Dendrite
Part of the Neuron that receives the
message
Myelin Sheath
Fatty cells that cover the axon. Speeds
up message
Action Potential
A neural impulse
Resting Potential
No message is fired. Equal positive and
negative ions
Depolarization
Unfreezing of a message. Unequal ions
Threshold
All or nothing. Level of stimulation
needed to send a message
Synapse
Gap or space in-between neurons
Neurotransmitters
Chemical messengers that cross the
synapse
Acetylcholine
Neurotransmitter that controls
memory and muscle movement
Endorphins
Neurotransmitter that control
happiness and pleasure
Dopamine
Neurotransmitter linked to alertness
and movement. Parkinson disease
Serotonin
Neurotransmitter associated with
depression
GABA
Inhibitory neurotransmitter
Glutamate
Excitatory neurotransmitter
Agonists
Term for a neurotransmitter that
excites a message
Antagonists
Term for a neurotransmitter that
inhibits a message
Central Nervous System (CNS)
Sensory Neuron
Brain and Spinal Cord
Type of neuron that sends messages
from the sense receptors to the CNS
Interneuron
Neurons that communicate between
sensory and motor neurons
Motor Neurons
Neurons that send messages from the
CNS to your muscles
2 parts of the nervous system
Central Nervous System (CNS
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
2 parts of the Peripheral Nervous
System
Somatic Nervous System
Autonomic Nervous System
Somatic Nervous System
Autonomic Nervous system
Sympathetic Nervous System
Parasympathetic Nervous System
Computed Tomography (CT)
Positron Emission Tomography
(PET)
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Brainstem
Part of nervous system that controls
voluntary movements
Part of the nervous system that control
automatic activities ( heart beat,
digestion)
Increases autonomic nervous system
Decreases the autonomic nervous
system
Takes basic x rays of the body
Looks at sugar glucose levels in the
brain
Generates images of soft tissue
Part of the brain where the nerves
cross over
Medulla
Reticular Formation
Thalamus
Cerebellum
Part of the brain that controls
breathing
Part of the brain that controls arousal
Brings in all sense info except smell
Part of the brain that controls
voluntary movements
Pons
Parts of the brain that controls sleep
The Limbic System
Parts in this area of the brain control
emotions
The Lower Brain
Parts in this area of the brain control
life saving operations
Hippocampus
Part of the brain that controls memory
Part of the brain that controls
Amygdale
aggression and fear
Hypothalamus
Part of the brain that controls the
pituitary gland and maintenance
activities ( eating and drinking). It is
also the pleasure center.
Cerebral Cortex
Parts in this area of the brain are in
charge of higher level thinking
4 lobes of the cerebral cortex
Frontal
Occipital
Temporal
Parietal
Frontal lobe
This lobe controls speaking, making
plans and judgments
Motor Cortex
An area in the frontal lobe that control
voluntary movements
Parietal Lobe
The lobe that contains the Sensory
Cortex
Sensory Cortex
An area in the Parietal lobe that
registers and processes body
sensations
Occipital Lobe
Lobe that controls vision
Temporal Lobe
Lobe that controls hearing
Association Area
Aphasia
Broca’s Area
Areas of the cerebral cortex where the
exact function is unclear. Used for
thinking activities
Impairment of language
Part of the brain that controls muscle
movement involved in speech
Wernicke’s Area
Part of the brain that is involved in
language comprehension
Angular Gyrus
Part of the brain that controls the
auditory sounds associated with
language
Corpus Callosum
Part of the brain that connects the left
and right hemispheres
Split brain
Condition caused by the cutting of the
corpus callosum
Left Hemisphere
The dominate hemisphere for logic,
verbal expression and sequential
activities
Right Hemisphere
The dominate hemisphere for
emotions, art, expression, better at
spatial relations
Endocrine System
Systems of glands and hormones
Hormones
Chemical messengers that travel in
the blood stream
Adrenal Glands
Secrete epinephrine (adrenaline) and
nor epinephrine (noradrenaline)
Pituitary Gland
Master Gland. Controls growth
Pineal Gland
Produces melatonin, regulates
circadian rhythm
Thyroid
Maintains metabolic activities. A lack
of it can lead to mental retardation
Pancreas
Release insulin and glucagon which
regulates blood sugar
Gonads
Tests and ovaries. Releases estrogen
and testosterone
Glial Cells
Food source for the brain
Plasticity
Brain’s ability to compensate for
damage. Decreases as you get older
Lesion
tissue destruction