functions of the left and right cerebral hemispheres, notably in language and spatial abilities.

Neurotransmitter Recycling

The process by which neurotransmitters are cleared from the synaptic cleft to terminate signaling.