Week 3/ Chapter 3

• Epigenetics is a field that examines how environmental influences affect the expression of genes.
• Nerve Cell Components include the cell body (soma), dendrites, axons, and axon terminal.
• Glial Cells are non-neuronal cells that maintain homeostasis, form myelin sheath, and provide support and protection for neurons in the brain and peripheral nervous system.
• Neuronal components include the axon terminal, neurotransmitters, synapse, and myelin.
• Resting potential is when there are no neurotransmitters acting on the neuron, while action potential is when the charge exceeds the threshold.
• Action Potentials are abrupt waves of electrical discharge, with messages added as they come into the cell: some are excitatory, some are inhibitory.
• Synaptic Transmission is communication between neurons; input to the next cell, with neurons separated by a small space (synapse).
• Neurotransmission is the process where neurotransmitter chemicals are released into the synapse, binding to the receptor site on the next neuron, opening ion channels that excite or inhibit it.
• Neurotransmitters include Acetylcholine, Nicotine, Dopamine, Serotonin, Norepinephrine, and Agonists/Antagonists.
• The Spinal Cord conveys signals between the brain and the body, with sensory nerves carrying information from body to brain and motor nerves carrying information from brain to rest of body.
• Interneurons allow reflexes to happen.
• The Peripheral Servous System includes the Somatic nervous system, which conveys information between CNS and the body, and the Autonomic nervous system, which is involuntary actions of our internal organs and glands, with two divisions.
• The Endocrine System consists of glands that release hormones, molecules that influence particular organs, and helps regulate emotions.
• The Pituitary gland, located at the base of the hypothalamus, controls the other glands in the body and regulates and controls internal bodily states, releasing hormones that influence growth, blood pressure, and other functions.
• Oxytocin is involved in reproductive functions, maternal and romantic bonding, and trust.
• Adrenal glands, during emotional arousal, release adrenaline and cortisol.
• Adrenaline boosts energy production in muscle cells, restricts it in others.
• Cortisol regulates blood pressure and cardiovascular function, use of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats, and is the “stress response”.
• Glands relate to sexual function, with the Testes in males and ovaries in females, and the Adrenal gland in both sexes manufacturing testosterone (male sex hormone) and estrogen (female sex hormone).
• Brain Evolution suggests that humans and apes last shared a common ancestor 6-7 million years ago, with humans brains having tripled in size, especially in the area of the cerebral cortex, and relative brain size associated with intelligent behavior.
• Twin Studies suggest that assuming twins share the same environment, there is greater similarity (concordance) in MZ>DZ is genetic influence.
• Midbrain is a part of the brain stem that contributes to movement, tracking of visual stimuli, and reflexes triggered by sound.
• Endorphin is a chemical in the brain that plays a specialized role in pain reduction.
• Absolute refractory period is the time during which another action potential is impossible, limits the maximal firing rate.
• Medulla is a part of the brain stem involved in basic functions, such as heartbeat and breathing.
• Synaptic vesicle is a spherical sac containing neurotransmitters.
• Lateralization is a cognitive function that relies more on one side of the brain than the other.
• Myelin sheath is a glial cells wrapped around axons that act as insulators of the neurons signal.
• Split-brain surgery is a procedure that involves severing the corpus callosum to reduce epileptic seizures.
• Localization of function is when scientists identify brain areas that are particularly active during a specific psychological function.
• Cerebellum is a brain structure responsible for our sense of balance.
• In total there are probably about 160 trillion connections in the brain.
• Autonomic nervous system is a part of the nervous system controlling the involuntary actions of our body
• Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a technique that applies strong and quickly changing magnetic fields to the surface of the skull that can either enhance or interrupt brain function.
• Association cortex are regions of the cerebral cortex that integrate simpler functions to perform more complex functions.
• Electroencephalograph (ECG) is the recording of brains electrical activity at the surface of the skull.
• Spinal cord is a thick bundle of nerves that conveys signals between the brain and the body.
• Correlation vs Causation is the ability to be sure A causes B.
• Brain stem is a part of the brain between the spinal cord and cerebral cortex that contains the midbrain, pons, and medulla.
• Receptor site is the location that uniquely recognizes a neurotransmitter.