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Biological Psych 310-101 for Test 2
Chapters end of 3 thru 5
234
Psychology
Undergraduate 3
06/05/2013

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Term
hippocampus
Definition
A forebrain structure of the temporal lobe, constituting an important part of the limbic system; includes the hippocampus proper (Ammon's horn), dentate gyrus, and subiculum.
Term
amygdala (mig da la)
Definition
A sructure in the interior of the rostral temporal lobe, containing a set of nuclei; part of the lmbic system.
Term
fornix
Definition
A fiber bundle that connects the hippocampus with other parts of the brain, including the mammillary bodies of the hypothalamus; part of the limbic system.
Term
mammillary bodies (mam i lair ee)
Definition
A protrusion of the bottom of the brain at the posterior end of the hypothalamus, containing some hypothalamic nuclei; part of the limbic system.
Term
basal ganglia
Definition
A group of subcortical nuclei in the telencephalon, the caudate nucleus, the globus palidus, and the putamen; important parts of the motor system.
Term
nucleus (plural: nuclei)
Definition
An identifiedable group of neural cell bodies in the central nervous system.
Term
diencephalon (dy en seff a lahn)
Definition
A region of the forebrain surrounding the third ventricle; includes the thalamus and the hypothalamus.
Term
thalamus
Definition
The largest portion of the diencephalon, located above the hypothalamus; contains nuclei that project information to specific regions of the cerebral cortex and receive information from it.
Term
projection fiber
Definition
An axon of a neuron in one region of the brain whose terminals form synapses with neurons in another region.
Term
lateral geniculate nucleus
Definition
A group of cell bodies with in the lateral genculate body of the thalamus that receives fibers from the retina and projects fibers to the primary visual cortex.
Term
medial geniculate nucleus
Definition
A group of cell bodies within the medial geniculate body of the thalamus; receives fibers from the autditory system and projects fibers to the primary auditory cortex.
Term
ventrolateral nucleus
Definition
A nucleus of the thalamus that receives inputs from the cerebellum and sends axons to the primary motor cortex.
Term
hypothalamus
Definition
The group of nuclei of the diencephalon situated beneatht the thalamus; involved in regulation of the autonomic nervous system, control of the anterior and posterior pituitary glands, and integration of species-typical behaviors.
Term
optic chiasm (kye az'm)
Definition
An X-shaped connection between the optic nerves, located below the base of the brain, just anteriro to the pituitary gland.
Term
anterior pituitary gland
Definition
The anterior part of the pituitary gland; an endocrine galnd whose secretions are controlled by the hypothalamic hormones.
Term
nuerosecretory cell
Definition
a neuron that secretes a hormone or hormonelike substance.
Term
posterior pituitary gland
Definition
The posterior part of the pituitary gland; and endocrine galnd that contains hormone secreting terminal buttons of axons whose cell bodies lie within the hypothalamus.
Term
midbrain
Definition
The mesencephalon; the central of the three major divisions fo the brain.
Term
mesencephalon (mezz en seff a lahn)
Definition
The midbrain; a refion of the brain that surrounds the cerebral aqueduct; includes the tectum and the tegmentum.
Term
tectum
Definition
The dorsal part of the midbrain; includes the superior and inferior colliculi.
Term
superior colliculi (ka lik yew lee)
Definition
Protrusions on top of the midbrain; part of the visual systems.
Term
inferior colliculi
Definition
Protrusions on top of the midbrain; part of the auditory system.
Term
brain stem
Definition
The "stem" of the brain, from the dedulla to the diencephalon, excluding the cerebellum.
Term
tegmentum
Definition
The ventral part of the midbrain; includes the periaqueductal gray matter, reticular formation, red nucleus, and substantia nigra.
Term
reticular formation
Definition
A large network of neural tissue located in the central region of the brain stem, from the medulla to the diencephalon.
Term
periaqueductal gray matter
Definition
The region of the midbrain surrounding the cerebral aqueduct; contains neural circuits involved in species-typical behaviors.
Term
red nucleus
Definition
A large nucleus of the midbrain that receives inputs from the cerebellum and motor cortex and send axons to motor neurons in the spinal cord.
Term
sustantia nigra
Definition
A drakly stained region of teh tegmentum that contains nuerons that communicate with the caudate nucleus and putament in the basal ganglia.
Term
hindbrain
Definition
The most caudal of the three major divisons of the brain; includes the metencephalon and myelencephalon.
Term
cerebellum (sair a bel lum)
Definition
A major part of the brain located dorsal to the pons, containing the two cerebellar hemispheres, coverd with the cerebellar cortex; an important component of the motor system.
Term
cerebellar cortex
Definition
The cortex that covers the surface of the cerebellum.
Term
deep cerebellar nuclei
Definition
Nuclei located with the cerebellar hemispheres; receive projections from the cerebellar cortex and sends projections our of the cerebellum to other parts of the brain
Term
cerebellar peduncle (pee dun kul)
Definition
One of the three bundles of axons that attach each cerebellar hemisphere to the dorsal pons.
Term
pons
Definition
The region of the metencephalon rostral to the medulla, caudal to the midbrain, and ventral to the cerebellum.
Term
medulla oblongata (me doo la)
Definition
The most caudal portion of the brain; located in the myelencephalon, immediately rostral to the spinal cord.
Term
spinal cord
Definition
The cord of nervous tissue that extends caudally from the medulla.
Term
spinal root
Definition
A bundle of axons surrounded by connective tissue that occurs in pairs, which fuse and form a spinal nerve.
Term
cauda equina (ee kwye na)
Definition
A bundle of spinal roots located caudal to the end of the spinal cord.
Term
caudal block
Definition
The anesthesia and paralysis of the lower part of the body produced by injection of a local anesthetic into the cerebrospinal fluid surrounding the cauda equina.
Term
dorsal root
Definition
The spinal root that contains incoming (afferent) sensory fibers.
Term
ventral root
Definition
The spinal root that contains outgoing (efferent) motor fibers.
Term
spinal nerve
Definition
A peripheral nerve attached to the spinal cord.
Term
afferent axon
Definition
An axon directed toward the central nervous system conveying sensory information.
Term
dorsal root ganglion
Definition
A nodule on a dorsal root that contains cell bodies of afferent spinal nerve neurons.
Term
efferent axon (eff ur ent)
Definition
An axon directed away from the central nervous system, conveying motor commands to the muscles and glands.
Term
cranial nerve
Definition
A peripheral nerve attached directly to the brain.
Term
vagus nerve
Definition
The largest of the cranial nerves, conveying efferent fibers of teh parasympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system to organs of the thoracic and abdominal cavities.
Term
olafactory bulb
Definition
The protrusion at the end of the olfactory nerve, receives input from the olfactory receptors.
Term
somatic nervous system
Definition
The part of the peripheral nervous sytem that controls the movement of skeletal muscles or transmits somatosensory information to the central nervous system.
Term
autonomic nervous system (ANS)
Definition
The portion of the peripheral nervous system that controls the the body's vegetative functions.
Term
sympathetic division
Definition
The portion of the autonomic nervous system that controls functions that accompany arousal and expenditure.
Term
sympathetic ganglia
Definition
Nodules that contain synapses between preganglionic and postganglionic neurons of sympathtic nervous system.
Term
sympathetic ganglion chain
Definition
One of a pair of groups of sympathetic ganglia that lie ventrolateral to the vertebral column.
Term
preganglionic neuron
Definition
The efferent nueron of the autonomic nervous system whose cell body is located in a cranial nerve nucleus or in the intermediate horn of the spinal gray matter and whose terminal buttons synapse upon postganglionic neurons in the autonomic ganglia.
Term
postganglionic neuron
Definition
Neurons of the autonomic nervous system that form synapses directly with their target organ.
Term
parasympathetic division
Definition
The portion of the autonomic nervous system that controls functions that occur during a relaxed state.
Term
psychopharmacology
Definition
The study of the effects of drugs on the nervous system and on behavior.
Term
drug effect
Definition
The changes a drug produces in an animals physiological processes and behavior.
Term
site of action
Definition
A location at which molecules of drug interact with molecules located on or in cells of the body, thus affecting some biochemical proceses of theses cells.
Term
pharmocokinetics
Definition
The process by which drugs are absorbed, distributed within the body, metabolized, and excreted.
Term
intravenous (IV) injection
Definition
Injection of a substance directly into a vein.
Term

intraperitoneal (IP) injection 

(in tra pair i toe nee ul)

Definition
Injection of a substance into the peritoneal cavity--the space that surrounds the stomach, intestines, liver, and other abdominal organs.
Term
intramuscular (IM)
Definition
Injection of a substance into a muscle
Term
subcutaneous (SC) injection
Definition
injection of a substance into the space beneath the skin.
Term
oral administration
Definition
Administration of a substance into the mouth, so that it is swallowed.
Term
sublingual administration (sub ling wul)
Definition
Administration of a substance by placing it beneath the tongue.
Term
intrarectal administration
Definition
Administration of a substance into the rectum.
Term
inhalation
Definition
Administration of a vaporous substance into the lungs.
Term
topical administration
Definition
Administration of a substance directly onto the skin or mucous membrane.
Term
intracerebral administration
Definition
Adminstration of a substance directly into the brain.
Term
intracerebroventricular (ICV)administration
Definition
Administration of a substance into the cerebral ventricles.
Term
dose-response curve
Definition
A graph of the magnitude of an effect of a drug as a function of the amount of drug administered
Term
therapeutic index
Definition
The ratio between the dose that produces the desired effect in 50 percent of the animals and the does that produces toxic effects in 50 percent of the animals.
Term
affinity
Definition
The readiness with which two molecules join together.
Term
tolerance
Definition
A decrease in the effectiveness of a drug that is administered repeatedly.
Term
sensitization
Definition
An increase in the effectiveness of a drug that is administered repeatedly.
Term
withdrawal symptom
Definition
The appearance of symptoms opposite of those produced by a drug when the drug is administered repeatedly and then suddenly no longer taken.
Term
placebo (pla see boh)
Definition
An inert substance that is given to an organism in lieu of a physiologically active drug; used experimentally to control for the effects of mere administration of a drug.
Term
antagonist
Definition
A drug that opposes or inhibits the effects of a particular neurotransmitter on the postsynaptic cell.
Term
agonist
Definition
A drug that facilitates the effects of a particular neurotransmitter on the postsynaptic cell.
Term
direct agonist
Definition
A drug that binds with and activates a receptor.
Term
receptor blocker or direct antagonist
Definition
A drug that binds with a receptor but does not activate it; prevents the natural ligand from binding with the receptor.
Term
noncompetitive binding
Definition
Binding of a drug to a site on a receptor; does not interfere with the binding site for the principat ligand
Term
indirect antagonist
Definition
A drug that attaches to abinding site on a receptor and interferes with the action of the receptor; does not interfere with the binding site for the principal ligand.
Term
indirect agonist
Definition
A drug that attaches to a binding site on a receptor and facilitates the action of the receptor, does not interfere with the binding site for the principal ligand.
Term
acetyl-CoA (see tul)
Definition
A cofactor that supplies acetate for the synthesis of acetylcholine.
Term

choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)

(koh leen a see tul trans fer ace)

Definition
The enzyme that transfers the acetate ion from acetyl coenzyme A to choline, producing the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.
Term
botulinum toxin (bot you lin um)
Definition
An acetylcholine antagonist; prevents release of ACh by terminal buttons.
Term
black window spider venom
Definition
A poison produced by the black widow spider that triggers the release of acetylcholine.
Term
neostigmine (nee o stig meen)
Definition
A drug that inhibits the activity of acetylcholinesterase.
Term
nicotinic receptor
Definition
An ionotropic acetylcholine receptor that is stimulated by nicotine and blocked  by curare.
Term
muscarinic receptor (muss ka rin ic)
Definition
A metabotropic acetylcholine receptor that is stimulated by muscarine and blocked by atropine.
Term
atropine (tro peen)
Definition
A drug that blocks muscarinic acetylcholine receptors.
Term
curare (kew rahr ee)
Definition
A drug that blocks nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.
Term
monoamine (mahn o a meen)
Definition
A class of amines that includes indolamines such as serotonin and catecholamines such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and pinephrine.
Term
catecholamine (cat a kohl a meen)
Definition
A class of amines that includes the neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine.
Term

L-DOPA (ell dope a)

Definition
The levorotatory form of DOPA; the precursor of the catecholamines; often used to treat Parkinson's disease because of its effect as a dopamne agonist.
Term

nigrostriatal system 

(nigh grow stry ay tul)

Definition
A system of neurons originating in the substantia nigra and terminating in the neostriatum (caudate nucleus adn putamen).
Term
mesolimbic system (mee zo lim bik)
Definition
A system of dopaminergic neurons originating in the venral tegmental area and terminating in the nucleus accumbens, amygdala, and hippocampus.
Term
mesocortical system (mee zo kor ti kul)
Definition
A system of dopaminergic neurons originating in the ventrl tegmental area and terminating in the prefrontal cortex.
Term
Parkinson's disease
Definition
A neurological disease characterized by tremors, rigidity of the limbs, poor balance, and difficulty in initiating movements; caused by degeneration of the nigrostriatal system.
Term
AMPT
Definition
A drug that blocks the activity of tyrosine hydroxylase and thus interferes with the synthesis of the catecholamines.
Term
reserpine (ree sur peen)
Definition
A drug that interferes with the storage of monoamines in synaptic vesicles.
Term

methyphenidate

(meth ul fen i date)

Definition
A drug that inhibits the reuptake of dopamine.
Term

monoamine oxidase (MAO)

(mahn o a meen)

Definition
A class of enzymes that destroy the monoamines; dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin.
Term
deprenyl (dep ra nil)
Definition
A drug that blocks the activity of MAO-B; acts as a dpamine agonist.
Term
chloropromazine (klor proh ma zeen)
Definition
A drug that reduces the symptioms of schizophrenia by blocking dopamine Dreceptors.
Term
norepinephrine (NE) (nor epp i neff rin)
Definition
One of the catecholamines; a neurotransmitter found in the brain and in the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system.
Term
epinephrine (epp i neff rin)
Definition
One of the catecholamines; a hormone secreted by the adrenal medulla; serves also as a neurotansmitter in the brain.
Term
fusaric acid (few sahr ik)
Definition
A drug that inhibits the activity of the enzyme dopamine-β-hydroxylase and thus blocks the production of norepinephrine.
Term
locus coeruleus (sur oo lee us)
Definition
A dark collored group of noradrenergic cell bodies located in the pons near the rostral end of the floor of the fourth ventricle.
Term
idazoxan
Definition
A drug that blocks presynaptic α2 receptors and hence acts aws an agonist, stimulating the synthesis and release of NE (norepinephrine)
Term
serotonin (5-HT)(sair a toe nin)
Definition
An indolamine neurtotransmitter; also called hydroxytryptamine.
Term
PCPA
Definition
A drug that inhibits the activity of tryptophan hydroxylase and thus interferes with the synthesis of 5-HT.
Term
fluoxetine (floo ox i teen)
Definition
A drug that inhibits the reuptake of 5-HT.
Term
fenfluramine (fen fluor i meen)
Definition
A drug that stimulates the release of 5-HT.
Term
LSD
Definition
A drug that stimulates 5-HT2A receptors
Term
MDMA
Definition
A drug that serves as a noradrenergic and serotonergic agonist, also known as "ectasy"; has excitatory and hallucinogenic effects.
Term
glutamate
Definition
An amino acid; the most important excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain.
Term
NMDA receptor
Definition
A specialized ionotropic glutamate receptor that controls a calcium channel that is normally blocked by Mg2+ ions; has several other binding sites.
Term
AMPA receptor
Definition
An ionotropic glutamate receptor that controls a sodium channel; stimulated by AMPA.
Term
kainate (kay i nate)
Definition
An ionotropic glutamate receptor that controls a sodium channel; stimulated by kainic acid.
Term

metabotropic glutamate receptor 

(meh tab or troh pik)

Definition
A category of metabotropic receptors that are senstive to glutamate.
Term
AP5 (2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoate)
Definition
A drug that blocks the glutamate-biding site on NMDA receptors.
Term
PCP
Definition
Phencyclidine; a drug that binds with the PCP-binding site of the NMDA receptor and serves as an indirect antagonist.
Term
GABA
Definition
An amino acid; the most important inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain.
Term
allyglycine
Definition
A drug that inhibits the activity of GAD and thus blocks the synthesis of GABA.
Term
muscimol (musk i mawl)
Definition
A direct agonist for the GABA-binding site on the GABAA receptor.
Term
bicuculline (by kew kew leen)
Definition
A direct antagonist for the GABA-binding site on the GABAA receptor.
Term
benzodiazepine (ben zo di az a peen)
Definition
A ctegory of anxiolytic drugs; an indirect agonist for the GABAA receptor.
Term
anxiolytic (ang zee oh lit ik)
Definition
An anxiety-reducing effect.
Term
glycine (gly seen)
Definition
A amino acid; an important inhibitory neurotransmitter in the lower brain sten amd spinal cord.
Term
strychnine (strik neen)
Definition
A drect antagonist for the glycine receptor.
Term

endogenous opioid 

(en dodge en us oh pee oyd)

Definition
A clss of peptides secreted by the brain that act as opiates.
Term
enkephalin (en keff a lin)
Definition
One of the endogenous opioids.
Term
naloxone (na lox own)
Definition
A drug that blocks opiate receptors.
Term

endocannabinoid

(can nob i noid)

Definition
A lipid; and endogenous li.gand for receptors that bind with THC (the active ingredient of marijuana)
Term
anadamide (nan da mide)
Definition
The first cannabinoid to be discovered and probably the most important one.
Term
rimonabant
Definition
A drug that blocks cannabinoid CB1 receptors.
Term
adenoisine (den oh seen)
Definition
A nucleoside; a combination of ribose adn adenine; serves as a neuromodulator in the brain.
Term
caffine
Definition
A drug that blocks adenosine receptors.
Term
nitric oxide (NO)
Definition
A gas produced by cells in the nervous system; used as a means of communication between cells.
Term
nitric oxide synthase
Definition
The enzyme responsible for the production of nitric oxide.
Term
experimental ablation
Definition
The removal or destruction of a portion of the brain of a laboratory animal; presumably, the functions tht can no longer be performed are th ones the region previously controlled.
Term
lesion study
Definition
A synonym for experimental ablation.
Term
excitotoxic lesion (ek sigh tow tok sik)
Definition
A brain lesion produced by intracerebral injection of an excitatory amino acid; such as kainic acid.
Term
sham lesion
Definition
A "placebo" procedure that duplicates all the steps of producing a brain lesion except for the one that actually causes the brain damage.
Term
sterotaxic surgery (stair ee oh tak sik)
Definition
Brain surgery using a sterotaxic apparatus to position an electrode or annula in a specified position of the brain.
Term
bregma
Definition
The junction of the sagittal and coronal sutures of the skull; often used as a reference point for stereotaxic surgery.
Term
sterotaxic atlas
Definition
A collection of drawings of sections of the brain of a particuar animal with measurements that provide coordinates for sterotaxic surgery.
Term
sterotaxic apparatus
Definition
A device that permits a surgeon to position an electrode or cnnula into a specific part of the brain.
Term
fixative
Definition
A chemical such as formalin; used to prepare and preserve body tissue.
Term
formalin (for ma lin)
Definition
The aqueous solution of formaldehyde gas; the most commonly used tissue fixative.
Term
microtome (my krow tome)
Definition
An instument that produces very thin slices of body tissue.
Term
scanning electron microscope
Definition
A microscope that provides three-dimensional information about the shape of the surface of a small object.
Term

anterograde labeling method 

(ann ter oh grade)

Definition
A histological method that lavels the axons and terminal buttons of neurons whose cell bodies are located in a particular region.
Term
PHA-L
Definition
Phaseolus vulgaris leukoagglutinin; a protein derived from kidney beans and used as an anterograde tracer; taken up by dendrites and cell bodies and carried to the ends of the axons.
Term
immunocytochemical method 
Definition
A histological method that uses radioactive antibodies or antibodies bound with a dye molecule to indicate the presence of particular proteins or peptides.
Term
retrograde labeling method
Definition
A histological method that labels cell bodies that give rise to the terminal buttons that form syanpses with cells in a particular region.
Term
fluorogold (flew roh gold)
Definition
A dye that serves as a retrograde label; taken up by terminal buttons and crried back to the cell bodies.
Term
transneuronal tracing method
Definition
A tracing method that identifies a series of neuros that form serial synaptic connections with each other either in an anterograde or retrograde direction; involves infection of specific neurons with weakened forms of rabies or herpes viruses.
Term
computerized tomography (CT)
Definition
The use of a device that employs a computer to analyze data obtained by a scanning beam of X-rays to produce a two-dimensional picture of a "slice" through the body.
Term
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Definition
A technique whereby the interior of the body can be accurately imaged involves the interaction between radio waves and a strong magnetic field.
Term
diffusion tensor imaging (DIT)
Definition
An imaging method that uses a modified MRI scanner to reveal bundles of myelinated axons in the living human brain.
Term
microelectrode
Definition
A very fine electrode, generally used to record activity of individual neurons.
Term
electronencephalogram (EEG)
Definition
An electrical brain potentieal recorded by placing electrodes on the sclap.
Term
magentoencephalography
Definition
A procedure that detects groups of synchronously activated neurons by means of the magnetic field induced by their electrical activity; uses an array of superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs)
Term

2-deoxyglucose (2-DG)

(dee ox ee gloo kohss)

Definition
A sugar that enters cells along with glucose but in not metabolized.
Term
autoradiography
Definition
A procedure that locates radioactive substances in a slice of tissue; the radiation exposes a photographic emulsion or a piece of film that covers the tissue.
Term
Fos (fahs)
Definition
A protein produced in the nucleus of a nueron in response to synaptic stimulation.
Term
functional imaging
Definition
A computerized method of detecting metabolic or chemical changes in particular regions of the brain.
Term
positron emission tomography (PET)
Definition
A functional imaging method that reveals the localization of a radioactive tracer in a living brain.
Term
funtional MRI (MRI)
Definition
A functional imaging method; a modification of the MRI procedure that permits the measurement of regional metabolism in the brain.
Term
transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
Definition
Stimulation of the cerebral cortex by means of magnetic fields produced by passing pulses of electricity through a coil of wire placed next to the skull; interferes with the functions of the brain region that is stimulated.
Term
microdialysis
Definition
A procedure for analyzing chemicals present in the interstital fluid through a small piece of tubing made of a semipermeable membrane that is implanted in the brain.
Term
targeted mutation
Definition
A mutated gene (also called a "knockout gene") produced in the laboratory and inserted into the chromosomes of mice; fails to produce a functional protein.
Term

antisense oligonucleotide

(oh li go new klee oh tide)

Definition
A modified strand of RNA or DNA that binds with a specific molecule of messenger RNA and prevents it from producing its particular protein.
Term
sensory receptor
Definition
A specialized neuron that detects a particular category of physical events.
Term
sensory transduction
Definition
The process by which sendory stimuli are transduced into slow graded receptor potentials.
Term
receptor potential
Definition
A slow, graded electrical potential produced by a receptor cell in response to a physical stimulus.
Term
hue
Definition
One of the perceptual dimensions of color; the dominant wavelength.
Term
brightness
Definition
One of the perceptual dimensions of color; intensity.
Term
saturation
Definition
One of the perceptual dimensions of color; purity.
Term

saccadic movement 

(suh kad ik)

Definition
The rapid, jerky movement of the eyes used in scanning a visual scene.
Term
pursuit movement
Definition
The movement that the eyes make to maintain an image of a moving object on the fovea.
Term
accommodation
Definition
Changes in the thickness of the lens of the eye, accomplished by the ciliary muscles, that focus images of near or distant objects on the retina.
Term
retina
Definition
The neural tissue and photoreceptive cells located on the inner surface of the posterior portion of the eye.
Term
rod
Definition
One of the receptor cells of the retina; sensitive to light of low intensity.
Term
cone
Definition
One of the receptor cells of the retina; maximally sensitive to one of three different wavelengths of light and hence encodes color vision.
Term
photoreceptor
Definition
One of the receptor cells of the retina; transduces photic energy inot electrical potentials.
Term
fovea (foe vee a)
Definition
The region of the retina that mediates the most acute vision of birds and higher mammals. Color-sensitive cones constitute the only type of photoreceptors found in the fovea.
Term
optic disk
Definition
The location of the exit point from the retina of the fibers of the ganglion cells that form the optic nerve; responsible for the blind spot.
Term
bipolar cell
Definition
A bipolar neuron located in the middle layer of the retina, conveying information from the photreceptors to the ganglion cells.
Term
ganglion cell
Definition
A neuron located in the retina that receives visual information from biolar cells; its axons give rise to the optic nerve.
Term
horizontal cell
Definition
A neuron in the retina that interconnects adjacent photoreceptors and the outer processes of the bipolar cells.
Term
amacrine cell (amm a krin)
Definition
A neuron in the retina that interconnects adjacent ganglion cells and the inner processes of the bipolar cells.
Term
lamella
Definition
A layer of membrane containing photpigments; found in rods and cones of the retina.
Term
photopigment
Definition
A protein dye bonded to retinal, a substance derived from vitamin A; responsible for transduction of visual information.
Term
opsin (opp sin)
Definition
A class of protein that , together with retinal, constitutes the photopigments.
Term
retinal (rett i nahl)
Definition
A chemical synthesized from vitamin A; joins with opsin to form a photopigment.
Term
rhodopsin (roh dopp sin)
Definition
A particular opsin found in rods.
Term
dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN)
Definition
A group of cell bodies within the lateral geniculate body of the thalamus; receives inputs from the retina and projects to the primary visual cortex.
Term
magnocellular layer
Definition
One of the inner two layers of neurons in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus; transmits information necessary for the perception of form, movement, depth, and small differences in brightness to the primary visual cortex.
Term
parvocellular layer
Definition
One of the four outer layers of neurons in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus; transmits information necessary for perception of color and fine detail to the primary visual cortex.
Term

koniocellular sublayer

(koh nee oh sell yew lur)

Definition
One of the sublayers of neurons in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus found ventral to each of the magnocellular and parvocellular layers; transmits information from short -wavelength ("blue") cones to primary visual cortex.
Term

calcarine fissure

(kal ka rine)

Definition
A horizontal fissure on the inner surface of the posterior cerebral cortex; the location of the primary visual cortex.
Term

striate cortex

(stry ate)

Definition
The primary visual cortex
Term
optic chiasm
Definition
A cross-shaped connection between the optic nerves located below the base of the brain, just anterior to the pituitary gland.
Term
receptive field
Definition
The portions of the visual field in which the presentation of visual stimuli will produce an alteration in the firing rate of a particular neuron.
Term

protanopia

(pro tan owe pee a)

Definition
An inherited form of defective color vision in which red adn green hues are confused; "red" cones are filled with "green" cone opsin.
Term

deuteranopia

(dew ter an owe pee a)

Definition
An inherited form of defective color vision in which red and green hues are confused; "green" cones are filled with "red" cone opsin.
Term

tritanopia

(try tan owe pee a)

Definition
An inherited form of defective color vision in which hues wiht short wavelenghts are confused; "blue" cones are either lacking or faulty.
Term
simple cell
Definition
An orientation-sensitive neuron in the striate cortex whose receptive field is organized in a opponent fashion.
Term
complex cell
Definition
A neuron in the visual cortex that responds to the presence of a line segment with a particular orientaton located within its receptive field, especially when the line moves perpendicularly to its orientation.
Term
hypercomplex cell
Definition
A neuron in the visual cortex that responds to the presence of a line segment with a particular orientation that ends at a particular point within the cell's receptive field.
Term
sine-wave grating
Definition
A series of straight parallel bands varying continuously in brightness according to a sine-wave function, along a line perpendicular to their lenghts.
Term
spatial frequency
Definition
The relative width of the bands in a sine-wave grating, measured in sycles per degree of visual angle.
Term
retinal disparity
Definition
The fact that points on objects located at different distances from the observer will fall on slightly different locations on the two retinas; provides the basis for steropsis.
Term
cytochrome oxidase (COblob
Definition
The central region of a module of the primary visual cortex, revealed by a stain for cytochrome oxidase; contains wavelenght-sensitive neurons; part of the parvocellular system.
Term
extrastriate cortes
Definition
A region of the visual association cortex; receives fibers from the striate cortex and from the superior colliculi and projects to the inferior temporal cortex.
Term
dorsal stream
Definition
A system of interconnected regions of visual cortex involved in the perceptions of spatial location, beginning with the striate cortex and ending with the posterior parietal cortex.
Term
ventral stream
Definition
A system of interconnected regions of visual cortex involved in the perception of form, beginning with the striate cortex and ending with the inferior temporal cortex.
Term
color constancy
Definition
The relatively constant appearance of the colors of objects viewed under varying ligt conditions.
Term

cerebral achromatopsia

(ay krohm a top see a)

Definition
Inability to discriminate among different hues; caused by damage t area V8 of the visual association cortex.
Term

visual agnosia

(ag no zha)

Definition
Deficits in visual form perception in the absence of blindness; caused by brain damage.
Term
lateral occipital complex (LOC)
Definition
A region of the extrastriate cortex, involved in perception of objects other than people's bodies and faces.
Term

prosopagnosia

(prah soh pag no zha)

Definition
Failure to recognize particular people by the sight of their faces.
Term
fusiform face area (FFA)
Definition
A region of the visual association cortex located in the inferior temporal; involved in perception of faces.
Term
extrastriate body area (EBA)
Definition
A region of the visual association cortex located in teh lateral occipitotemporal cortex; involved in perception of the human body adn body parts other than faces.
Term
parahippocampal place area (PPA)
Definition
A region of the mdial temporal cortex; involved in perception of particular places ("scenes")
Term
optic flow
Definition
The complex motion of points in the visual field caused by relative movement between the observer and environment; provides information about the relative distances of objects from the observer and the relative direction of movement.
Term
akinetopsia
Definition
Inability to perceive movement, caused by damage to area V5 (also called MST) of the visual association cortex.
Term
intraparietal sulcus (IPS)
Definition
The end of the dorsal stream of the visual association cortex; involved in perception of location, visual attention, and control of eye and hand movements.
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