endorphins
Neurotransmitter that regulate pain
endocrine system
System of glands located throughout the body that secrete hormones throughout the body
electroencephalogram
Graphic record of brain actity produced by the electroencephalograph (EEG)
dopamine
Neurotransmitter that regulates body movement, thought processes, and rewarding sensations.
dendrites
Multiple short fibers that extend (tree-like branches) from the neuron cell body and receive information from sensory receptor cells.
cortical localization
The notion that different functions are located or localized in different areas of the brain; also called localization of function
corpus collosum
The thick band of axon that connect the two brain hemispheres of the brain and allows communication between them.
cognitive neuroscience
The study of the neural (nerve) basis of cognitive processes
cerebral hemisphere
The right and left halves of cerebral cortex (right and left brain)
cerebellum
Large structure at back of the brain responsible for muscle coordination, posture, and equilibrium
cell body
the area of the nerve cell where the nucleous is located that processes nutrients and provides energy for the nerve cell.
brain stem
Region of the brain made up the hindbrain and midbrain
axon
The long fluid-filled tube that carries nerve message to other parts of the body
axon terminals
Branches at the end of the axon that contain tiny pouches called synaptic vesicles
autonomic nervous system
automatic" Subdivision of the nervous system that controls involuntary body functions
amygdala
Almond-shaped cluster of neurons in temporal lobe involved in memory and emotional responses
all-or-none law
Either there is enough stimulation for action potential of a nerve or there is not enough stimulation and action potential doesn't occur.
adrenal medulla
Inner portion of the adrenal gland that secrete epinephrine and norepinephrine
adrenal glands
Pair of endocrine glands that control human stress response.
adrenal cortex
the outer portion of the adrenal glands
action potential
Brief electrical impulse by which information is transmitted along the axon of neuron.
acetylcholine
Neurotransmitter that cause muscle contraction and involved in memory function.
norepinephrine
Neurotransmitter involved in learning and memory also a hormone produced in adrenal glands
neuroscience
The study of the nervous system especially the brain.
neurotransmitter
Chemical messengers produced by the neuron.
neurogenisis
The development of new neurons
neuron
Nerve cell
nervous system
Primary internal communication network of the body divided into the central and peripheral nervous system.
nerves
Bundles of neuron axon that carry information to the peripheral nervous system.
myelin sheath
The white fatty covering around axon and some neuron that increases their communication
motor neuron
Neuron that tells muscle to relax (motor=movement and muscle help you move)
medulla
hindbrain structure that controls vital life functions such as breathing or circulation
midbrain
The middle and smallest region that processes sound and visual information
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Non invasive imaging technique that produces highly detailed images of the brain using electromagnetic signals generated by the brain in response to the magnetic field.
limbic system
group of forebrain structures that surround the brainstem involves emotions, motivation, learming and memory.
lateralization of function
The notion that specific brain functions are processed primarily on one side of the brain.
interneuron
Type of neuron that communicates information from one neuron to the next
hormones
Chemical messengers secreted into the blood steam by endocrine glands
hippocampus
curved forebrain structure invovled in learing and forming new memories
hindbrain
the back portion of the brain including the cerebellum and brainstem
gonads
sex glands (testes or ovaries)
glial cell
cells that assist neurons by providing structural support, waste removal, and production of myelin of the cell.
GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)
Neurotransmitter that usually communicates inhibitatory messages
functional plasticity
The brain's ability to function from damaged to undamaged areas
functional MRI (fMRI)
Use of magnetic fields to map the brain activity measuring changes.
frontal lobe
The largest lobe of each cerebral hemisphere that processes voluntary (non automatic) muslce movement also involved in thinking, planning, and emotional control.
forebrain
The largest and most complex brain region (cerebrum) contains the centers for complex behaviors and mental processes
thalamus
forebrain structue responsible for all the senses except smell and relays it to the cerebral cortex.
temporal lobe
An area located on each side of the right and left hemispheres near the temples that is the receiving area for sound information
synaptic vesicles
Tiny pouches on the axon terminals that contain the neurotransmitters.
synaptic transmission
The process through which neurotransmitters are released by one neuron goes across the synaptic gap to adjoining neurons.
synaptic gap
The tiny space between the axon terminal of one neuron and dendrite of adjoining neuron
synapse
The point of communication between two neurons
sympathetic nervous system
part of the autonomic nervous system (automatic) that produces "fight or flight" response.
substantia nigra
An area of the midbrain that is invovled in motor control and contains large amount of dopamine producing neurons.
structural plasticity
Brain ability to change physical structure in response to learning, active practice or environmental influences.
stimulus threshhold
The minimum level of stimulation required to activate a particular neuron.
split brain operation
a surgery that involves cutting the corpus callosum
spinal reflexes
Simple automatic behaviors processed in the spinal cord
somatic nervous system
Subdivision of the peripheral nervous system that carries sensory information to the central nervous system and carries motor information to muscles.
serotonin
Neurotransmitter involved in sleep and emotions
sensory neurons
Type of neuron that sends information to the brain from receptor cells in sense organs and internal organs
reuptake
Process where neurotransmitters are recycled and used again
reticular formation
A network of nerve fibers located in the center of the medulla that regulates attention, arousal, and sleep.
resting potential
State in which the neuron is prepared to activate and communicate its message if sufficient stimulation is received'
positron emission tomography (PET)
An invasive imaging technique that provides color-coded images of brain activity through radioactivity
pons
Hindbrain structure that connects the medulla to the two sides of the cerebellum; helps coordinate and integrate movement on each side of the body.
pituitary gland
Endocrine gland located at the base of the brain that secretes hormones that affects the function of other glands and hormones.
phrenology
A discredited false science that personality, moral character and intellegence can be determined by the bumps on your skull.
peripherial nervous system
Nerves outside of the central nervous system
parietal lobe
An area on each hemisphere of the brain that processes somatic (body) sensations
parasympathetic nervous system
Division of the autonomic (automatic) nervous system that maintains the body's normal function.
occipital lobe
Area at the back of each hemisphere that controls visual information.