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Biopsychology Flashcards

1
Q

Neuron

A

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

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2
Q

Dendrites

A

A neuron’s bushy, branching extensions that receive messages and conduct impulses toward the cell body

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3
Q

Axon

A

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

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4
Q

Myelin sheath

A

A fatty tissue layer segmentally encasing the axon if some neurons; enables vastly greater transmission speed as neural impulses hop from one node to the next

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5
Q

Glial cells (glia)

A

Cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons; they may also play a role in learning, thinking, and memory

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6
Q

Action potential

A

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

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7
Q

Refractory period

A

A period of inactivity after a neuron has fired

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8
Q

Threshold

A

The level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse

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9
Q

All-or-none response

A

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

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10
Q

Synapse

A

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

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11
Q

Neurotransmitters

A

Chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons. When released by sending neuron, they travel across the synapse and bind to the receptor sites on the receiving neuron, thereby influencing whether that neuron will generate a neural impulse

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12
Q

Reuptake

A

A neurotransmitter’s re absorption by the sending neuron

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13
Q

Endorphins

A

“Morphine within”

Natural, opiate-like neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure

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14
Q

Agonist

A

A molecule that increases a neurotransmitter’s action

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15
Q

Antagonist

A

A molecule that inhibits or blocks a neurotransmitter’s action

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16
Q

Nervous system

A

The body’s speedy, electrochemical communication network, consisting of all the nerve cells of the peripheral and central nervous system

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17
Q

Central nervous system

A

The brain and spinal cord

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18
Q

Peripheral nervous system

A

The armory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system to the rest of the body

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19
Q

Nerves

A

Bundled axons that form neural cables connecting the central nervous system with muscles, glands, and sense organs

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20
Q

Sensory (afferent) neurons

A

Neurons that carry incoming information from the sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord

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21
Q

Motor (efferent) neurons

A

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

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22
Q

Interneurons

A

Neurons within the brain and spinal cord; communicate internally and process information between the sensory inputs and motor outputs

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23
Q

Somatic nervous system

A

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

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24
Q

Automatic nervous system

A

The part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organs (like heart). It’s sympathetic division arouses; its parasympathetic division calms

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25
Sympathetic nervous system
The division of the automatic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy
26
Parasympathetic nervous system
The division of the automatic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy
27
Reflex
A simple, automatic response to a sensory stimulus, such as the knee-jerk response
28
Endocrine system
The body's "slow" chemical communication system; a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream
29
Hormones
Chemical messengers that are manufactured by the endocrine glands, travel through the bloodstream, and affect other tissues
30
Adrenal glands
A pair of endocrine glad that sit just above the kidneys and secrete hormones that help arouse the body in times of stress
31
Pituitary glands
The endocrine system's most influential gland. Under the influence of the hypothalamus, it regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands
32
Biological perspective
Concerned with the links between biology and behavior. Included psychologists working in neuroscience, behavior genetics, and evolutionary psychology. These researchers may call themselves behavioral neuroscientists, neuropsychologists, behavior geneticists, physiological psychologists, or bio psychologists
33
Lesion
Tissue destruction. One of the brain naturally or experimentally caused destruction of brain tissue
34
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
An amplified recording or the waves or electrical activity sweeping across the brain's surface. These waves are measured by electrodes placed on the scalp
35
PET (positron emission tomography) scan
A visual display of the brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task
36
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
A technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images of soft tissue. Shows brain anatomy
37
fMRI (functional MRI)
A technique for revealing bloodflow and, therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans. show brain function as well as structure
38
Brainstem
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
39
Medulla
The base of the brainstem, controls heartbeat and breathing
40
Thalamus
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
41
Reticular formations
The nerve network that travels through the brainstem into the thalamus and plays an important role in controlling arousal
42
Cerebellum
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
43
Limbic system
Neural system (including the hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus) located between the cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions and drives
44
Hippocampus
A neural center located in the lambic system; helps process explicit memories for storage
45
Amygdala
Two lima-bean-sized neural clusters in the lambic system; linked to emotions
46
Hypothalamus
A neural structure lying below the thalamus; it directs several maintenance activities (eating, drinking, body temperature) helping govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion and reward
47
Cerebral cortex
The intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells concerning the cerebral hemispheres; the body's ultimate control and information-processing center
48
Frontal lobes
Portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead; involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgements
49
Parietal lobes
Portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head and toward the rear; received sensory input for touch and body position
50
Occipital lobes
Portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head; includes areas that receive information from the visual fields
51
Temporal lobes
Portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughing above the ears; includes the auditory areas, each receiving information primarily from the opposite ear
52
Motor cortex
An area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements
53
Somatosensory cortex
Area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations
54
Association areas
Areas of the cerebral cortex that are not involved in primary or sensory functions; rather, they are involved in higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking
55
Plasticity
The brain's ability to change, especially during childhood, by reorganizing after damage or by building new pathways based on experience
56
Neurogenesis
The formation of new neurons
57
Corpus callosum
The large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them
58
Split brain
A condition resulting from surgery that isolates the brain's two hemispheres by cutting the fibers (mainly those of the corpus callosum) connecting them
59
Acetylcholine (ACh)
Enables muscle action, learning and memory
60
Dopamine
Influences movement learning attention and emotion Over supply linked to schizophrenia Under supply linked to Parkinson's
61
Serotonin
Affects mood, hunger, sleep, arousal
62
Norepinephrine
Helps control alertness and arousal
63
GABA
A major inhibitory neurotransmitter
64
Glutamate
Memory and learning

AP Psychology (6 decks)

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