Term
Anatomy of a Neuron See Textbook page 55 |
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Definition
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| What is a neurotransmitter and how do they operate? |
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Definition
Definition: A chemical that permits nerve signals to bridge the gap, or synapse, between nerve cells. Neurotransmitters are synthesized by neurons, stored in vesicles at nerve terminals, and released whenneurons are depolarized. After the neurotransmitter is released in to the synaptic cleft (the narrow gap between two adjacent neurons), it binds to a receptor located at the synapse on the receiving neuron. |
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| How do drugs mimic neurotransmitters and what are the common reactions? |
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Definition
If a neurotransmitter or drug have the proper shape, they will bind to the receptor site. Common reactions are: 1. Agonists: mimic or enhance 2. Antagonist: oppose or block |
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| What are the common type of neurotransmitters? |
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Definition
1. acetylcholine: learning and memory 2. dopamine: attention and reinforcement 3. norephinephrine: wakefullness 4. seratonin: mood ( lack of = depression) 5. G.A.B.A.: primary inhibitory of the brain 6. glutamate: primary excitory neurotransmitter in the brain 7. endorphines: pain relieving |
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Term
| What is the "all or nothing" rule in neural firing? |
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Definition
Neurons only fire when stimulus is bigger than the firing threshold. |
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| What is the anatomy of the spinal cord and its functions? |
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Definition
| Extention of the brain that links the body to the brain and transmits messages between the brain and peripheral nervous system. |
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| What are the components of the brain stem and what are their primary functions? |
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Definition
*cerebellum: coordination and motor learning *thalamus: relay station for sensory information and directly connected to pain signals and language. *hypothalamus: hunger, thirst and body temp *amygdala: agression and fear medulla: heartbeat, breathing, blood pressure, swallowing, coughing. (critical!) reticular formation: arousal (alertness) pons: movement and influcences sleep and dreaming *focus |
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Definition
| The brain's left and right cerebral hemispheres control opposite sides of the body. |
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| Compare functions of the right hemisphere vs the functions of the left hemisphere. |
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Definition
Left: 1. Language 2. Analytical 3. Controls right side of body 4. Right visual field Right: 1. nonverbal abilities (art, emotion, space perception) 2. Synthetic (reasons by coming parts to form wholes) 3. Controls left side of body 4. Left visual field |
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Term
| What are the lobes of the brain and what is their primary function? |
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Definition
Cerebral Cortex: Covering of the brain and contains lobes of the brain. 1. frontal lobe: motor cortex, broca's area (speech), frontal asociation (thinking, planning). 2. parietal lobe: touch, somatosenrsory cortex (touch, pressure, temp, pain) 3. occipital lobe: visual stimulas, occipital association area (interpretation of visual stimulas), memories created by visual stimulus. 4. temporal lobe: auditory, temperal association area (auditory stimulus), wernicke's area (speech reception) |
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| What is the function of the association areas? |
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Definition
| Involved in interpreting, integrating, and acting on information processed by other parts of the brain. |
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Definition
| Glial cells hold neurons together like glue and also help form myelin sheath. Engulfs waste product and guides neurons into place during neuron development. |
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