Flashcards in Biological Bases of Behavior Deck (66)
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neuroanatomy
the study of the parts and function of neurons
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neurons
individual nerve cells that make up our entire nervous system
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dendrites
rootlike parts of the nerve cell that stretch out from the cell body; grow to make synaptic connections with other neurons
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cell body (soma)
contains the nucleus and other parts of the cell needed to sustain its life
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axon
wirelike structure ending in the terminal buttons that extends from the cell body
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myelin sheath
a fatty covering around the axon that speeds neural impulses
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terminal buttons
also called: end buttons, terminal branches of axon, synaptic knobs
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neurotransmitters
chemicals contained in terminal buttons that enable neurons to communicate
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synapse
the space beween the terminal buttons of one neuron and the dendrites of the next neurons
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action potential
the local voltage change across the cell wall as a nerve impulse is transmitted
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function of acetylcholine
motor movement
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lack of acetylcholine
Alzheimer's disease
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function of dopamine
motor movement and alertness
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lack of dopamine
Parkinson's disease
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overabundance of dopamine
schizophrenia
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function of endorphins
pain control; involved in addictions
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function of serotonin
mood control
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lack of serotonin
associated with clinical depression
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afferent neurons
neurons that take information from the senses to the brain
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interneurons
in the brain or spinal cord, neurons that take messages and send them elsewhere in the brain or spinal cord
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efferent neurons
neurons that take information from the brain to the rest of the body
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Central Nervous System
consists of the brain and spinal cord; nerves encased in bone
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Peripheral Nervous System
consists of nerves not encased in bone
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Somatic Nervous System
controls voluntary muscle movements
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Autonomic Nervous System
controls the automatic functions of our body
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Sympathetic Nervous System
part of the Autonomic Nervous System
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Parasympathetic Nervous System
part of the Autonomic Nervous System
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Phineas Gage
a railroad worker involved in an accident that damaged the front part of his brain
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lesioning
the removal or destruction of part of the brain
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