Critical Textbook Concepts for Exam 1

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary and concepts from the lecture notes on the nervous system and biopsychological research methods.

Neuron

The basic building block of the nervous system responsible for transmitting information through electrical and chemical signals.

Glial cells

Supportive cells in the nervous system, including astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, Schwann cells, and microglia.

Dendrites

Branch-like structures that receive signals from other neurons.

Axon

A long, thin structure that transmits signals away from the neuron's cell body.

Synapse

The junction between two neurons where communication occurs.

Presynaptic neuron

The neuron that sends the signal in a synapse.

Postsynaptic neuron

The neuron that receives the signal in a synapse.

Neurotransmitter

Chemical messengers that transmit signals across a synapse from one neuron to another.

Myelin

A fatty substance that surrounds and insulates axons, speeding up neural transmission.

Central nervous system

Consists of the brain and spinal cord.

Autonomic nervous system

Part of the nervous system that controls involuntary actions and regulates bodily functions.

Sympathetic nervous system

Part of the autonomic nervous system that activates the fight or flight response.

Parasympathetic nervous system

Part of the autonomic nervous system that conserves energy and promotes rest and digest functions.

Cerebral cortex

The outer layer of the brain responsible for higher-order functions, such as thought and action.

Gyri/gyrus

The raised ridges on the surface of the cerebral cortex.

Sulci/sulcus

The grooves or indentations between the gyri.

Basal ganglia

A group of nuclei in the brain involved in movement regulation.

Amygdala

A brain structure involved in emotion regulation and processing.

Hippocampus

A brain structure important for memory formation.

Thalamus

A brain region that acts as a relay station for sensory information.

Hypothalamus

A brain region that regulates many essential functions, including autonomic control.

Cerebrospinal fluid

A clear fluid that cushions the brain and spinal cord.

Blood-brain barrier

A protective barrier that regulates the passage of substances from the bloodstream into the brain.

Nissl stain

A staining technique used to visualize neuron cell bodies and the distribution of rough endoplasmic reticulum.

CT scan

A imaging technique that uses X-rays to create detailed images of the brain.

MRI

A non-invasive imaging technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to image the brain.

Action potential

A rapid rise and fall in the electrical membrane potential of a neuron that occurs when it is stimulated.

Voltage-gated channels

Ion channels that open or close in response to changes in membrane potential.

EPSP

Excitatory postsynaptic potential, which makes the postsynaptic neuron more likely to fire.

IPSP

Inhibitory postsynaptic potential, which makes the postsynaptic neuron less likely to fire.