Brain Basics

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Links 2019 Flashcards on Brain Basics, created by Thomas Davis on 01/07/2019.
Thomas Davis
Flashcards by Thomas Davis, updated more than 1 year ago
Thomas Davis
Created by Thomas Davis over 5 years ago
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Question Answer
Parts of a Neuron 1) Axon 2) Dendrite 3) Cell Body 4) Myelin Sheath
Axon Where an impulse leaves a neuron
Dendrite Where a neuron collects an impulse
Cell Body (Soma) Where the decision to "fire" or not is made (particularly at the Axon Hillock)
Myelin Sheath Insulator from schwann cells (PNS) and oligodendrocytes (CNS) that wraps around the axon and speeds up transmission
Neural Pathways Sensory neural pathway Motor neural pathway
Sensory Neural Pathway Sensory input travels to brain
Motor Neural Pathway Signal from brain to muscles and/or glands
Neural Impulse (Action Potential) An electrical/chemical signal from one neuron to another All-or-none response
Absolute Refractory Period Period of time in which a neuron is completely unable to fire
Relative Refractory Period Greater rate of input required for neuron to fire
Threshold of Excitation The minimum membrane potential required for an action potential to occur (around -55 mV)
Synapse Where the axon of on neuron meets the dendrite/cell body of another
Parts of the Synapse 1) Synaptic cleft 2) Presynaptic cleft (synaptic vesicles) 3) Postsynaptic cleft (receptor sites)
Synaptic Cleft The gap which an impulse must cross if the neural signal is to continue
Presynaptic cleft (Synaptic vesicles) Where neurotransmitters are released from
Postsynaptic cleft (Receptor sites) Where neurotransmitters are received
Neurotransmitters The chemical messengers in the brain like: Acetylcholine (ACh) Dopamine (DA) Serotonin (5-HT) GABA Endorphins
Brain Plasticity The brain is plastic - it is able to change the function of certain neurons and brain areas as necessary Plastic = malleable
What two types of cells primarily make up the brain? Neurons and glial (provide structure and support) cells
Three parts of the Brainstem 1) Midbrain 2) Medulla 3) Pons
Midbrain Contains several structures like the reticular formation (controls attention, alertness, and arousal)
Medulla Regulates heart rate and breathing
Pons Helps relay messages from the cortex and the cerebellum. Involved in the control of sleep cycles and the regulation of deep sleep
Cerebellum Aids in the coordination of movement. As motor signals are sent to the spinal cord the cerebellum regulates them (resulting in smooth and balanced muscle activity)
Parts of the Forebrain 1) Limbic system 2) Cerebral cortex
Limbic System 1) Thalamus 2) Hippocampus 3) Amygdala 4) Hypothalamus 5) Basal Ganglia 6) Cingulate Gyrus
Thalamus Sensory relay station
Hippocampus Involved in LTM and memory consolidation Issues with the hippocampus leads to memory issues (Alzheimer's, PTSD, etc.)
Amygdala Plays a key role in processing emotions
Hypothalamus The hypothalamus' main role is to keep the body in homeostasis
Basal Ganglia The basal ganglia are associated with a variety of functions, including control of voluntary motor movements, procedural learning, habit learning, eye movements, cognition, and emotion.
Cingulate Gyrus Involved in processing emotions and behavior regulation. It also helps to regulate autonomic motor function.
Lobes of the Cortex Frontal Parietal Occipital Temporal FPOT
Association Areas of the Brain A region of the cortex of the brain which connects sensory and motor areas Memory areas Broca's area Wernicke's area Somatosensory cortex Motor cortex
Broca's Aphasia Characterized by partial loss of the ability to produce language (spoken, manual, or written), although comprehension generally remains intact Broca's patient Tan
Wernicke's Aphasia The ability to grasp the meaning of spoken words and sentences is impaired, while the ease of producing connected speech is not very affected.
Left Hemisphere Specialization Language, writing, logic, math Analytic
Right Hemisphere Specialization Spatial cues, abstract information, fantasy, art, music, creativity Holistic
Corpus Callosum Connects the two hemispheres
Peripheral Nervous System Connects the CNS to the organs, limbs, and skin Made up of: 1) Somatic nervous system 2) Autonomic nervous system
Somatic Nervous System Voluntary movement of the muscles and organs and reflex movements. In the process of voluntary movement, sensory neurons carry impulses to the brain and the spinal cord.
Autonomic Nervous System A control system that acts largely unconsciously and regulates bodily functions. Made up of: 1) Sympathetic nervous system 2) Parasympathetic nervous system
Sympathetic Nervous System Fight or Flight
Parasympathetic Nervous System Rest and Relax
Modern Methods Used to Study the Brain 1) EEG 2) Single-cell recording 3) PET 4) MRI 5) fMRI 6) TMS
What does EEG measure? Electrical activity from the surface of the brain (called event related potentials - ERP)
What is the benefit of Single-cell Recording? It allows us to determine what individual neurons react to
What does PET measure? Metabolic activity in the brain. Increased metabolic activity is correlated to increased activity (using glucose, oxygen, etc.)
What does an MRI measure? Anatomical structure and density of tissue.
What does fMRI measure Small changes in blood flow in the brain (metabolic activity)
What does TMS do? Creates a temporary lesion in brain tissue by disrupting communication
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