Plasticity
The Brain's special capacity for change
Electrochemical Transmission
The brain and the nervous system function essentially as an information-passing system powered by electrical impulses and chemical messengers.
Division of the Nervous System
Central and Peripheral Nervous system
Peripheral
The network of nerves that connects the brain and spinal cord to other parts of the body
Somatic
Consist of sensory nerves, whose function is to convey information from the skin and muscles to the CNS about conditions such as pain and temperature, and motor nerves, whose function is to tell the muscles what to do.
Autonomic
The body system that takes messages to and from the body's internal organs, monitoring such processes as breathing, heart rate, and digestion
Parasympathetic
The part of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body
Sympathetic
The part of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body
Neurons
One of the two types of cells in the nervous system; the nerve cells that handle information-processing function
Axon
The part of the neuron that carries information away from the cell body toward other cells
Cell Body
The part of the neuron that contains the nucleus, which directs the manufacture of substances that the neuron needs for growth and maintenence
Dendrites
Treelike fibers projecting from a neuron,which receive information and orient it toward the neuron's cell body
Synapse
Tiny spaces between neurons
Neurotransmitters
Chemical substances that are stored in very tiny sacs within the terminal buttons and involved in transmitting information across a synaptic gap to the next neuron
Acetylcholine
Usually stimulates the firing of neurons and is involved in muscle action, learning, and memory
GABA
Gamma Amminobutyric Acid; Plays a key function in the brain by inhibiting many neurons from firing
Norepinephrine
Inhibits the firing of neurons in the central nervous system, but it excites the heart muscle, intestines, and urogenital tract. Also helps control alertness
Dopamine
Helps to control voluntary movement and affects sleep, mood, attention, learning, and the ability to recognize opportunities for rewarding experiences in the environment
Serotonin
Involved in the regulation of sleep, mood, attention, and learning. In regulating states of sleep and wakefulness, it teams with acetylcholine and norepinephrine
Endorphins
Natural opiates- substances that depress nervous system activity and eliminate pain- that mainly stimulate the firing of neurons
Oxytocin
A hormone and neurotransmitter that plays an important role in the experience of love and social bonding. Released in mothers who have just given birth, and as part of a sexual orgasm
Lesions
An abnormal disruption in the tissue of the brain resulting from injury or disease.
Electrical Recording
An Electrocencephalograph (EEG) records the brain's electrical activity.
PET
Positron-Emission Tomography, is based on metabolic changes in the brain related to activity
fMRI
Rests on the idea that mental activity is associated with changes in the brain
Hindbrain
Located at the skill's rear, the lowest portion of the brain, consisting of the medulla, cerebellum, and pons
Midbrain
Located between the hindbrain and forebrain, and area in which many nerve-fiber systems ascend and descend to connect the higher and lower portions of the brain; in particular, relays information between the brain and the eyes and ears
Forebrain
The brain's largest division and its most forward part
Limbic System
A loosely connected network of structures under the cerebral cortex, important in both memory and emotion. Its two principle structures are the amygdala and the hippocampus
Thalamus
The forebrain structure that sits at the top of the brain stem in the brain's central core and serves as an important relay station
Hypothalamus
A small forebrain structure, located just below the thalamus, that monitors three pleasurable activities- eating, drinking, and sex- as well as emotion, stress, and reward
Amygdala
An almond-shaped structure within the base of the temporal lobe that is involved in the discrimination of objects that are necessary for the organism's survival, such as appropriate food, mates, and social rivals
Cerebral Cortex
Part of the forebrain, the outer layer of the brain, responsible for the most complex mental functions, such as thinking and planning
Occipital Lobe
Structures located at the back of the head that respond to visual stimuli
Frontal Lobe
The portion of the cerebral cortex behind the forehead, involved in personality, intelligence, and the control of voluntary muscles
Parietal Lobe
Structures at the top and toward the rear of the head that are involved in registering spatial location, attention, and motor control
Temporal Lobe
Structures in the cerebral cortex that are located just above the ears and are involved in hearing, language processing, and memory
Cerebral Hemispheres
Cerebral cortex is divided into two halves-left and right
Corpus Callosum
The large bundle of axons that connects the brain's two hemispheres, responsible for relaying information between the two sides
Wernicke's Area
The portion of the left hemisphere that is involved in understanding language. Individuals with damage to this area cannot comprehend words; they hear the words but do not know what they mean
Broca's Area
Located in the brain's left hemisphere and is involved in the control of speech. individuals with damage to this area have problems saying words correctly
Endocrine System
The body system consisting of a set of glands that regulate the activities of certain organs by releasing their chemical products into the bloodstream
Hormones
Chemical messengers that are produced by the endocrine glands and carried by the bloodstream to all parts of the body
Pituitary Gland
A pea-sized gland just beneath the hypothalamus that controls growth and regulates other glands
Adrenal Glands
Gland at the top of each kidney that are responsible for regulating moods, energy level, and the ability to cope with stress
Brain Tissue Implants
Implants of healthy tissue into damaged brains
Behavior Genetics
The study of the degree of nature of heredity's influence on behavior
Mirror Neurons
Observations of a behavior results in neuron activity in the same cortical area of the actor and observer
Hemispheric Laterization
Right brain focuses on detection of patterns and organization; Left focuses on Details
Angular Gyrus
A region of the inferior parietal lobe of the brain that is involved in the processing of auditory and visual input and in the comprehension of language.
Hippocampus
Translates current experience to current memory; holds longterm memory; H.M Henry Mclazion, also plays an important role in depression and stress related depression
Memory
The hippocampus is able to translate current experiences into this
Depression
The correlation between the cell count in the hippocampus and this is less cells in the hippocampus, more _____
Ventromedial Nucleus
Regulates food intake and hunger; when you eat;
INAH-3
In humans, predicts masculinity, but not sexual orientation
Amygdala
Control fear and anxiety; Memory for fearful events; Recognition of facial fear cues.
Intercranial Stimulation Reward
James activated 2 systems, reward and pleasure, hopefully can help in treating addiction
Pruning
A normal reduction in nerve cells during the prenatal delelopment of the brain, too much in warly years causes schizophrenia