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Psychology Year 1 > Biological (key terms from textbook) > Flashcards

Biological (key terms from textbook) Flashcards

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1
Q

Neuron

A

A cell within the nervous system

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2
Q

Cell body

A

The main part of the cell where the nucleus sits. It also contains mitochondria

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3
Q

Nucleus

A

Houses the genetic material for that particular neuron

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4
Q

Mitochondria

A

The site of aerobic respiration where energy is released from glucose

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5
Q

Dendrites

A

Branches at the top end of a neuron that receive messages from the neurons

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6
Q

Axon

A

A long branch from the cell body that passes electrical impulses down to the end of the neuron to allow it to communicate with others

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7
Q

Axon hillock

A

The area that connects the cell body to the axon

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8
Q

Myelin sheath

A

The fatty deposit that provides electrical insulation for an axon and allows electrical nerve impulses to be passed along

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9
Q

Nodes of Ranvier

A

Gaps between adjacent myelin sheaths

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10
Q

Axon terminals

A

The ends of the axon that leads to the terminal buttons.

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11
Q

Terminal buttons

A

The very end of a neuron where the nerve impulse becomes a chemical message that can be passed to the dendrite of another neuron.

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12
Q

Vesicles

A

Tiny sacs that contain molecules of neurotransmitter chemicals.

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13
Q

Neurotransmitters

A

Chemicals that pass messages between neurons.

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14
Q

Resting membrane potential

A

The difference in electrical potential (meaning how ‘ready’ the neuron is for action) on each side of the cell membrane while the cell is at rest.

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15
Q

Excitatory postsynaptic potential

A

The temporary depolarisation of a neuron as a result of positively charged ions flowing into the cell that make it more likely to fire an action potential.

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16
Q

Inhibitory postsynaptic potential

A

Changes in the polarisation of a neuron that make it less likely to fire an action potential.

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17
Q

Action potential

A

The electrical trigger that passes along the axon and stimulates the neuron to activate and release neurotransmitters as a result of synaptic transmission

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18
Q

Synaptic cleft

A

The tiny space between the dendrite of one neurone and the terminal button of another where chemical messages can be passed

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19
Q

Presynaptic neuron

A

The neuron where a chemical message starts from

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20
Q

Postsynaptic neuron

A

The neuron where a chemical message travels to

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21
Q

Receptors

A

Sites on the dendrites that are designed to bond to and absorb a specific type of neurotransmitter molecule

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22
Q

Reuptake

A

The process by which unused neurotransmitter molecules are absorbed back into the presynaptic neuron and then destroyed by enzymes

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23
Q

Lymbic system

A

A set of structures in the brain associated with drives, emotions and mood.

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24
Q

The dopamine system

A

Pathway in the brain which operates on the neurotransmitter dopamine, the release of which leads to feelings of reward

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25
Q

Nucleus accumbens

A

An area of the midbrain associated with the brain’s reward system

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26
Q

Ventral tegmental

A

An area of the midbrain associated with the brain’s reward system and the origin of dopaminergic activity

27
Q

Euphoria

A

An intense pleasurable feeling often referred to as a ‘high’

28
Q

Dysphoria

A

An intense dissatisfaction, anxiety or depression, discomfort and distress.

29
Q

Trepanning

A

Surgical intervention in which a hole is drilled into the skull to treat problems related to the surface of the brain

30
Q

Hemisphere

A

The brain is divided into two symmetrical halves, one on the left and one on the right. These are known as hemispheres.

31
Q

Phrenology

A

The practice of mapping the bumps on a person’s skull and using these to deduce aspects of their character.

32
Q

Prefrontal cortex

A

The front area of the brain situated just behind the forehead.

33
Q

Lobes

A

Specific locations in each hemisphere of the brain. Brains have eight lobes, four in each hemisphere. (frontal lobe, temporal lobe, occipital lobe, parietal lobe)

34
Q

Aphasia

A

A disturbance in the comprehension or production of language caused by brain dysfunction or damage, such as a stroke.

35
Q

Lesions

A

Damage (either accidental or deliberate) to the brain that causes areas to die.

36
Q

Stimulation

A

Arificial activation of brain areas often through use of electrodes giving off small electrical charges.

37
Q

Hypothalamus

A

Area of the brain responsible for maintaining control of the body through the release of hormones.

38
Q

Medial, dorsal and lateral

A

Signifiers of a specific part of something. Medial means in the middle, dorsal at the back and lateral at the side.

39
Q

Periaqueductal grey matter (PAG)

A

An area of grey matter located within the midbrain. It plays a role in the modulation of pain and in defensive behaviour.

40
Q

Amygdala

A

Centre in the brain responsible for emotions, emotional behaviour and motivation.

41
Q

Homeostasis

A

Process that maintains the stability of the human body in response to changes in external conditions, for example temperature.

42
Q

Hormones

A

Chemicals produced by glands that are used to signal between organs and tissues.

43
Q

Testosterone

A

Principal male sex hormone and an anabolic steroid.

44
Q

Anterior cingulate cortex

A

Surrounds the frontal part of the corpus collosum (the tissues that connect the two hemispheres of the brain) and connects to the prefrontal cortical area. It has several functions including those governing autonomic behaviours, but has been implicated in such cognitive functions as reward anticipation, impulse control and empathy.

45
Q

Genes

A

A unit of heredity that contains DNA carrying information from one generation to the next. Each gene influences development by triggering the production of enzymes and proteins that are involved in the production of certain cells.

46
Q

Natural selection

A

The gradual process by which heritable traits become more or less common in an environment.

47
Q

Mutation

A

A change in the genetic structure of an animal or plant that makes it different from others of the same kind.

48
Q

Sexual selection

A

A form of natural selection; individuals that are successful in attracting a mate out-reproduce others in the production.

49
Q

Environment of evolutionary adeptedness (EEA)

A

The conditions that prevailed in the environment at the time that a species was adapting in response to.

50
Q

Catharsis

A

The process of releasing negative energy in the mind.

51
Q

Id

A

A part of the personality that acts on instinctive drives.

52
Q

Ego

A

A part of the personality that attempts to satisfy the id within the restrictions of reality

53
Q

Reality principle

A

The rules of what is socially acceptable. The ego uses these principles to control the demands of the id.

54
Q

Morality principle

A

The concept of understanding what is right from what is wrong.

55
Q

Glands

A

Organs of the body that produce a substance that the body needs such as hormones, sweat or saliva.

56
Q

Endocrine system

A

The system of glands that secrete hormone messages around the body using the circulatory system.

57
Q

Oxytocin

A

A hormone released by the posterior pituitary gland, which has been shown to increase trust between people

58
Q

Pituitary gland

A

The small organ at the base of the brain which produces hormones that control the growth and development of the body

59
Q

Androgen

A

A chemical that develops or maintains male characteristics.

60
Q

Castrated

A

To remove the testicles of a male animal or a man.

61
Q

Reciprocal model

A

Something cannot happen in one part of the relationship without it affecting the other.

62
Q

Basal model

A

A model that suggests the testosterone is, assumed to be a persistent trait that influences behaviour.

63
Q

Cingulate gyrus

A

Part of the brain which is involved in emotion formation

Psychology Year 1 (4 decks)

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