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General Psychology > Biological Psychology > Flashcards

Biological Psychology Flashcards

1
Q

Nervous System

A

an extensive network of specialized cells that carry information to and from all parts of the body.

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2
Q

Neuroscience

A

deals with the structure and function of neurons, nerves, and nervous tissue.
Relationship to behavior and learning.

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3
Q

Neurons

A
  • the basic cell that makes up the nervous system and which receives and sends messages within that system.
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4
Q

Parts of a Neuron

A

Dendrites
Soma
Axon

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5
Q

Dendrites

A

branch-like structures that receive messages from other neurons.

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6
Q

Soma

A

the cell body of the neuron, responsible for maintaining the life of the cell.

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7
Q

Axon

A

long tube-like structure that carries the neural message to other cells.

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8
Q

Glial cells

A

grey fatty cells that:
provide support for the neurons to grow on and around,
deliver nutrients to neurons,
produce myelin to coat axons,

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9
Q

Myelin

A

fatty substances produced by certain glial cells that coat the axons of neurons to insulate, protect, and speed up the neural impulse.
clean up waste products and dead neurons.

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10
Q

Nerves

A

bundles of axons in the body that travel together through the body.

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11
Q

Neurilemma

A

Schwann’s membrane.

Tunnel through which damaged nerve fibers can repair themselves.

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12
Q

Ions

A

charged particles.
Inside neuron – negatively charged.
Outside neuron – positively charged.

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13
Q

Resting potential

A

the state of the neuron when not firing a neural impulse.

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14
Q

Action potential

A

the release of the neural impulse consisting of a reversal of the electrical charge within the axon.
Allows positive sodium ions to enter the cell.

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15
Q

All-or-none

A

referring to the fact that a neuron either fires completely or does not fire at all.
Return to resting potential.

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16
Q

Axon terminals

A

branches at the end of the axon.

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17
Q

Synaptic vesicles

A

sack-like structures found inside the synaptic knob containing chemicals.

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18
Q

Neurotransmitters

A

chemical found in the synaptic vesicles which, when released, has an effect on the next cell.

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19
Q

Synapse/synaptic gap

A

microscopic fluid-filled space between the rounded areas on the end of the axon terminals of one cell and the dendrites or surface of the next cell.

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20
Q

Receptor sites

A

holes in the surface of the dendrites or certain cells of the muscles and glands, which are shaped to fit only certain neurotransmitters.

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21
Q

Synaptic knob

A

rounded areas on the end of axon terminals.

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22
Q

Neurons must be turned…

A

…ON and OFF.

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23
Q

Excitatory neurotransmitter

A
  • neurotransmitter that causes the receiving cell to fire.
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24
Q

Inhibitory neurotransmitter

A
  • neurotransmitter that causes the receiving cell to stop firing.
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25
Q

Chemical substances can affect neuronal…

A

…communication.

26
Q

Agonists

A
  • mimic or enhance the effects of a neurotransmitter on the receptor sites of the next cell, increasing or decreasing the activity of that cell.
27
Q

Antagonists

A
  • block or reduce a cell’s response to the action of other chemicals or neurotransmitters
28
Q

Reuptake

A
  • process by which neurotransmitters are taken back into the synaptic vesicles.
29
Q

Enzyme

A
  • a complex protein that is manufactured by cells.
    One type specifically breaks up acetylcholine because muscle activity needs to happen rapidly, so reuptake would be too slow.
30
Q

Central nervous system (CNS)

A
  • part of the nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord.
31
Q

Spinal cord

A
  • a long bundle of neurons that carries messages to and from the body to the brain that is responsible for very fast, lifesaving reflexes.
32
Q

Sensory neuron

A
  • a neuron that carries information from the senses to the central nervous system.
    Also called afferent neuron.
33
Q

Motor neuron

A
  • a neuron that carries messages from the central nervous system to the muscles of the body.
    Also called efferent neuron.
34
Q

Interneuron

A
  • a neuron found in the center of the spinal cord that receives information from the sensory neurons and sends commands to the muscles through the motor neurons.
    Interneurons also make up the bulk of the neurons in the brain.
35
Q

Neuroplasticity

A

– the ability to constantly change both the structure and function of cell involved in trauma

36
Q

Peripheral nervous system (PNS)

A
  • all nerves and neurons that are not contained in the brain and spinal cord but that run through the body itself; divided into the:
  • Somatic nervous system
  • Autonomic nervous system
37
Q

Somatic nervous system

A

Soma = body.
- 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.

38
Q

Sensory pathway

A
  • nerves coming from the sensory organs to the CNS consisting of sensory neurons.
39
Q

Motor pathway

A
  • nerves coming from the CNS to the voluntary muscles, consisting of motor neurons.
40
Q

Autonomic nervous system (ANS)

A
  • 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 sensory neurons.
41
Q

Sympathetic division

A

(fight-or-flight system) - part of the ANS that is responsible for reacting to stressful events and bodily arousal.

42
Q

Parasympathetic division

A
  • part of the ANS that restores the body to normal functioning after arousal and is responsible for the day-to-day functioning of the organs and glands.
43
Q

Clinical studies

A
  • Deep lesioning
  • Electrical stimulation of the brain (ESB)
  • Electroencephalograph (EEG)
44
Q

Deep lesioning

A
  • 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.
45
Q

Electrical stimulation of the brain (ESB)

A

– milder electrical current that causes neurons to react as if they had received a message.
-Human brain damage.

46
Q

Electroencephalograph (EEG)

A
  • machine designed to record the brain wave patterns produced by electrical activity of the surface of the brain.
47
Q

Computed tomography (CT)

A

brain-imaging method using computer controlled X-rays of the brain.

48
Q

Positron emission tomography (PET)

A
  • brain-imaging method in which a 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.
49
Q

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

A
  • brain-imaging method using radio waves and magnetic fields of the body to produce detailed images of the brain.
  • Functional MRI (fMRI)
50
Q

Functional MRI (fMRI)

A

– computer makes a sort of “movie” of changes in the activity of the brain using images from different time periods.

51
Q

Medulla

A
  • 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.
52
Q

Pons

A
  • 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.
53
Q

Reticular formation (RF)

A
  • an area of neurons running through the middle of the medulla and the pons and slightly beyond that is responsible for selective attention.
54
Q

Cerebellum

A
  • part of the lower brain located behind the pons that controls and coordinates involuntary, rapid, fine motor movement.
55
Q

Limbic system

A
  • a group of several brain structures located under the cortex and involved in learning, emotion, memory, and motivation.
56
Q

Thalamus

A
  • 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.
57
Q

Olfactory bulbs

A
  • two projections just under the front of the brain that receive information from the receptors in the nose located just below.
58
Q

Hypothalamus

A
  • 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.
    Sits above and controls the pituitary gland (master endocrine gland).
59
Q

Hippocampus

A
  • curved structure located within each temporal lobe, responsible for the formation of long-term memories and the storage of memory for location of objects.
60
Q

Amygdala

A
  • brain structure located near the hippocampus, responsible for fear responses and memory of fear.
61
Q

Cortex

A
  • outermost covering of the brain consisting of densely packed neurons, responsible for higher thought processes and interpretation of sensory input.
62
Q

Corticalization

A

– wrinkling of the cortex.

Allows a much larger area of cortical cells to exist in the small space inside the skull.

General Psychology (2 decks)

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