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AP Psych > Chapter 2: The Brain > Flashcards

Chapter 2: The Brain Flashcards

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1
Q

Neuron

A

A nerve cell; basic building block of the nervous system

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2
Q

Dendrites

A

A neuron’s bushy, branching extensions that recieve messages and conduct impulses toward the cell body

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3
Q

Axon

A

The neuron’s extension that passes through its branches to other neurons or to muscles or glands

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4
Q

Myelin Sheath

A

A fatty tissue layer segmentally encasing the axons of some neurons, enabling vastly greater transmisson speed, as neural impulses hop from one node to the next

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5
Q

Action Potential

A

A neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon

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6
Q

Threshold

A

The level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse

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7
Q

Synapse

A

The junction between the axon of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron. The tiny gap at this junction is called the synaptic gap or the synaptic cleft

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8
Q

Endorphins

A

Morphine within, natural opiate like neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure

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9
Q

Nervous System

A

The body’s speedy electrochemical communications network consisting of all the nerve cells of the peripheral and central nervous system

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10
Q

Central Nervous System (CNS)

A

The brain and spinal cord (and brain stem)

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11
Q

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

A

The sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system to the rest of the body

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12
Q

Nerves

A

Bundled axons that form neural cables connecting the CNS with muscles, glands, and sense organs

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13
Q

Sensory Neurons

A

Neurons that carry incoming information from the sensory receptors to the brain and the spinal cord

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14
Q

Motor Neuron

A

Neurons that carry outgoing information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands

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15
Q

Interneurons

A

Neurons within the brain and spinal cord that communicate internally and intervene between sensory inputs and motor outputs

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16
Q

Somatic Nervous System

A

Division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body’s skeletal muscles. Also called the skeletal nervous system

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17
Q

Autonomic Nervous System

A

The peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and muscles of the internal organs. Its sympathetic division arouses; its parasympathetic division calms

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18
Q

Sympathetic Nervous System

A

The division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy in stressful situations

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19
Q

Parasympathetic Nervous System

A

The division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body; conserving its energy

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20
Q

Reflex

A

A simple automatic response to a sensory stimulus such as the knee-jerk response

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21
Q

Endocrine System

A

The body’s slow chemical communication system; a set of glands that secret hormones into the blood stream

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22
Q

Hormones

A

Chemical messengers that are manufactured by the endocrine glands; travel through the bloodstream and affect other tissues

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23
Q

Adrenal Glands

A

A pair of endocrine glands that sit just above the kidneys and secrete hormones (epinephrine and norephinephrine) that help arouse the body in times of self defense

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24
Q

Pituitary Gland

A

The endocrine system;s most influential gland, which is under the influence of the hypothalamus and the pituitary regulates growth as well as controlling other endocrine glands

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25
Q

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

A

An amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity that sweep across the brain;s surface. These waves are measured by electrodes placed on the scalp

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26
Q

Parietal Lobe

A

Receives and correlates information, spaces, and senses

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27
Q

PET (Position Emission Tomography Scan)

A

A visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a specific task

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28
Q

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

A

A technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images of soft-tissue. MRI scans show brain anatomy

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29
Q

Brain Stem

A

The oldest part and central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters that skull: the brain stem is responsible for automatic survival functions

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30
Q

Medulla

A

The base of the brain stem; controls heartbeat and breathing

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31
Q

Thalamus

A

The brain’s sensory switchboard located on top of the brain stem; it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla

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32
Q

Reticular Formation

A

A nerve network that travels through the brain stem and plays an important role in controlling arousal

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33
Q

Cerebellum

A

The little brain at the rear of the brain stem; functions include processing sensory input and coordinating movement, output, and balance

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34
Q

Limbic System

A

A neural system (including the hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus) located below the cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions and drives

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35
Q

Amygdala

A

Two lima-bean sized neural clusters in the limbic system; linked to emotion (aggression and fear)

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36
Q

Hypothalamus

A

A neural structure lying below the thalamus, it directs several maintenance activities, helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion and reward

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37
Q

Cerebral Cortex

A

The intricate fabric of the interconnected neural cells covering the cerebral hemispheres; the body’s ultimate control and information processing center

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38
Q

Glial Cells

A

Cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons; they may also play a role in learning and thinking

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39
Q

Frontal Lobes

A

Portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead; involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgments

40
Q

Occipital Lobe

A

Portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head; includes areas that receive information from the visual fields

41
Q

Temporal Lobes

A

Portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears; includes the auditory areas, each receiving information primarily from the opposite ear

42
Q

Motor Cortex

A

An area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements

43
Q

Sensory Cortex

A

Area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations

44
Q

Association Areas

A

Areas of the cerebral cortex that are not involved in primary motor or sensory functions; rather, they are involved in higher mental function such as learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking

45
Q

Plasticity

A

The brain’s ability to change, especially during childhood, by reorganizing after damage or by building new pathways based on experience

46
Q

Neurogenesis

A

The formation of new neurons

47
Q

Corpus Callosum

A

The long band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them

48
Q

Split Brain

A

A condition resulting from surgery that isolates the brain;s two hemispheres by cutting the fibers (mainly of the corpus callosum) connecting them

49
Q

Lesion

A

Tissue destruction. A brain lesion is a naturally or experimentally caused destruction of brain tissue

50
Q

Brain

A

The collection of tissue that is very complex and controls all functions of the body

51
Q

Franz Gall

A

German Physical who believed that bumps on the skull explained the personality functions of people (first person to recognize localization of function)

52
Q

Phrenology

A

Study of bumps on the skull and their connection to personality

53
Q

Biopsychosocial

A

Our lives and how they are viewed through the biological, psychological, and social perspectives

54
Q

Biological Psychologist

A

Behavioral Neuroscientists who study how the brain affects and is affected by genes and the body

55
Q

Nerve Cells

A

Collection of neurons that make up the nervous system and deliver messages through the body

56
Q

Cell body

A

The powerhouse of the neuron

57
Q

Axon Terminal

A

The long end of the axon that branches out and touches the dendrites of the receiving neuron and sends messages

58
Q

Multiples Sclerosis

A

A disease that disintegrates the myelin sheath, thus causing slow, nearly nonexistent chemical messages

59
Q

Chemical Messengers

A

Neural impulses that carry information to and from the brain to aid in mind-body communication

60
Q

Chemistry to Electricity Process

A

When neuron stimulation causes depolarization, which causes positive ions to go in and negative ions to go out allowing sodium atoms to open the next nod, and then once the sodium atoms have passed, polarization occurs and the atoms go back to normal

61
Q

Resting Potential

A

The positive ions outside the axon and the negative atoms inside the axon that are waiting to be switched and create electricty

62
Q

Refractory Period

A

The time period a neuron must wait before sending another message

63
Q

Excitory Signal

A

A signal that sends messages to move

64
Q

Inhibitory Signal

A

A signal that sends messages to NOT move

65
Q

All or None Response

A

When the excitory signal either overwhelms inhibitory signals or doesn’t in order to send a message (Think of it like pulling the trigger on a gun- the bullet either shoots or it doesn’t)

66
Q

Synaptic Gap/Cleft

A

The junction at which axon terminals and dendrites meet and neurotransmitters must cross in order to send a message

67
Q

Neurotransmitters

A

The chemical message

68
Q

Acetylcholine

A

The neurotransmitter involved with learning and memory; best understood neurotransmitter

69
Q

Curare

A

A chemical/neurotransmitter that stops messages

70
Q

Botulin

A

Neurotransmitter that inhibits messages being sent (Botox)

71
Q

Dopamine

A

Released in order to aid in signal sending, causes happiness

72
Q

Serotonin

A

A neurotransmitter that aids in pain signals, REM cycles, and emotions

73
Q

Norepinephrine

A

A neurotransmitter the adrenal medulla releases to activate the sympathetic nervous system

74
Q

GABA

A

Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid. A neurotransmitter that is the strongest inhibitor signal

75
Q

Glutamate

A

Excitory neurotransmitter that also deals with memory

76
Q

Receptor Sites

A

Places on dendrites that absorb neurotransmitters

77
Q

Blood-Brain Barrier

A

A type of filter that allows only blood to flow to the brain and spinal cord, but few other substances

78
Q

L-Dopa

A

Levodopa aids in dopamine signals (man made neurotransmitter)

79
Q

Spinal Reflex

A

Protects the body from damage by contracting muscles through the spinal cord

80
Q

Neural Networks

A

The connections of neurons that aid in communication between the brain and the rest of the world

81
Q

CT Scan

A

A test that uses X-Rays to see certain parts of the body (CAT Scan)

82
Q

Little Brain

A

Another name for the cerebellum

83
Q

Hippocampus

A

Below the ventricle of the brain and controls emotion, memory, and the ANS

84
Q

Brain Hemispheres

A

The two parts of the brain that are divided by a groove and control different functions

85
Q

Fissures

A

A small split in an organ

86
Q

Aphasisa

A

Inability to communicate due to brain damage

87
Q

Paul Broca

A

French guy who had part of the frontal lobe named after him

88
Q

Carl Wernicke

A

Discovered aphasia, made great discoveries in psychology, especially brain disorders

89
Q

Broca’s Area

A

The frontal left lobe named after Paul Broca’s discovery

90
Q

Wernicke’s Area

A

The part of the brain that deals with language comprehension

91
Q

Angular Gyrus

A

Part of the parietal lobe that deals with language, numbers, perception, memory, and attention

92
Q

Left Brained

A

The idea that left-brained people are more organized and logical

93
Q

Right brained

A

The idea that people who use more of their right hemisphere are more creative/artistic

94
Q

Epinephrine

A

A type of adrenaline that can be used to treat certain issues

95
Q

Adrenaline

A

Another name for epinephrine and has the same properties as it

96
Q

Non-Adrenaline

A

Also known as norepinephrine and inhibits the same things as it

97
Q

The Mind

A

The parts of cognition that aren’t directly biological, such as emotion, memory, etc.

AP Psych (17 decks)

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