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chapter 15
chemical control of the brain and behavior
25
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Undergraduate 4
11/20/2010

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Term
homeostasis
Definition
the balanced functioning of physiological processes and maintenance of an organism's internal environment within a narrow range
Term
periventricular zone
Definition
a hypothalamic region that lies most medially, bordering the third ventricle
Term
magnocellular neurosecretory cell
Definition
a large neuron of the periventricular and supraoptic nuclei of the hypothalamus that projects to the posterior pituitary and secretes oxytocin or vasopressin into the blood
Term
neurohormone
Definition
a hormone released by neurons into the bloodstream
Term
oxytocin
Definition
a small peptide hormone released from the posterior pituitary by magnocellular neurosecretory cells; stimulates uterine contractions and milk letdown from the mammary glands
Term
vasopressin or antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
Definition
a small peptide hormone released from the posterior pituitary by magnocellular neurosecretory cells; promotes water retention and decreased urine production by the kidney
Term
parvocellular neurosecretory cell
Definition
a small neuron of the medial and periventricular hypothalamus that secretes hypophysiotropic peptide hormones into the hypothalamo-pituitary portal circulation to stimulate or inhibit the release of hormones from the anterior pituitary
Term
hypophysiotropic hormone
Definition
a peptide hormone, such as corticotropin-releasing hormone or gonadotropin-releasing hormone, released into the blood by the parvocellular neurosecretory cells of the hypothalamus; stimulates or inhibits the secretion of hormones from the anterior pituitary
Term
hypothalamo-pituitary portal circulation
Definition
a system of blood vessels that carries hypophysiotropic hormones from the hypothalamus to the anterior pituitary
Term
adrenal cortex
Definition
the outer segment of the adrenal gland; releases cortisol when stimulated by the pituitary adrenocorticotropic hormone
Term
adrenal medulla
Definition
the inner segment of the adrenal gland, innervated by preganglionic sympathetic fibers; releases epinephrine
Term
cortisol
Definition
a steroid hormone released by the adrenal cortex; mobilizes energy reserves, suppresses the immune system and has direct actions on some CNS neurons
Term
autonomic nervous system (ANS)
Definition
a system of central and peripheral nerves that innervates the internal organs, cardiovsdcular system and glands; also called visceral PNS; consists of sympathetic, parasympathetic and enteric divisions
Term
sympathetic division
Definition
a division of the ANS that in fight-or-flight situations activates physiological responses, including increased heart rate, respiration, blood pressure and energy mobilization and decreased digestive and reproductive functions; its peripheral axons emerge from the thoracic and lumbar spinal cord
Term
parasympathetic division
Definition
a division of the ANS that maintains heart rate and respiratory, metabolic and digestive functions under normal conditions; its peripheral axons emerge from the brain stem and sacral spinal cord
Term
autonomic ganglia
Definition
peripheral ganglia of the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisons of the autonomic nervous system
Term
postganglionic neuron
Definition
a peripheral neuron of the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the ANS; its cell body lies in the autonomic ganglia, and its axons terminate on peripheral organs and tissues
Term
preganglionic neuron
Definition
a neuron of the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the ANS; its cell body lies in the CNS (spinal cord or brain stem), and its axons extend peripherally to synapse on postganglionic neurons in the autonomic ganglia
Term
sympathetic chain
Definition
a series of interconnected sympathetic ganglia of the ANS, adjacent to the vertebral column, that receive input from preganglionic sympathetic fibers and project postganglionic fibers to target organs and tissues
Term
enteric division
Definition
a division of the ANS that innervates the digestive organs; consists of the myenteric and submucous plexuses
Term
nucleus of the solitary tract
Definition
a brain stem nucleus that receives sensory input and uses it to coordinate autonomic funtion via its outputs to other brain stem and forebrain nuclei and to the hypothalamus
Term
diffuse modulatory system
Definition
one of several systems of CNS neurons that project widely and diffusely onto large areas of the brain and use modulatory neurotransmitters, including dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin and acetylcholine
Term
locus coeruleus
Definition
a small nucleus located bilaterally in the pons; using NE as their neurotransmitter, its neurons project widely on all levels of the CNS
Term
raphe nuclei
Definition
clusters of serotonergic neurons that lie along the midline of the brain stem from the midbrain to the medulla and project diffusely upon all levels of the CNS
Term
basal forebrain complex
Definition
several cholinergic nuclei of the telencephalon, including the medial septal nuclei and basal nucleus of Meynert
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