Biology of the Brain (Modules 4-6) Flashcards
The scientific study of the links between biological (genetic, neural, hormonal) and psychological processes. Some biological psychologists call themselves behavioral neuroscientists, neuropsychologists, behavior geneticists, physiological psychologists, or biopsychologists
Biological Psychologists
The brain’s ability to change, especially during childhood, by reorganizing after damage or by building new pathways based on experience
Neuroplasticity
A nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system
Neurons
The part of a neuron that contains the nucleus; the cell’s life-support center
Cell Body
A neuron’s often bushy, branching extensions that receive and integrate messages, conducting impulses toward the cell body
Dendrite
The segmented neuron extension that passes messages through its branches to other neurons or to muscles or glands
Axon
A fatty tissue layer segmentally encasing the axons of some neurons; enables vastly greater transmission speed as neural impulses hop from one node to the next
Myelin Sheath
Cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons; they also play a role in learning, thinking, and memory
Glial Cells (“Glue Cells”)
A neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon
Action Potential
The level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse
Threshold
(1) In neural processing, a brief resting pause that occurs after a neuron has fired; subsequent action potentials cannot occur until the axon returns to its resting state. (2) In human sexuality, a resting period that occurs after orgasm, during which a person cannot achieve another orgasm
Refractory Period
A neuron’s reaction of either firing (with a full-strength response) or not firing
All-or-None Response
Chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gap between neurons. When released by the sending neuron, neurotransmitters travel across the synapse and bind to receptor sites on the receiving neuron, thereby influencing whether that neuron will generate a neural impulse
Neurotransmitters
“Morphine within”—natural, opiate-like neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure
Endorphins
A molecule that increases a neurotransmitter’s action
Agonist
A molecule that inhibits or blocks a neurotransmitter’s action
Antagonists
The body’s speedy, electrochemical communication network, consisting of all the nerve cells of the peripheral and central nervous systems
Nervous System
The brain and spinal cord
Central Nervous System
The sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system (CNS) to the rest of the body
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
Bundled axons that form neural cables connecting the central nervous system with muscles, glands, and sensory organs
Nerves
Neurons that carry incoming information from the body’s tissues and sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord (afferent)
Sensory Neurons
Neurons that carry outgoing information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands (efferent)
Motor Neurons
Neurons within the brain and spinal cord; they communicate internally and process information between the sensory inputs and motor outputs
Interneurons
The division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body’s skeletal muscles. Also called the skeletal nervous system
Somatic Nervous System
The part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organs (such as the heart). Its sympathetic division arouses; its parasympathetic division calms (autonomic means “self-regulating”)
Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
The division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy
Sympathetic Nervous System
The division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy
Parasympathetic Nervous System
A simple, automatic response to a sensory stimulus, such as the knee-jerk reflex
Reflexes
The body’s “slow” chemical communication system; glands and fat tissue that secrete hormones into the bloodstream
Endocrine System
Chemical messengers that are manufactured by the endocrine glands, travel through the bloodstream, and affect other tissues
Hormones
A pair of endocrine glands that sits just above the kidneys and secretes hormones (epinephrine and norepinephrine) that help arouse the body in times of stress
Adrenal Glands
The endocrine system’s most influential gland. Under the influence of the hypothalamus, the pituitary regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands
Pituitary Glands
tissue destruction. A brain lesion is a naturally or experimentally caused destruction of brain tissue
Lesion
An amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity sweeping across the brain’s surface. These waves are measured by electrodes placed on the scalp
EEG (Electroencephalogram)
A brain-imaging technique that measures magnetic fields from the brain’s natural electrical activity
MEG (Magnetoencephalography)
A technique for detecting brain activity that displays where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task
PET (Positron Emission Tomography)
A technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images of soft tissue. MRI scans show brain anatomy
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
A technique for revealing blood flow and, therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans. fMRI scans show brain function as well as structure
fMRI (functional MRI)
The oldest part and central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull; the brainstem is responsible for automatic survival functions
Brainstem
The base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing
Medulla
The brain’s sensory control center, located on top of the brainstem; it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla
Thalamus
A nerve network that travels through the brainstem into the thalamus; filters information and plays an important role in controlling arousal
Reticular (“netlike”) Formation
The “little brain” at the rear of the brainstem; functions include processing sensory input, coordinating movement output and balance, and enabling nonverbal learning and memory
Cerebellum
Neural system (including the amygdala, hypothalamus, and hippocampus) located below the cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions and drives; limbus means “border”
Limbic System
Two lima-bean-sized neural clusters in the limbic system; linked to emotion
Amygdala
A neural structure in the limbic system lying below (hypo) the thalamus; it directs several maintenance activities (eating, drinking, body temperature), helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion and reward
Hypothalamus
A neural center located in the limbic system; helps process explicit (conscious) memories—of facts and events—for storage
Hippocampus
The intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering the cerebral hemispheres; the body’s ultimate control and information-processing center
Cerebral Cortex
The portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead; involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgments
Frontal Lobes
The portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head and toward the rear; receives sensory input for touch and body position
Parietal Lobes
The portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head; includes areas that receive information from the visual fields
Occipital Lobes
The portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears; includes the auditory areas, each receiving information primarily from the opposite ear
Temporal Lobes
A cerebral cortex area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements
Motor Cortex
A cerebral cortex area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations
Somatosensory Cortex
Areas of the cerebral cortex that are not involved in primary motor or sensory functions; rather, they are involved in higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking
Association Areas
The brain’s ability to change, especially during childhood, by reorganizing after damage or by building new pathways based on experience
Neuroplasticity
The large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them
Corpus Callosum
A condition resulting from surgery that separates the brain’s two hemispheres by cutting the fibers (mainly those of the corpus callosum) connecting them
Split Brains
