A Primer on the Brain and Nervous System

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary and concepts related to the brain and nervous system as presented in the lecture notes.

Neuron

A specialized cell that can transmit electrical signals to other nerve cells, muscles, or glands.

Neurotransmitter

Chemical messengers released by neurons that transmit signals across synapses to communicate with other neurons.

Homeostasis

The tendency of the body's internal environment to maintain a stable, constant condition.

Synaptic plasticity

The ability of synapses to change their strength over time, influencing learning and memory.

Circadian rhythms

Biological processes that display an endogenous, entrainable oscillation of about 24 hours, influenced by light and darkness.

Amygdala

A brain structure involved in processing emotions, particularly fear and pleasure.

Cerebral cortex

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

Hippocampus

A critical brain region involved in the formation and retrieval of memories.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter associated with pleasure, motivation, and reward pathways in the brain.

Excitatory neuron

A type of neuron that increases the likelihood of firing an action potential in target neurons.

Inhibitory neuron

A type of neuron that decreases the likelihood of firing an action potential in target neurons.

Neural network

A group of interconnected neurons that work together to process information.

Action potential

An electrical charge that travels along the axon of a neuron, transmitting signals throughout the nervous system.

Gene expression

The process by which information from a gene is used to create a functional product, typically a protein.

Neuroplasticity

The brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life.

Neural induction

The process during embryonic development where ectoderm cells become nerve tissues.

Myelination

The process of forming a myelin sheath around a nerve to improve the speed of electrical signal transmission.

Apoptosis

Programmed cell death that is a normal part of development and cellular turnover.

Neurodegenerative disease

Disorders that involve progressive degeneration of the structure and function of the nervous system.

Psychiatric disorder

A mental condition that causes significant disturbances in thoughts, feelings, and behavior.

Action potential threshold

The level of depolarization that must be reached for a neuron to fire an action potential.

Long-term potentiation (LTP)

A long-lasting increase in synaptic strength, believed to be a cellular mechanism for learning and memory.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

A class of drugs used to treat depression by increasing levels of serotonin in the brain.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

A type of psychotherapy that helps individuals change negative thought patterns to improve emotional regulation.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)

A non-invasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain to alleviate symptoms of mental disorders.

Orexin

A neurotransmitter that regulates arousal, wakefulness, and appetite.

Circumventricular organs

Structures in the brain that can detect changes in blood composition and are involved in homeostasis.