Chapter 3 terms Flashcards

1
Q

Acetylcholine

A

A neurotransmitter linked with cognitive processes and memory that is found both in the brain and in the parasympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system.

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2
Q

Action potential

A

The electrical impulse along the axon that occurs when neuron fires.

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3
Q

Agonist

A

A substance that occupies a neural receptor and causes some change in the conductance of the neuron

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4
Q

Alzheimer’s disease

A

One of the most common forms of dementia involves a progressive loss of memory and other cognitive functions.

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5
Q

Anandamide

A

lipid neurotransmitter mimicked by marijuana

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6
Q

antagonist

A

a substance that occupies a neural receptor and blocks normal synaptic transmission

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7
Q

Autonomic nervous system (ANS)

A

part of the parasympathetic nervous system; has two branches: sympathetic and parasympathetic;

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8
Q

axon

A

a long cylindrical extension of the cell body of the neuron; conducts an electrical charge from the cell body to the axon terminals

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9
Q

Axon terminals or terminal buttons

A

Enlarged buttonlike structures at the ends of axon branches

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10
Q

beta-blockers

A

drugs that block beta-adrenergic receptors of the sympathetic system and thus act to relieve high blood pressure

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11
Q

basal ganglia

A

nucleus, the putamen, and the globus pallidus

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12
Q

blood-brain barrier

A

The system that “filters” the blood before it can enter the brain

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13
Q

Central nervous system

A

The brain and the spinal cord

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14
Q

Cerebellum

A

Hindbrain structure important in motor control and coordination

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15
Q

Computerized axial tomography

A

Technique that produces 3-d x-ray images of the brain

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16
Q

Cortex

A

The outermost and largest part of the human brain

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17
Q

Dendrites

A

Spiny branchlike structures that extend from the cell body of a neuron, typically contain numerous receptor sites and are thus important in neural transmission

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18
Q

Dopamine

A

A neurotransmitter in the brain that is involved with movement and reward

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19
Q

Electroencephalography (EEG)

A

Technique used to measure electrical activity in the brain

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20
Q

Endorphins

A

Neurotransmitters in the brain that are mimicked by opiate drugs

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21
Q

Enzyme breakdown

A

one process by which neurotransmitters are inactivated. chemicals called enzymes interact with the transmitter molecule and change its structure so that it no longer is capable of occupying receptor sites

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22
Q

Forebrain

A

The largest part of the human brain; includes the cerebral cortex, thalamus, hypothalamus, and limbic system.

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23
Q

GABA

A

Short for gamma aminobutyric acid; the most abundant inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain

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24
Q

Glutamate

A

An excitatory amino acid neurotransmitter

25
Q

Hindbrain

A

The lower part of the brain, including the medulla, pons, and the cerebellum

26
Q

Hippocampus

A

A structure of the limbic system thought to be important in the formation of memories

27
Q

Hypothalamus

A

Forebrain structure that regulates eating, drinking, and other basic biological drives.

28
Q

Inferior colliculi

A

Midbrain structures that control sound localization

29
Q

inotropic receptors

A

receptors that are coupled to ion channels and affect the neuron by causing those channels to open

30
Q

L-dopa

A

A chemical precursor of dopamine used in treatment of Parkinson’s disease

31
Q

Limbic system

A

Forebrain structures including the amygdala and hippocampus

32
Q

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

A

Technique that creates a high-resolution, 3-D image of the brain.

33
Q

Medulla oblongata

A

The lowest hindbrain structure of the brain important in the regulation of breathing, heart rate, and other basic life functions.

34
Q

Mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway

A

Pathway that is rewarding when stimulated

35
Q

Metabotropic receptors

A

Receptors that act through a second messenger system

36
Q

Midbrain

A

part of the brain that includes the inferior and superior colliculi and the substantia nigra

37
Q

Monoamines

A

A class of chemicals characterized by a single amine group; includes neurotransmitters: norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin.

38
Q

Myelin

A

a fatty white substance that covers the axons of some neurons

39
Q

Neuromuscular junction

A

Junction between neuron and muscle fibers where release of acetylcholine by neurons causes muscles to contract

40
Q

Neurons

A

individual nerve cells that are basic building blocks of the nervous system

41
Q

Neurotransmitters

A

Chemical substances stored in the axon terminals that are released into the synapse when the neuron fires. Neurotransmitters then influence activity in postsynaptic neurons

42
Q

Norepinephrine

A

A neurotransmitter in the brain that is also involved in activity of the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system

43
Q

parasympathetic nervous branch

A

branch of the ANS that is responsible for lowering heart rate and blood pressure

44
Q

Parkinson’s disease

A

a disease that involves a progressive deterioration of motor control

45
Q

Peripheral nervous system

A

sensory nerves, motor nerves, and the autonomic nervous system

46
Q

Pons

A

hindbrain structure important in the control of sleep and wakefulness

47
Q

Positron-emission tomography

A

technique used to measure activity in selected brain regions

48
Q

Receptor sites

A

specialized structures located on dendrites and cell bodies for neurons that are activated by neurotransmitters

49
Q

reticular activating system

A

pathway running through the medulla and pons that regulates alertness and arousal

50
Q

Reuptake

A

one process by which neurotransmitters are inactivated. Neurotransmitters molecules are taken back up into the axon terminal that released them.

51
Q

Serotonin

A

a neurotransmitter in the brain that is involved with sleep and mood

52
Q

Substantia nigra

A

literally “black substance,” this basal ganglia structure is darkly pigmented and produces dopamine. damage to this area produces Parkinson’s disease

53
Q

Superior colliculi

A

midbrain structures that control visual localization

54
Q

Sympathetic branch

A

branch of ANs that is activated during emotional arousal and is responsible for such physiological changes as increased heart and respiratory rate, increased blood pressure, and pupil dilation

55
Q

sympathomimetic

A

drugs such as cocaine and amphetamines that produce the physiological effects of sympathetic activity

56
Q

Synapse

A

the junction between neurons

57
Q

thalamus

A

forebrain structure that organizes sensory input

58
Q

Vesicles

A

tiny sacs in axon terminals that store neurotransmitters