Notre Dame Intro to Neuro Exam 1

Ontogeny

The development and changes of an individual over the lifespan

Reductionism

The approach of understanding complex systems by studying their simpler components

Levels of analysis

Different scales at which biological phenomena can be studied, from molecular to systems

Neural systems level

Analysis focusing on interactions among brain regions

Circuit level

Analysis focusing on local networks of interconnected neurons

Synaptic level

Analysis focusing on communication at synapses

Molecular level

Analysis focusing on genes, proteins, and molecules

Correlation

The measurable relationship or co-occurrence between two variables

Somatic intervention

An experimental manipulation that alters the structure or function of the body or brain

Behavioral intervention

An experimental manipulation that alters behavior to observe biological effects

Independent variable

The factor manipulated by the experimenter

Dependent variable

The outcome measured in an experiment

Between-subjects design

An experimental design where different groups receive different treatments

Within-subjects design

An experimental design where the same subjects experience all conditions

Glial cells

Non-neuronal cells that support, protect, and nourish neurons

Astrocytes

Glial cells that regulate extracellular chemicals and form the blood-brain barrier

Oligodendrocytes

Glial cells that myelinate axons in the central nervous system

Schwann cells

Glial cells that myelinate axons in the peripheral nervous system

Microglia

Immune cells of the nervous system that remove debris

Myelin

A fatty insulating layer that increases the speed of action potentials

Nodes of Ranvier

Gaps between myelin segments where action potentials are regenerated

Saltatory conduction

Rapid conduction of action potentials along myelinated axons

Neuron

A specialized cell that transmits electrical and chemical signals

Dendrites

The input structures of a neuron that receive signals

Soma (cell body)

The metabolic center of the neuron

Axon

A long projection that conducts action potentials away from the soma

Axon hillock

The site where action potentials are initiated

Axon terminal

The output zone of the neuron where neurotransmitters are released

Synapse

The junction between neurons where communication occurs

Synaptic cleft

The tiny gap between presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons

Synaptic vesicles

Membrane-bound sacs containing neurotransmitter molecules

Synaptic bouton

A swelling at the end of an axon terminal

Neurotransmitter

A chemical messenger released by neurons to communicate across synapses

Ligand

Any substance that binds to a receptor

Receptor

A protein that binds neurotransmitters or drugs to produce a response

Ionotropic receptor

A receptor that directly controls an ion channel

Metabotropic receptor

A receptor that acts through second messengers

Second messengers

Intracellular molecules that amplify receptor signals

EPSP (Excitatory postsynaptic potential)

A depolarizing signal that increases likelihood of firing

IPSP (Inhibitory postsynaptic potential)

A hyperpolarizing signal that decreases likelihood of firing

Spatial summation

Combined effect of inputs arriving at different locations

Temporal summation

Combined effect of inputs arriving in rapid succession

Action potential

A brief, all-or-none electrical impulse conducted along an axon

All-or-none principle

The amplitude of an action potential does not vary with stimulus strength

Resting membrane potential

The stable negative charge of a neuron at rest

Depolarization

A shift in membrane potential toward a more positive value

Hyperpolarization

A shift in membrane potential toward a more negative value

Threshold

The membrane potential required to trigger an action potential

Voltage-gated sodium channels

Channels responsible for the rising phase of the action potential

Voltage-gated potassium channels

Channels responsible for repolarization

Equilibrium potential

The membrane voltage at which ion movement is balanced

Refractory period

A period after an action potential when firing is difficult or impossible

Relative refractory period

A phase when a stronger-than-normal stimulus is required

Sodium-potassium pump

A membrane protein that maintains ionic gradients

Blood-brain barrier

A property of brain capillaries restricting substance entry

Meninges

Protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord

Cerebrospinal fluid

A clear fluid that cushions the brain and spinal cord

Choroid plexus

Specialized tissue that produces cerebrospinal fluid

EEG (Electroencephalogram)

Recording of electrical activity from the scalp

MEG (Magnetoencephalography)

Recording of magnetic fields generated by neural activity

ERP (Event-related potential)

Averaged EEG response time-locked to a stimulus

Mu rhythm

A sensorimotor rhythm associated with movement and rest

BCI (Brain-computer interface)

System allowing brain activity to control external devices

Stroke

Brain damage caused by interrupted blood supply

Hand plegia

Paralysis of a hand due to stroke

Basal ganglia

A group of subcortical nuclei involved in movement control

Limbic system

A set of brain structures involved in emotion and learning

Hippocampus

A structure involved in memory formation

Amygdala

A structure involved in emotion processing

Corpus callosum

A fiber tract connecting the two cerebral hemispheres

Tract

A bundle of axons within the central nervous system

Nerve

A bundle of axons in the peripheral nervous system

Nucleus

A collection of neuron cell bodies in the CNS

Ganglion

A collection of neuron cell bodies in the PNS

Precentral gyrus

Primary motor cortex

Postcentral gyrus

Primary somatosensory cortex

Frontal lobe

Most anterior cortical lobe involved in planning and movement

Temporal lobe

Cortical region involved in hearing and memory

Parietal lobe

Cortical region involved in sensory integration

Occipital lobe

Cortical region involved in vision

Brainstem

Midbrain, pons, and medulla

Diencephalon

Develops into thalamus and hypothalamus

Telencephalon

Develops into cerebral hemispheres

Cranial nerves

Nerves that carry motor and/or sensory information

Ventral roots

Spinal nerve roots carrying motor information

Sagittal plane

Divides the body into left and right halves

Correlation study

Research measuring relationships without manipulation

Evolutionary perspective

Focus on how traits evolved across species

Mechanisms perspective

Focus on biological processes underlying behavior

Neurotransmitter reuptake

The transport of transmitter back into presynaptic neuron

Enzymatic degradation

The breakdown of neurotransmitters by enzymes

Acetylcholinesterase

Enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine

Acetylcholine (ACh)

A neurotransmitter involved in movement and cognition

Nicotinic receptors

Ionotropic acetylcholine receptors

Muscarinic receptors

Metabotropic acetylcholine receptors

GABA

The major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain

Glutamate

The major excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain

Dopamine

A monoamine neurotransmitter involved in reward and movement

Serotonin

A monoamine neurotransmitter involved in mood and sleep

Norepinephrine

A monoamine neurotransmitter involved in arousal