Brain and Behavior

Neuron with one axon and one dendrite

Protrusion from a dendrite that greatly increase its surface area and is the usual point of dendritic contact with axons

Juncture of soma and axon where the action point of dendritic contact with axons

Gap between one neuron and another neuron, usually between an end foot of the axon of one neuron and a dendritic spine of the other neuron

Knob at the tip of an axon that conveys information to other neurons also; also called terminal button

Brain cell that brings sensory information from they body into the spinal cord

Core region of the cell containing the nucleus and other organelles for making proteins

branch of a neuron that consist of an extension of the cell membrane, thus increasing the area of the cell

Association neuron interposed between a sensory neuron and a motor neuron; neurons constitue most of the neurons of the brain

Distinctive neuron found in the cerebral cortex

Distinctive neuron found in the cerebellum

Nervous system cell that provides insulation, nutrients, and support, as well as aiding in the repair of neurons

Mass of new tissue that grows uncontrolled and independent of surrounding structures

Glial cell that makes and secretes cerebral spinal fluid; found on the walls of the ventricles of the brain

Buildup of pressure in the brain and swelling of the head caused if the flow of CFS is blocked; can result in retardation

Glial cell with a star-shaped appearance that provides structural support to neurons in the central nervous system and transports substances between neurons and capillaries

form of glial cell that scavenges debris in the nervous system

Glial coating that surrounds axons in the central and peripheral nervous system

Gilal cell in the central nervous system that myelinates axons.

Glial cell in the peripheral nervous system that forms the myelin on sensory and motor axons

Nervous system disorder that results from the loss of myelin around neurons.

Autosomal genetic disorder that results in motor and cognitive disturbances; caused by an increase in the number of CAG repeats on chromosome 4

Chromosomal abnormality resulting in mental retardation and other abnormalities, usually caused by an extra chromosome

• Ependymal cell- small, secretes cerebrospinal fluid
• Astrocyte- star shaped nutritive and support function
• Microglial cell- mesodermally derived; defensive function
• Oligondendroglial cell- forms myelin around axons in brain and spinal cord.

structure that gathers, stores, and releases energy

Sacs containing enzymes that break down wastes

Membranous structure that packages protein molecules for transport

Threadlike fibers making up much of the cell's "skeleton"

Similar to a Swan cell with it fatty composition acts as a protective covering for axons

• Acetylecholine (affects memory)
• Cholenergic; Dopaninergic (movement/ pleasure and reward lack of it causes parkinsons disease
• Serontonergic system (OCD/schizophrenia) Noradrengic

• 1. small molecule; acetylcholine
• 2. Amines; Epinephrine(adrenaline) Humans use
• 3. Norepinephrine(noradrenaline), Serotonin, Dopamine

• 1. Diffuse
• 2. Dissolve
• 3. Reuptake

Reads brain waves

Types of learning whereby a stimulus becomes less pronounced at the synaptic level

genetic material that makes up our chromosome

Occurs when the body loses the ability to distinguish between good and bad cells

Loss of the ability to walk and talk; due to the loss of motor neurons that die

Occurs when neurons recieve incoming ion and adjust the action potential between the two

differences in electrical charge between two area dopamine

chemical involved with DNA

gene characteristic will take over in place of a recessive gene

Electrical charge across the cell membrane in the absence of stimulation; a store of energy produced by a greater negative charge on the intracellular side relative to the extracellular side.

Having two identical alleles for a trait.

Having two different alleles for the same trait.

Refers to a normal (most common in a population) phenotype or genotype.

Alteration of an allele that yields a different version of that allele.

Protein embedded in a cell membrane that allows substances to pass through the membrane on some occasions but not on others.

Opening in a protein embedded in the cell membrane that allows the passage of ions.

Protein in the cell membrane that actively transports a substance across the membrane

In protein synthesis, a strand of DNA is transcribed into mRNA. Each sequence of three bases in the mRNA strand (a codon) encodes one amino acid. Directed by the codons, the amino acids link together to form a polypeptide chain. The amino acids illustrated are tryptophan (Trp), phenylalanine (Phe), glycine (Gly), and serine (Ser).

Nervous system disorder that results from the loss of myelin (glial-cell covering) around neurons.

Astrocyte processes attach to neurons and to blood vessels to provide support between different structures in the brain, stimulate the cells on blood vessels to form tight junctions and so form the blood–brain barrier, and transport chemicals excreted by neurons to blood vessels.

Buildup of pressure in the brain and swelling of the head caused if the flow of CSF is blocked; can result in retardation.

Inherited birth defect caused by the loss of genes that encode the enzyme necessary for breaking down certain fatty substances; appears 4 to 6 months after birth and results in retardation, physical changes, and death by about age 5.

Differences in concentration of a substance among regions of a container that allows the substance to diffuse from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.

The part of an axon that is not covered by myelin.

Brief depolarization of a neuron membrane in response to stimulation, making the neuron more likely to produce an action potential.

Brief hyperpolarization of a neuron membrane in response to stimulation, making the neuron less likely to produce an action potential.

Chemical released by a neuron onto a target with an excitatory or inhibitory effect.

Chemical messenger that acts as a hormone to mobilize the body for fight or flight during times of stress and as a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system.

Neurotransmitter found in the brain and in the parasympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system.

Neuron that uses acetylcholine as its main neurotransmitter

Ionotropic receptor at which acetylcholine and the drug nicotine act as ligands to activate the flow of ions through the receptor pore.

Behavioral disorder characterized by compulsively repeated acts (such as hand washing) and repetitive, often unpleasant, thoughts (obsessions).