The Brain
neurotransmitter Chemical messenger specialized for communication
from neuron to neuron
glial cellsCell in nervous system that plays a role in the
formation of myelin and the blood-brain barrier, responds to injury, removes debris, and
enhances learning and memory
thresholdMembrane potential necessary to trigger an
action potential.
action potentialA neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels
down an axon.
reuptake
A neurotransmitter's reabsorption by the sending neuron
neural plasticityAbility of brain tissue to modify itself and take on
new functions.
neurogenesis
Creation of new neurons in the adult brain
cerebral cortex
outermost part of forebrain, responsible for analyzing sensory processing and higher
brain functions
corpus callosum
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.
motor cortexAn area at the rear of the frontal lobes that
controls voluntary movements
Broca’s area
Controls language expression - an area of the frontal lobe, usually in the left hemisphere, that directs the muscle movements involved in speech.
Wernicke’s areapart of the temporal lobe involved in understanding speech
somatosensory cortex
portion of the brain which interprets body sensations
thalamusA forebrain structure that processes sensory information for all
senses, except smell, and relays it to the cerebral cortex
hypothalamus
Structure below the thalamus, responsible for maintaining a constant internal state
amygdalapart of limbic system that plays key roles in
fear, excitement, and arousal
hippocampus
part of the brain that plays a role in spatial memory
cerebellumBalance and coordination
brain stempart of the brain between the spinal cord and cerebral cortex that contains the midbrain, pons, and medulla
ponspart of the brain stem that connects the
cortex with the cerebellum
medulla
part of brain stem involved in basic functions, such as heartbeat and breathing
spinal cordthick bundle of nerves that conveys signals
between the brain and the body
interneuron
neuron that sends messages to other neurons nearby
endocrine systemsystem of glands and hormones that
controls secretion of blood-borne chemical messengers
hormone
chemical released into the bloodstream that influences particular organs and glands
adrenal glandtissue located on top of the kidneys that
releases adrenaline and cortisol during states of emotional arousal
E.G.G.
Electroencephalogram—a recording of brain's electrical activity at the
surface of the skull
CT ScanComputed Tomography—a scanning technique
using multiple X-rays to construct three-dimensional images
MRI
Magnetic resonance imaging—technique that uses magnetic fields to
indirectly visualize brain structure
PET Scanpositron emission tomography—imaging technique that
measures consumption of glucose-like molecules, yielding a picture of neural activity in different regions of the brain
fMRI
functional magnetic resonance imaging—technique that uses magnetic fields to visualize brain activity using changes in
blood oxygen level