Unit 1 test 1-4

Resting potential

The electrical charge between the inside and outside of a neuron when is not actively transmitting a nerve impulse

Threshold

The lowest point at which a particular stimulus will cause a response in an organism

Action potential

The electrical impulse that occurs when neurons transmit signals through the body

All or none principle

The principle that nerve cells send signals with the same force regardless of the strength impulse causing them to fire

Depolarization

A shift in a neuron’s electrical charge that allows an action potential (nerve impulse) to occur

Refractory period

A period immediately after a neuronal firing which no additional neuronal firings can be completed

Reuptake

The process by which a neuron reabsorbs a neurotransmitter after it has transmitted a nerve impulse

Multiple sclerosis (MS)

Immune system eats away the protective covering of the nerves (myelin)

Myasthenia gravis (MG)

A weakness and rapid fatigue if somatic NS at the synapse

Ghrelin

Hormone associated with hunger

Leptin

(PYY) Hormone associated with weight

Melatonin

Hormone associated with sleep

Oxytocin

Associated with sensory nerves (labor, breastfeeding, sexual activity)

Psychoactive drugs

Drugs that alter perception and mood

Antagonist

Block neurotransmitters

Agonists

Mimic neurotransmitters

Stimulants

Caffeine, cocaine, methamphetamines, ecstasy, nicotine

Depressants

Alcohol, barbiturates(tranquilizers), opiates(morphine and heroine)

Hallucinogens

LSD(acid), PCP, mushrooms, marijuana

EEG

Measures electrical activity in the brain

MRI/fMRI

Uses radio waves and strong magnetic fields to create detailed pictures of the inside of the body

Lesioning

The intentional removal or damage of specific areas of the brain to treat certain disorders

Medulla

Controls vital life functions like breathing, circulation, and swallowing

Cerebellum

Responsible for coordinating fine muscle movement, coordination, and balance

Reticular formation

RAS, maintains general level of arousal, regulating sleep and wakefulness

Thalamus

Located at the top of the brain stem and receives input from all your senses (except smell) and relays them to your cortical areas

Hypothalamus

(Limbic system) Located under the thalamus and is the brain’s master control center, regulating key body functions like hunger, thirst, and body temperature (4 F’s)

Hippocampus

Short term into long term memory

Cerebrum

Largest part of the forebrain and responsible for complex mental activities

Cerebral cortex

The outer covering of the brain

Corpus callosum

Allows the two hemispheres of the brain to communicate

Plasticity

The ability for the brain to reroute and make up for damaged/removed areas of the brain

Broca’s Area (L)

Front, Responsible for the production of speech

Wernicke’s area (L)

Back (TL), Responsible for language development and reading language

Aphasia

Effects a persons ability to express or understand written and spoken language

Endocrine system

A system of hormones that carries messages through different glands through the bloodstream

Glial cell

Any of the cells that hold nerve cells in place and help them work the way they should (3-1)

Interneuron

An efferent message goes to the muscle, bypassing the brain

Reflex arc

When an afferent message goes to the spinal cord