HHB1070 Advanced Brain, Behaviour, & cognition-Definitions

Action potential-The brief electrical impulse that provides the basis for the
conduction of information along an axon.
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-A molecule of prime importance to cellular
energy metabolism; its breakdown liberates energy.
Afferent nerves-Nerves that carry sensory signals from the skin, skeletal
muscles, joints eyes, ears, etc, to the central nervous system.
Area postrema-A region of the medulla where the blood-brain barrier is weak;
poisons can be detected there and can initiate vomiting.
Astrocyte-A glia cell that provides support for neurons of the central nervous
system, provides nutrients and other substances, and regulates the chemical
composition of the extracellular fluid.
Autonomic nervous system (ANS)-This is the part of the peripheral nervous
system that participates in regulation of the internal environment. It is
composed of afferent nerves that carry sensory signals from the internal
organs to the CNS, and efferent nerves that carry motor signals from the CNS
to the internal organs.
Axon-The long, thin, cylindrical structure that conveys information from the
soma of the neuron to its terminal buttons.
Blood-brain barrier-A semipermeable barrier between the blood and the
brain produced by cells in the walls of the brains capillaries.
Chromosome-A strand of DNA, with associated proteins, found in the
nucleus; carries genetic information.
Central nervous system (CNS)-The brain and the spinal cord.
Cisterna-A part of the gogli apparatus; through the process of pinocytosis, it
receives portions of the presynaptic membrane and recycles them into
synaptic vesicles.
Cytoplasm-The viscous, semiliquid substance contained in the interior of
cells.
Dendrite-Branched, treelike structure attached to the soma of a neuron;
receives information from the terminal buttons of other neurons.
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)-A long complex macromolecule consisting of
two interconnecting helical strands; along with associated proteins, strands of
DNA constitute the chromosomes.
Depolarization-Reduction (toward zero) of the membrane potential of a cell
from its normal resting potential.
Efferent nerves-Nerves that carry motor signals from the central nervous
system to the skeletal muscles.
Endoplasmic reticulum-Parallel layers of membrane found within the
cytoplasm of a cell. Rough endoplasmic reticulum contains ribosomes and is
involved with the production of proteins that are secreted by the cell. Smooth
endoplasmic reticulum is the site of synthesis of lipids and provides channels
for the segregation of molecules involved in various cellular processes.
Enzyme-A molecule that controls a chemical reaction, combining two
substances or breaking a substance into two parts.
Exocytosis-The secretion of a substance by a cell through the means of
vesicles; the process by which neurotransmitters are secreted.
Gene-The functional unit of the chromosome, which directly synthesis one or
more proteins.
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Gogli apparatus-A complex of parallel membranes in the cytoplasm that

wraps the production of secretory cells.
Glia-The supporting cells of the nervous system.
Hyperpolarization-An increase in the membrane potential of a cell, relative to
the normal resting potential.
Lysosomes-An organelle surrounded by membrane; contains enzymes that
break down waste products.
Membrane potential-The electrical charge across a cell membrane; the
difference in electrical potential inside and outside the cell.
Messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA)-A macromolecule that delivers genetic
information concerning the synthesis of a protein from a portion of a
chromosome to a ribosome.
Mitochondria-An organelle that is responsible for extracting energy from
nutrients.
Myelin sheath-A sheath that surrounds the axons and insulates them,
preventing messages spreading across axons.
Neurotransmitter-A chemical that is released by a terminal button; has an
excitatory or inhibitory effect on other neuron.
Nucleolus-A structure within the nucleus of a cell that produces ribosomes.
Nucleus-A structure in the central region of a cell, containing the nucleolus
and chromosomes.
Oligodendrocyte-A type of glia cell in the nervous system that froms myelin
sheaths.
Parasympathetic nervous system-Autonomic nerves that project from brain
and sacral (lower back) region of the spine.
Peripheral nervous system (PNS)-The part of the nervous system outside
the brain and spinal cord, including the nerves attached to the brain and
spinal cord.
Postsynaptic membrane-The cell membrane opposite the terminal button in
a synapse; the membrane of the cell that receives the message.
Presynaptic membrane-The membrane of a terminal button that lies
adjacent to the postsynaptic membrane and through which the
neurotransmitter is released.
Release zone-A region of the interior of the presynaptic membrane of a
synapse to which the synaptic vesicles attach and release their
neurotransmitter into the synaptic cleft.
Ribosome-A cytoplasmic structure, made of protein, that serves as the site of
production of proteins translated from mRNA.
Resting potential-The membrane potential of a neuron when it is not being
altered by excitatory or inhibitory postsynaptic potentials; approximately 70mV
in the giant squid axon.
Schwann cell-A cell in the peripheral nervous system that is wrapped around
a myelinated axon, providing one segment of its myelin sheath.
Soma-The body of a neuron, which contains the nucleus.
Somatic nervous system (SNS)-Is the part of the PNS that interacts with the
environment; composed of afferent nerves and efferent nerves.
Sympathetic nervous system-Autonomic nerves that project from the CNS
in the lumber (small of the back) and thoracic (chest area) regions of the
spine.

Synapse-A junction between the terminal button of an axon and the

membrane of another neuron.
Synaptic cleft-The space between the presynaptic and the postsynaptic
membrane.
Synaptic vesicles-A small, hollow, beadlike structure found in the terminal
buttons; contains molecules of neurotransmitter.
Terminal button-The bud at the end of a branch of axons; forms synapses
with other neurons; sends information to the neuron.
Threshold of excitation-The value of the membrane potential that must be
reached to produce an action potential.