Self And The Phenomenon Of Life: A Biologist Examines Life From Molecules To Humanity

358 Self and the Phenomenon of Life

b2726 Self and the Phenomenon of Life: A Biologist Examines Life from Molecules to Humanity “9x6”

Nucleoside: A compound consisting of a nucleobase linked to a ribose or

deoxyribose sugar.

Nucleotide: A compound consisting of a nucleoside linked to a phosphate

group. A nucleic acid such as DNA and RNA is a polymer of nucleotides

(polynucleotides).

Nucleus accumbens: A deep brain structure in the temporal lobe involved in

motivation and reward.

Nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS): A major relay center (in the medulla) for

visceral sensation to reach the brain.

Nucleus: In this book, the word is used in two senses. (1) The nucleus inside

a cell is the spherical structure containing DNA in the form of chromatin.

(2)  The nucleus of a brain refers to the aggregate of neuronal cell bodies

(gray matter) deep inside the brain.

Orbito-frontal cortex: see Ventro-medial prefrontal cortex.

Oxidative phosphorylation: Phosphorylation of ADP to ATP coupled with

the formation of H 2 O by the combination of molecular oxygen (from air)

and the hydrogen generated at the end of the electron transport chain in the

mitochondria.

Parabrachial nucleus: An emotional center located in the pons. Receives

sensory fibers from visceral organs via the nucleus tractus solitarius, and

projects to the higher emotional centers.

Parasympathetic nervous system: The component of the autonomic nervous

system that is responsible for counteracting the sympathetic response, i.e.,

to restore the animal to its resting state.

Peptide: A short version of protein usually containing less than 20 amino acids.

Loosely speaking, any polymer of amino acids is a peptide; in this sense a

protein is a polypeptide.

Periaqueductal gray: An emotional center in the midbrain. Involved in pain,

defense, and sexual behavior.

Phagocytes: Animal cells capable of directly engulfing pathogens. They include

neutrophils in the blood and macrophage in the blood and tissues.

Place cells: Hippocampal neurons whose activity correlates with the memory

of space.

Plasma membrane: A membrane that encloses a cell. In plants, the plasma

membrane is covered by a layer of cell wall.

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