Neuroscience is the field of study encompassing the various scientific disciplines dealing with the structure, development, function, chemistry, pharmacology, and pathology of the nervous system.
Neuroscience investigates the human brain, from the functional organization of large scale cerebral systems to microscopic neurochemical processes
A neuron is a nerve cell that is the basic building block of the nervous system. The neurons act as sensors for all types of stimuli and communicate the stimuli throughout the body.
Neuron will communicate to the brain that you should not touch any flame or fire.
Axon is a long, spider-thin, tail-like structure found on neuron (nerve cell). Each neuron has a nerve body, dendrites, and axons, all of which are used to send information throughout your body. The axon carries signals (electric voltages) between the dendrites (the neuron's input sites) and the terminal buttons (the neuron's output sites that are at the very end of the axon).
Dendrites are the branch-like structures of neurons that extend from the cell body. The dendrites receive neural impulses (electrical and chemical signals) from the axon of other neuron. The signal always travels in the same direction – the signal comes into the neuron through the dendrites, through the cell body (soma), to the axon, and then out the terminal buttons to the dendrites of the next neuron. In this way information travels all around your body by going from neuron to neuron.
An Axon Terminal is the very end of a branch of a nerve's axon, a long slender nerve fiber that conducts electrical signals to a nerve synapse (the gap between nerve cells). The signal then moves across the synapse to another axon by means of a neurotransmitter (an electrochemical substance).
Myelin is a dielectric (electrically insulating) material that forms a layer, the myelin sheath, usually around only the axon of a neuron. It is essential for the proper functioning of the nervous system.
The resting potential of a cell is the membrane potential that would be maintained if there were no action potentials, synaptic potentials, or other active changes in the membrane potential
An action potential is part of the process that occurs during the firing of a neuron. During the action potential, part of the neural membrane opens to allow positively charged ions inside the cell and negatively charged ions out.
Synaptic vesicle are the portion of the axon terminal where neurotransmitters are stored before being released across nerve synapses. These vesicles are essential for propagating nervous impulses across synapses and are constantly being recreated.
A neurotransmitter is a chemical messenger that carries, boosts, and modulates signals between neurons and other cells in the body. A neurotransmitter is released from the axon terminal after an action potential has reached the synapse. The neurotransmitter then crosses the synaptic gap to reach the receptor site of the other cell or neuron. Then, in a process known as reuptake, the neurotransmitter attaches to the receptor site and is reabsorbed by the neuron.
A synapse is a small gap at the end of a neuron that allows a signal to pass from one neuron to the next. Synapses are found where nerve cells connect with other nerve cells.
Synaptic gap is the minute space between the cell membrane of an axon terminal and of the target cell with which it synapses.
An antagonist is a chemical or drug that binds to receptors in the brain and prevents an agonist from having a reaction
Agonist refers to a drug that effectively mimics the action of a natural chemical messenger within the body. An agonist is a substance that binds to a receptor and triggers a response in the cell.
Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter to be identified. It is a chemical transmitter in both the peripheral nervous system and central nervous system in many organisms including humans.
Norepinephrine is a chemical released from the sympathetic nervous system in response to stress. It is classified as a neurotransmitter, a chemical that is released from neurons. Because the release of norepinephrine affects other organs of the body, it is also referred to as a stress hormone
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter with a vital role in several functions of the brain: sleep, mood, motivation, behavior, reward, cognition, attention and voluntary movements. As a result, any type of stress can be a significant influence on the cerebral dopaminergic system. It can also be defned as a neurotransmitter to do with motor behaviour and is implicated in a number of mental conditions.
Serotonin is a chemical that is manufactured in the body and acts as a neurotransmitter. A neurotransmitter is a chemical that helps signals cross from one neuron, or nerve cell, to the other
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a neurotransmitter that inhibits central nervous system activity, producing a relaxation effect
Glutamate is an amino acid that sends chemical messages in the brain by “exciting†neurons that are sensitive to it. It plays a vital role in learning, memory, and brain development. When a person experiences a head injury or stroke, glutamate floods the injured area and kills the neurons by overexciting them, causing brain damage.
Endorphin is a peptide hormone that acts as neurotransmitters, chemicals that help to carry signals across a nerve synapse. They are released when the body is under stress such as physical pain or intense exercise, and they cause feelings of euphoria and well-being, in addition to reducing pain signals.
Reuptake refers to the process in the brain of neurons to retrieve chemicals that were not received by the next neuron
Afferent (Sensory) Neurons are pathways that carry sensory information from the body to the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord).
Efferent (Motor) Neurons are conducting cells that carry information from the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) to muscles and organs throughout the body
Interneurons are neurons found exclusively in the central nervous system. There are more than 100 billion interneurons in the human body and they integrate the sensory and motor neurons of the nervous system and the diversity of functions that exist in the brain and spinal cord
The peripheral nervous system (PNS) is the division of the nervous system containing all the nerves that lie outside of the central nervous system (CNS). The primary role of the PNS is to connect the CNS to the organs, limbs, and skin. These nerves extend from the central nervous system to the outermost areas of the body. The peripheral system allows the brain and spinal cord to receive and send information to other areas of the body, which allows us to react to stimuli in our environment.
Somatic Nervous System is responsible for movement of voluntary muscles and the process known as a reflex arc. This system carries nerve impulses back and forth between the central nervous system, which is the brain and the spinal cord, and the skeletal muscles, skin, and sensory organs.
Autonomic Nervous System is the part of the peripheral nervous system that is responsible for regulating involuntary body functions such as heartbeat, blood flow, breathing and digestion.
Sympathetic division is a part of the autonomic nervous system and regulates the flight-or-fight responses. This division also performs such tasks as relaxing the bladder, speeding up heart rate and dilating eye pupils.
The fight-or-flight response, also known as the acute stress response, refers to a physiological reaction that occurs in the presence of something that is terrifying, either mentally or physically. The response is triggered by the release of hormones that prepare your body to both stay and deal with a threat or to run away to safety.
Parasympathetic division is a part of the autonomic nervous system helps maintain normal body functions and conserves physical resources. This division also performs such tasks as controlling the bladder, slowing down heart rate and constricting eye pupils.
The CT scan is known as the CAT (computerized axial tomography) scan and reveals anatomic details of internal organs that cannot be seen in conventional X-rays.
MRI or magnetic resonance imaging is a brain imaging technique that detects magnetic changes in the brain's blood flow patterns. It is is a test that uses a magnetic field and pulses of radio wave energy to make pictures of organs and structures inside the body. In many cases, MRI gives different information about structures in the body than can be seen with an X-ray, ultrasound, or computed tomography (CT) scan
EEG or Electroencephalogram is a recording of the electrical waves of activity that occur in the brain, and across its surface. Electrodes are placed on different areas of a person's scalp, filled with a conductive gel, and then plugged into a recording device. This process is used to determine if someone has a issue with their brain.
PET or Positron emission tomography, which is similar to the MRI, is a scanning method that enables psychologists and doctors to study the brain (or any other living tissue) without surgery. PET scans use radioactive glucose (instead of a strong magnetic field) to help study activity and locate structures in the body.
Split Brain is a condition in which the two brain hemispheres are isolated by cutting the corpus callosum. It is a result when the corpus callosum connecting the two hemispheres of the brain is severed to some degree. It is an association of symptoms produced by disruption of or interference with the connection between the hemispheres of the brain.
Corpus Callosum is an area containing the largest bundle of nerve fibers in the brain and connects the two sides (hemispheres) of the brain. The corpus callosum is responsible for allowing the two hemispheres to communicate with each other and share information
Parietal Lobe is one of the lobe of the brain which is located above the occipital lobe of the brain and behind the frontal lobe. The lobe is named for the parietal bone that sits directly over the region as part of the skull. The parietal lobe is known to interpret sensory information, such as letting you know the location of parts of your body and aiding in physical navigation.
Frontal Lobe is a region of the cerebral cortex at the front of the brain (lying just behind the forehead) that is necessary for motor control and more complex, high-end functioning like speech, decision making, and judgments.
Temporal Lobe is the area in the brain involved with hearing. The temporal lobes are part of the cerebral cortex and are located above the ears. Each lobe is responsible for hearing in the opposite ear — so the lobe on the left side of your brain is responsible for hearing from the right ear.
Occipital Lobe is the portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head; includes the visual areas, which receive visual information from the opposite visual field.
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