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Psychology > Chapter 2 - Biology of the Mind > Flashcards

Chapter 2 - Biology of the Mind Flashcards

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1
Q

Dendrite

A

Receives info and conducts impulses toward the cell body. Short in length. They “listen”.

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2
Q

Axon

A

Long fiber that sends message through its terminal branches to other neurons, muscles or glands. They “speak”

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3
Q

Myelin Sheath

A

Layer of fatty tissue that encase some axons to insulate and speed up their impulses. Happens until you are 25, when neural efficacy, judgement and self-control grow. If it degenerates multiple sclerosis results (loss of muscle control).

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4
Q

Phrenology

A

Franz Gall said that studying peoples bumps on their heads could reveal their mental ability and character traits.

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5
Q

Glial Cells

A

“worker bees”. They support, nourish and protect neurons. Play a role in learning, thinking, memory. “chatting” with neurons.

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6
Q

Action Potential

A

A quick electric charge that travels down an axon.

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7
Q

Ions

A

Electrically charged atoms

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8
Q

Refractory Period

A

A period of inactivity after a neutron has fired.

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9
Q

Threshold

A

The level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse

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10
Q

All-or-none response

A

A neurons reaction of either firing or not.

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11
Q

Synapse

A

Meeting point between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite of the of the receiving neuron.

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12
Q

Synaptic Gap

A

The tiny gap in the synapse

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13
Q

Neurotransmitter

A

Chemical messenger that crosses the synaptic gaps between neurons. They travel across the synapse and bind to receptor sites on the receiving neuron.

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14
Q

Reuptake

A

A neurotransmitter’s reabsorption by the sending neuron

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15
Q

Acetylcholine (ACh)

A

Neurotransmitter that plays a role in learning and memory. Messenger between every junction between motor neurons and skeletal muscles. When ACh is released the muscle contracts. If ACh transmission is blocked, it results in being paralyzed. Deterioration of ACh producing neurons results in Alzheimer’s disease.

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16
Q

Motor Neurons

A

Carry info from the brain and spinal cord to the body’s tissues

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17
Q

Dopamine

A

Influences movement, learning, attention and emotion. Oversupply - Schizophrenia. Undersupply - tremors and loss of motor control in Parkinson’s disease.

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18
Q

Serotonin

A

Affects mood, hunger, sleep and arousal. Undersupply-depression. Anti-depressents can raise serotonin levels.

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19
Q

Norepinephrine

A

Helps control alertness and arousal. Undersupply - depresses mood.

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20
Q

GABA

A

A major inhibitory neurotransmitter. Undersupply - seizures, tremors, insomnia.

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21
Q

Glutamate

A

A major excitatory neurotransmitter involved in memory. Oversupply- Over stimulates the brain (migraines or seizures). Why some people avoid MSG in food.

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22
Q

Endorphins

A

neurotransmitters that are linked to pain control and pleasure.

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23
Q

Agonist

A

A molecule that increases a neurotransmitters action

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24
Q

Antagonists

A

A molecule that inhibits or blocks a neurotransmitters action

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25
Q

Nervous system

A

Speedy electrochemical communication network. All the nerve cells of the peripheral and central nervous systems.

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26
Q

Central Nervous System

A

Brain and Spinal Cord. The boys decision maker

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27
Q

Peripheral Nervous System

A

Two components. Somatic and Autonomic. Connect the CNS with the rest of the body

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28
Q

Nerves

A

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

29
Q

Sensory Neurons

A

Carry messages from the body’s tissues and sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord for processing.

30
Q

Motor Neurons

A

Carry instructions from the brain and spinal cord out to the bodys muscles and glands

31
Q

Interneurons

A

Neurons within the brain and spinal cord that communicate internally and process info between the sensory inputs and motor outputs.

32
Q

Somatic nervous system

A

within the peripheral system that controls the voluntary control of our skeletal muscles.

33
Q

Autonomic Nervous system

A

“Self regulating”. Within the peripheral system that controls the glands and muscles of the internal organs. Influences glandular activity, heartbeat and digestion.

34
Q

Sympathetic nervous system

A

Within the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body and expends energy. Fight or Flight.

35
Q

Parasympathetic nervous system

A

Within the autonomic nervous system conserves energy to calm you

36
Q

Spinal Cord

A

Two-way info highway connecting the peripheral nervous system and the brain

37
Q

Endocrine system

A

the body’s slow chemical communication system; a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream

38
Q

Hormones

A

Chemical messengers manufactured by the endocrine glands, travel through the bloodstream, and affect other tissues

39
Q

adrenal glands

A

endocrine glands that are just above the kidneys and secret hormones (epinephrine and norepinephrine) that help arouse the body in times of stress. it increases heart rate, blood pressure and blood sugar providing energy.

40
Q

pituitary gland

A

the endocrine system’s most influential gland. Controlled by the hypothalamus. It regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands

41
Q

Oxytocin

A

enables contractions associated with birthing, milk flow during nursing, and orgasms. It promotes pair bonding, group cohesion, and social trust.

42
Q

feedback system

A

brain - pituitary - other glands - hormones - body and brain

43
Q

lesion

A

tissue destruction. naturally or experimentally caused destruction of brain tissue

44
Q

EEG

A

recording of the waves of electrical activity going across the brains surface. measured by electrodes placed on the scalp

45
Q

PET scan

A

visual display of the brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task

46
Q

MRI

A

uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer generated images of soft tissue. shows brain anatomy

47
Q

fMRI

A

reveals blood flow and shows brain functions as well as structure

48
Q

brainstem

A

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. the crossover point where most nerves to and from each side of the brain connect with the bodys opposite side

49
Q

medulla

A

base of the brainstem, controls heart beat and breathing.

50
Q

pons

A

just above the medulla. helps coordinate movement and control for sleep

51
Q

thalamus

A

on top of the brainstem, the brains sensory control centre except smell. directs messages to the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla. like a bus station for information to pass through

52
Q

reticular formation

A

inside the brainstem between your ears, a neuron network that extends from the spinal cord through the thalamus. controls arousal

53
Q

cerebellum

A

“little brain” that enables nonverbal learning and skill memory. helps us to judge time, modulate our emotions and discriminate sounds and textures. with assistance from pons it coordinates voluntary movement. under alcohols influence coordination suffers. if you injured it you would have difficulty walking, keeping your balance, or shaking hands. movement would be jerky and exaggerated

54
Q

limbic system

A

amygdala, hypothalamus, and hippocampus; associated with emotion and drives

55
Q

hippocampus

A

processes conscious, explicit memories. if hippocampus is lost a person loses their ability to form new memories of facts and events

56
Q

amygdala

A

two lima bean sized neural clusters linked to aggression and fear. linked to emotion

57
Q

hypothalamus

A

below the thalamus. deals with hunger, thirst, body temperature and sexual behaviour. together, they help maintain a homeostatic state. helps govern the endocrine system through the pituitary gland. linked to emotion and reward.

58
Q

cerebral cortex

A

a thin surface layer of interconnected neural cells covering the cerebral hemispheres; the bodys ultimate control and info processing center

59
Q

frontal lobes

A

behind your forehead; involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgements

60
Q

parietal lobes

A

at the top and in the back. receives sensory input for touch and body position

61
Q

occipital lobes

A

back of your head on the bottom. receives info from the visual fields

62
Q

temporal lobes

A

just above your ears at the temple. auditory areas each receiving info from the opposite ear

63
Q

motor cortex

A

at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements

64
Q

somatosensory cortex

A

at the front of the parietal lobes that deals with body touch and movement sensations

65
Q

association areas

A

area of the cerebral cortex that is involved in higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking. found in all four lobes.

66
Q

prefrontal cortex

A

in the forward part of the frontal lobes that enables judgement, planning and processing of new memories.

67
Q

What happened to phineas gage?

A

He had frontal lobe damage. his mental abilities and memories were intact, but his personality was not.

68
Q

underside of right temporal lobe

A

association area that helps us to recognize faces. if this was damaged you would be able to recognize gender or facial features but unable to identify who the person is.

Psychology (9 decks)

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