Ch 03: Biological Psychology Flashcards
action potential
electrical SIGNAL that moves down the neuron’s axon triggering the release of neurotransmitters
adrenal gland
TISSUE atop the kidneys and secretes hormones involved in the stress response (adrenaline and cortisol; during emotional arousal)
amygdala
structure in the limbic system involved in
-our experience of emotion and
-tying emotional meaning to our memories
-modulates attention, perception, and memory based on emotions
autonomic nervous system
part of the nervous system controlling the involuntary actions of organs and glands,
* which along with the limbic system, participates in emotion regulation
(system) controls our internal organs and glands
axon
major EXTENSION of the soma that sends signals
Broca’s area
REGION in the left hemisphere (prefrontal cortex) that is essential for speech production and articulation
coordinates muscles of the lips, tongue, and throat to form words and se
absolute refractory period
TIME during which another action potential is impossible; limits maximal firing rate
adoption study
ANALYSIS of how traits vary in individuals raised apart from their biological relatives
association cortex
REGIONS of the cerebral cortex that integrate simpler functions to perform more complex functions
basal ganglia
STRUCTURES in the forebrain that help to control movement
brain stem
PART of the brain between the spinal cord and cerebral cortex that contains the
-midbrain,
-pons and
-medulla
central nervous system (CNS)
(system) brain and spinal cord; controls the mind and behavior
cerebellum
hindbrain STRUCTURE that controls our
-balance,
-coordination,
-movement and motor skills, and
-Is thought to be important in processing some types of memory
cerebral cortex
SURFACE of the brain (outermost part of the forebrain) that is responsible for
-analyzing sensory information
-higher brain functions
cerebral hemispheres
two HALVES of the cerebral cortex, with distinct yet highly integrated functions
cerebral ventricles
POCKETS in the brain that
-contain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and
-provide nutrients and
-cushion against injury
chromosome
long STRAND of genetic information inside a cell’s nucleus
-caries genes
computerized tomography (CT) scan
imaging TECHNIQUE in which a computer coordinates and integrates multiple x-rays of a given area to construct 3D images
corpus callosum
thick BAND of neural fibers connecting the two cerebral hemispheres
deep brain stimulation (DBS)
technique in which electrodes and a battery source are implanted in the brain to deliver electricity to specific brain areas
-used to treat Parkinsons, OCD, Tourette Syndrome, epilepsy, cluster headaches, pain disorders
dendrite
branch-like extension of the soma that receives signals
dominant gene
(dominant allele)
gene (or allele) that:
-masks other genes’ effects
-will be expressed in an idividual that posseses that gene
electroencephalograph (EEG)
medical test that measures the electrical activity of the brain via electrodes on the scalp
-helps diagnose and monitor: seizures/epilepsy, brain inhuries, Alzheimers, tumors, narcolepsy, anesthesia, brain death, etc.
endocrine system
system of glands that secrete hormones that act as chemical messengers
epigenetics
study of gene-environment interactions that affect gene expression
-ex: how the same genotype leads to different phenotypes
fitness
an organism’s ability/capacity to survive and reproduce in its environment; to pass on their genes
forebrain
topmost and largest part of the brain that allows advanced intellectual abilities
contains: cerebral cortex, cerebrum, the limbic system, etc.
frontal lobe
part of the cerebral cortex that ; is responsible for
* motor fxn & control,
* language,
* decision making
* planning
contains the motor cortex
functional MRI
(fMRI)
MRI that shows changes in metabolic activity over time
(technique that uses magnetic fields to visualize brain activity using changes in blood oxygen level)
gene
genetic material comprised of DNA