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Psychology > Chapter 2 - The Biological Perspective > Flashcards

Chapter 2 - The Biological Perspective Flashcards

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0
Q

A branch of the life sciences that deals with the structure and function of neurons, nerves, and nervous tissue.

A

neuroscience

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1
Q

An extensive network of specialized cells that carries information to and from all parts of the body.

A

nervous system

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2
Q

Branch of neuroscience that focuses on the biological bases of psychological processes, behavior, and learning.

A

biological psychology (or behavioral neuroscience)

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3
Q

The basic cell that makes up the nervous system and that receives and sends messages within that system.

A

neuron

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4
Q

Branchlike structures that receive messages from other neurons.

A

dendrites

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5
Q

The cell body of the neuron responsible for maintaining the life of the cell.

A

soma

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6
Q

Tubelike structure that carries the neural message to other cells.

A

axon

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7
Q

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.

A

glial cells

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8
Q

Fatty substances produced by certain glial cells that coat the axons of neurons to insulate, protect, and speed up the neural impulse.

A

myelin

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9
Q

Bundles of axons coated in myelin that travel together through the body.

A

nerves

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10
Q

Process of molecules moving from areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration.

A

diffusion

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11
Q

The state of the neuron when not firing a neural impulse.

A

resting potential

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12
Q

The release of the neural impulse consisting of a reversal of the electrical charge within the axon.

A

action potential

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13
Q

Refers to the fact that a neuron either fires completely or does not fire at all.

A

all-or-none

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14
Q

Rounded areas on the end of the axon terminals.

A

synaptic knob

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15
Q

Branches at the end of the axon.

A

axon terminals

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16
Q

Saclike structures found inside the synaptic knob containing chemicals.

A

synaptic vesicles

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17
Q

Chemical found in the synaptic vesicles that, when released, has an effect on the next cell.

A

neurotransmitter

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18
Q

Microscopic fluid-filled space between the synaptic knob of one cell and the dendrites or surface of the next cell.

A

synapse (synaptic gap)

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19
Q

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.

A

receptor sites

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20
Q

Synapse at which a neurotransmitter caused the receiving cell to fire.

A

excitatory synapse

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21
Q

Synapse at which a neurotransmitter causes the receiving cell to stop firing.

A

inhibitory synapse

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22
Q

Chemical substances that block or reduce a cell’s response to the action of other chemicals or neurotransmitters.

A

antagonists

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23
Q

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.

A

agonists

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24
Q

Excitatory or inhibitory; involved in arousal, attention, memory, and controls muscle contractions

A

Acetylcholine

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25
Q

Excitatory or inhibitory; involved in mood, sleep, and appetite

A

Serotonin

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26
Q

Major inhibitory neurotransmitter; involved in sleep and inhibits movement

A

GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)

27
Q

Major excitatory neurotransmitter; involved in learning, memory formation, nervous system development, and synaptic plasticity

A

Glutamate

28
Q

Mainly excitatory; involved in arousal and mood

A

Norepinephrine

29
Q

Excitatory or inhibitory; involved in control of movement and sensations of pleasure

A

Dopamine

30
Q

Inhibitory neural regulators; involved in pain relief

A

Endorphins

31
Q

Process by which neurotransmitters are taken back into the synaptic vesicles.

A

reuptake

32
Q

Process by which structure of neurotransmitter is altered so it can no longer act on a receptor.

A

enzymatic degradation

33
Q

Part of the nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord.

A

central nervous system

34
Q

A long bundle of neurons that carries messages between the body and the brain and is responsible for very fast, lifesaving reflexes.

A

spinal cord

35
Q

A neuron that carries information from the senses to the central nervous system.

A

afferent (sensory) neuron

36
Q

A neuron that carries messages from the central nervous system to the muscles of the body.

A

efferent (motor) neuron

37
Q

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.

A

interneuron

38
Q

The connection of the afferent neurons to the interneurons to the efferent neurons, resulting in a reflex action.

A

reflex arc

39
Q

The ability within the brain to constantly change both the structure and function of many cells in response to experience or trauma.

A

neuroplasticity

40
Q

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.

A

stem cells

41
Q

All nerves and neurons that are not contained in the brain and spinal cord but that run through the body itself.

A

peripheral nervous system

42
Q

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.

A

somatic nervous system

43
Q

Division of the PNS consisting of nerves that control all of the involuntary muscles, organs, and glands.

A

autonomic nervous system

44
Q

It comprises of all the nerves coming from the sensory organs to the CNS consisting of afferent neurons.

A

sensory pathway

45
Q

Nerves coming from the CNS to the voluntary muscles, consisting of efferent neurons.

A

motor pathway

46
Q

Part of the ANS that is responsible for reactig to stressful events and bodily arousal.

A

sympathetic division (fight-or-flight system)

47
Q

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.

A

parasympathetic division

48
Q

Glands that sectete chemicals called hormones directly into the bloodstream.

A

endocrine glands

49
Q

Chemicals released into the bloodstream by endocrine glands.

A

hormones

50
Q

Gland located in the brain that secretes human growth hormone and influences all other hormone-secreting glands (also known as the master gland).

A

pituitary gland

51
Q

Endocrine gland located near the base of the cerebrum; secretes melatonin.

A

pineal gland

52
Q

Endocrine gland found in the neck; regulates metabolism.

A

thyroid gland

53
Q

Endocrine gland; controls the levels of sugar in the blood.

A

pancreas

54
Q

Sex glands, secrete hormones that regulate sexual development and behavior as well as reproduction.

A

gonads

55
Q

The female gonads.

A

ovaries

56
Q

The male gonads.

A

testes

57
Q

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.

A

adrenal glands

58
Q

Hormone secreted by the pineal gland which helps track day length and seasons.

A

melatonin

59
Q

Hormone released by the thyroid gland that regulates metabolism.

A

thyroxin

60
Q

A section of the adrenal gland that releases epinephrine and norepinephrine, when people are under stress, and aids in sympathetic arousal.

A

adrenal medulla

61
Q

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.

A

corticoids

62
Q

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.

A

cortisol

63
Q

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.

A

deep lesioning

64
Q

Process by which the cells are destroyed on the surface of the brain or just below it.

A

shallow lesioning

65
Q

Brain-imaging method using computer-controlled X-rays of the brain.

A

computed tomography (CT)

Psychology (5 decks)

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