reductionism
idea that complex systems can be understood by looking at individual parts
consciousness
awareness of internal/external world
invasive
tissue sample analysis at cellular level
non invasive
imaging methods at broader functioning level
histology
study of tissues by staining and labeling
behavioral neuroscience
study of human behavior arising from bodily processes
nissl staining
fills all cell bodies bc binds to mRNA; highlights all cell bodies in the region
Golgi staining
fills cells completely revealing details including projections
autoradiography
detection of radioactive compounds/drugs in the brain
immunohistochemistry (ICH)
detection of antibodies raised against a particular protein
in situ hybridization
probes for nucleic acid to detect RNA or DNA only of genes that are expressed in that neuron
tract tracers
form of histology that shows neuronal connection
computerized axial tomography (CAT/CT scan)
uses x-ray to show structure
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
uses powerful magnet to align protons to show fine details in structure
functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
uses oscillating magnetic fields to detect changes in brain activity/metabolism
positron emission tomography
detection of radioactive chemicals (radiolabeled glucose) to observe brain activity
neuronal electrophysiology
study of electrical properties in the nervous system
types of EEG
scalp, depth, field, intra cellular
nerve
collection of axons bundled together; group of neurons
central nervous system (CNS)
brain and spinal cord
peripheral nervous system (PNS)
everything but brain and spinal cord
somatic nervous system
nerves that interconnect the brain/major muscles/sensory systems
vertebrae
bones that protect spinal cord
meninges
3 layers of membranes that protect spinal cord
cranial nerves function
receive sensory input, control movement above neck, enervate viscera
enervate the viscera
connects to the nerves of internal organs
autonomic nervous system
nerves that connect to the viscera and contribute to autopilot body functions
sympathetic nervous system
prepare for action
parasympathetic nervous system
rest and digest
horizonal plane
top view
sagittal plane
side view of 1 hemisphere
coronal plane
front view
ipsilateral
same side
contralateral
opposite side
afferent
brings info to
efferent
sends info out
dorsal
back
ventral
belly/front
gray matter
neuronal cell bodies for info processing
white matter
projections for transmission of info
gyrus
curves of brain tissues
sulcus
crevices in between brain tissues
basal ganglia function
plays critical role in control of movement
basal ganglia parts
caudate nucleus, putamen, globus pallidus
thalamus
takes incoming/outgoing sensory info and sends it to correct place; post office
hypothalamus
homeostatic control center that bridges neuro/endocrine systems
tectum
sensory processing
tectum parts
superior colliculus, inferior colliculus
superior colliculus
processes visual info
inferior colliculus
processes sound info
tegmentum parts
substantia nigra, periaqueductal gray, reticular formation
substantia nigra
movement; involved in dopamine deficiency in Parkinson’s
periaqueductal gray
pain perception
reticular formation
sleep
cerebellum
motion coordination; cognition and learning
brainstem parts
pons, medulla
pons
sensory and motor nuclei
medulla
autonomic function (heartbeat, breathing)
Sylvian fissure
runs along top of temporal lobe
central sulcus
divides frontal/parietal lobes
limbic system parts
amygdala, hippocampus, fornix, olfactory bulb, cingulate gyrus
limbic system function
involved in memory and emotional regulation
amygdala
emotional regulation
hippocampus
memory
olfactory bulb
sense of smell
cingulate gyrus
cognitive function, attention
cortical columns
form vertical processing units
corpus callosum
network of connections across hemispheres
dura mater
tough, most outermost meninge
arachnoid layer
middle web-like structure filled w/ fluid
pia mater
delicate, most innermost layer
meningitis
inflammation of the meninges that causes swelling
meningiomas
benign tumors that grow on meninges
cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
fluid that surrounds the brain in the subarachnoid space
choroid plexus
specialized membrane that filters blood to produce CSF
hydrocephalus
water on the brain
hydrocephalus cause
blockage of ventricles cause fluid buildup
glymphatic system function
protects brain from infection, maintains optimal fluid levels, removes waste products
brain requires 2% of tissue but -
20% of energy
carotid arteries
supply brain w/ blood through neck
vertebral arteries
supply brain w/ blood along spine
blood-brain barrier
capillaries in the brain highly resistant to the passage of molecules into the neurons they supply
hemorrhagic stroke
rupture in blood vessel/artery allows blood to leak into the brain
ischemic stroke
clots or other debris prevent blood from reaching a region of the brain
number of neurons
90 billion
circuits
made of neurons that underlie all forms of behavior
glial cells/glia
support cell for neurons
Neuron Doctrine
1 neurons and other brain cells are independent 2 info is transmitted from neurons across synapses
synapse
gaps between cells
input zone
where neurons collect/process info from environment or other cells
cell body
info comes in and is processed
dendritic spines function
axon terminal of previous cell forms synapse here
integration zone
where the decision to produce a neural signal is made
conduction zone
where info can be electrically transmitted over great distances
axon collaterals
axon splits before terminals
output zone
where neuron transmits info to other cells
axon terminals
in communication w/ dendritic spines of next neuron
multipolar neurons
have many dendrites coming out of cell body and a single axon; most common type of neuron
bipolar neurons
single dendrite and single axon; common in sensory systems
unipolar/monopolar neurons
have single process that branches in 2 directions after leaving cell body; transmit touch info from body to spinal cord