The Brain and Nervous System (Psych 100) (copy)

• The nervous system

the body’s network for electrochemical communication. This system includes all the nerves cells in the body.

• The Central Nervous System

the portion of the nervous system that includes the brain and spinal cord. Primarily responsible for processing sensory information and sending signals to the peripheral nervous system for action. Encased in bone. Communicates by sending electrical signals through individual nerve cells (Neurons)

• Neurons

Individual brain cells, there are approximately 86 billion neurons in the human brain

• Synapses

Junction between the presynaptic terminal button of one neuron and the dendrite, axon, or soma of another postsynaptic neuron.

• Dendrites

part of a neuron that extends away from the cell body and is the main input to the neuron. Neurons receive info from here. Send info to the soma.

• The soma (AKA the cell body)

contains the nucleus and genetic information, and directs protein synthesis.

• Action Potential

A transient  all-or-nothing electrical current that is conducted down the axon when the membrane potential reaches the threshold of excitation.

• The axon

part of the neuron that extends off the soma, splitting several times to connect with other neurons; main output of the neuron. Cell to cell communication is helped by the fact that the axon is covered by a myelin sheath

• Myelin Sheath

Fatty tissue, that insulates the axons of the neurons; myelin is necessary for normal conduction of electrical impulses among neurons.

• Synaptic gap (AKA the synaptic cleft)

the small space between the presynaptic terminal button and the postsynaptic dendritic spine, axon, or soma. (Space between neurons)

• Neurotransmitters

Chemical substance released by the presynaptic terminal button that acts on the postsynaptic cell

• The brain stem

The “trunk” of the brain comprised of the medulla, pons, midbrain, and diencephalon. Brain stem is located at top of the spine and bottom of the brain. Considered oldest part of the brain. In charge of breathing, digestion, and beating of the heart.

• The limbic system

Includes the subcortical structures of the amygdala and hippocampal formation as well as some cortical structures; responsible for aversion and gratification. Limbic system sits at top of the brain stem, is involved in regulating our emotions, doesn’t have defined areas, and influences hunger, the sleep wake cycle, sexual desire, fear and aggression, and even memory.

• The cerebellum

The distinctive structure at the back of the brain, Latin for “small brain.” Cerebellum is at the very back of the brain, involved with movement and posture/thinking processes. Works with no conscious awareness of it. Aristotle refereed to it as the "small brain".

• The cerebrum (AKA the cerebral cortex)

usually refers to the cerebral cortex and associated white matter, but in some texts includes the subcortical structures.

• Cerebral hemispheres (left and right hemispheres that make up each side of the top of the brain)

in charge of awareness and voluntary control (like speaking and planning) and contain our primary sensory areas (seeing, hearing, feeling, and moving)

• Corpus Callosum

the thick bundle of nerve cells that connect the two hemispheres of the brain and allow them to communicate.

• Contralateral

literally “opposite side”; used to refer to the fact that the two hemispheres of the brain process sensory information and motor commands for the opposite side of the body (e.g., the left hemisphere controls the right side of the body).

• The occipital lobe

the back most (posterior) part of the cerebrum; involved in vision.

• The temporal lobe

the part of the cerebrum in front of (anterior to) the occipital lobe and below the lateral fissure; involved in vision, auditory processing, memory, and integrating vision and audition.

• The parietal lobe

the part of the cerebrum between the frontal and occipital lobes; involved in bodily sensations, visual attention, and integrating the senses.

• The frontal lobe

the front most (anterior) part of the cerebrum; anterior to the central sulcus and responsible for motor output and planning, language, judgment, and decision

• The primary motor cortex

runs along the side of the brain and in is charge of voluntary movements like waving goodbye, wiggling your eyebrows, and kissing. Each of our body parts has a unique portion of the primary motor cortex devoted to it

• The peripheral Nervous System

all of the nerve cells that connect the central nervous system to all the other parts of the body, Carries signals necessary for the body to survive, carries both voluntary and non voluntary signals.

• The somatic nervous system

processes sensory information and controls voluntary muscle movements (Cranial Nerves and Spinal Nerves)

• The Autonomic Nervous System

controls the other muscles and visceral organs (Parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems)

• The Broca's Areas

an area in the frontal lobe of the left hemisphere. Implicated in language production.

• Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

a neuroimaging technique that measures brain activity by detecting the presence of a radioactive substance in the brain that is initially injected into the bloodstream and then pulled in by active brain tissue. Allows us to see how much an individual uses a particular part of the brain while at rest/not performing a task. poor temporal resolution

• Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)

a neuroimaging technique that infers brain activity by measuring changes in oxygen levels in the blood. poor temporal resolution

• Temporal Resolution

a term that refers to how small a unit of time can be measured; high temporal resolution means capable of resolving very small units of time; in neuroscience it describes how precisely in time a process can be measured in the brain.

• Electroencephalography (EEG)

a neuroimaging technique that measures electrical brain activity via multiple electrodes on the scalp. Has good temporal resolution but poor spatial resolution.

• Spatial resolution

a term that refers to how small the elements of an image are; high spatial resolution means the device or technique can resolve very small elements; in neuroscience it describes how small of a structure in the brain can be imaged.

• Diffuse Optical Imaging (DOI)

a neuroimaging technique that infers brain activity by measuring changes in light as it is passed through the skull and surface of the brain. High temporal and spatial resolution.

Endocrine system

network of glands, organs, and tissues that create and release hormones into your blood.