Bio-psychology Flashcards

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1
Q

Glial Cells

A

Play supporting roles in the nervous system such as providing scaffolding in which the nervous system is built, helps neurons line up with each other, transports nutrients and waste products, provides insulation to neurons, and mediates immune responses

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2
Q

Neurons

A

Have fundamental communication having to do with all functions associated with the nervous system. Their outer surface is made up of a semipermeable membrane that allows smaller molecules and molecules without an electrical charge to pass through.

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3
Q

The Soma

A

The cell body where the nucleus is located

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4
Q

Dendrites

A

Branching extensions of the soma that contain receptors for the neurotransmitters released by nearby neutrons

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5
Q

Axons

A

Major extension from the soma

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6
Q

Terminal Buttons

A

At the end of the axon and contains synaptic vesicles that have neurotransmitters

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7
Q

Myelin Sheath

A

Crucial to the normal operation of neurons. Coats the axon and acts as an insulator. It’s not continuous and has gaps

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8
Q

Synaptic Cleft

A

A very small space between two neurons and a very important site where communication between neurons occurs

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9
Q

Corresponding Receptors

A

Proteins on the cell surface where neurotransmitters attach

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10
Q

Process Summary

A

The site where the dendrites receive signals from other neurons is the synapses. This signal is processed in the soma and if the signal is strong enough, it’s pushed down the axon. It reaches the terminal buttons, where another signal triggers neurotransmitters to be released passing through the synaptic cleft and onto the dendrites of another neuron

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11
Q

Membrane Potential

A

The difference in charge across the membrane which provides energy for the signal

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12
Q

Resting Potential

A

When the neuron membrane’s potential is held in a state of readiness with ions lined up on either side like a stretched out rubber band

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13
Q

Depolarization

A

When a cell’s charge becomes positive or less negative

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14
Q

Threshold of Excitement

A

Once the charge reaches this point, there is a massive influx of Na+ ions and a huge positive spike in the membrane potential. At the peak of the spike, the sodium gates close and the potassium gates open, allowing positive ions to leave

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15
Q

Action Potential

A

Caused by the positive spike and is an electrical signal that moves down the axon to the terminal buttons

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16
Q

Reuptake

A

The process in which extra neurotransmitters are pumped back into the neuron they came from in order to clear the synapses

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17
Q

Agonists

A

Chemicals that mimic a neurotransmitter at the receptor site and strengthens it’s effects

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18
Q

Antagonists

A

Blocks normal activity of a neurotransmitter at the receptor

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19
Q

Reuptake Inhibitors

A

Prevent unused neurotransmitters at the receptor site from being transported back to its original neuron and remain active in the synapses longer

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20
Q

SARIs

A

Drugs that act as both antagonists and reuptake inhibitors

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21
Q

Peripheral Nervous System

A

Comprised of both the somatic and autonomic nervous system, and connects the CNS to the rest of the body

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22
Q

Somatic Nervous System

A

Transmits sensory and motor signals to and from the central nervous system

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23
Q

Autonomic Nervous System

A

Controls the function of our organs and glands and can be divided into the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions

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24
Q

Sympathetic Activation

A

Prepares us for fight or flight

25
Q

Parasympathetic Activation

A

Normal functioning under relaxed conditions

26
Q

The Endocrine System

A

Consists of a series of glands that release hormones

27
Q

Central Nervous System (CNS)

A

Comprised of the brain and the spinal cord

28
Q

Hormones

A

Chemical messengers that must bind onto a receptor in order to send their signal

29
Q

Behavioral Endocrinology

A

The study of the interaction between hormones and behavior

30
Q

Pituitary Gland

A

Descends from the hypothalamus at the base of the brain and is referred to as the “Master Gland” since its messenger hormones control all the other glands in the nervous system. It carries out instructions from the hypothalamus. In addition, it contains growth hormones, endorphins for pain relief, and other key hormones that regulate fluid levels in the body

31
Q

Thyroid Gland

A

Located in the neck and releases hormones that regulate growth, metabolism, and appetite

32
Q

Adrenal Glands

A

Sit on top of our kidneys and secrete hormones involved in stress response such as epinephrine (adrenaline) and nor epinephrine (nor adrenaline)

33
Q

Pancreas

A

An internal organ that secretes hormones that regulate blood sugar levels called insulin and glucagen

34
Q

Gonads

A

Secrete sexual hormones which are important to reproduction

35
Q

Spinal Cord

A

A smart relay station that allows the brain to act by routing messages to and from the brain, and has a system of automatic processes like reflexes

36
Q

Neuroplasticity

A

The ability of the nervous system to change and adapt

37
Q

Cerebral Cortex

A

The surface of the brain that has folds called gyri and grooves called sulci. These separate the brain into functional centers. It’s associated with conscious thought, emotion, reasoning, language, reasoning, and memory

38
Q

Longitudinal Fissure

A

The most prominent sulci which is a deep groove that separates the brain into the left and right hemisphere

39
Q

Lateralization

A

The specialization of certain functions in each hemisphere. The left hemisphere controls the right side of the body and the right hemisphere controls the left side

40
Q

Left Hemisphere

A

Specializes in associations with memory, selective attention, and positive emotions

41
Q

Right Hemisphere

A

Specializes in pitch perception, arousal, and negative emotions

42
Q

Corpus Callosum

A

A thick band of fibers that connect the two hemispheres and allows them to communicate

43
Q

Forebrain

A

Contains the two Hemispheres, Cerebral Cortex, and Subcortical Structure such as the thalamus, hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and the limbic system

44
Q

Frontal Lobe

A

Reasoning, motor control, emotion, language. Contains the Prefrontal Cortex, Broca’s Area, and the Primary Motor Cortex

45
Q

Parietal Lobe

A

Processing info from bodily senses. Contains the Somatosensory Cortex

46
Q

Temporal Lobe

A

Hearing , memory, emotion, some aspects of language. Contains the Auditory Cortex and Wernicke’s Area

47
Q

Occital Lobe

A

Info processed through sight. Contains the Primary Visual Cortex

48
Q

Thalamus (Frontal Lobe)

A

A sensory relay for the brain. All of our senses except for smell are routed through here

49
Q

Limbic System (Frontal Lobe)

A

Made up of different structures that process both emotion and memory

50
Q

Hippocampus (Frontal Lobe)

A

Essential for learning and memory

51
Q

Amygdala

A

Our experience of emotion and tying emotion to memories

52
Q

Hypothalamus

A

Regulates a number of homeostatic processes and serves as an interface between the nervous system and the endocrine system

53
Q

The Midbrain

A

Comprised of structures located deep within the brain between the forebrain and the hindbrain.

54
Q

Reticular Formation (mid)

A

Regulates sleep/wake cycle, arousal, alertness, and motor activity

55
Q

Substantia Nigra and Ventral Tegmental Area (mid)

A

Contain cell bodies that produce dopamine and are critical for movement. Involved in mood, reward, and addiction

56
Q

Hindbrain

A

Looks like an extension of the spinal cord. Contains the medulla, pons, and cerebellum

57
Q

Medulla (hind)

A

Controls the automatic processes of the autonomic nervous system like breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate

58
Q

Pons (hind)

A

Connects the hindbrain to to the rest of the brain and is involved in regulating brain activity during sleep