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