Unit 1 Flashcards
(38 cards)
Amygdala
a structure in the forebrain that is an important component of the lambic system and plays a main role in emotional learning, particularly within the context of fear
Astrocyte
a star-shaped glial cell in the central nervous system that nourished neurons, regulates the formation/maintained/pruning of synapses. It also contributes to the blood-brain barrier
Axon
the fiber-like extension of a neuron by which it sends information to target cells
axon terminal
the ends of axons where neurotransmitters are released to target cells
basal ganglia
a group of interconnected structures located deep in the brain that play an important role in voluntary movement, motor skill learning, and habits. these structures include the caudate nucleus, putamen, nucleus accumbens, globes pallidus, substantia nigra
brain waves
oscillating patterns of brain activity that can be detected and recorded using EEG
brainstem
the major route by which the forebrain sends information to and receives information from the spinal cored and peripheral nerves. the brainstem includes the midbrain, pons, and medulla, and it controls, among other things, respiration and the regulation of the heart rythms
cell body
also called the some, the part of a neuron that contains the nucleus (with DNA) and the organelles, but not the projections such as axon or dendrites
cerebellum
a large structure located at the roof of the hindbrain that helps to control the cording action of movement by making connections to the pons, medulla, spinal cord, and thalamus. also involved in aspects of motor learning
cerebral cortex
the wrinkled, outermost layer of the cerebrum consisting primarily of neuron cell bodies.
cerebrum
the largest part of the human brain associated with higher order functioning such as thinking, perceiving, planning, and understanding language, as well as the control of voluntary behavior
corpus callosum
the large binder of nerve fibers linking the left and right cerebral hemispheres
dendrite
a treelike extension of the neuron cell body. it is the primary site for receiving and integrating information from other neurons
depolarization
a change in the neurons membrane potential in which the cytoplasm becomes more positively charged. neurons must depolarized beyond a certain threshold to generate an action potential
EEG
a tech used to recorded electrical activity of the human brain in response to a variety of stimuli and activities
excitatory
a type of neuron ( or neurotransmitter) that excites target neurons and increases the likelihood of their firing and action potential
forebrain
a region of the developing brain that goes on to become the cerebral hemispheres and major parts of the limbic system
frontal lobe
one of the 4 subdivisions of the cerebral cortex. the frontal lobe has a role in controlling movement and in the planning and coordination of behavior
hindbrain
the most posterior part of the brain, comprising the pons, medulla, and cerebellum
himmocampus
a seahorse-shaped structure located within the brain and considered an important part of the lambic system. one of the most studied parts of the brain, it is involved in learning, memory, and emotion
hyperpolarization
a change in a neuron’s membrane potential in which the cytoplasm becomes more negatively charged and therefore less likely to fire an action potential
hypothalamus
qa complex brain structure composed of many nuclei with various functions, including regulating the activities of internal organs, monitoring information from the automiactic nervous system, controlling the pituary gland, and regulating sleep and appetite
inhibitory
a type of neuron that protects a target neuron from firing
ion channel
proteins embedded in the cell membrane that allow ions or other small molecules to enter of leave that cell
