Neuron cell of the brain
Neurogenesis The generation of new neurons
Generalization Refers to explanations as examples of general laws, revealed through experiments
Reduction Refers to explanations of complex phenomena in terms of simpler ones
Dualism A belief in the dual nature of reality; Mind...
Generalization Refers to explanations as examples of general laws, revealed through experiments
Reduction Refers to explanations of complex phenomena in terms of simpler ones
DualismA belief in the dual nature of reality; Mind and body are separate; the body is made of ordinary
matter but the mind is not.
Monism A belief that everything in the universe consists of matter and energy; the mind is a
phenomenon produced by the workings of the nervous system
Reflexes Automatic/involuntary reactions of the human body
Doctrine of Specific Nerve Energies Because all nerve fibers carry the same type of message,
sensory information must be specified by the particular nerve fibers active
Experimental ablation Removing parts of the brain and testing behaviors to infer the function of the
mission portion of the brain.
Functionalism A belief that characteristics of living organisms perform useful functions
Natural Selection The process by which inherited traits that confer a selective advantage become
more prevalent in a population
Mutations a change in genetic information contained in chromosomes of sperm and eggs that is
passed onto offspring and provides genetic variability
Selective advantage Increases an animals likelihood to live and reproduce
Evolution A gradual change in the structure and physiology of a species as a result of natural
selection
Neoteny A slowing of the process of maturation, allowing more time for growth; an important
factor in the development of large brains
Informed consent An ethical principle that research participants be told enough (nature of the
study, how data will be collected and reported, cost and benefits of participation, etc.) to enable them
to choose whether they wish to participate.
Neuroethics An interdisciplinary field devoted to understanding implications of and developing best
practices in ethics for neuroscience research
Neuroaxis imaginary line drawn the length of the CNS
Why brain damage occurs so quickly 1.) Only store small amounts of fuel (primarily glucose)
2.) Can't temporarily extract energy without oxygen
Anterior front
Posterior back
Dorsal "back"; top
ventral "belly"; bottom
lateral towards side
medial towards middle
inferior below
superior above
rostral towards nose/mouth
caudal towards tail
ipsilateral structures on the same side of the body
contralateral structures on the opposite side of the body
transverse slice like a loaf of bread; front and back halves
horizontal slice parallel to the ground
Sagittal sectionsperpendicular to the ground; midsagittal plane divides the brain into symmetrical halves
Meninges Protective sheaths around the brain and spinal cord
Dura mater Outer layer; durable, thick, and flexible but not stretchable
Arachnoid mater Middle layer; Soft and spongy
Subarachnoid space Filled with CSF
Pia mater Inner layer; closely attached to the brain and spinal cord, following every convulsion
, Ventricles "little bellies"; hollow, interconnected chambers filled with CSF
lateral ventricles largest chambers connected to third ventricle
third ventricle located at the midline of the brain; its walls divide the surrounding parts into
symmetrical halves
masa intermedia crosses through the middle of the third ventricle and serves as a reference point
cerebral aqueduct a long tube, connects third ventricle to fourth ventricle
choroid process Vascular complex in the roof of the third and fourth ventricles of the brain, responsible
for the production of CSF.
Arachnoid granulations Small projections of the arachnoid membrane through the dura mater to the
superior sagittal sinus. CSF flows through here and is re-abosorbed into the blood supply
superior sagittal sinus a blood vessel that drains into the veins serving the brain
obstructive hydrocephalous A condition in which all or some of the brain's ventricles are enlarged;
caused by an obstruction that impedes the normal flow of the CSF
Neural tube A tube of cells running along the dorsal axis of the body. It will give rise to the central
nervous system.
Diencephalon inter brain; thalamus and hypothalamus
Metencephalon Hindbrain; Pons and cerebellum
Cerebral cortex Outermost layer of gray matter of cerebral hemispheres. Circuits of neurons here play a
large role in perception, cognition, and control of movement
Progenitor cells Give rise to cells of the brain; cells of the ventricular zone (VZ) that divide.
Ventricular zone (VZ) A layer of cells that line the inside of the neural tube; contains progenitor cells
that divide and give rise to the CNS
Subventricular zone (SVZ) A layer of progenitor cells located inside the ventricular zone; thicker in
mammals with larger brains
Symmetrical division Division of progenitor cells that gives rise to two identical progenitor cells;
increases the size of the ventricular zone and brain that develops from it
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