Neuroscience: Neurons and Glial Cells

Cells in the nervous system that communicate with each other; the basis of all thoughts and actions.

Branch-like structures that receive information from other neurons.

The central part of a neuron that decides whether to send a signal.

The long, slender part of a neuron that transmits signals.

Fatty insulation that speeds up signal transmission along the axon.

The end of a neuron's axon, where information is released to other neurons.

The space between two neurons where communication occurs.

Neurons that transmit information from the brain to the muscles (Efferent).

Neurons that transmit information from the senses to the brain (Afferent).

Neurons that connect sensory and motor neurons; crucial for processing information.

Cells that support and nourish neurons.

Chemical messengers that transmit signals between neurons.

The time after an action potential where a neuron cannot fire again immediately.

A rapid change in electrical charge along a neuron's axon.

A substance that enhances the effects of a neurotransmitter.

A substance that blocks the effects of a neurotransmitter.

Neurotransmitter that triggers the "fight-or-flight" response.

Neurotransmitter that usually inhibits neuron firing.

Neurotransmitter associated with pleasure, reward, and movement.

Neurotransmitter involved in mood regulation, sleep, and focus.

Major excitatory neurotransmitter, stimulating neuron firing.

A neuron either fully fires or doesn't fire at all.

Signal transmission in a neuron always goes from dendrites to terminal buttons.

Neurotransmitter crucial for muscle movement and memory.

Neurotransmitters are broken down by enzymes in the synapse.

Signal transmission within a neuron is electrical; between neurons is chemical.

Presynaptic neuron reabsorbs released neurotransmitters.

The process of removing unused or less-effective synapses during learning to make the brain more efficient.

The central processing unit of the nervous system, receiving and transmitting information.

The right brain controls the left body, and vice versa.

Newer brain parts evolved towards the top, older parts are at the bottom.

The oldest part of the brain, located at the bottom, responsible for vital functions.

Brain areas involved in higher-level thinking, not direct sensory or motor functions.

Intelligence doesn't correlate with brain size, but surface area (wrinkles) does.

Part of the hindbrain crucial for heart rate, breathing, and reflexes; damage can be fatal.

Hindbrain area influencing sleep, mood, and focus.

Hindbrain area aiding in facial expression and arousal, connecting to reticular formation.

Part of the hindbrain; responsible for balance, fine motor skills, and coordination.

The smallest part of the brain, centrally located.

Controls orientation and movement.

Associated with voluntary movement.

The largest and most evolved part of the brain, containing higher-level functions.

Wrinkled outer layer of the forebrain, responsible for complex functions.

A band of fibers connecting left and right brain hemispheres, enabling communication.

Located at the front of the brain, responsible for complex cognitive processes.

Front part of the frontal lobe; involved in complex thought coordination, attention, and planning.

Long-term participation in relaxation groups correlates with a lower rate of heart attacks.

Religious practices, which often include social connections and restrictions (like abstaining from alcohol), can reduce stress and improve well-being.

Feeling more control over stressful situations can lead to lower stress levels.

Perceiving you have decision-making power in a stressful situation.

Gaining more information about a stressful event to better understand and cope with it.

Addressing the source of stress by actively trying to solve problems causing the stress.

Managing the emotional response to stress rather than the problem itself.

Support from others can improve mental and physical well-being, even when not facing a stressful event.

Experiencing satisfaction with the past, happiness in the present, and optimism for the future.

Enhancing positive characteristics like creativity and leadership.

Creating supportive social environments for personal growth.

Having enough money to meet basic needs reduces stress and contributes to longer lifespans.

Patients in nursing homes with more control over their environment tend to be happier and live longer.

Greater self-control leads to consistent engagement in healthy routines.

The pattern of attributing causes to events, and those with positive patterns tend to live longer.

Social connections are related to happiness and improved mental health.

Part of the brain associated with movement

Combining visual and touch information for orientation

Part of the brain for processing touch sensation

Artistic representation of the motor/sensory cortex, showing proportions of body parts

Brain area handling vision

Brain area crucial for speech production

Difficulty in speech production, though comprehension is often okay

Differences in function between the left and right brain hemispheres, except in certain areas

Brain area related to language comprehension

Brain area handling hearing and language

Sensory relay station in the brain, except smell

Brain structures dealing with emotions and memories

Brain area regulating survival functions like hunger, fleeing, fighting

Brain structure related to emotional memory, especially fear

Brain imaging technique visualizing brain structure using magnets

Measures electrical activity in the brain using electrodes on the scalp

Brain area crucial for forming and retrieving memories

Regulates motor control, with dopamine as a key component

Brain imaging technique measuring brain activity using blood flow

Interaction of environment and sensory organs

Brain's processing of sensory information, subjective

Process of converting sensory input into neural signals

Smallest detectable change in a stimulus

Just noticeable difference is proportional to the stimulus intensity

Describes how people detect signals in noisy environments

Starts with sensory data and processes towards higher brain levels

Minimum stimulus intensity needed for detection

Starts with expectations and knowledge to process sensory information

Distance between peaks of light waves

Height of light waves, affecting brightness

Protective outer layer of the eye

Opening in the eye that adjusts light amount

Muscle controlling the size of the pupil

Back of the eye with light-sensitive cells

Area of retina with highest visual acuity

Light-sensitive cells for low-light vision

Light-sensitive cells for color vision in bright light

Area of retina lacking light-sensitive cells

White outer layer of the eye

Color vision theory with 3 types of cones

Signals for perceiving distance

Depth cues using both eyes

Depth cues using only one eye

Lack of sensory input