| Adenosine
Triphosphate |
also
known as ATP, it is the final product of cellular respiration; acts as energy
source for all cellular activities |
|
Adenylate Cyclase
|
both
produces and regulates the level of cyclic AMP; involved in nerve impulses
and mostly found on the postsynaptic membrane |
|
Adrenocortical Arousal
|
occurs
when anger is triggered; makes a person more prone to anger when provoked
once and triggered again before the level of adrenocortical is settled |
| Agnosia
|
the
loss of the ability to recognize |
| Alexithymia |
being
unable to express one’s feelings |
|
Alzheimer’s Disease
|
characterized
by is slow progression, some of the symptoms are cognitive decline, memory
impairment and irritability, which usually older population is prone to
the disease |
| Amygdala |
a
part of the limbic system; have a great control over emotions and very closely
related to hippocampus |
|
Amyotropic Lateral
Sclerosis |
a
motor neuron disease; degeneration of cerebral cortex as well as spinal
columns, which causes symptoms such as severe dementia, seizure, etc. |
| Antioxidants
|
chemicals
that neutralizes radical molecules |
| Aphasia
|
the
loss of language abilities |
| Apnea
|
altered
breathing pattern |
| Apoptosis
|
a
process of destruction of cells by free-radical molecules |
| Apraxia
|
the
loss of skilled movements |
| Aristotle
|
an
ancient Greek philosopher (384 – 322 B.C.); pupil of Plato; thought the
heart was the centre for thoughts, emotions and soul |
| Astrocyte
|
a
glial cell; provides nutrients to the neuron, supports the neurons as well
as it eats the dead neuron cells |
| Ataxia
|
loss
of coordination |
| Athetosis
|
writhing
movements of wrists, fingers and face |
| Attention
Deficit Disorder |
one
is unable to concentrate for an extended amount of period |
|
Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder |
one
is unable to concentrate for an extended amount of period; and usually aggressive
and easily distracted; hyperactive |
| Auditory
Area |
the
cortical area that receives auditory information from the medial geniculate
body |
|
Autonomic Nervous
System |
controlled
by brain stem, especially the reptilian complex, autonomic nervous system
consists of autonomic functions such as breathing, heart beat as well as
chemical regulations in the body |
|
Axoaxonic Junction
|
synaptic
junction; axon to axon connection |
|
Axodendritic Junction
|
synaptic
junction; axon to dendrite connection |
| Axon
|
fibre
bundle extending from the cell body of the neuron; transmits nerve impulses
through its synaptic junctions |
|
Axosomatic Junction
|
synaptic
junction; axon to the cell body of the junction |
| Behaviourism
|
a
belief that activities are simple responses to the internal or external
stimuli |
|
Bipolar Neuron |
a
neuron cell that has two processes extending from its cell body; axon and
dendrite, can be found in retinal cells and olfactory epithelium cells. |
| Bisociation
|
the
ability to think on more than one plane simultaneously |
|
Blood Pressure |
the
pressure of blood in the blood vessels |
|
Bobby Joe Long |
a
serial killer who is suspected to have killed more than 200 women |
| Bradykinesia
|
slow
and deliberate movements |
| Brain
Stem |
consists
of four sections: medulla oblongata, midbrain, pons and reticular formation.
Generally have great control over locomotion and other movements, but it
does not voluntarily move without the brain; however, it responses to stimuli
even without the brain. |
| Broca’s
Area |
language
is processed followed by Wernicke’s Area in Broca’s Area where the language
is understood and put into a form of language to response in a proper syntax |
|
Carbon Dioxide |
CO2,
which is the by-product of cellular respiration |
|
Cardioacceleratory
Centre |
heart
rate regulator; accelerates heart rate |
|
Cardioinhibitory Centre
|
heart
rate regulator; slower heart rate |
|
Cavernous Sinus |
an
organ found in the cavities of the brain that regulates the hypothalamic
temperature |
|
Cellular Respiration
|
process
in which the manipulation of glucose produces the cellular energy source
adenosine triphosphate as well as carbon dioxide |
|
Central Nervous System
|
consists
of the brain and spinal cord |
|
Cerebellar Peduncles
|
Three
fiber bundles that connect the cerebellum to the three parts of the brain
stem the midbrain, the pons, and the medulla oblongata.4 |
| Cerebellum
|
means
“little brain”; coordinates the execution of movements |
|
Cerebral Aneurysm
|
swelling
of blood vessels in the brain |
|
Cerebral Cortex |
outer
layer of neurons in the cerebrum, which consists of three function specializations:
sensory area, motor area and association area |
|
Cerebral Palsy |
disorder
that is caused by damage to dorsal ganglia or to motor cortex; symptoms
include muscle dysfunction |
|
Cerebrospinal Fluid
|
surrounds
the brain in the cranium and it is constantly secreted into the ventricles
of the brain; acts as an insulator as well as a protector |
|
Cerebrospinal Fluid
Cell Count |
a
process in which cerebrospinal fluid is taken from body cavity to be analyzed
and compared to the norm; there are several risks for the testing |
| Cerebrum
|
composed
of two distinct hemispheres of left and right, which is connected by corpus
callosum. The interior consists of three clusters of nuclei: basal ganglia,
amygdala and hippocampus |
| Channel
|
protein
molecules embedded in the membrane of a cell; acts as a gate-way to specific
molecules and requires ATP to be activated |
|
Charles E. Spearman
|
founder
of the factor “g”; a psychologist who contributed to the development of
current IQ testing method |
| Chorea
|
jerking
movement of head, arms, legs or neck |
| Chromosome
|
blue-print for protein
synthesis; human consists of 23 pairs of chromosomes in nucleus of each
cells; |
|
Circadian Rhythms
|
a
biological clock that regulates the body according to its time; regulation
of hormones, sleep, temperature and other autonomic functions; consists
of 25 cycles |
| C-Kinase
|
a
protein molecule that is released from hippocampus; activates formation
of new synapses |
| Cochlea
|
spiral-shaped
part of the inner ear |
| Cogitatia
|
a
Latin form of cogitation |
| Cognition
|
action
or process of acquiring knowledge by reasoning or by intuition or through
the senses; adj. cognitive |
| Coma
|
state
of deep unconscious; adj. comatose |
| Commissures
|
a
tract of nerve fibres passing from one side the spinal cord or the brain |
| Computed
Tomography |
method
of examining body organs by scanning them with X rays and using a computer
to construct an image |
| Cones |
a
cell found in retina; contains photoreceptors to convert light energy into
chemical energy; responsible for day-time vision such as colour distinction |
| Conformation
Change |
protein
configuration change; change in protein shapes to allow certain types molecules
or ions in/out of the cell |
| Constructivism |
theory
of learning process; encourages students to explore and discover on their
own to make the connection between the abstract theories and reaity |
| Convergence |
the
type cell structures that can be found in the retina of the eye; the number
of cell lessens as it nears the nerve fibres in the eye |
| Corpus
Callosum |
the
arched bridge of nervous tissue that connects the two cerebral hemispheres,
allowing communication between the right and left sides of the brain (1) |
| Corticospinal
Fibre |
nerve
fibers inside the the cerebral cortex and the spinal cord |
| Corticotropin |
also
known as adrenocorticotropic hormone, a growth hormone produced by the anterior
pituitary gland; stimulates the adrenal cortex (1) |
| Cortisol |
also
known as hydrocortisone, an adrenal-cortex hormone that is active in carbohydrate
and protein metabolism (1) |
| Cranial
Bone |
bones
found inside the head, they are what make up the skull |
| Cranial
Nerve |
nerves
found on the outer layer of the head, such as in the face |
| Cranium |
the
portion of the skull enclosing the brain; the braincase (1) |
| Creativity |
having
the ability or power to create (1) |
| Creutzfeldt-Jakob
Disease |
a
rare, usually fatal disease of the brain, characterized by progressive dementia
and gradual loss of muscle control, that occurs most often in middle age
and is caused by a slow virus (1) |
| Cuneate |
wedge-shaped;
used especially to describe a leaf or petal base that is narrowly triangular
(1) |
|
Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate
|
discovered
by Earl Wilbur Sutherland Jr., this molecule plays an important role in
energy-creating processes in organisms (4) |
| Dementia |
deterioration
of intellectual faculties, such as memory, concentration, and judgment,
resulting from an organic disease or a disorder of the brain. It is sometimes
accompanied by emotional disturbance and personality changes (1) |
| Dendrite |
a
branched protoplasmic extension of a nerve cell that conducts impulses from
adjacent cells inward toward the cell body. A single nerve may possess many
dendrites (1) |
| Depression |
a
psychiatric disorder characterized by an inability to concentrate, insomnia,
loss of appetite, anhedonia, feelings of extreme sadness, guilt, helplessness
and hopelessness, and thoughts of death (1) |
| Diabetes |
any
of several metabolic disorders marked by excessive discharge of urine and
persistent thirst, especially one of the two types of diabetes mellitus
(1) |
| Diencephalon |
the
posterior part of the forebrain that connects the midbrain with the cerebral
hemispheres, encloses the third ventricle, and contains the thalamus and
hypothalamus (1) |
| Dyskinesia |
an
impairment in the ability to control movements, characterized by spasmodic
or repetitive motions or lack of coordination (1) |
| Dystonia |
abnormal
tonicity of muscle, characterized by prolonged, repetitive muscle contractions
that may cause twisting or jerking movements of the body or a body part
(1) |
| Echolalia |
the
immediate and involuntary repetition of words or phrases just spoken by
others, often a symptom of autism or some types of schizophrenia |
| Electroencephalogram |
a
graphic record of the electrical activity of the brain as recorded by an
electroencephalograph |
| Electroencephalography |
the
recording by An instrument that measures electrical potentials on the scalp
and generates a record of the electrical activity of the brain |
| Embryo |
in
humans, the prefetal product of conception from implantation through the
eighth week of development |
| Emotional
Intelligence |
intelligence
regarding the emotions, especially in the ability to monitor one's own or
others' emotions and to interact effectively with others |
| Enzyme |
any
of numerous proteins or conjugated proteins produced by living organisms
and functioning as biochemical catalysts |
| Epilepsy
|
any
of various neurological disorders characterized by sudden recurring attacks
of motor, sensory, or psychic malfunction with or without loss of consciousness
or convulsive seizures |
| Equilibrium |
a
condition in which all acting influences are canceled by others, resulting
in a stable, balanced, or unchanging system |
| Ethereal
Spirits |
ancient
name of body fluid |
| Ethmoid
Bone |
a
bone of complicated structure through which the olfactory nerves pass out
of the cranium and over which they are largely distributed |
| Excitatory
Postsynaptic Potential |
the
change in potential produced in the membrane of the next neuron when an
impulse which has an excitatory influence arrives at the synapse; it is
a local change in the direction of depolarization; summation of these potentials
can lead to discharge of an impulse by the neuron (2) |
| Exhalation |
the
act of breathing out |
| Exocytosis |
a
process of cellular secretion or excretion in which substances contained
in vesicles are discharged from the cell by fusion of the vesicular membrane
with the outer cell membrane |
|
Facial Efference |
a
group of efferent neurons; efferent neurons carry signals from the CNS to
the target cells, which in this case would be the neurons in the face |
| Fibre |
any
of various elongated cells or threadlike structures |
| Fissures |
a
normal groove or furrow, as in the liver or brain, that divides an organ
into lobes or parts |
|
Flattening Effect
|
a
symptom for damages in limbic system, neocortex or the connection between
the two; lack of emotions and higher threshold for emotional stimulation |
| Fluid
Intelligence |
inherent
ability to form relationships and solve problems (3) |
| Folia |
a
curve of the third order, consisting of two infinite branches, which have
a common asymptote |
| Folocculus |
either
of two small lobes on the lower posterior border of the cerebellum |
| Foramen
Magnum |
the
large orifice in the base of the skull through which the spinal cord passes
to the cranial cavity and becomes continuous with the medulla oblongata |
| Frequency |
the
number of complete cycles of a periodic process occurring per unit time |
| Frontal
Association Areas |
operative
in functions of thought and emotion and responsible for linking input from
different senses |
| Frontal
Lobe |
the
largest and most anterior part of each cerebral hemisphere |
|
Frequency Coding |
nerve
impulse transmission; since all the amplitude of nerve impulses are the
same, a message is differentiated by the number of impulses within a give
period of time |
| Galen |
Greek
anatomist, physician, and writer; his theories formed the basis of European
medicine until the Renaissance |
|
Gamma Motor Neuron
|
monitor
the sensitivity of muscle spindles |
| Ganglion
Cell |
a
globular, hard, indolent tumor, situated somewhere on a tendon, and commonly
formed by the effusion of a viscid fluid into it |
| Gestalt
Psychology |
the
school or theory in psychology holding that psychological, physiological,
and behavioral phenomena are irreducible experiential configurations not
derivable from a simple summation of perceptual elements such as sensation
and response |
| Gestation |
the
period of development in the uterus from conception until birth; pregnancy |
| Glial
Cell |
specialised
cells that surround neurons, providing mechanical and physical support and
electrical insulation between neurons (2) |
| Glucose |
a
monosaccharide sugar, C6H12O6, occurring widely in most plant and animal
tissue. It is the principal circulating sugar in the blood and the major
energy source of the body |
|
Glycemic Index |
indicate
the level to which a certain food fluctuate the blood glucose level |
| Gracile |
slender;
thin |
| Grey
Matter |
greyish
nervous tissue containing cell bodies as well as fibers; forms the cerebral
cortex consisting of unmyelinated neurons |
| Gyri |
any
of the prominent, rounded, elevated convolutions on the surfaces of the
cerebral hemispheres |
| Hair
Follicle |
a
tubular infolding of the epidermis containing the root of a hair |
| Hemiparesis |
paralysis
affecting only one side of the body |
| Hippocampus |
a
ridge in the floor of each lateral ventricle of the brain that consists
mainly of gray matter and has a central role in memory processes |
| Hippocrates |
Greek
physician who laid the foundations of scientific medicine by freeing medical
study from the constraints of philosophical speculation and superstition;
he is traditionally but inaccurately considered the author of the Hippocratic
oath |
| Hippocratic
Oath |
an
oath of ethical professional behavior sworn by new physicians, inaccurately
attributed to Hippocrates |
| Histones |
any
of several small, basic proteins most commonly found in association with
the DNA in the chromatin of eukaryotes |
| Hormones |
a
substance, usually a peptide or steroid, produced by one tissue and conveyed
by the bloodstream to another to effect physiological activity, such as
growth or metabolism |
|
Howard Gardner |
professor of psychology
at Harvard University,
inventor of multiple intelligences |
|
Humanistic Psychology
|
humanists
believes in the notion that personality and destiny are controlled by each
individual and free will |
|
Huntington’s Disease
|
characterized
by degeneration of nerve cells in cerebrum; mutation on chromosome #4; some
of the symptoms include abnormal facial and body movements, loss of mental
functions as well as loss of cognitive functions |
| Hyperactivity |
a
condition characterized by excessive restlessness and movement |
| Hypertension |
a
common disorder in which blood pressure remains abnormally high |
| Hypotension |
Abnormally
low blood pressure |
| Hypothalamus |
The
part of the brain that lies below the thalamus, forming the major portion
of the ventral region of the diencephalon and functioning to regulate bodily
temperature, certain metabolic processes, and other autonomic activities |
| Imagination |
The
formation of a mental image of something that is neither perceived as real
nor present to the senses |
| Immunoglobulin |
any
of a group of large glycoproteins that are secreted by plasma cells and
that function as antibodies in the immune response by binding with specific
antigens |
|
Inferior Colliculus
|
control
auditory reflexes, such as adjusting the ear to the volume of sound (4) |
| Inhalation |
the
act of breathing in |
|
Inhibitory Postsynaptic
Potential |
occurs when negative
ions enter the cell body |
| Insomnia
|
chronic
inability to fall asleep or remain asleep for an adequate length of time |
| Intelligence
Quotient |
the
ratio of tested mental age to chronological age, usually expressed as a
quotient multiplied by 100 |
| Ion |
an
atom or a group of atoms that has acquired a net electric charge by gaining
or losing one or more electrons |
|
Jeffrey Dahmer |
a
serial killer who is accused of killer approximately 50 men; a cannibal;
enjoyed collecting skulls of dead animals and humans |
| Lateral
Geniculate Body |
a
neural structure that serves as a processing station on the way from the
retina to the occipital lobe of the cerebral cortex |
| Left
Hemisphere |
the
cerebral hemisphere to the left of the corpus callosum that controls the
right half of the body |
| Leonardo
da Vinci |
Italian
painter, engineer, musician, and scientist. The most versatile genius of
the Renaissance, Leonardo filled notebooks with engineering and scientific
observations that were in some cases centuries ahead of their time |
| Lesions |
a
localized pathological change in a bodily organ or tissue |
| Limbic
System |
a
group of interconnected deep brain structures, common to all mammals, and
involved in olfaction, emotion, motivation, behavior, and various autonomic
functions |
| Locus
Coeruleus |
bluish
region in the superior angle of the fourth ventricle floor (2) |
| Lysosome |
a
membrane-bound organelle in the cytoplasm of most cells containing various
hydrolytic enzymes that function in intracellular digestion |
| Magnetic
Resonance Imaging |
the
use of a nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer to produce electronic images
of specific atoms and molecular structures in solids, especially human cells,
tissues, and organs |
| Marijuana |
a
preparation made from the dried flower clusters and leaves of the cannabis
plant, usually smoked or eaten to induce euphoria |
| Medieval |
of
or relating to the Middle Ages |
| Medulla
Oblongata |
The
lowermost portion of the vertebrate brain, continuous with the spinal cord,
responsible for the control of respiration, circulation, and certain other
bodily functions |
| Membrane
Potential |
more
correctly, transmembrane potential difference: the electrical potential
difference across a plasma membrane (2) |
| Memorativa
|
Latin for “memory” |
| Memory |
the
mental faculty of retaining and recalling past experience |
| Meninx |
a
membrane, especially one of the three membranes enclosing the brain and
spinal cord in vertebrates. |
| Merkel
Cell |
nondendritic,
nonkeratinocytic epithelial clear cells normally found in the epidermis
and dermis of mammals and humans. They are believed to be of neuroendocrine
origin and function as a specific slowly adapting sensory touch receptor.2 |
| Mesencephalon |
the
midbrain |
| Metencephalon |
the
part of the hindbrain that develops into the pons and the cerebellum |
| Microglia
Cell |
small
glial cells of mesodermal origin, with scanty cytoplasm and small spiny
processes. Distributed throughout grey and white matter. Derive from monocytes
and invade neural tissue just before birth, capable of enlarging to become
macrophages (2) |
| Midbrain |
the
portion of the vertebrate brain that develops from the middle section of
the embryonic brain |
| Mitochondria |
a
spherical or elongated organelle in the cytoplasm of nearly all eukaryotic
cells, containing genetic material and many enzymes important for cell metabolism,
including those responsible for the conversion of food to usable energy |
| Motivation |
the
psychological feature that arouses an organism to action |
| Motor
Cortex |
the
area of the cerebral cortex where impulses from the nerve centers to the
muscles originate |
| Multiple
Sclerosis |
a
chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system in which gradual
destruction of myelin occurs in patches throughout the brain or spinal cord
or both, interfering with the nerve pathways and causing muscular weakness,
loss of coordination, and speech and visual disturbances |
|
Multipolar Neuron
|
has
many processes extending from its cell body; one of them would be axon and
the rest would be dendrites |
| Myalgia |
muscular
pain or tenderness, especially when diffuse and nonspecific |
| Myalgic
Encephalomyelitis |
also
known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, A syndrome characterized by debilitating
fatigue and a combination of flulike symptoms such as sore throat, swollen
lymph glands, low-grade fever, headaches, and muscle pain or weakness |
| Myasthenia
Gravis |
a
disease characterized by progressive fatigue and generalized weakness of
the skeletal muscles, especially those of the face, neck, arms, and legs,
caused by impaired transmission of nerve impulses following an autoimmune
attack on acetylcholine receptors |
| Myelin
Sheath |
the
insulating envelope of myelin that surrounds the core of a nerve fiber or
axon and facilitates the transmission of nerve impulses. In the peripheral
nervous system, the sheath is formed from the cell membrane of the Schwann
cell and, in the central nervous system, from oligodendrocytes |
| Mylencephalon |
the
posterior part of the hindbrain in developing vertebrates; forms the medulla
oblongata in adults |
| Myoclonus
|
a
sudden twitching of muscles or parts of muscles, without any rhythm or pattern,
occurring in various brain disorders |
|
Neomammalian Brain
|
in Paul MacLean’s theory,
this part of the brain is responsible for the task of higher thinking and
creativity |
| Nerve
Impulse |
a
wave of physical and chemical excitation along a nerve fiber in response
to a stimulus, accompanied by a transient change in electric potential in
the membrane of the fiber |
| Neural
Cells |
see
Neurons |
| Neuroglia |
the
delicate network of branched cells and fibers that supports the tissue of
the central nervous system |
| Neuron |
any
of the impulse-conducting cells that constitute the brain, spinal column,
and nerves, consisting of a nucleated cell body with one or more dendrites
and a single axon |
| Neurotransmitters |
endogenous
signaling molecules that alter the behaviour of neurons or effector cells.
Neurotransmitter is used here in its most general sense, including not only
messengers that act directly to regulate ion channels, but also those that
act through second messenger systems, and those that act at a distance from
their site of release (2) |
| Neural
tube |
a
dorsal tubular structure in the vertebrate embryo formed by longitudinal
folding of the neural plate and differentiating into the brain and spinal
cord |
| Nociceptor |
a
sensory receptor that responds to pain |
| Node
of Ranvier |
a
constriction in the myelin sheath, occurring at varying intervals along
the length of a nerve fiber |
| Nodule |
a
small mass of tissue or aggregation of cells |
| Nuclei |
plural
form of nucleus, A large, membrane-bound, usually spherical protoplasmic
structure within a living cell, containing the cell's hereditary material
and controlling its metabolism, growth, and reproduction |
|
Obsessive-Compulsive
Behaviours |
mental
illness in which a person experiences recurrent, intrusive thoughts (obsessions)
and feels compelled to perform certain behaviors (compulsions) again and
again (4) |
| Occipital
Lobe |
the
posterior lobe of each cerebral hemisphere, having the shape of a three-sided
pyramid and containing the visual center of the brain |
| Olfaction |
the
sense of smell |
|
Olfactory Binding
Proteins |
bind
proteins found in the mucus of lining of the nose; it binds odour molecules
to the olfactory receptors on cilia on the surface of the olfactory epithelium |
| Olfactory
Nerves |
either
of the first pair of cranial nerves that conduct impulses from the mucous
membranes of the nose to the olfactory bulb |
| Oligodendrocyte |
one
of the cells comprising the oligodendroglia |
| Operant
Conditioning |
a
process of behavior modification in which the likelihood of a specific behavior
is increased or decreased through positive or negative reinforcement each
time the behavior is exhibited, so that the subject comes to associate the
pleasure or displeasure of the reinforcement with the behavior |
| Opioid |
a
drug, hormone, or other chemical substance having sedative or narcotic effects
similar to those containing opium |
| Optic
Nerves |
either
of the second pair of cranial nerves that arise from the retina and carry
visual information to the thalamus and other parts of the brain |
| Optic
Neuritis |
inflammation
of the optic nerve. This may occur secondary to a wide variety of causes:
multiple sclerosis, posterior uveitis, vascular lesions of the optic nerve
(interruption of blood supply to the optic nerve), temporal arteritis, central
retinal artery occlusion, methyl alcohol poisoning, drug side effects and
acute demyelinative disease of the optic nerves (destruction of optic nerve
sheath) (2) |
| Organelles |
a
differentiated structure within a cell, such as a mitochondrion, vacuole,
or chloroplast, that performs a specific function |
| Oxygen |
a
nonmetallic element constituting 21 percent of the atmosphere by volume
that occurs as a diatomic gas, O2, and in many compounds such as water and
iron ore. It combines with most elements, is essential for plant and animal
respiration, and is required for nearly all combustion |
| Pacinian
Corpuscle |
an
encapsulated receptor found in deep layers of the skin that senses vibratory
pressure and touch |
|
Paleomammalian Brain
|
in
Paul MacLean’s theory, this part of the brain is responsible for emotions |
| Paralysis
|
loss
or impairment of the ability to move a body part, usually as a result of
damage to its nerve supply |
| Parietal
Lobe |
the
division of each hemisphere of the brain that lies beneath each parietal
bone |
|
Parkinson’s Disease
|
characterized
by unsteady gait as well as severe tremour, Parkinson’s disease occurs due
to the damage in cerebellum |
| Peripheral
Nervous System |
the
part of the vertebrate nervous system constituting the nerves outside the
central nervous system and including the cranial nerves, spinal nerves,
and sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems |
| Peroxidation |
oxidation
to a peroxide, An oxide containing more oxygen than some other oxide of
the same element |
| Phosphodiesterase |
any
of a class of enzymes that catalyze the cleaving of phosphodiester bonds,
such as those between nucleotides in nucleic acids, to produce smaller nucleotide
units |
| Phosphoprotein
Phosphatase |
a
group of enzymes removing the serine- or threonine-bound phosphate groups
from a wide range of phosphoproteins, including a number of enzymes which
have been phosphorylated under the action of a kinase (2) |
|
Phosphorylation |
to
add a phosphate group to (an organic molecule) |
| Photoreceptor
|
a
nerve ending, cell, or group of cells specialized to sense or receive light |
| Phrenology
|
the
study of the shape and protuberances of the skull, based on the now discredited
belief that they reveal character and mental capacity |
| Physiology
|
the
biological study of the functions of living organisms and their parts |
|
Pick’s Disease |
Pick’s
bodies can be found in the patients with Pick’s disease; it is characterized
by plaques on white matters on cerebrum |
|
Pituitary Gland |
a
small oval endocrine gland attached to the base of the vertebrate brain
and consisting of an anterior and a posterior lobe, the secretions of which
control the other endocrine glands and influence growth, metabolism, and
maturation |
| Plato
|
Greek
philosopher. A follower of Socrates, he presented his ideas through dramatic
dialogues, in the most celebrated of which (The Republic) the interlocutors
advocate a utopian society ruled by philosophers trained in Platonic metaphysics.
He taught and wrote for much of his life at the Academy, which he founded
near Athens in 386 |
| Pneuma |
the
soul or vital spirit |
| Pons
|
a
band of nerve fibers on the ventral surface of the brain stem that links
the medulla oblongata and the cerebellum with upper portions of the brain |
| Positron
Emission Tomography |
tomography
in which a computer-generated image of a biological activity within the
body is produced through the detection of gamma rays that are emitted when
introduced radionuclides decay and release positrons |
|
Pre-Motor Area |
placed
in between frontal lobe and parietal lobe; controls skeletal muscle movements |
|
Primary Motor Area
|
the part of the cortex
that is responsible for muscle movement |
| Prion |
a
microscopic protein particle similar to a virus but lacking nucleic acid,
thought to be the infectious agent responsible for scrapie and certain other
degenerative diseases of the nervous system |
| Progression |
the
act of moving forward; a proceeding in a course; motion onward |
| Proprioception
|
the
unconscious perception of movement and spatial orientation arising from
stimuli within the body itself |
| Prostaglandin |
any
of a group of potent hormonelike substances that are produced in various
mammalian tissues, are derived from arachidonic acid, and mediate a wide
range of physiological functions, such as control of blood pressure, contraction
of smooth muscle, and modulation of inflammation |
| Protein
Kinase |
enzyme
catalysing transfer of phosphate from ATP to hydroxyl side chains on proteins,
causing changes in function (2) |
|
Pseudounipolar Neuron
|
has two process coming
out of its cell body; axon and axon |
| Psychic
Cell |
in the ancient times,
the ventricles were thought to consist psychic cells that are charged with
different mental abilities |
| Psychoanalysis |
the
theory of personality developed by Freud that focuses on repression and
unconscious forces and includes the concepts of infantile sexuality, resistance,
transference, and division of the psyche into the id, ego, and superego |
| Psychology |
the
science that deals with mental processes and behavior |
| Pump |
a
molecular mechanism for the active transport of ions or molecules across
a cell membrane |
| Purkinje
Cell |
a
large, drop-shaped, densely branching neuron that is the characteristic
cell of the cerebellar cortex |
| Pythagoras
|
Greek
philosopher who founded a school in southern Italy
that sought to discover the mathematical principles of reality through the
study of musical harmony and geometry; the Pythagorean theorem is ascribed
to him |
|
Rapid Eye Movement
(REM) sleep |
the
stage of sleep in which various mental activities, such as dreaming, occur |
| Receptor |
a
molecular structure or site on the surface or interior of a cell that binds
with substances such as hormones, antigens, drugs, or neurotransmitters |
| Red
Nucleus |
a
distinctive oval nucleus (pink in fresh specimens because of an iron-containing
pigment in many of the cells) centrally placed in the upper mesencephalic
reticular formation. It receives fibers from the deep cerebellar nuclei
and cerebral cortex and projects fibers to the cerebellum, brainstem, spinal
cord, and probably to the thalamus. The nucleus is divided into two regions:
pars magnocellularis and pars parvocellularis (2) |
| Refractory
Period |
most
commonly used in reference to the interval (typically 1ms) after the passage
of an action potential during which an axon is incapable of responding to
another. This is caused by inactivation of the sodium channels after opening.
The maximum frequency at which neurons can fire is thus limited to a few
hundred Hertz. An analogous refractory period occurs in individuals of Dictyostelium
discoideum, which are insensitive to extracellular cyclic AMP immediately
after a pulse of cAMP has been secreted (2) |
| Renaissance
|
the
period of The humanistic revival of classical art, architecture, literature,
and learning that originated in Italy in the 14th century and later spread
throughout Europe |
|
Respiratory Centre
|
the
center in the medulla oblongata that integrates sensory information and
determines the signals to be sent to the respiratory muscles |
|
Reptilian Brain |
in
Paul MacLean’s theory, this part of the brain is the most primitive and
it controls the biological urges of the individual |
| Rete
Mirabile |
in
the ancient time, the rete mirabile was assumed to be a net of blood vessels
located in the base of the brain, where the pneuma mixes with the vital
spirit |
| Reticular
Activating System |
the
system consisting the reticular formation and the pathways to the thalamus
and the cortex |
|
Reticular Formation
|
a
diffuse network of nerve fibers and cells in parts of the brainstem, important
in regulating consciousness or wakefulness |
| Retina |
a
delicate, multilayered, light-sensitive membrane lining the inner eyeball
and connected by the optic nerve to the brain |
| Ribosome |
a
minute round particle composed of RNA and protein that is found in the cytoplasm
of living cells and serves as the site of assembly for polypeptides encoded
by messenger RNA |
| Right
Hemisphere |
the
cerebral hemisphere to the right of the corpus callosum that controls the
left half of the body |
| Rods |
any
of various rod-shaped cells in the retina that respond to dim light |
|
Rolandi Fissure |
the
sulcus that runs in the forward and downward direction from the middle top
of each hemisphere |
|
Ruffini Endings |
a
cell that can be found in somatosensory; senses pressure changes in the
environment |
|
Satellite Cell |
any
of the cells that encapsulate the bodies of nerve cells in many ganglia |
| Schizophrenia |
any
of a group of psychotic disorders usually characterized by withdrawal from
reality, illogical patterns of thinking, delusions, and hallucinations,
and accompanied in varying degrees by other emotional, behavioral, or intellectual
disturbances. Schizophrenia is associated with dopamine imbalances in the
brain and defects of the frontal lobe and is caused by genetic, other biological,
and psychosocial factors |
| Schwann
Cell |
any
of the cells that cover the nerve fibers in the peripheral nervous system
and form the myelin sheath |
| Seizures |
a
sudden attack, spasm, or convulsion, as in epilepsy or another disorder |
| Septum |
a
thin partition or membrane that divides two cavities or soft masses of tissue
in an organism: the nasal septum; the atrial septum of the heart |
| Sigmund
Freud |
Austrian
physician and founder of psychoanalysis who theorized that the symptoms
of hysterical patients represent forgotten and unresolved infantile psychosexual
conflicts. His psychoanalytic theories, which initially met with hostility,
profoundly influenced 20th-century thought |
| Skinner,
B. F. |
20th
century psychologist; invented “Skinner’s Box” and one of the leading figures
of the behaviourism theory |
| Skull |
the
bony or cartilaginous framework of the head of vertebrates, made up of the
bones of the braincase and face; cranium |
|
Slow Wave Sleep or
non-REM sleep |
a
stage of sleep when the body rests peacefully with drops in heartbeat, respiration,
and body temperature (3) |
| Soma |
the
entire body of an organism, exclusive of the germ cells |
| Somatosensory |
of
or relating to the perception of sensory stimuli from the skin and internal
organs |
| Sound
Wave |
a
longitudinal pressure wave of audible or inaudible sound |
|
Spatial Discrimination
|
the
ability to identify different shapes and recognize space (3) |
| St.
Augustine |
Italian-born
missionary and prelate who introduced Christianity to southern Britain and
in 598 was ordained as the first archbishop of Canterbury |
| Stereocilia
|
associated
with the auditory system; they are connected to each other by protein bridge
and they are also very sensitive to different frequency of sound waves;
can be found in the cochlea of the inner ear |
| Stroke |
a
sudden loss of brain function caused by a blockage or rupture of a blood
vessel to the brain, characterized by loss of muscular control, diminution
or loss of sensation or consciousness, dizziness, slurred speech, or other
symptoms that vary with the extent and severity of the damage to the brain |
|
Structural Protein
|
protein
molecules that provide support for cell structures |
| Substantia
Nigra |
a
layer of large pigmented nerve cells in the midbrain that produce dopamine
and whose destruction is associated with Parkinson's disease |
| Sulci |
a
deep, narrow furrow or groove, as in an organ or tissue |
|
Superior Colliculus
|
control
reflex actions of the eye (4) |
| Susus
Communis |
Latin
for “judgment” |
| Synapses |
the
side-by-side association of homologous paternal and maternal chromosomes
during the first prophase of meiosis |
| Synaptic
Cleft |
the
narrow space between the presynaptic cell and the postsynaptic cell in a
chemical synapse, across which the neurotransmitter diffuses (2) |
| Taste
Buds |
small
sensory organs which contain gustatory receptor cells, basal cells, and
supporting cells (2) |
| Tegmentum |
a
part of the midbrain consisting of white fibers running lengthwise through
gray matter |
| Telencephalon |
the
anterior portion of the forebrain, constituting the cerebral hemispheres
and related parts |
| Temporal
Lobe |
the
lower lateral lobe of either cerebral hemisphere, located in front of the
occipital lobe and containing the sensory center of hearing in the brain |
| Thalamocortical |
pathway |
| Thalamus |
a
large ovoid mass of gray matter situated in the posterior part of the forebrain
that relays sensory impulses to the cerebral cortex |
| Thymic
Abnormality |
abnormality
in the thalamus (3) |
| Tics |
a
habitual spasmodic muscular movement or contraction, usually of the face
or extremities |
| Tourette
Syndrome |
a
severe neurological disorder characterized by multiple facial and other
body tics, usually beginning in childhood or adolescence and often accompanied
by grunts and compulsive utterances, as of interjections and obscenities.
Also called Gilles de la Tourette syndrome |
|
Transforming Growth
Factor–B (TGF-B) |
solidify
newly formed synapses (3) |
| Transient
Ischemic Attack |
a
temporary blockage of the blood supply to the brain caused by a blood clot
and usually lasting ten minutes or less, during which dizziness, blurring
of vision, numbness on one side of the body, and other symptoms of a stroke
may occur. Also called ministroke |
| Tremor |
a
state or feeling of nervous agitation or tension |
| Trigeminal |
of,
pertaining to, or designating, the fifth pair of cranial nerves, which divide
on each side of the head into three main branches distributed to the orbits,
jaws, and parts of the mouth; trifacial |
| Turbinates
|
the
scroll-like bony plates with curved margins on the lateral wall of the nasal
cavity (2) |
| Vascular
Tissues |
blood-carrying
tissues |
| Vasoconstrictor |
causing
constriction of the blood vessels; as, the vasoconstrictor nerves, stimulation
of which causes constriction of the blood vessels to which they go |
| Vasomotor
Centre |
ventricle
The ventricle regulating constriction or dilation of blood vessels |
| Vermis |
the
region of the cerebellum lying between and connecting the two hemispheres |
| Vertebrates |
animals
having a vertebral column (2) |
| Vesicle
|
a
small sac or cyst, especially one containing fluid |
|
Vestibulocochlear
|
an inner ear part that
contains sensory receptors for balance and equilibrium |
| Viscera |
the
soft internal organs of the body, especially those contained within the
abdominal and thoracic cavities |
| Vision |
the
faculty of sight |
|
Visual Association
Areas |
a
part of occipital lobe; responsible for interpreting the information that
eyes provide |
|
Voltage-gated Channel
|
a
gated channel that responses to the changes in the membrane potential (5) |
| Vomer |
a
thin flat bone forming the inferior and posterior part of the nasal septum
and dividing the nostrils in most vertebrates |
|
Wernicke’s Area |
translate
audio signals into sensible patterns of speech signals |
| White
Matter |
whitish
nerve tissue, especially of the brain and spinal cord, consisting chiefly
of myelinated nerve fibers |
