Structure of Neurons
Nerve cells , the basic element of the nervous system
What are neurons?
Chemicals that carry excitatory or inhibitory messages across a synapse
What are neurotransmitters?
scan involves taking a number of x-rays of a particular section of a person’s body or brain
What is a computerized tomography (CT) scans?
receives messages from muscles, tendons, joints, and structures in our ear to control balance, coordination, movement, and motor skills
What is the cerebellum?
T/F The effects of neurotransmitters tend to be fast, whereas the effects of hormones tend to be long lasting
What is True?
Carries the electrical impulse (message) destined for other neurons
What are axons?
Neurotransmitter with roles in pleasure, pain modulation, "runner's high" and may be involved in the placebo effect
What are endorphins?
technique often used in studies investigating sleep patterns. Researchers place electrodes at various locations on a person’s head in order to record brainwaves
What is electroencephalography (EEG)?
Bundle of fibers connecting the two hemispheres of the brain
What is the corpus callosum?
The central nervous system consists of the brain and this
What is the spinal cord?
The gap between two neurons
What is a synapse?
neurotransmitter involved in mood, reward, addiction, and motor behavior; involved in Parkinson’s disease
What is dopamine?
Scanning technique that utilizes the injection of radioactive liquid into the blood stream
What is a positron emission tomography (PET) scan?
involved in our experience of emotion (especially fear), aggression and tying emotional meaning to our memories
What is the amygdala?
A quick involuntary response that is not processed in the brain
What is a reflex?
Branchlike fibers extending in clusters from the neuron’s cell body that receives electrical impulses/messages from other neurons
What are dendrites?
Neurotransmitter involved with muscle movement and cognitive functioning; implicated in Alzheimer’s disease
What is Acetylocholine (ACh)?
Provides a detailed 3D image of brain structures and activity using magnets
What is a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)?
This structure extends through the hindbrain, midbrain, and forebrain and is involved with general arousal/wakefulness
What is the reticular formation?
The master gland of the endocrine system
What is the pituitary gland?
These are found at the end of axons and contain synaptic vesicles that house neurotransmitters, the chemical messengers of the nervous system
What are terminal buttons?
Neurotransmitter involved in sleeping, eating, mood, pain and depression
What is Serotonin?
Neuroimaging technique that can also be used as treatment for some psychological disorders
What is transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)?
connects the brain and the spinal cord and is involved in sleep and arousal
What are Pons?
When parts of the brain compensate for damage to another part of the brain
What is neuroplasticity?