AP Psychology Chapter 2 Flashcards
Nervous System
An extensive network of specialized cells that carries information to and from all parts of the body.
Neuroscience
A branch of the life sciences that deals with the structure and function of neuron, nerves, and nervous tissue.
Biological Psychology/ Behavioral Neuroscience
Branch of neuroscience that focuses on the biological bases of psychological process, behavior, and learning.
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.
Glial Cells
Cells that provide support for the neurons to grow on and around, deliver nutrients to neurons, produce myelin to coat axons, clean up waste products and dead neurons, influence information processing, and, during prenatal development, influence the generation of new neurons.
Myelin Sheath
Fatty substances produced by certain glial cells that coat the axons of neurons to insulate, protect, and speed up the neural impulse.
Nerves
Bundles of axons coated in myelin that travel together through the body.
Resting Potential
The state of neuron when not firing a neural impulse.
Action Potential
The release of the neural impulse consisting of a reversal of the electrical charge within the axon.
All-or-None
Referring to the fact that a neuron either fires completely or does not fire at all.
Axon Terminals
Branches at the end of the axon.
Synaptic Knob
Rounded areas on the end of the axon terminals.
Synaptic Vesicles
Saclike structures found inside the synaptic knob containing chemicals.
Neurotransmitter
Chemical found in the synaptic vesicles that, when released, has an effect of the next cell.
Synapse (synaptic gap)
Microscopic fluid-filled space between the synaptic knob of one cell and the dendrites or surface of the next cell.
Receptor Sites
Holes in the surface of the dendrites or certain cells of the muscles and glands, which are shaped to fit only certain neurotransmitters.
Excitatory Synapse
Synapse at which a neurotransmitter causes the receiving cell to fire.
Inhibitory Synapse
Synapse at which a neurotransmitter causes the receiving cell to stop firing.
Agonists
Chemical substances that mimic or enhance the effects of a neurotransmitter on the receptor sites of the next cell, increasing or decreasing the activity of that cell.
Antagonists
Chemical substances that block or reduce a cell’s response to the action of other chemicals or neurotransmitters.
Reuptake
Process by which neurotransmitters are taken back into the synaptic vesicles.
Central Nervous System (CNS)
Part of the nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord
Spinal Cord
A long bundle of neurons that carries messages between the body and the brain and is responsible for very fast, lifesaving reflexes.
Afferent (Sensory) Neuron
A neuron that carries information from the senses to the central nervous system.
Efferent (Motor) Neuron
A neuron that carries messages from the central nervous system to the muscles of the body.
Interneuron
A neuron found in the center of the spinal cord that receives information from the afferent neurons and sends commands to the muscles through the efferent neurons. Interneurons also make up the bulk of the neurons in the brain.
Reflex Arc
The connection of the afferent neurons to the interneurons to the efferent neurons, resulting in a reflex action.
Neuroplasticity
The ability within the brain to constantly change both the structure and function of many cells in response to experience or trauma.
Stem Cells
Special cells found in all the tissues of the body that are capable of becoming other cell types when those cells need to be replaced due to damage of wear and tear.
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.
Somatic Nervous System
Division of the PNS consisting of nerves that carry information from the senses to the CNS and from the CNS to the voluntary muscles of the body.
Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
Division of the PNS consisting of nerves that control all of the involuntary muscles, organs, and glands.
Sensory Pathway
Nerves coming from the sensory organs to the CNS consisting of afferent neurons.
Motor Pathway
Nerves coming from the CNS to the voluntary muscles, consisting of efferent neurons.
Sympathetic Division (fight - or - flight system)
Part of the ANS that is responsible for reacting to stressful events and bodily arousal.
Deep Lesioning
Insertion of a thin, insulated wire into the brain through which an electrical current is sent that destroys the brain cells at the tip of the wire.
Electroencephalograph (EEG)
Equipment designed to record the brain-wave patterns produce by electrical activity of the surface of the brain.
Computed Tomography (CT)
Brain-imaging method using computer-controlled X-rays 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.
Cerebullum
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.
Olfactory Bulbs
Two projections just under the front f the brain that receive information from the receptors in the nose located just below.
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.
Cortex
Outermost covering of the brain consisting of densely packed neurons, responsible for higher thought processes and interpretation of sensory input.
Cerebral Hemispheres
The two sections of the cortex on the left and right sides of the brain.
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.
Somatosensory Cortex
Area of neurons running down the front of the parietal lobes responsible for processing information from the skin and internal body receptors for touch, temperature, body position, and possibly taste.
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.
Motor Cortex
Section of the frontal lobe located at the back, responsible for sending motor commands to the muscles of the somatic nervous system.
Association Areas
Areas within each lobe of the cortex responsible for the coordination and interpretation of information, as well as higher mental processing.
Broca’s Aphasia
Condition resulting from damage to Broca’s area, causing the affected person to be unable to speak fluently, to mispronounce words, and to speak haltingly.
Wernicke’s Aphasia
Condition resulting from damage to Wernicke’s area, causing the affected person to unable to understand or produce meaningful language.
Spatial Neglect
Condition produced by damage to the association areas of the right hemisphere resulting in an inability to recognize objects or body parts in the left visual field.
Cerebum
The upper part of the brain consisting of the two hemispheres and the structures that connect them.
Endocrine Glands
Glands that secrete chemicals called hormones directly into the bloodstream.
Hormones
Chemicals released into the bloodstream by endocrine glands.
Pituitary Gland
Gland located in the brain that secretes human growth hormone and influences all other hormone-secreting glands (also known as the master gland).
Pineal Gland
Endocrine gland located near the base of the cerebrum; secrets melatonin.
Thyroid Gland
Endocrine gland found in the neck; regulates metabolism.
Pancreas
Endocrine glad; controls the levels of sugar in the blood.
Gonads
Sex glands; secrete hormones that regulate sexual development and behavior as well as reproduction.
Ovaries
The female gonads.
Testes
The male gonads.
Adrenal Glands
Endocrine glands located on top of each kidney that secrete over 30 different hormones to deal with stress, regulate salt intake, and provide a secondary source of sex hormones affecting the sexual changes that occur during adolescence.
Mirror Neurons
Neurons that fire when an animal or person performs an action and also when an animal or person observes that same action being performed by another.
