unit 1: neuro anatomy, physio, chem

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