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PCAT Biology - Neuroscience
Neuroscience review of PCAT biology section.
37
Physiology
Undergraduate 1
05/19/2010

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Term
Schwann cells
Definition
Cells in the peripheral nervous system that produce myelin sheath around axons. 
Term
Oligodendrocytes
Definition
Cells that myelinate CNS axons as well as provide structural framework for the CNS. 
Term
Astrocytes
Definition
Cells in the CNS that maintain the integrity of the blood brain barrier, regulate nutrient and dissolved gas concentrations, and absorb and recycle neurotransmitters. 
Term
Microglia
Definition
CNS cells that removes cellular debris and pathogens. 
Term
Ependymal cells
Definition
CNS cells that line the brain ventricles and aid in the production, circulation, and monitoring of cerebral spinal fluid. 
Term
Satellite Cells
Definition
PNS cells that surround the neuron cell bodies in the ganglia
Term
Norepinephrine / Epinephrine
Definition
Neurotransmitter synthesized from dopamine.
Term
Curare
Definition
Drug that blocks the possynaptic acetylcholine receptors so that acetylcholine is unable to interact with the receptor. This leads to paralysis by blocking nerve impulses to muscles. 
Term
Botulism Toxin
Definition
Drug that prevents the release of acetylcholine from the presynaptic membrane and results in paralysis. 
Term
Anticholinesterase
Definition
Druge used as nerve gas and insecticides. It inhibits the activity of acetylcholinesterase which results in the acetylcholine not being degraded in the synapse and continued affect on the postsynaptic membrane. This leads to uncoordinated muscular contractions. 
Term
Afferent neurons
Definition
Neurons that carry information from the external or internal environment to the brain or spinal cord. 
Term
Efferent Neurons
Definition
Neurons that carry information from the brain or spinal cord to the various parts of the body. 
Term
Nerve
Definition
Bundles of axons covered with connective tissue. 
Term
Plexus
Definition
A network of nerve fibers. 
Term
Central Nervous System
Definition
System that consists of the brain and the spinal cord. 
Term
Forebrain
Definition
This part of the brain consists of the telencephalon and the diencephalon. 
Term
Cerbral Cortex
Definition
Major component of the telencephalon of the forebrain that is highly convoluted gray matter. It is responsible for integrating sensory impute and motor responses and is important for memory and creative though. 
Term
Cerebellum 
Definition
Part of the hindbrain that modulate motor impulses initiated by the cerbral cortex and is important in the maintenance of balance, hand-eye coordination, and the timing of rapid movement. 
Term
Medulla Oblongata
Definition
Part of the hindbrain that controls breathing, heart rate, and gastrointestinal activity. 
Term
Spinal cord
Definition
Elongated extension of the brain that acts as a conduit for sensory information to the brain and motor information from the brain. Information enter it through the dorsal horn and leave though the ventral horn. 
Term
Somatic Nervous system
Definition
Nervous system that is under voluntary control and innervates skeletal muscles. 
Term
Sympathetic Nervous system
Definition
Nervous system that is responsible for the "fight or flight" response. It uses epinephrine and norepinephrine as its neurotransmitters. It is responsible for heart rate increase, increased blood flow to the skeletal muscles, and a decrease of gut motility. It also dilates bronchioles to increase gas exchange. 
Term
Parasympathetic Nervous system 
Definition
Part of the autonomic nervous system responsible for the "rest and digest" response. It lowers heart rate and increases gut motility. It uses the vagus nerve and acetylcholine. 
Term
Na/K ATPase
Definition
Protein that pumps 3 Na out for every 2 it transports into the cell. 
Term
Depolarization
Definition
Na rushes down its electrochemical gradient into the cell, 
Term
Repolarization
Definition
K rushes out of the cell down its electrochemical gradient
Term
Sclera
Definition
Thick, opaque white layer that covers the eye. 
Term
Choroid
Definition
Layer of the eye underneath the sclera that helps to supply the retina with blood. It is dark and helps reduce the reflection in the eye. 
Term
Retina
Definition
Intermost layer of the eye that contains photoreceptors that sense light. 
Term
Cornea
Definition
Transparent layer in the front of the eye that bends and focuses light rays. 
Term
Pupil
Definition
Opening in the eye that light passes through. It's diameter is controlled by the iris. 
Term
Ciliary muscles
Definition
muscles that control the shape and length of the lens of the eyes behind the pupil. 
Term
Outer ear
Definition
First part of the ear that sound passes through. It consists of the auricle and the auditory canal. 
Term
tympanic membrane eardrum
Definition
part of the middle ear that vibrates at the same frequency as the incoming sound. 
Term
ossicles (malleus, incus, and stapes)
Definition
the 3 bones of the ear that amplify the stimulus and transmit it through the oval window. 
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