Chapter 2: The Biology of Mind Flashcards
biopsychology
everything psychological is simultaneously biological
Neurons
basic units of the brain and the rest of the nervous system
dendrites
branching extensions at the cell body; receive messages from other neurons
axon
carries messages away from the cell body
neurotransmitters
chemicals that alter activity in neurons; brain chemicals
synapses
microscopic gap between two neurons over which messages pass
receptor site
areas on the surface of neurons and other cells that are sensitive to neurotransmitters
Acetylcholine (ACh)
neurotransmitter which controls voluntary movement of the muscles
The Black Widow Spider, Botox injections
Dopamine
neurotransmitter which affects brain processes that control bodily movement and reward centers
too much dopamine
linked with schizophrenia
too little dopamine
linked with Parkinson’s
Serotonin
neurotransmitter involved with mood, appetite, and sleep induction
low levels of serotonin
depression, anorexia nervosa, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder (DABA)
Nerves
large bundles of axons and dendrites
Myelin
fatty layer of tissue that coats axons
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
occurs when myelin layer is destroyed; numbness, weakness, and paralysis occur
Nervous system
consists of all the nerve cells; body’s speedy, electrochemical communication system
Central Nervous system (CNS)
the brain and spinal cord
Peripheral Nervous system (PNS)
the sensory and motor neurons that connect to the central nervous system (CNS) to the rest of the body
Somatic System (PNS)
a voluntary system (under conscious control) that makes contact with the outside environment
Autonomic System (PNS)
involved in the involuntary control of our internal organs
(ex: heartbeat,digestions, glandular activity); dual system consisting of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems
Sympathetic Nervous System (AS)
GO!
arouses the body, mobilizing the energy in stressful situations; kick-starts defensive action (fight-or-flight)
Parasympathetic Nervous System (AS)
STOP!
calms the body, conserving its energy; brings about homeostasis
brain and neural networks (CNS)
interconnected neurons from the networks in the brain (complex and modify with growth and experience)
Brainstem
begins where the spinal cord enters the skull; responsible for automatic survival functions
Medulla
base of the brainstem that controls heartbeat and breathing
Thalamus
brain’s sensory switchboard located on top of the brainstem (senses but not smell)
Reticular Formation
nerve network in the brainstem that plays an important role in controlling arousal
Reticular Activating System (RAS)
part of RF that keeps the cortex active and alert
Cerebellum
“little brain” attached to the rear of the brainstem; helps coordinate voluntary movements and balance
Cerebral Cortex
intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells that covers the cerebral hemispheres; body’s ultimate control and information processing center
temporal lobe
hearing and language
occipital lobe
vision
parietal lobe
sensation such as touch, temperature, and pressure
frontal lobe
sense of smell, motor control, and higher mental abilities such as reasoning and planning
Cerebral Hemispheres
right and left halves of the cortex
Left hemisphere
verbal processing: language, speech, reading, writing
Right hemisphere
nonverbal processing: spatial, musical, visual, recognition
Corpus callosum
200 million myelinated axons connect the brain’s hemispheres; provide a pathway for communication between hemispheres (if surgically severed for treatment of epilepsy, hemispheres cannot communicate directly
Visual processing
Both eyes send information to both hemispheres.
• BUT, the right half of the visual field goes to the left hemisphere.
• And the left half of the visual field goes to the right hemisphere
Aphasia
impairment of language, usually caused by left hemisphere damage either to Broca’s area (impaired speaking) or to Wernicke’s area (impaired understanding)
Limbic System
associated with emotions such as fear, aggression, and drives for food and sex; includes the hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus
Hippocampus
associated with storing memories; helps us navigate through space
Amygadala
linked to the emotions of fear and anger
Hypothalamus
directs several maintenance activities like eating, drinking, body temperature, and control of emotions
plasticity
capacity of the brain to change in response to injury, illness, or experience
neurogenesis
production of new brain cells
action potential
brief electrical charge that travels down an axon; tells the neuron to release specific neurotransmitters
