brain

Central Nervous System

Controls most functions in the body/mind (brain & spinal cord)

Peripheral Nervous System

Sensory & motor neurons that connect the central nervous system to the rest of the body

Somatic Nervous System

Controls VOLUNTARY movement & sensory inputs

Automatic Nervous System

Controls INVOLUNTARY fuctions

Sympathetic Division

Prepares the body for flight or flight response

Parasympathetic Division

Calms the body down

Cell Body

Contains the nucleus & organelles

Dendrites

Receive signals from other neurons

Axon

Transmits electrical impulses away from the body

Myelin Sheath

Insulates the axon and speeds up the signal transmission

Axon Terminals

Releases neurotransmitters into the synapse

Action Potential

Electric charge that travels down the axon when a neuron is stimulated

Synaptic Transmission

Process of neurotransmitters crossing the synaptic cap and binding to the next neuron's receptors

Dopamine

Movement, motivation, & reward

Serotonin

Regulates mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal

Norepinephrine

Arousal & alertness

Acetylcholine

Muscle movement & memory

GABA

Major inhibitory neurotransmitter

Glutamate

Major excitatory neurotransmitter, involved in learning & memory

Brainstem

Controls basic life functions (heartbeat & breathing)

Cerebellum

Voluntary movement, balance, & motor learning

Limbic System

Emotions & memory

Parts of the Limbic System

Hypothalamus, Amygdala, & Hippocampus

Hypothalamus

Regulates hunger, thirst, temperature, and basic functions

Amygdala

Processes fear and aggression

Hippocampus

Memory formation & spatial navigation

Cerebral Cortex

higher-level functions: thinking, problem-solving, & planning

Parts of the Cerebral Cortex

Frontal, Parietal, Temporal, & Occipital Lobe

Frontal Lobe

decision-making, planning, and movement

Parietal Lobe

sensory processing (touch, temperature, & pain)

Temporal Lobe

auditory processing & memory

Occipital Lobe

visual processing

Left Hemisphere

language, logic, & analytical thinking

Right Hemisphere

creativity, spatial abilities, & emotional processing

Endocrine System

system of glands that release hormones into the bloodstream to regulate bodily functions

Pituitary Gland

master gland, controls other glands and regulates growth

Thyroid

produces hormones that regulate metabolism

Adrenal Glands

produces hormones like adrenaline in response to stress

Pancreas

regulates blood sugar levels through insulin/glucagon

Gonads

produces sex hormones that influence reproduction & sexual behavior

Lesioning

removing/damaging part of the brain

EEG

measures electrical activity in the brain

CT Scan

type of X-ray that creates detailed images of the brain

MRI

magnetic fields that create detailed images of brain structures

PET Scan

measures brain activity by tracking glucose structures

fMRI

measures brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow

Genotype

an individual's genetic makeup

Phenotype

physical expression of the genotype