Chapter 2: The Brain Flashcards
Neuron
Cell of the nervous system responsible for receiving and transmitting electro chemical information
Dendrites
Branching neuron structures that receive neural impulses from other neurons and convey impulses towards the cell body
Glial cells
Cells that provide structural nutritional and other support for the neurons as well as communication within the nervous system; also called Glia or Neuroglia
Cell body
Part of the neuron containing the cell nucleus as well as other structures that help the neuron carry out its functions ;also known as the soma
Axon
Long tubelike structures that convey impulses away from the neuron cell body towards other neurons or two muscles or glands
Myelin
Layer of fatty insulation wrapped around the axon of some neurons which increases the rate at which nerve impulses travel along the axon
Endorphins
Chemical substances in the nervous system that are similar in structure and action to opiates; involved in pain control pleasure and memory
Endocrine system
Collection of glands located throughout the body that manufacture and secrete hormones into the bloodstream
Hormones
Chemicals manufactured by endocrine glands and circulated in the bloodstream to produce bodily changes or maintain normal bodily functions
Central nervous system
BRain and spinal cord, responsible for processing and organizing information
Peripheal nervous system
Call nerves and neurons connecting the central nervous system to the rest of the body
Neuroplasticity
Brains ability to read organize and change its structure and function throughout the lifespan
Neurogenesis
Process by which new neurons are generated
Stem cell
Immature uncommitted cells that have the potential to develop into almost any type of cell depending on the chemical signals they receive
Reflex
Inmate automatic response to a stimulus
Ex; somebody hits you, you hit them back
Somatic nervous system
Subdivision of the peripheral nervous system that connects to sensory receptors and controls skeletal muscles
Autonomic nervous system
Subdivision of the peripheral nervous system that controls involuntary functions such as heart rate invite Digestion. It is farther subdivided into the sympathetic nervous system which arouses and the parasympathetic nervous system which calms
Sympathetic nervous system
Subdivision of the autonomic nervous system responsible for arousing the body and mobilizing its energy during times of stress also called the flight or flight system
Parasympathetic nervous system
Subdivision of the autonomic nervous system responsible for calming the body and conserving energy
Brain stem
Area of the brain that house is part of the hind brain midbrain and forebrain and helps regulate reflex activities critical for survival
Ex. heartbeat and respiration
Hindbrain
Collection of brain structures including the medulla cerebellum and pons
Medulla
hindbrain structure responsible for automatic body functions such as breathing and heart beat
Cerebellum
Hindbrain structure responsible for coordinating fine muscle movement balance and some perception and cognition
Pons
Hind brain structure involved in respiration movement waking sleep and dreaming
Midbrain
Collection of brain structures in the middle the brain responsible for coordinating movement patterns sleep and arousal
Reticular formation
Diffuse set of neurons that screens incoming information and controls arousal
Forebrain
Collection of upper-level brain structures including the Thalamus hypothalamus limbic system and cerebral cortex
Thalamus
Forebrain structure at the top of the brainstem that relays sensory messages to the cerebral cortex
Hypothalamus
Small brain structure beneath the Salamis that helps govern drives and hormones
Lambic system
Interconnected group of four brain structures involved with emotions drives and memory
Hippocampus
Part of the limbic system involved in forming and retrieving memories
Amygdala
Limbic system structure link to the production and regulation of emotions
Ex. Agreesion and fear
Cerebral cortex
Thin surface layer of the cerebral hemispheres that regulates most complex behavior including sensations motor control in higher mental processes
Frontal lobes
Two lobes at the front of the brain governing motor control speech production and higher functions such as thinking personality emotion and memory
Parietal lobes
Two lobes at the top of the brain where bodily sensations are received and interpreted
Temporal lobes
Two lobes on each side of the brain above the ears involved in hearing language comprehension memory and some emotional control
Occipital lobes
Two lobes at the back of the brain responsible for vision and visual perception
Association areas
So called quiet areas in the cerebral cortex involved in interpreting integrating and acting on information processed by other parts of the brain
Split brain surgery
Cutting of the corpus callosum to separate the brains to hemispheres. When used medically to treat severe epilepsy split brain patients provide data on the function of the two hemispheres
Corpus callosum
Bundle of nerve fibers connecting the brains left and right hemispheres
Behavioral genetics
Study of the relative effects of heredity and the environment of being a behavior and mental processes
Evolutionary psychology
Branch of psychology that studies how evolutionary processes like natural selection and genetic mutations affect behavior and mental processes
Chromosomes
Threadlike molecule of DNA that carries genetic information
Genes
Segment of DNA that occupies a specific place on a particular chromosome and carries the code for hereditary transmission
Heritability
Measure of the degree to which a characteristic is related to genetic inherited factors versus the environment
Natural selection
Driving mechanism behind evolution that allows individuals with genetic influence traits that are adaptive in a particular environment to stay alive and produce offspring
