Chapter 2 - The Biological Perspective Flashcards
A branch of the life sciences that deals with the structure and function of neurons, nerves, and nervous tissue.
neuroscience
An extensive network of specialized cells that carries information to and from all parts of the body.
nervous system
Branch of neuroscience that focuses on the biological bases of psychological processes, behavior, and learning.
biological psychology (or behavioral neuroscience)
The basic cell that makes up the nervous system and that receives and sends messages within that system.
neuron
Branchlike structures that receive messages from other neurons.
dendrites
The cell body of the neuron responsible for maintaining the life of the cell.
soma
Tubelike structure that carries the neural message to other cells.
axon
Cells that provide support for the neurons to grow on and around, deliver nutrients to neurons, produce myelin to coat axons, clean up waste products and dead neurons, influence information processing, and, during prenatal development, influence the generation of new neurons.
glial cells
Fatty substances produced by certain glial cells that coat the axons of neurons to insulate, protect, and speed up the neural impulse.
myelin
Bundles of axons coated in myelin that travel together through the body.
nerves
Process of molecules moving from areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration.
diffusion
The state of the neuron when not firing a neural impulse.
resting potential
The release of the neural impulse consisting of a reversal of the electrical charge within the axon.
action potential
Refers to the fact that a neuron either fires completely or does not fire at all.
all-or-none
Rounded areas on the end of the axon terminals.
synaptic knob
Branches at the end of the axon.
axon terminals
Saclike structures found inside the synaptic knob containing chemicals.
synaptic vesicles
Chemical found in the synaptic vesicles that, when released, has an effect on the next cell.
neurotransmitter
Microscopic fluid-filled space between the synaptic knob of one cell and the dendrites or surface of the next cell.
synapse (synaptic gap)
3-dimensional proteins on the surface of the dendrites or certain cells of the muscles and gland, which are shaped to fit only certain neurotransmitters.
receptor sites
Synapse at which a neurotransmitter caused the receiving cell to fire.
excitatory synapse
Synapse at which a neurotransmitter causes the receiving cell to stop firing.
inhibitory synapse
Chemical substances that block or reduce a cell’s response to the action of other chemicals or neurotransmitters.
antagonists
Chemical substances that mimic or enhance the effects of a neurotransmitter on the receptor sites of the next cell, increasing or decreasing the activity of that cell.
agonists
Excitatory or inhibitory; involved in arousal, attention, memory, and controls muscle contractions
Acetylcholine
Excitatory or inhibitory; involved in mood, sleep, and appetite
Serotonin
Major inhibitory neurotransmitter; involved in sleep and inhibits movement
GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)
Major excitatory neurotransmitter; involved in learning, memory formation, nervous system development, and synaptic plasticity
Glutamate
Mainly excitatory; involved in arousal and mood
Norepinephrine
Excitatory or inhibitory; involved in control of movement and sensations of pleasure
Dopamine
Inhibitory neural regulators; involved in pain relief
Endorphins
Process by which neurotransmitters are taken back into the synaptic vesicles.
reuptake
Process by which structure of neurotransmitter is altered so it can no longer act on a receptor.
enzymatic degradation
Part of the nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord.
central nervous system
A long bundle of neurons that carries messages between the body and the brain and is responsible for very fast, lifesaving reflexes.
spinal cord
A neuron that carries information from the senses to the central nervous system.
afferent (sensory) neuron
A neuron that carries messages from the central nervous system to the muscles of the body.
efferent (motor) neuron
A neuron found in the center of the spinal cord that receives information from the afferent neurons and sends commands to the muscles through the efferent neurons. It also makes up the bulk of the neurons in the brain.
interneuron
The connection of the afferent neurons to the interneurons to the efferent neurons, resulting in a reflex action.
reflex arc
The ability within the brain to constantly change both the structure and function of many cells in response to experience or trauma.
neuroplasticity
Special cells found in all the tissues of the body that are capable of becoming other cell types when those cells need to be replaced due to damage or wear and tear.
stem cells
All nerves and neurons that are not contained in the brain and spinal cord but that run through the body itself.
peripheral nervous system
Division of the PNS consisting of nerves that carry information from the senses to the CNS and from the CNS to the voluntary muscles of the body.
somatic nervous system
Division of the PNS consisting of nerves that control all of the involuntary muscles, organs, and glands.
autonomic nervous system
It comprises of all the nerves coming from the sensory organs to the CNS consisting of afferent neurons.
sensory pathway
Nerves coming from the CNS to the voluntary muscles, consisting of efferent neurons.
motor pathway
Part of the ANS that is responsible for reactig to stressful events and bodily arousal.
sympathetic division (fight-or-flight system)
Part of the ANS that restores the body to normal functioning after arousal and is responsible for the day-to-day functioning of the organs and glands.
parasympathetic division
Glands that sectete chemicals called hormones directly into the bloodstream.
endocrine glands
Chemicals released into the bloodstream by endocrine glands.
hormones
Gland located in the brain that secretes human growth hormone and influences all other hormone-secreting glands (also known as the master gland).
pituitary gland
Endocrine gland located near the base of the cerebrum; secretes melatonin.
pineal gland
Endocrine gland found in the neck; regulates metabolism.
thyroid gland
Endocrine gland; controls the levels of sugar in the blood.
pancreas
Sex glands, secrete hormones that regulate sexual development and behavior as well as reproduction.
gonads
The female gonads.
ovaries
The male gonads.
testes
Endocrine glands located on top of each kidney that secrete over 30 different hormones to deal with stress, regulate salt intake, and provide a secondary source of sex hormones affecting the sexual changes that occur during adolescence.
adrenal glands
Hormone secreted by the pineal gland which helps track day length and seasons.
melatonin
Hormone released by the thyroid gland that regulates metabolism.
thyroxin
A section of the adrenal gland that releases epinephrine and norepinephrine, when people are under stress, and aids in sympathetic arousal.
adrenal medulla
Hormones produced by the adrenal cortex that regulate salt intake, help initiate and control stress reactions, and also provides a source of sex hormones in addition to those provided by the gonads.
corticoids
One of the most important hormones produced by the adrenal cortex that is important in the release of glucose into the bloodstream during stress, providing energy for the brain itself, and the release of fatty acids from the fat cells that provide the muscles with energy.
cortisol
Insertion of a thin, insulated wire into the brain through which an electrical current is sent that destroys the brain cells at the tip of the wire.
deep lesioning
Process by which the cells are destroyed on the surface of the brain or just below it.
shallow lesioning
Brain-imaging method using computer-controlled X-rays of the brain.
computed tomography (CT)
