chapter 2 Flashcards
neuron
a nerve cell; basic building block of the nervous system. (#⃣1⃣)
biological psychology
a branch of psychology concerned with the links between biology and behavior. (
sensory neurons
neurons that carry incoming information from the sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord (sensory▶️brain and spinal cord)
motor neurons
neurons that carry outgoing information from the brain and spinal cord to muscles and glands. (brain and spinal cord▶️muscles and glands)
interneurons
neurons within the brain and spinal cord that communicate internally and intervene between the sensory inputs and motor inputs. (communication )
dendrite
the bushy branching extensions of a neuron that receive messages and conduct impulses toward the cell body. (receives)
axon
the extension of a neuron, ending in branching terminal fibers, through which messages pass to other neurons or to muscle or glands. (sends)
myelin stealth
a layer of fatty tissue segmentally encasing the fibers of many neurons; enables vastly greater transmission speed of neural impulses as the impulse hops from one node to the next. (tissue that protects axon)
action potential
a neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon.
(⚡️➡️ axon)
threshold
the level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse. (threshold-how much it takes)
synapse
the junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron.
(neurotransmitters SNAP over the SYNAPSE)
neurotransmitters
chemical messengers that cross the synapse gaps between neurons.
(chemical messages ⭐️)
reuptake
a neurotransmitters reabsorption by the sending neuron (REuptake- absorption ☁️)
endorphins
“morphine within”- natural, opiatelike neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure. (pain&pleasure)
nervous system
the body’s speedy, electrochemical communication network consisting of all the nerve cells of the peripheral and central nervous system. (network ♻️)
central nervous system
the brain and spinal cord (basic
peripheral nervous system
the sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system to the rest of the body. (connections
nerves
bundled axons that form neural “cables” connecting the central nervous system with muscles,glands, and sense organs. (cables
somatic nervous system
the division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body’s skeletal muscles. (bones
autonomic nervous system
part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organs. (
sympathetic nervous system
the division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing it’s energy in stressful situations. (FIGHT)
parasympathetic nervous system
the division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body conserving energy. (FLIGHT)
reflex
a simple, automatic response to a sensory stimulus. (response)
endocrine system
the body’s slow chemical communication system. a set of glands that secrete hormones into the blood stream. (CHEMICALS ⚡️)
hormones
chemical messengers that are manufactured by the endocrine glands, travel through the bloodstream and affect other tissue. (chemical messengers
adrenal glands
a pair of endocrine glands that sit just above the kidneys and secrete hormones that help arouse the body in times of stress. (adrenaline)
pituitary gland
the endocrine systems most influential gland. under the influence of the hypothalamus, it regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands. (growing hormones)
lesion
tissue destruction. (yucky)
electroencephalogram
an amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity that sweep across the brains surface. (surface)
PET scan
a visual display of the activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task. (activity in brain ⭐️)
MRI
a technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer generated images of soft tissue. (brain anatomy)
fMRI
a technique for revealing blood flow and therefore brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans. (polygraph)
brainstem
the oldest part and central core of the brain beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull. responsible for automatic survival functions. (breathing, heart beat )
medulla
the base of the brainstem: controls heartbeat and breathing. (vital function)
reticular formation
a nerve network in the brainstem that plays an important role in controlling arousal. (
thalamus
the brains sensory switchboard. directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla.
cerebellum
the little brain at the rear of the brainstem. functions include processing sensory input and coordinating movement output and balance.
lambic system
a neural system located below the cerebral hemispheres associated with emotions and drives.
amygdala
two Lima bean sized neural clusters in the limbic system. linked to emotion.
hypothalamus
a neural structure lying below the thalamus; it directs several maintenance activities and helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland and is linked to emotion and reward.
cerebral cortex
the intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering the cerebral hemispheres. the body’s ultimate control and information-processing center.
glial cells
cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons.
frontal lobes
portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead. involves in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgments
parietal lobes
portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head toward the rear. receives sensory input for touch and body position.
occipital lobes
portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head. includes areas that receive information from visual fields.
temporal lobes
portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears. includes the auditory areas, each receiving information primarily from the opposite ear.
motor cortex
controls voluntary movements.
sensory cortex
registers and processes body touch and movement sensations.
association areas
areas in the cerebral cortex that are not primary motor or sensory functions; rather they are involved in higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, thinking and speaking.
plasticity
the brains ability to change especially during childhood by reorganizing after damage or by building new pathways based on experience.
neurogenesis
the formation of new neurons.
corpus callosum
the large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them.
split brain
a condition resulting from surgery that isolates the brains two hemispheres by cutting the fibers connecting them.
