AP Psych Chapter 2 Vocab Quiz Flashcards
Neuron
The basic cell that makes up the nervous system and that receives and sends messages within that system.
Dendrites
Branchlike structures that receive messages from other neurons
Soma
The cell body of the neuron responsible for maintaining the life of the cell.
Axon
Tubelike structure that carries the neural message to other cells.
Myelin Sheath
Fatty substances produced by certain glial cells that coat the axons of neurons to insulate, protect, and speed up the neural impulse.
Central Nervous System (CNS)
Part of the nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
All nerves and neurons that are not contained in the brain and spinal cord but that run through the body itself.
Electroencephalograph (EEG)
Equipment designed to record the brain-wave patterns produce by electrical activity of the surface of the brain.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Brain-imaging method using radio waves and magnetic fields of the body to produce detailed images of the brain.
Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
Brain-imaging method in which radioactive sugar is injected into the subject and a computer compiles a color-coded image of the activity of the brain, with lighter colors indicating more activity.
Medulla
The first large swelling at the top of the spinal cord, forming the lowest part of the brain, which is responsible for life-sustaining functions such as breathing, swallowing and heart rate.
Pons
The larger swelling above the medulla that connects the top of the brain to the bottom and that plays a part in sleep, dreaming, left-right body coordination, and arousal.
Reticular Formation (RF)
An area of neurons running through the middle of the medulla and the pons and slightly beyond that play a role in general arousal, alertness, and sleep.
Cerebellum
Part of the lower brain located behind the pons that controls and coordinates involuntary, rapid, fine motor movement.
Limbic System
A group of several brain structures located under the cortex and involved in learning, emotion, memory, and motivation.
Thalamus
Part of the limbic system located in the center of the brain, this structure relays sensory information from the lower part of the brain to the proper areas of the cortex and processes some sensory information before sending it to its proper area.
Hypothalamus
Small structure in the brain located below the thalamus and directly above the pituitary gland, responsible for motivational behavior such as sleep, hunger, thirst, and sex.
Hippocampus
Curved structure located within each temporal lobe, responsible for the formation of long-term memories and the storage of memory for location of objects.
Amygdala
Brain structure located near the hippocampus, responsible for fear responses and memory of fear.
Corpus Callosum
Thick band of neurons that connects the right and left cerebral hemispheres.
Occipital Lobe
Section of the brain located at the rear and bottom of each cerebral hemisphere containing the visual centers of the brain.
Parietal Lobes
Sections of the brain located at the top and back of each cerebral hemisphere containing the centers for touch, taste, and temperature sensations.
Temporal Lobes
Areas of the cortex located just behind the temples containing the neurons responsible for the sense of hearing and meaningful speech.
Frontal Lobes
Areas of the cortex located in the front and top of the brain, responsible for higher mental processes and decision making as well as the production of fluent speech.
