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- Glossary
Sensory transduction
In the process of transduction, a sensory stimulus – such as light or touch – is converted into a nerve impulse.
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- Glossary
Sensory neuron
A sensory neuron is a specialized nerve cell that perceives stimuli – for example, chemical (sweet), visual (bright), or acoustic (loud) – and transmits the information to the central nervous system.
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- Glossary
Septum
The septal nuclei are located medially in the basal forebrain, near the anterior tip of the cingulate gyrus. They are connected to the olfactory cortex and linked to other limbic structures via the fornix. Functionally, they play a role in emotional processes and reward processing.
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- Glossary
Serotonin
A neurotransmitter that acts as a messenger in the transmission of information between neurons at their synapses. It is primarily produced in the raphe nuclei of the brain stem and plays a key role in sleep and alertness, as well as emotional well-being.
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- Glossary
SNP
SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) are locations in the genome where the DNA sequence differs between individuals of the same species. Researchers have identified around 200 million SNPs in the human genome. They occur both in coding DNA regions, which are responsible for proteins, and in regulatory or as not yet understood sections. SNPs provide valuable information about the development of populations and are particularly interesting in medicine when they are associated with certain diseases.
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- Glossary
Soma
The cell body, also known as the soma, is the metabolic center of the cell. In addition to the cell organelles – such as the mitochondria – it also contains the cell nucleus with the genetic material. The dendrites and axon (long, fiber-like extension of nerve cells) extend from the cell body.
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- Glossary
Somatosensory system
Somatosensory perception is the body's sensory perception: temperature, pressure, and pain are typical sensations of the skin. However, somatosensory perception also includes depth perception, i.e., position in space, movement, and the position of muscles and joints.
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- Glossary
Mirror neurons
Nerve cells in the brains of primates that fire just as strongly when their owners observe an action as when they perform it themselves. Italian researchers discovered these special neurons in the early 1990s while experimenting with macaques. Mirror neurons were later also detected in the human brain. Among other places, they occur in Broca's area, which is responsible for language processing. Mirror neurons could provide an explanation for why we are able to understand the feelings and intentions of others. The discussion on this topic is still ongoing.
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- Glossary
Spinal nerves
Spinal nerves are the nerves that emerge from the spinal cord. The cell bodies of their neurons are located in the gray matter of the spinal cord.
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- Glossary
Spinocerebellum
The area of the cerebellum that includes the cerebellar vermis and its adjacent areas. Involved in muscle tone and walking movements.
