Chapter 2 - Brain

Question 0

Neuron

Answer 0

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

Question 1

Biological Psychology

Answer 1

A branch of psychology concerned with the links between biology and behavior.

Question 2

Dendrite

Answer 2

The bushy, branching extensions of a neuron that receive messages and conduct impulses toward the cell body.

Question 3

Axon

Answer 3

The extension of a neuron, ending in branching terminal fibers through which messages pass to other neurons or to the muscles / glands.

Question 4

Myelin Sheath

Answer 4

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.

Question 5

Action Potential

Answer 5

A neural impulse* - a brief electrical charge that travels down the axon. Generates by the movement of the positively charged atoms in and out of channels in the axons membrane.

Question 6

Threshold

Answer 6

The level stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse.

Question 7

Synapse

Answer 7

The junction between the axon tip of sending neuron and the dendrite cell body of the receiving neuron.

Question 8

Neurotransmitters

Answer 8

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

Question 9

Acetylcholine, Ach

Answer 9

A neurotransmitter that enables learning and memory and also triggers muscle contraction.

Question 10

Dopamine

Answer 10

Influences movement, learning, attention and emotion.

Not enough: Parkinson’s

Too much: Schizophrenia

Question 11

Serotonin

Answer 11

Affects mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal.

Not enough: Depression

Question 12

Endorphins

Answer 12

“Morphine within” - natural, opiate like neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure.

Ex: Runner’s high

Question 13

Nervous System

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Central Nervous System

Answer 14

The brain and the spinal cord.

Question 15

Peripheral Nervous System

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Nerves

Answer 16

Neural “cables” containing many axons. These bundled axons, which are apart of the peripheral nervous system, connect the central nervous system with muscles, glands, and sense organs.

Question 17

Sensory Neurons

Answer 17

(Bipolar) Neurons that carry INCOMING information from the sense receptors to the central nervous system.

Question 18

Motor Neurons

Answer 18

(Multipolar) Neurons that carry OUTGOING information from the central nervous system to the muscles and glands.

Question 19

Interneurons

Answer 19

(Unipolar) Central nervous system neurons that internally communicate and intervene between the sensory inputs and motor outputs.

Question 20

Somatic Nervous System

Answer 20

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

Question 21

Autonomic Nervous System

Answer 21

The peripheral nervous system part that controls the glands and the muscles of the INTERNAL ORGANS (such as the heart). It’s sympathetic division arouses, parasympathetic division calms.

Question 22

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Answer 22

The division of the automatic nervous system that CALMS the body, conserving it’s energy.

Question 23

Sympathetic Nervous Systems

Answer 23

The division of the autonomic nervous system that AROUSES the body, mobilizing it’s energy in stressful situations.

Question 24

Reflex

Answer 24

A simple, automatic, inborn response to a sensory stimulus, such as a knee jerk response.

Question 25

Lesions

Answer 25

Tissue destruction* A brain lesion is a naturally or experimentally caused destruction of brain tissue.

Question 26

Neural Networks

Answer 26

Interconnected neural cells* - With experience, networks can learn as feedback strengthens or inhibits connections that produce certain results.

Question 27

Endocrine System

Answer 27

The body’s SLOW chemical communications system; a set of glands that secrete or discharge hormones into the blood stream.

Question 28

Hormones

Answer 28

Chemical messangers* mostly those manufactured by the endocrine glands that are produced in one tissue and affect another.

Question 29

Adrenal Glands

Answer 29

A pair of endocrine glands just above the kidneys. The adrenals secrete the hormones

Question 30

Pituitary Glands

Answer 30

The endocrine systems most influential gland. Under the influence of the hypothalamus, the pituitary regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands.

Question 31

EEG

Answer 31

Electroencephalogram - and amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity that sweep across the brains surface. *Measures by electrodes placed on scalp.

Question 32

PET Scan

Answer 32

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

Question 33

MRI

Answer 33

A technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer generated images that distinguish among different types of soft tissue; allows us to see structure within the brain.

Question 34

FMRI

Answer 34

A technique for revealing blood flow and therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans. MRI stands show brain anatomy - FMRI shows brain function.

Question 35

Norepinephrine

Answer 35

Helps control alertness and arousal.

Not enough: Depressed mood