biological psych Flashcards
neurons
individual cells in the nervous system that receive, integrate, and transmit information
soma
cell body of neurons, contains nucleus and such
dendrites
the parts of the neuron that are specialized to receive information
myelin sheath
insulating material that encases some axons and acts to speed up the transmission of signals that move along axons
axon
long thin fiber that transmits signals Away from the soma to other neurons or to muscles or glands
terminal buttons
small knobs that secrete chemicals called neurotransmitters
synapse
a junction where information is transmitted from one neuron to another
glial cells
glia are the cells found throughout the nervous system that provide various types of support for neurons. they supply nourishment for neurons, help remove neurons’ waste products, and provide insulation around many axons
resting potential
neuron’s stable, negative charge when the cell is inactive
action potential
a very brief shift in a neuron’s electrical charge that travels along an axon. does not slow down. “all or nothing.”
absolute refractory period
minimum length of time after an action potential during which another action potential cannot begin
presynaptic neuron and post synaptic neuron
pre sends signal, post receives it
post synaptic potential
voltage change at a receptor site on a post synaptic cell membrane
reuptake
a process in which neurotransmitters are sponges up from the synaptic cleft by the presynaptic membrane
acetylcholine (ACh)
only transmitter between motor neurons and voluntary muscles. attention, arousal, memory. inadequate supply is associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
agonist
chemical that mimics the action of a neurotransmitter
antagonist
chemical that opposes the action of a neurotransmitter
monoamines
dopamine (used by neurons that control voluntary movements; lack of associated with parkinsons; overactivity associated with schizophrenia), norepinephrine , and serotonin (sleep/wake)
amino acids
transmitters: GABA, glutamate
GABA
gamma-aminobutyric acid. INHIBITORY. regulation of ANXIETY in humans.
glutamate
only excitatory. learning and MEMORY. disturbances have been implicated as factors that might contribute to certain features of schizophrenic disorders.
endorphines
internall produced chemicals that resemble opiates in structure and effects. pain relief. may modulate eating and stress reactions.
two parts of the nervous system
central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS)
two parts of central nervous system
brain and spinal cord
two parts of peripheral nervous system
somatic nervous system and autonomic nervous system
three parts of brain
forebrain, midbrain, hindbrain
two parts of somatic nervous system
afferent nerves and efferent nerves
two parts of autonomic nervous system
sympathetic division and parasympathetic division
parts of forebrain
cerebrum, limbic system, thalamus, hypothalamus
part of midbrain
reticular formation (with hindbrain)
parts of hindbrain
reticular formation (with midbrain), cerebellum, pons, medulla
peripheral nervous system
all nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord. includes somatic nervous system and autonomic nervous system.
nerves
bundles of neuron fibers (axons) that are routed together in the peripheral nervous system
somatic nervous system
lets you feel the world and move around in it. made up of nerves that connect to voluntary skeletal muscles and to sensory receptors. these nerves carry information from receptors in the skin, muscles, and joints to the CNS and carry commands from the CNS to the muscles
afferent nerve fibers
axons that carry information inward to the central nervous system from the periphery of the body
efferent nerve fibers
axons that carry information outward from the central nervous system to the periphery of the body
autonomic nerve system
ANS is made up of nerves that connect to the heart, blood vessels, smooth muscles, and glands. controls arousal, fight or flight response.
sympathetic division
branch of the autonomic nervous system that mobilizes the body’s resources for emergencies
parasympathetic division
branch of the autonomic nervous system that generally conserves bodily resources
central nervous system
brain and spinal cord. protected by skull and enclosing sheaths called meninges and the cerebrospinal fluid.
spinal cord
extension of the brain. transmitting signals from the brain to the motor neurons that move the bodys muscles
electroencephalograph
EEG is a device that monitors the electrical activity of the brain over time by means of recording electrodes attached to the surface of the scalp. resulting EEG recordings are translated into brain waves. often used in diagnosis of brain damage, epilepsy, and other neurological disorders.
lesioning
destroying a piece of the brain, usually by inserting an electrode into a brain structure and passing a high frequency electric current through it to burn the tissue and disable the structure.
electrical stimulation of the brain (ESB)
sending a weak current into a brain structure to stimulate it
transcranial magnetic stimulation
TMS is a new technique that permits scientists to temporarily enhance or depress activity in a specific area of the brain. cannot be done in deep areas of the brain
computerized tomography scan
CT scan is a computer enhanced X ray of brain structure. multiple shots from many angles are put together by a computer to create a vivid image of a horizontal slice of the brain. used to look for abnormalities in brain structure for schizophrenia.
positron emission tomography scanning
PET scans can examine brain function, mapping actual activity in the brain over time. radioactively tagged chemicals are introduced into the brain as markers. used to monitor chemical processes and to study the activity of specific neurotransmitters.
magnetic resonance imaging scan
MRI scan uses magnetic fields, radio waves, and computerized enhancement to map out brain structure. used for depressive disorders (shrinkage of hippocampus).
medulla
hindbrain. attaches to the spinal cord, controls unconscious but vital functions (circulating blood, breathing, maintaining muscle tone, reflexes)
pons
hindbrain. includes a “bridge” of fibers that connects the brain stream with the cerebellum. sleep and arousal
cerebellum
“little brain.” relatively large and deeply folded structure next to the back surface of the brainstem. coordination of movement and balance. fine motor skills.
midbrain
integrating sensory processes such as vision and hearing. dopamine system originates here.
reticular formation
running through hindbrain and midbrain. contributes to the modulation of muscle reflexes, breathing, and pain perception. sleep and arousal.
cerebrum
forebrain. center of complex thought. has cerebral cortex, outer layer of brain.
thalamus
forebrain. relays sensory information except smell!!
hypothalamus
forebrain. regulation of basic biological needs. four Fs: fighting, fleeing, feeding, and fornicating.
limbic system
forebrain. includes hypothalamus, hippocampus, amygdala, olfactory bulb, cingulate gyrus.
hippocampus
limbic system, forebrain. memory consolidation.
amygdala
limbic, forebrain. learning fear responses and other basic emotional responses
cerebral hemispheres
left and right halves of cerebrum.
corpus callosum
connects two cerebral hemispheres.
occipital lobe
forebrain, cerebrum. vision. primary vision cortex.
parietal lobe
forebrain, cerebrum. primary somatosensory cortex. sensory strip.
temporal lobe
forebrain, cerebrum. hearing/speech overlaps. primary auditory cortex.
frontal lobe
forebrain, cerebrum. primary motor cortex. fine control (fingers, lips, tongue).
mirror neurons
neurons that are activated by performing an action or by seeing another person perform the same action.
prefrontal cortex
contributes to an impressive variety of higher order functions.
can aspects of experience shape features of brain structure?
frick ya
has research shown that damage to incoming sensory pathways or the destruction of brain tissue can lead to neutral reorganization?
um ya duh
do studies indicate that the adult brain can generate new neurons??
of course!!!!! its called neurogenesis
broca’s area
association cortex. difficulty speaking, not fluent.
wernickes area
association cortex. cant understand or speak comprehensively. fluency intact.
split brain surgery
corpus callosum is cut to reduce the severity of epileptic seizures
endocrine system
glands that secrete chemicals into the bloodstream that help control bodily functioning
hormones
chemical substances released by the endocrine glands. unlike neurotransmitters, hormones go long distances at slow speeds.
pituitary gland
releases a great variety of hormones that fan out around the body, stimulating actions in the other endocrine glands.
oxytonin
a hormone released by the pituitary gland, which regulates reproductive behaviors.
nervous system
system responsible for receiving information, integrating it with previous information to generate choices and decisions, and guiding actions based on these decisions. contains the CNS and the PNS
