The foundations of neuroscience key terms: CH 2

Neuron- an individual nerve cell Sensory Neuron- a nerve cell that carries information from the outer parts of the body, caused by external stimuli, to the central nervous system Motor Neuron- a nerve cell that carries motor commands from the CNS to muscles and glands Interneuron- connect various neurons to the brain and spinal cord Dendrite- neuron fiber that receives incoming messages Soma- the main body of a neuron or other cell Axon- fiber that carries information away from the cell body of a neuron Resting Potential- the electrical charge of a neuron at rest Action Potential- the nerve impulse All-or-none principal- a nerve impulse occurs completely or not at all Synapse- the microscopic space between two neurons over which messages pass Terminal buttons- receive the messages transferred down the axon, store them in their synaptic vesicles, and secrete these transmitter substances. Synaptic transmission- when a neural impulse moves from one neuron to another Synaptic Vesicle- tiny oval sacs on the axon terminal filled with a chemical transmitter substance Neurotransmitters- any chemical released by a neuron that alters activity in other neurons Plasticity- the brains capacity to change its structure and functions Glial Cells- part of the nervous system, aid neurons by providing nutrition and insulation, structural support, make up myelin sheath, may play an important role in intelligence and affect learning Nervous system- made up of voluntary and involuntary nerves, composed of the brain, spinal cord, and sensory nerves, carries messages to the brain from the body and motor nerves CNS Central Nervous System- the brain and spinal cord Reflex- the simplest behavior in which a stimulus provokes an automatic response Peripheral nervous system- all parts of the nervous system outside the brain and spinal cord Somatic Nervous System- the system of nerves linking the spinal cord with the body and sense organs Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)- the system of nerves carrying information to and from the internal organs and glands Sympathetic division- the part of the ANS that alerts or excites the body Parasympathetic division- the part of the ANS that quiets the body Endocrine system- glands whose secretions pass directly into the bloodstream or lymph system Hormone- a glandular secretion that affects bodily functions or behavior Pituitary gland- the master gland whose hormones influence other endocrine glands; regulates growth Agonist Antagonist Neural pathway- a series of synapses that form a network in the brain, connect relatively distant areas of the brain or nervous system. EEG Electroencephalograph- a device that detects, amplifies, and records electrical activity in the brain CT computerized tomography- a computer enhanced x-ray image of the brain or body PET position emission tomography- a computer generated image of brain

activity based on glucose consumption in the brain MRI Magnetic resonance imaging- a computer enhanced three-dimensional representation of the brain or body based on the bodys response to a magnetic field. fMRI functional MRI- magnetic resonance imaging that records and makes visible brain activity Brain Stem- the lowest portions of the brain, including the cerebellum, medulla, pons, and reticular formation; connects to the spinal cord Medulla- The structure that connects the brain with the spinal cord and controls vital life functions (heart rate, breathing, swallowing etc.) Pons- an area on the brainstem that acts as a bridge between the medulla and other structures Reticular Formation- a network within the medulla and brainstem; associated with attention, alertness, and some reflexes Thalamus- a brain structure that relays sensory information to the cerebral cortex Cerebellum- a brain structure that controls posture and coordination Limbic System- A system in the forebrain that is closely linked with the emotional response Hippocampus- a part of the limbic system associated with storing memories Amygdala- A part of the limbic system associated with fear responses Hypothalamus- a small area of the brain that regulates emotional behaviors and motives Cerebral cortex- the outer layer of the cerebrum (the two large hemispheres that cover the upper part of the brain) Frontal lobes- a brain area associated with movement, the sense of smell, and higher mental functions

Motor cortex- a brain area associated with control of movement Parietal lobes- area of the brain where bodily sensations (touch, temperature, pressure etc.) register Somatosensory cortex- a receiving area for bodily sensations Occipital lobes- portion of the cerebral cortex where vision registers in the brain Visual cortex Temporal lobes- areas that include the sites where hearing registers in the brain Association cortex- all areas of the cerebral cortex that are not primarily sensory or motor in function Cerebral dominance- ability of one cerebral hemisphere (right or left side of the brain) to control specific tasks; related to handedness Corpus callosum- the bundle of fibers connecting the cerebral hemispheres (the right and left halves of the cerebrum) Cerebrum- enables reasoning, planning, creating, and problem solving; topmost layer of the brain. Aphasia- the loss of speech caused by brain damage Left Hemisphere- spontaneous speaking and writing, responses to complex commands, word recognition, memory for words and numbers, sequences of movements, feelings of anxiety, positive emotions Right Hemisphere- repetitive but not spontaneous speaking, responses to simple commands, facial recognition, memory for shapes and music, spatial interpretation, emotional responses, negative Dopamine- produces sensations of pleasure and reward; used by CNS neurons in voluntary movement: problems w/imbalance include schizophrenia and Parkinsons: affected by: cocaine, amphetamines, Ritalin, alcohol

Serotonin- regulates sleep and dreaming, mood, pain, aggression, appetite, sexual behavior. Problems- depression, certain anxiety disorders, OCD. Drugs- Prozac, hallucinogenics (LSD) Norepinephrine- controls heart rate, sleep, sexual responsiveness, stress, vigilance, appetite. Problems- high blood pressure, depression. Drugs- tricyclic antidepressants, beta blockers. Acetylcholine- primary transmitter used by neurons carrying messages from CNS, involved in some kinds of learning and memory. Problems- certain muscular disorders, Alzheimers. Drugs- nicotine, butolism toxin, curare, atropine. GABA- most prevalent inhibitory neurotransmitter in neurons of CNS. Problems- anxiety, epilepsy. Drugsbarbiturates, tranquilizers (ex. Valium, Librium), alcohol. Glutamin- primary excitatory neurotransmitter in CNS, involved in learning and memory. Problems- brain damage after stroke. Drugs- PCP (angel dust) Endorphins- pleasurable sensations, control of pain. Problems- lowered levels resulting from opiate addiction. Drugsopiates: opium, heroin, morphine, methadone.

THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM WORKS SLOWER THAN THE NERVOUS SYSTEM DOES.