Shared Flashcard Set

Details

Brain and Behavior Chapter 3 Vocabulary
David Fraiser NROSCI 0080
35
Science
Undergraduate 1
05/20/2009

Additional Science Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
Cell Body (soma)
Definition
core region of the cell containing the nucleus and other organelles for making proteins
Term
Dendrite
Definition
branch of a neuron that consists of an extension of the cell membrane thus greatly increasing the area of the cell
Term
Axon
Definition
"root", or single fiber of a neuron that carries messages to other neurons
Term
Dendritic Spine
Definition
protrusion from a dendrite that greatly increases its surface area and is the usual point of dendritic contact with axons
Term
Axon Hillock
Definition
juncture of soma and axon where the action potential begins
Term
Axon Collateral
Definition
branch of an axon
Term
End Foot
Definition
knob at the top of an axon, that conveys information to other neurons; also called the terminal button
Term
Synapse
Definition
junction between one neuron and another neuron, usually between an end foot of the axon of one neuron and a dendritic spine of the other neuron
Term
Bipolar Neuron
Definition
neuron with one axon and one dendrite
Term
Somatosensory Neuron
Definition
brain cell that brings sensory information from the body into the spinal cord
Term
Interneuron
Definition
association neuron interposed between a sensory neuron and a motor neuron; thus, in mammals, interneurons constitute most of the neurons in the brain
Term
Pyramidal Cell
Definition
distinctive neuron found in the cerebral cortex
Term
Purkinje Cell
Definition
distinctive neuron found in the cerebellum
Term
Glial Cell
Definition
nervous system cell that provides insulation, nutrients, and support, as well as aiding in the repair of neurons
Term
Tumor
Definition
mass of new tissue that grows uncontrolled and independent of surrounding structures
Term
Ependymal Cell
Definition
glial cell that makes and secretes CSF; found on the walls of the ventricles
Term
Hydrocephalus
Definition
buildup of pressure in the brain and, in infants, swelling of the head caused if the flow of of CSF is blocked; can result in retardation
Term
Astrocyte
Definition
glial cell with a star-shaped apperance that provides structural support to neurons in the central nervous system and transports substances between neurons and capalaries
Term
Microglial
Definition
form of a glial cell that scavenges debris in the nervous system
Term
Myelin
Definition
glial coating that surrounds axons in the central and peripheral nervous systems
Term
Oligodendroglia
Definition
glial cell in the CNS that myenlinates axons
Term
Schwann Cell
Definition
glial cell in the peripheral nervous system that forms the myelin on sensory and motor neurons
Term
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Definition
nervous system disorder that results from the loss of myelin (glial-cell covering) around neurons
Term
Paralysis
Definition
loss of sensation and movement due to nervous system injury
Term
Channel
Definition
opening in a protein embedded in the cell membrane that allow the passage of ions
Term
Gate
Definition
protein embedded in a cell membrane that allows substances to pass through the membrane on some occasions but not others
Term
Pump
Definition
protein in the cell membrane that actively transports a substance across the membrane
Term
Allele
Definition
alternate form of a gene; a gene pair contains two alleles
Term
Homozygous
Definition
having two identicle alleles for a trait
Term
Heterozygous
Definition
having two different alleles for the same trait
Term
Wild Type
Definition
refers to a normal (most common in a population) phenotype or genotype
Term
Mutation
Definition
alteration of an allele that yields a different version of that allele
Term
Tay-Sachs Disease
Definition
inherited birth defect caused by the loss of genes that encode the enzyme necessary for breaking down certain fatty substances; appears 4 to 6 months after birth and results in retardation, physical changes, and death by about age 5
Term
Huntington's Chorea
Definition
autosomal genetic disorder that results in motor and cognitive disturbances; caused by an increase in the number of CAG (cytosine-adenine-guanine) repeats on chromosome 4
Term
Down's Syndrome
Definition
chromosomal abnormality resulting in mental retardation and other abnormalities, usually by an extra chromosome 21
Supporting users have an ad free experience!