Biology of the Mind - Vocabulary

Question 1

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

Answer 1

Biological Psychology

Question 2

A nerve cell; the basic building block of the nerve system

Answer 2

Neuron

Question 3

The part of a neuron that contains the nucleus; the cell’s life support center

Answer 3

Cell Body

Question 4

Dendrites

Answer 4

A neuron’s often bushy, branching extensions that receive and
integrate messages, conducting impulses toward the cell body.

Question 5

The segmented neuron extension that passes messages through its
branches to other neurons or to muscles or glands.

Answer 5

Axon

Question 6

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.

Answer 6

Myelin

Question 7

A neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon

Answer 7

Action Potential

Question 8

The level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse

Answer 8

Threshold

Question 9

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.

Answer 9

Refractory Period

Question 10

A neuron’s reaction of either firing (with a full strength response) or not firing

Answer 10

All or none response

Question 11

The junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron. The tiny gap at this junction is called the synaptic gap (or synaptic cleft).

Answer 11

Synapse

Question 12

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.

Answer 12

Neurotransmitter

Question 13

A neurotransmitter’s reabsorption by the sending neuron

Answer 13

Reuptake

Question 14

A molecule that increases a neurotransmitter’s action

Answer 14

Agonist

Question 15

A molecule that inhibits or blocks a neurotransmitter’s action

Answer 15

Antagonist

Question 16

The body’s speedy, electro-chemical communication network, consisting of all the nerve cells of the peripheral and central nervous systems.

Answer 16

Nervous System

Question 17

The brain and spinal cord

Answer 17

Centra Nervous System

Question 18

The sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system (CNS) to the rest of the body

Answer 18

Peripheral Nervous System

Question 19

Neurons that carry incoming information from the body’s tissues and sensory receptors to the vein and spinal cord

Answer 19

Sensory Neurons (afferent)

Question 20

Neurons that carry outgoing information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands

Answer 20

Motor Neurons (afferent)

Question 21

Within the brain and spinal cord; they communicate internally and process information between the sensory inputs and motor
outputs.

Answer 21

Interneurons Neurons

Question 22

The division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body’s skeletal muscles. Also called the skeletal nervous system

Answer 22

Somatic Nervous System

Question 23

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

Answer 23

Autonomic Nervous System

Question 24

The division of the autonomic nervous system that
arouses the body, mobilizing its energy

Answer 24

Sympathetic Nervous System

Question 25

The division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy

Answer 25

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Question 26

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

Answer 26

Brainstem

Question 27

The base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing

Answer 27

Medulla

Question 28

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.

Answer 28

Thalamus

Question 29

A nerve network that travels through the brainstem into the thalamus; filters information and plays an important role in controlling arousal

Answer 29

Reticular Formation

Question 30

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.

Answer 30

Cerebellum

Question 31

Neural system (including the amygdala, hypothalamus,
and hippocampus) located below the cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions and drives.

Answer 31

Limbic System

Question 32

Two lima-bean-sized neural clusters in the limbic system; linked to
emotion.

Answer 32

Amygdala

Question 33

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.

Answer 33

Hypothalamus

Question 34

A neural center located in the limbic system; helps process explicit
(conscious) memories—of facts and events—for storage

Answer 34

Hippocampus

Question 35

The intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering the
cerebral hemispheres; the body’s ultimate control and information-processing
center

Answer 35

Cerebral Cortex

Question 36

The portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead;
involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgments

Answer 36

Frontal Lobes

Question 37

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

Answer 37

Parietal Lobes

Question 38

The portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head;
includes areas that receive information from the visual fields

Answer 38

Occipital Lobes

Question 39

The portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears;
includes the auditory areas, each receiving information primarily from the opposite ear

Answer 39

Temporal Lobes

Question 40

A cerebral cortex area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls
voluntary movements

Answer 40

Motor Cortex

Question 41

A cerebral cortex area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations.

Answer 41

Somatosensory Cortex

Question 42

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

Answer 42

Association Areas

Question 43

The large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain
hemispheres and carrying messages between them

Answer 43

Corpus Callosum