Behavior and the Brain Chapter 1-5

what part of neurons get myelinated?

axon

Which glial cell myelinates axons in the central nervous system?

oligodendrocytes

action potentials are produced by

opening of voltage-activated sodium channels

Afferent and efferent nerves are part of the _________________.

peripheral nervous system

microglia

phagocytic cells that ingest and break down waste products and pathogens in the CNS

The lipid component of the cell membrane is mainly _________________.

phospholipids

which lipid makes up cell membranes

phospholipids

smallest thing alive

neuron (cell)

Ribsomes

non membrane bounded organelles responsible for protein synthesis

Observational study

observes individuals and measures variables of interest but does not attempt to influence the responses

resting membrane potential

-70mV

steps in neurotransmitter action

1) molecules synthesized under influence of enzymes 2) molecules stored in vesicles 3) leaked molecules are destroyed by enzymes 4) action potentials cause vesicles to fuse with the presynaptic membrane and release their neurotransmitters 5) released molecules bind with auto receptors 6) released molecules bind to postsynaptic receptors 7) released molecules are deactivated

cranial nerves

12 pairs of nerves that carry messages to and from the brain

spinal nerves

31 pairs of nerves arising from the spinal cord

cell membrane

A cell structure that controls which substances can enter or leave the cell.

DNA

A complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes.

Experimental design

A design in which researchers manipulate an independent variable and measure a dependent variable to determine a cause-and-effect relationship

Cytoskeleton

A network of fibers that holds the cell together, helps the cell to keep its shape, and aids in movement

Nucleus

A part of the cell containing DNA and RNA and responsible for growth and reproduction, control center

RNA

A single-stranded nucleic acid that passes along genetic messages

synaptic bouton

A swelling specialized for the release of neurotransmitter that occurs at the end (or along) an axon - pre-synaptic (before the synaptic cleft) Also known as an axon terminal or terminal boutons

Axon

A threadlike extension of a neuron that carries nerve impulses away from the cell body.

Protein

A three dimensional polymer made of monomers of amino acids.

In a neuron at rest, which of the following statements is TRUE?

At rest, the potential inside the neuron is less than the outside of the neuron.

Match the type of potential to its effect

Action potential Correct match: depolarization Excitatory postsynaptic potential Correct match: depolarization Inhibitory postsynaptic potential Correct Answer: hyperpolarization

Order the steps in synapse communication:

Action potential propagates down the axon. Neurotransmitter vesicles fuse to membrane. Neurotransmitters diffuse across synapse. Neurotransmitters bind to receptors. Postsynaptic cell is stimulated.

efferent nerves

Also called motor nerves; nerves that carry information out of the brain and spinal cord to other areas of the body.

afferent nerves

Also called sensory nerves; nerves that carry information about the external environment to the brain and spinal cord via sensory receptors.

Reticular Theory

An obsolete scientific theory in neurobiology that stated that the nervous system is made up of a single interlinking network. Compare Neuron doctrine.

cell

Basic unit of life

blood-brain barrier

Blood vessels (capillaries) that selectively let certain substances enter the brain tissue and keep other substances out

Dendrite

Branchlike parts of a neuron that are specialized to receive information.

Carbohydrates

Broken down to glucose to provide energy. 1/4 main classes of biological materials

Chromatin

Clusters of DNA, RNA, and proteins in the nucleus of a cell

axon hillock

Cone shaped region of an axon where it joins the cell body.

nucleic acids

DNA and RNA

Order process of gene expression

DNA> RNA> Proteins

Lipids

Energy-rich organic compounds, such as fats, oils, and waxes. Hydrophobic. 3 classes: fats, phospholipids, and steroid. 1/4 main classes of biological materials

cerebrospinal fluid

Fluid in the space between the meninges that acts as a shock absorber that protects the central nervous system.

Control group

In an experiment, the group that is not exposed to the treatment; contrasts with the experimental group and serves as a comparison for evaluating the effect of the treatment.

Depolarization

Loss of a state of polarity; loss or reduction of negative membrane potential (makes it more positive)

Match the five major divisions of the brain to the correct region.

Myelencephalon Correct match: Hindbrain Diencephalon Correct match: Forebrain Mesencephalon Correct match: Midbrain Metencephalon Correct Answer: Hindbrain Telencephalon Hindbrain Correct Answer: Forebrain

outside the membranes of resting neurons there are many more

Na+ (sodium ions)

Proteins

Nutrients the body uses to build and maintain its cells and tissues, made of amino acids

The occipital lobe is damaged in a patient. What defect would you expect?

Patient has vision deficits.

phospholipid bilayer

Plasma membrane layers composed of phospholipid molecules arranged with polar heads facing the outside and nonpolar tails facing the inside.

Mitochondria

Powerhouse of the cell, organelle that is the site of ATP (energy) production

Astrocytes

Provide structural and metabolic support for neurons.

Quasi-experimental design

Research method similar to an experimental design except that it makes use of naturally occurring groups rather than randomly assigning subjects to groups.

Classes of neurons

Sensory- sensory function motor- motor function interneurons- communicate in the brain

Microtubules

Spiral strands of protein molecules that form a tubelike structure

Temporal summation

Summation by a postsynaptic cell of input (EPSPs or IPSPs) from a single source over time. Adding together individual signals that occur at one synapse in rapid succession

Schwann cells

Supporting cells of the peripheral nervous system responsible for the formation of myelin.

what glial cell is part of the Blood Brain Barrier

astrocytes

tectum function

auditory and visual reflexes

Independent variable

The experimental factor that is manipulated; the variable whose effect is being studied.

Neuron Doctrine

The hypothesis that the brain is composed of separate cells that are distinct structurally, metabolically, and functionally.

Hyperpolarization

The movement of the membrane potential of a cell away from rest potential in a more negative direction (makes cell negative)

Dependent variable

The outcome factor: the variable that may change in response to manipulations of the independent variable.

Gene expression

The process by which information encoded in DNA directs the synthesis of proteins or, in some cases, RNAs that are not translated into proteins and instead function as RNAs.

spacial summation

The summation of graded potentials from several sources in order to achieve threshold activation of an action potential. Adding together individual signals that occur at one synapse in

membrane potential

The voltage across a cell's plasma membrane.

Oligodendrocytes

Type of glial cell in the CNS that wrap axons in a myelin sheath.

Confounding variable

a factor other than the independent variable that might produce an effect in an experiment

Myelin

a fatty substance that helps insulate neurons and speeds the transmission of nerve impulses

Neuron

a nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system

Neurons

a nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system

action potential

a neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon

Excitatory Postsynaptic Potential (EPSP)

a slight depolarization of a postsynaptic cell, bringing the membrane potential of that cell closer to the threshold for an action potential

Phospholipid bilayer

a two-layered arrangement of phosphate and lipid molecules that form a cell membrane, the hydrophobic lipid ends facing inward and the hydrophilic phosphate ends facing outward.

Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potential (IPSP)

an inhibitory hyperpolarization of the postsynaptic membrane of a synapse caused by the liberation of a neurotransmitter by the terminal button

a change from -70mV to -72mV is called

an inhibitory post synaptic potential

Neuroscience

an integrative field of study combining Psychology, biology, chemistry, physics and more

Case study

an observation technique in which one person is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles

synapse vesicles

are within axon terminals and contains neurotransmitters.

Electrical signals, known as action potentials, travel down the _______. Their speed is increased by _________.

axon; myelin

the CNS is made up of

brain and spinal cord

gray matter of spinal cord is composed of

cell bodies and unmyelinated interneurons

glial cells

cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons

Neurotransmitters

chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons

Pons function

connection of nerves to the eyes and face.

central nervous system

consists of the brain and spinal cord

medulla function

controls heartbeat and breathing

Cerebellum function

coordination of voluntary movements and balance

frontal lobe function

involved in motor function: problem solving, memory, judgment, impulse control

2 types of postsynaptic receptors

ionotropic: brief EPSP's or IPSP's and metabotropic: activate second messengers (takes longer, can actually make receptors)

electrical gradient

difference in electrical charges between the inside and outside of the cell

chemical gradient

difference in solute concentration across a membrane

3 Layers of meninges and their functions

dura matter- first and thickest layer connecting to the skull ericoid matter- helps connect dura matter to the Pia matter Pia matter- directly touches brain

limbic system function

emotion and memory

which is false regarding epigenetics?

epigenetic mechanisms include changes to DNA

conduction of action potentials in myelinated axons

is faster than in unmyelinated axons (be able to explain why!!!!!!)

Nodes of Ranvier

gaps in the myelin sheath

EPSPs are

graded responses. postsynaptic responses. depolarizations.

temporal lobe function

hearing and smell

which of the following is not a neurotransmitter

histone

a membrane potential is the difference in electrical charge between

inside and outside of cell

Describe why neuroscience is an integrative field

it uses psychology, biology, chemistry, physics and more to research

In an experiment with maze dull and maze bright rats...

maze dull rats made more errors than maze bright rats ONLY if both were raised in impoverished enviorments

transport proteins

membrane proteins that help move substances across a cell membrane

pons is located in the

metencephalon

basal ganglia function

motor control

tegmentum function

movement, pain, pleasure, mood, consciousness

Thalamus function

relay station for sensory impulses, pain

thalamus is responsible for

relaying sensory information

parietal lobe function

somatic sensory processing

an agonist would

stimulate the receptor

Sam fell off his bike and hit the side of his head. His hearing was impaired from the bruising of his cortex. What region was damaged?

temporal lobe

a neuron normally fires when

the degree of depolarization on the axon adjacent to the hillock exceeds the threshold of excitation.

sympathetic nervous system

the division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy in stressful situations

parasympathetic nervous system

the division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy

Somatic nervous system

the division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body's skeletal muscles

selective breeding

the human practice of breeding animals or plants that have certain desired traits

Synapse

the junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron

Autonomic nervous system

the part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organs (such as the heart). Its sympathetic division arouses, its parasympathetic division calms.

peripheral nervous system

the sensory and motor neurons that connect the CNS to the rest of the body

Epigenetics

the study of influences on gene expression that occur without a DNA change

axonal conduction

the transmission of a neural impulse along the length of an axon

Chromosomes

threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes- every person has 46, mother gives 23 and father gives 23

Meninges

three protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord

afferent nerves carry sensory information...

to the CNS from the PNS

occipital lobe function

visual processing

hypothalamus function

water balance/bp/temp regulation/hunger/thirst/homeostasis