46.The Mammalian Nervous System: Structure and Higher Functions

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  • Created by: kpaul1234
  • Created on: 24-05-21 20:28
Define afferent
Carrying to, as in neurons that carry impulses to the central nervous system (afferent neurons), or a blood vessel that carries blood to a structure (afferent arterioles). (Contrast with efferent.)
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Define efferent
Carrying outward or away from, as in neurons that carry impulses outward from the central to the peripheral nervous system (efferent neurons), or a blood vessel that carries blood away from a structure (efferent arterioles). (Contrast with afferent.)
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Define Hindbrain
The region of the developing vertebrate brain that gives rise to the medulla, pons, and cerebellum. (Compare with forebrain, midbrain.)
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Define midbrain
One of the three regions of the vertebrate brain. Part of the brainstem, it serves as a relay station for sensory signals sent to the cerebral hemispheres. (Compare with forebrain, hindbrain.)
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Define forebrain
The region of the vertebrate brain that comprises the cerebrum, thalamus, and hypothalamus. (Compare with hindbrain, midbrain.)
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Define medulla
The inner, core region of an organ, as in the adrenal medulla (adrenal gland) or the renal medulla (kidneys). (2) The portion of the brainstem that connects to the spinal cord.
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Define pons
Region of the brainstem anterior to the medulla.
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Define the cerebellum
The brain region that controls muscular coordination; located at the anterior end of the hindbrain.
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Define the brainstem
The portion of the vertebrate brain between the spinal cord and the forebrain, made up of the medulla, pons, and midbrain.
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Define the diencephalon
The portion of the vertebrate forebrain that develops into the thalamus and hypothalamus.
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Define the telencephalon
The outer, surrounding structure of the embryonic vertebrate forebrain, which develops into the cerebrum.
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Define the thalamus
A region of the vertebrate forebrain; involved in integration of sensory input.
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Define the cerebrum
The dorsal anterior portion of the forebrain, making up the largest part of the brain of mammals; the chief coordination center of the nervous system and the major information-processing areas of the vertebrate brain consists of two cerebral hemispheres.
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Define the cerebral hemispheres
The bilateral divisions of the cerebrum.
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Define the cerebral cortex
The thin layer of gray matter (neuronal cell bodies) that overlies the cerebrum.
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Define the cranial nerves
The 12 pairs of nerves that go directly from the brain to different parts of the body without going down the spinal cord.
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Describe the reticular-activating system
A central region of the vertebrate brainstem that includes complex fiber tracts conveying neural signals between the forebrain and the spinal cord, with collateral fibers to a variety of nuclei that are involved in autonomic functions, including arousal f
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Describe the limbic system
A group of evolutionarily primitive structures in the vertebrate telencephalon that are involved in emotions, drives, instinctive behaviors, learning, and memory.
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Define the amygdala
A component of the limbic system that is involved in fear and the memory of fearful experiences.
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Define the hippocampus
A part of the forebrain that takes part in long-term memory formation.
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Define the gyri
The ridges (folds) in the cerebral cortex
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Define the sulci
The valleys between the folds of the cerebral cortex.
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Define convolutions
Foldings of the vertebrate brain’s cerebral cortex into ridges called gyri and valleys called sulci. The level of cortical convolution increases taxonomically and is especially extensive in humans.
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Define the association cortex
In the vertebrate brain, the portion of the cortex involved in higher-order information processing, so named because it integrates, or associates, information from different sensory modalities and from memory.
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Define the temporal lobe
One of the four lobes of the cerebral hemisphere; receives and processes auditory and visual information; involved in recognizing, identifying, and naming objects.
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Define the frontal lobe
The largest of the brain lobes in humans; involved with feeling and planning functions; includes the primary motor cortex.
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Define the parietal lobe
One of four lobes of the cerebral hemisphere; processes complex stimuli and includes the primary somatosensory cortex.
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Define the occipital lobe
One of the four lobes of the brain’s cerebral hemisphere; processes visual information.
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Define the insular cortex
The outer layers of the insular lobe.
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Define the primary motor cortex
The region of the cerebral cortex that contains motor neurons that directly stimulate specific muscle fibers to contract.
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Define the executive function
Cognitive processes (e.g., attentional control, inhibitory control, reasoning, problem solving, planning) that allow goal-directed control of thought and behavior.
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Define the primary somatosensory cortex
An area of the parietal lobe that receives touch and pressure information from mechanoreceptors throughout the body; neurons in this area are arranged according to the parts of the body with which they communicate.
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Define the Occipital lobe
One of the four lobes of the brain’s cerebral hemisphere; processes visual information.
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Define the insular cortex
The outer layers of the insular lobe.
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Define the Autonomic Nervous System
The portion of the peripheral nervous system that controls such involuntary functions as those of guts and glands. Also called the involuntary nervous system.
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Define sympathetic
The division of the autonomic nervous system that works in opposition to the parasympathetic nervous system. (Contrast with parasympathetic nervous system.)
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Define parasympathetic
The division of the autonomic nervous system that works in opposition to the sympathetic nervous system. (Contrast with sympathetic nervous system.)
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Define the Ganglion
A cluster of neurons that have similar characteristics or function.
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Define a receptive field
The area of visual space that activates a particular cell in the visual system.
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Define binocular vision
Overlapping visual fields of an animal’s two eyes; allows the animal to see in three dimensions.
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Define optic chiasm
Structure on the lower surface of the vertebrate brain where the two optic nerves come together.
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Define an Electroencephalogram EEG
A graphic recording of electrical potentials from the brain.
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Define Slow-wave sleep
A state of deep, restorative sleep characterized by high-amplitude slow waves in the EEG. (Contrast with REM sleep.)
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Define Rapid Eye Movement (REM)
A sleep state characterized by vivid dreams, skeletal muscle relaxation, and rapid eye movements. (Contrast with non-REM sleep.)
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Define Lateralization
A phenomenon in humans in which language functions come to reside in one cerebral hemisphere, usually the left.
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Define Aphasia
A deficit in the ability to use or understand words.
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Define the Broca's area
A portion of the human brain essential for speech. Located in the frontal lobe just in front of the primary motor cortex.
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Define the Wernick's area
A region in the temporal lobe of the human brain that is involved with the sensory aspects of language.
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Define the angular gyrus
A part of the human brain believed to be essential for integrating spoken and written language.
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Define Long-term depression (LTD)
A long-lasting decrease in the responsiveness of a neuron resulting from a period of prior stimulation. (Contrast with long-term potentiation.)
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Define Immediate memory
A form of memory for events happening in the present that is almost perfectly photographic, but lasts only seconds. (Contrast with long-term memory, short-term memory.)
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Define Short-term memory
Information that is maintained in the brain and can be accessed for a short period of time—seconds to minutes. (Contrast with immediate memory, long-term memory.)
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Define Long-term memory
Information that is maintained in the brain and is accessible for long periods of time—hours to years. (Contrast with immediate memory, short-term memory.)
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Define a Declarative Memory
Memory of people, places, events, and things that can be consciously recalled and described.
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Card 2

Front

Define efferent

Back

Carrying outward or away from, as in neurons that carry impulses outward from the central to the peripheral nervous system (efferent neurons), or a blood vessel that carries blood away from a structure (efferent arterioles). (Contrast with afferent.)

Card 3

Front

Define Hindbrain

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

Define midbrain

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

Define forebrain

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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