Chapter 2: Neuroscience Flashcards
Phrenology
Franz Gall, used “bumps” on an individual’s brain to determine their personality.
Biological Psychology
Branch of psychology concerned with the links between biology and behavior.
Neuron
A nerve cell that consists of many different parts.
Dendrite
Bushy, branching extensions of a neuron that receive messages and conduct impulses toward the cell body.
Axon
Sends messages form cell body to other neurons, muscles, or glands.
Myelin Sheath
Covers some axons, speeds up neural impulses.
Action potential
A neural impulse: electrical charge that travels down the axon.
Neurogical Threshold
Level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse.
Neurogical Refractory Period
Recharge time between action potentials.
Synapse / Cleft
Space between axon of sending neuron and dendrite of receiving neuron.
Neurotransmitters
Chemical messengers that traverse the synaptic gaps between neurons.
Acetylcholine (a.k.a. Ach)
Enables muscle action, learning, and memory.
Dopamine
Influences movement, learning, attention, and emotion.
Serotonin
Affects mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal.
Endorphins
Natural opiates released to respond to pain and vigorous exercise.
Nervous System
Body’s speedy electrochemical information network.
Central Nervous System
Brain and spinal cord.
Peripheral Nervous System
Links central nervous system with the peripherals of the body.
Nerves
Cables of neurons.
Sensory Neurons
Neurons that carry incoming information from the sense receptors to the Central Nervous System.
Motor Neurons
Neurons that send information from the Central Nervous System to glands and muscles.
Interneurons
Connect sensory and motor neurons.
Somatic Nervous System
Voluntary control of our muscles.
Automatic Nervous System
Controls glands and muscles of internal organs.
Sympathetic Nervous System
The “HERE WE GO” system.
Parasympathetic Nervous System
The relaxation system.
Reflex
Automatic responses to stimuli.
Lesions
Tissue destruction/cuts.
Neural Networks
Neurons that work together to specialize in something.
Endocrine System
Slow, chemical communication system that releases hormones into the bloodstream.
Adrenal Glands
Releases epinephrine and nor-epinephrine.
Pituitary Glands
Controlled by the hypothalamus, controls growth and other endocrine glands.
Electroencephalogram
Known as an EEG, takes an amplified reading of electrical activity in the brain.
Positron Emission Tomography Scan
Known as a PET scan, shows brain activity via glucose levels.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Known as an MRI, aligns spinning atoms in the brain to get a reading.
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Known as a fMRI, similar functions to the MRI, but with blood flow.
Brainstem
Oldest part of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells.
Medulla
Controls heartbeat and breathing.
Reticular Formation
Nerve network controlling sleep arousal.
Thalamus
The “Sensory Switchboard”, receives sense information about everything except smell.
Hippocampus
Memory processing.
Pons
Bridge between the cerebrum and cerebellum.
Cerebellum
Coordinates voluntary movements and balance.
Limbic System
Emotional and motivational links, “Border of the Brain.”
Amygdala
Influences aggression and fear.
Hypothalamus
Regulates blood chemistry, hunger, thirst, and sexual behavior. Also diverts maintenance functions.
Cerebral Cortex
Body’s ultimate control and informational processing center. Covers Cerebral hemispheres.
Glial Cells
Protects, supports, and nourishes neurons.
Frontal Lobes
Responsible for speaking, planning, and judgements.
Occipital Lobes
Responsible for sight.
Parietal Lobes
Responsible for sensory input and body position.
Temporal Lobes
Responsible for auditory input.
Motor Cortex
Located behind the frontal lobe, controls voluntary movement.
Sensory Cortex
Located in front of the parietal lobes, controls body touch and movement sensations.
Association Areas
“Unused Areas” that store associative messages.
Phineus Gage
oops
Aphasia
Impaired use of language.
Broca’s Area
Problems with language expression.
Wernicke’s Area
Problems with language reception.
Plasticity
Brain’s ability to modify and adapt to damage.
Corpus Callosum
Connection between the two hemispheres.
Split Brain
Researched by Sperry, creating a lesion through the Corpus Callosum.
