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Neurobiology
Neurobiology terms
66
Psychology
Not Applicable
12/28/2004

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Term
neurotransmitters
Definition
chemical messengers that traverse the synaptic gaps between neurons and bind to receptor sites on the receiving neuron
Term
hormones
Definition
"chemical messengers, mostly manufactured by the endocrine glands, that are produced in one tissue and affect another"
Term
dendrites
Definition
"the bushy, branching extensions of a neuron that receive messages and conduct impulses toward the cell body"
Term
enforphins
Definition
"natural, opiate-like neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure"
Term
neurons
Definition
a nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system
Term
glial cells
Definition
"cells in the NS that are not neurons but that support, nourish, and protect neurons"
Term
endocrine glands
Definition
the body's chemical communication system; a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream
Term
axons
Definition
"the extension of a neuron, ending in branching terminal fibers, through which messages are sent to other neurons, cells, etc."
Term
synapse
Definition
the junction between the axon ip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron
Term
reuptake
Definition
the process where excess neurotransmitters are reabsorbed by the sending neuron
Term
threshold
Definition
the level of stimulatin required to trigger a neural impulse
Term
action potential
Definition
a brief electrical charge that travels down the axon; generated by the mmovement of positively charges atoms in and out of channels in the axon's membrane
Term
myelin sheath
Definition
layer of fatty tissue segmentally encasing fivers of many neurons; enables vastly greater transmissions speed of neural impulses
Term
cell body
Definition
the life support system of the cell
Term
synaptic vesicle
Definition
membrane sacks of neurotransmitters located in the axon that release neurotransmitters into synaptic gap when triggered
Term
refractory period
Definition
a resting period after a message is sent; prevents the message from being sent backwards
Term
lesion
Definition
tissue destruction
Term
interneuron
Definition
CNS neurons that internally communicate and intervene between the sensory outputs and motor outputs
Term
affector neuron
Definition
neurons that carry incoming information from the sense receptors to the CNS
Term
effector neuron
Definition
neurons that carry outgoig information from the CNS to the muscles and glands
Term
PET scan
Definition
a visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task
Term
MRI
Definition
a technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images that distinguish among different types of soft tissue; allows us to see structure w/in the brain
Term
asociation area
Definition
"areas of the cereberal cortex that are involved in higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking"
Term
depolarization
Definition
process where the negative ions rush out of the axon and leave a positive charge in the axon membrane
Term
repolarization
Definition
"after the message is transmitted, it is the process where K+ ions flow out of the axon and the charge returns to being negative inside"
Term
reflex
Definition
"a simple, automatic, inborn response to a sensory stimulus"
Term
all-or-none
Definition
"idea that as long as the neuron reaches threshold, the message will be sent"
Term
acetylcholine
Definition
neurotransmitter found @ neuromuscular junctions; impt. in learning and memory; associated w/ Alzheimer's
Term
dopamine
Definition
"neurotransmitter that deals w/ movement, learning, attention, emotion, and rewards; associated w/ Parkinson's, depression, and schizophrenia"
Term
seratonin
Definition
"neurotransmitter that deals w/ sleep, mood, hunger, and arousal; associated w/ depression, anorexia, and sleep disorders"
Term
norepinephrine
Definition
"neurotransmitter that deals w/ fight or flight response, alertness, and arousal; associated w/ depression"
Term
GABA
Definition
neurotransmitter that deals w/ hunger and sleep; inhibits the CNS; associated w/ alcohol consumption which causes and inc. in GABA
Term
agonist
Definition
neurotransmitters that exite neuron firing by mimicking a particular neurotransmitter or by blocking its reuptake
Term
antagonist
Definition
neurotransmitters that inhibit neuron firing by blocking neurotransmitters or by diminishing their release
Term
curare
Definition
"a poison that occupies and blocks acetylcholine receptor sites, leaving the neurotransmitter unable to affect the muscles, thus paralyzing the animal or person"
Term
Parkinson's disease
Definition
disease associated w/ a decrease in dopamine; leads to the degeneration of motor capabilities
Term
Alzheimer's
Definition
"brain disorder characterized by the gradual deterioration of memory, reasoning, language, and physical funtioning; assoc. w/ a dec. in acetylcholine"
Term
schizophrenia
Definition
"a group of disorders characterized by disorganized and delusional thinking, disturbed perceptions, and inapropriate emotions and actions"
Term
depression
Definition
"disorder where there is a decrease in dopamine, seratonin, and norepinephrine; person feels sad, worthless, etc."
Term
autonomic NS
Definition
part of the peripheral NS that controls the glands nad the muscles of the internal organs
Term
somatic NS
Definition
division of the peripheral NS that controls the body's skeletal muscles
Term
parasympathetic NS
Definition
"division of the autonomic NS that calms the body, conserving its energy"
Term
sympathetic NS
Definition
"division of the autonomic NS that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy in stressful situations"
Term
central NS
Definition
the brain and the spinal cord
Term
peripheral NS
Definition
the sensory and motor neurons that connect the CNS to the rest of the body
Term
limbic system
Definition
"system of neural structures associated w/ emotions like fear and aggression and drives like those for food and sex; includes hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus"
Term
amygdala
Definition
two neural clusters that are components of the limbic system and are linked to emotion and aggression
Term
hypothalamus
Definition
"neural structure that directs eating, drinking, and body temp.; also helps govern endocrine system via pituitary gland; is linked to emotion"
Term
cerebelum
Definition
little brain attached @ rear of brainstem; helps coordinate voluntary movement and balance
Term
thalamus
Definition
brain's sensory's switchboard; directs messages to the sensory receiving areas of the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla
Term
reticular formation
Definition
a nerve network in the brainstem that plays and important role in controlling arousal
Term
medulla
Definition
the base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing
Term
frontal lobe
Definition
portion of the cerebral cortex involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgements
Term
parietal lobe
Definition
portion of the cerebral cortex including the sensory cortex
Term
temporal lobe
Definition
portion of the cerebral cortex that includes auditory areas
Term
occipital lobe
Definition
portion of the cerebral cortex that includes visual areas
Term
sensory cortex
Definition
the area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body sensations
Term
motor cortex
Definition
an area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements
Term
Wernicke's area
Definition
a brain area involved in language comprehension and expression; usually in the left temporal lobe
Term
Broca's area
Definition
"an area of the frontal lobe, usually in the left hemisphere, that directs the muscle movements involved in speech"
Term
corpus callosum
Definition
the large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them
Term
hippocampus
Definition
a neural center located in the limbic system that helps process explicit memories for storage
Term
auditory cortex
Definition
area of the brain where sound is processed
Term
visual cortex
Definition
area of the brain where images are processed
Term
aphasia
Definition
"impairment of language, usually caised by left hemisphere damage either to Broca's area(impairing speaking) or to Wernicke's area(impairing understanding)"
Term
plasticity
Definition
the brain's capacity to reorganize following damage to the brain
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