Term
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Definition
| Cells in the nervous system that communicate with one another to perform information-processing tasks. |
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Definition
| the part of a neuron that coordinates information-processing tasks |
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Definition
| The part of a neuron that receives information from other neurons and relays it to the cell body |
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Definition
| The part of a neuron that transmits information to other neurons, muscles, or glands. |
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Definition
| An insulating layer of fatty material. (around the axon) |
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Definition
| Support cells found in the nervous system |
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Definition
| The junction or region between the axon of one neuron and the dendrites or cell body of another |
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Definition
| Neurons that receive information from the external world and convey this information to the brain via the spinal cord. |
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Definition
| Neurons that carry signals from the spinal cord to the muscles to produce movement. |
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Definition
| Neurons that connect sensory neurons, motor neurons, or other interneurons. |
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Term
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Definition
| The difference in electric charge between the inside and outside of a neuron's cell membrane. |
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Term
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Definition
| an electric signal that is conducted along a neuron's axon to a synapse. |
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Term
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Definition
| the time following an action potential during which a new action potential cannot be initiated. |
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Term
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Definition
| Knoblike structures that branch out from an axon. |
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Definition
| Chemicals that transmit information across the synapse to a receiving neuron's dendrites |
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Term
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Definition
| Parts of the cell membrane that receive the neurotransmitter and initiate or prevent a new electric signal. |
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Term
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Definition
| A neurotransmitter involved in a number of functions, including voluntary motor control. |
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Term
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Definition
| A neurotransmitter that regulates motor behavior, motivation, pleasure, and emotional arousal. |
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Term
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Definition
| A major excitatory neurotransmitter involved in information transmission throughout the brain. |
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Term
| GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) |
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Definition
| The primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. |
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Term
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Definition
| A neurotransmitter that influences mood and arousal. |
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Term
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Definition
| A neurotransmitter that is involved in the regulation of sleep and wakefulness, eating, and aggressive behavior. |
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Term
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Definition
| Chemicals that act within the pain pathways and emotion centers of the brain. |
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Term
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Definition
| Drugs that increase the action of a neurotransmitter. |
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Term
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Definition
| Drugs that increase the action of a neurotransmitter |
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Term
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Definition
| Drugs that block the function of a neurotransmitter. |
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Term
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Definition
| An interacting network of neurons that conveys electrochemical information throughout the body. |
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Term
| Central Nervous System (CNS) |
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Definition
| The part of the nervous system that is composed of the brain and spinal cord. |
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Term
| Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) |
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Definition
| The part of the nervous system that connects the central nervous system to the body's organs and muscles. |
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Term
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Definition
| A set of nerves that conveys information into and out of the central nervous system. |
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Term
| Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) |
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Definition
| A set of nerves that carries involuntary and automatic commands that control blood vessels, body organs, and glands. |
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Term
| Sympathetic Nervous System |
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Definition
| A set of nerves that prepares the body for action in threatening situations. (fight or flight) |
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Term
| Parasympathetic Nervous System |
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Definition
| A set of nerves that helps the body return to a normal resting state. |
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Term
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Definition
| Simple pathways in the nervous system that rapidly generate muscle contractions. |
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Definition
| An area of the brain that coordinates information coming into and out of the spinal cord. |
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Definition
| An extension of the spinal cord into the skull that coordinates heart rate, circulation, and respiration. |
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Term
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Definition
| A brain structure that regulates sleep, wakefulness, and levels of arousal. |
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Definition
| A large structure of the hindbrain that controls fine motor skills. |
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Definition
| A brain structure that relays information from the cerebellum to the rest of the brain. |
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Definition
| A part of the midbrain that orients an organism in the environment. |
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Term
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Definition
| A part of the midbrain that is involved in movement and arousal. |
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Definition
| The outermost layer of the brain, visible to the naked eye and divided into two hemispheres. |
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Definition
| Areas of the forebrain housed under the cerebral cortex near the very center of the brain. |
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Definition
| A group of forebrain structures including the hypothalamus, amygdala, and the hippocampus, which are involved in motivation, emotions, learning, and memory. |
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Term
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Definition
| A subcortical structure that relays and filters information from the senses and transmits the information to the cerebral cortex. |
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Definition
| A subcortical structure that regulates body temperature, hunger, thirst, and sexual behavior. |
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Term
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Definition
| The "master gland" of the body's hormone-producing system, which releases hormones that direct the functions of many other glands in the body. |
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Term
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Definition
| A structure critical for creating new memories and integrating them into a network of knowledge so that they can be stored indefinitely in other parts of the cerebral cortex. |
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Definition
| A part of the limbic system that plays a central role in many emotional processes, particularly the formation of emotional memories. |
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Definition
| A set of subcortical structures that directs intentional movements. |
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Term
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Definition
| A thick band of nerve fibers that connects large areas of the cerebral cortex on each side of the brain and supports communication of information across the hemispheres. |
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Term
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Definition
| a region of the cerebral cortex that processes visual information. |
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Term
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Definition
| a region of the cerebral cortex whose functions include processing information about touch. |
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Term
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Definition
| a region of the cerebral cortex responsible for hearing and language. |
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Term
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Definition
| A region of the cerebral cortex that has specialized areas for movement, abstract thinking, planning, memory, and judgement. |
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Term
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Definition
| Areas of the cerebral cortex that are composed of neurons that help provide sense and meaning to information registered in the cortex. |
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Term
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Definition
| The unit of hereditary transmission. |
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Term
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Definition
| Strands of DNA wound around each other in a double-helix configuration. |
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Term
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Definition
| A measure of the variability of behaviorial traits among individuals that can be accounted for by genetic factors. |
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Term
| Electroencephalograph (EEG) |
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Definition
| A device used to record electrical activity in the brain. |
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