Chapter 2-First Half Flashcards
Biological Psychology
A branch of psychology concerned with the links between biology and behavior
Phrenology
ill-fated theory that claimed bumps on the skull could reveal our mental abilities and our character traits
Neuron
A nerve cell, the basic building block of the nervous system
Dendrite
The bushy branching extensions of a neuron that receives messages and conduct impulses toward the cell body
Axon
The extension of a neuron, ending in branching terminal fivers through which messages pass to other neurons or to muscle glands
Myelin Sheath
A layer of fatty tissue segmentally encasing the fivers of many neurons; enables vastly greater transmission speed of neural impulses as the impulses hop from one node to the next
Action Potential
A neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon. The action potential is generated by the movement of positively charged atoms in and out of channels in the axons membranes
Threshold
The level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse
Synapse
The junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron. The gap is called the synaptic gap or cleft.
Involved Santiago, and Sherrington
Neurotransmitter
Chemical messengers that traverse the synaptic gaps between neurons
Acetylcholine, Ach
A neurotransmitter that enables learning and memory, also triggers muscle contraction
Dopamine
Influences movement, learning, attention, and emotion
Serotonin
Affects mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal (alertness)
Low levels=depression
Endorphins
“Morphine within” natural neurotransmitter, linked to pain control and pleasure
Nervous System
The body’s speedy electrochemical communication network, consists of all the nerve cells of the peripheral and central nervous systems
Central Nervous System
The brain and spinal cord
Peripheral Nervous System
The sensory and motor neurons that connect the CNS to the rest of the body
Nerves
Neural “cables” containing many axons. Bundled axons make up central nervous systems with muscles glands and sense organs
Sensory Neurons
Neurons that carry incoming info from the sense receptors to the central nervous system
Motor neurons
Neurons that carry outgoing info from the CNS to the muscles and glands
Interneurons
CNS neurons that communicate and intervene between the sensory inputs and motor outputs
Somatic Nervous System
The division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body’s skeletal muscles
Autonomic Nervous System
Controls the glands and muscles of the internal organs
Sympathetic Nervous System
autonomic nervous system; that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy in stressful situations
Parasympathetic Nervous System
autonomic nervous system; that calms the body conserving energy
Reflex
A simple, autonomic, inborn responses to a sensory stimulus, such as the knee-jerk response
Lesions
Tissue destruction; brain tissue, sometimes done intentionally
Neural Networks
Interconnected neural cells
Endocrine System
The body’s chemical communication system, a set of glands that secrete hormones into the blood stream
Hormones
Chemical messengers, mostly those manufactured by the endocrine glands
Adrenal Glands
A pair of endocrine flames just above the kidneys, secrete the hormones epinephrine (adrenaline) and non-epinephrine (non-adrenaline), helps arouse the body in times of stress
Pituitary Glands
The endocrine systems most influential gland. Regulates growth, and controls other endocrine glands
EEG
Electroencephalogram; an amplified recording of waves of electrical activity that sweep across the brains surface
PET Scan
Position emission tomography; a visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task
MRI
Magnetic resonance imaging; magnetic fields and radio waves, images that distinguish different types of soft tissue, focuses on anatomy
FMRI Scan
Functional magnetic resonance imaging; shows blood flow within the brain, thus revealing brains activity
Refractory Period
After a neuron fires an action potential it pauses for a short period to recharge itself to fire again
Norepinephrine
Alertness and arousal, “adrenaline”
Antagonists
Inhibit neurotransmitters, blocks the receptor site denying the wanted action
Agonists
This molecule excites, mimics effects on the receiving neuron
Ex, morphine, mimics endorphins
