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PSY 2012 > Chapter 3 > Flashcards

Chapter 3 Flashcards

1
Q

neuron

A

nerve cell specialized for communication

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2
Q

soma/the cell body

A

the central region of the neuron

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3
Q

dendrite

A

portion of neuron that receives signal

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4
Q

axon

A

portion of neuron that sends signals

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5
Q

synaptic vesicle

A

spherical sac containing neurotransmitters

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6
Q

neurotransmitters

A

chemical messengers specialized for communication from neuron to neuron

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7
Q

synapse

A

space between two connecting neurons through which messages are transmitted chemically

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8
Q

synaptic cleft

A

a gap into which neurotransmitters are released from the axon terminal

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9
Q

glial cells

A

cell in the nervous system that plays a role in the formation of myelin and the blood-brain barrier, responds to injury, removes debris, and enhances learning and memory

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10
Q

astrocyte

A

type of glial cell that communicates closely with neurons, increases the accuracy of their transmissions, help control blood flow in the brain, and plays a vital role in the development of the embryo. Found a lot in the blood-brain barrier

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11
Q

blood-brain barrier

A

a protective shield that insulates the brain from infection by bacteria, many poisons, etc

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12
Q

oligodendrocyte

A

another type of glial cell that promotes new connections among nerve cells, releases chemicals to aid in healing, produces the myelin sheath

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13
Q

myelin sheath

A

glial cells wrapped around axons that act as insulators of the neurons signal

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14
Q

nodes

A

gaps along the axon

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15
Q

resting potential

A

electrical charge differences (-60 millivolts, the negative meaning the inside charge is more negative than the outside charge) across the neuronal membrane when the neuron is not being stimulated or inhibited

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16
Q

threshold

A

membrane potential necessary to trigger an action potential

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17
Q

action potential

A

electrical impulse that travels down the axon triggering the release of neurotransmitters. Neuron “fires”

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18
Q

absolute refractory period

A

time during which another action potential is impossible; limits the maximal firing rate

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19
Q

receptor sites

A

location that uniquely recognizes a neurotransmitter

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20
Q

reuptake

A

means of recycling neurotransmitters

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21
Q

psychoactive drugs

A

interact with the neurotransmitter systems affecting mood, thinking, arousal, behavior

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22
Q

agonsits

A

drugs that increase receptor site activity like opiates, codeine and morphine, tranquilizers, xanax (diminish anxiety by stimulating GABA receptor sites), antidepressants, prozac and paxil (inhibit the reuptake of certain neurotransmitters like serotonin)

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23
Q

antagonists

A

drugs that decrease receptor site activity. They act as fake neurotransmitters. Meds that treate schizophrenia block dopamine receptors by binding to them. Botox causes paralysis by blocking acetylcholines actions on muscles

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24
Q

endorphin

A

chemical in the brain that plays a specialized role in pain reduction

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25
Q

plasticity

A

ability of the nervous system to change

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26
Q

potentiation

A

increase in connections and communication among neurons due to learning

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27
Q

neurogenesis

A

creation of new neurons in the adult brain

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28
Q

stem cell

A

a cell, often originating in embryos, having the capacity to differentiate into a more specialized cell

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29
Q

central nervous system (CNS)

A

part of nervous system containing the brain and spinal cord that controls the mind and behavior

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30
Q

peripheral nervous system (PNS)

A

nerves in the body that extend outside the central nervous system

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31
Q

somatic nervous system

A

controls voluntary behavior

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32
Q

automatic nervous system

A

controls nonvoluntary functions of the body

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33
Q

meninges

A

three thin layers of membranes protecting the brain and spinal cord

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34
Q

cerebral ventricles

A

pockets in the brain that contain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which provides the brain with nutrients and cushion against injury

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35
Q

cerebral cortex

A

outermost part of forebrain, responsible for analyzing sensory processing and higher brain functions

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36
Q

forebrain (cerebrum)

A

forward part of the brain that allows advanced intellectual abilities

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37
Q

cerebral hemispheres

A

two halves of the cerebral cortex, each of which serve distinct yet highly integrated functions

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38
Q

corpus callosum

A

large band of fibers connecting the two cerebral hemispheres

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39
Q

frontal lobes

A

forward part of the cerebral cortex responsible for motor function, language, memory, and planning

40
Q

motor cortex

A

part of frontal lobe responsible for body movement

41
Q

prefrontal cortex

A

part of frontal lobe responsible for thinking, planning, and language

42
Q

broca’s area

A

language in the prefrontal cortex that helps to control speech production

43
Q

parietal lobe

A

upper middle part of the cerebral cortex lying behind the frontal lobe that’s specialized for touch and perception

44
Q

temporal lobe

A

lower part of cerebral cortex that plays roles in hearing, understanding language, and memory

45
Q

wenicke’s area

A

part of the temporal lobe involved in understanding speech

46
Q

lateral fissure

A

the horizontal groove separating the temporal lobe

47
Q

auditory cortex

A

top of the temporal lobe dedicated to hearing

48
Q

occipital lobe

A

back part of cerebral cortex specialized for vision containing the visual cortex

49
Q

primary sensory cortex

A

regions of the cerebral cortex that initially process information from the senses

50
Q

association cortex

A

regions of the cerebral cortex that integrate simpler functions to perform more complex functions

51
Q

basal ganglia

A

structures in the forebrain that help to control movement

52
Q

limbic system

A

emotional center of brain that also plays roles in smell, motivation, and memory

53
Q

thalamus

A

gateway from the sense organs to the primary sensory cortex

54
Q

hypothalamus

A

part of the brain responsible for maintaining a constant internal state

55
Q

amygdala

A

part of limbic system that plays key role in fear, excitement, and arousal

56
Q

hippocampus

A

part of the brain that plays a role in spatial memory

57
Q

cerebellum

A

brain structure responsible for our sense of balance

58
Q

brain stem

A

part of the brain between the spinal cord and cerebral cortex that contains the midbrain, pons, and medulla

59
Q

midbrain

A

part of the brain stem that contributes to movement, tracking of visual stimuli, and reflexes triggered by sound

60
Q

reticular activating system (RAS)

A

brain area that plays a key role in arousal

61
Q

hindbrain

A

region below the midbrain that contains the cerebellum, pons, and medulla

62
Q

pons

A

part of the brain stem that connects the cortex with the cerebellum

63
Q

medulla

A

part of the brain stem involved in basic functions, such as heartbeat and breathing

64
Q

spinal cord

A

thick bundle of nerves that conveys signals between the brain and body

65
Q

interneurons

A

neuron that sends messages to other neurons nearby

66
Q

reflex

A

and autonomic motor response to a sensory stimulus

67
Q

somatic nervous system

A

part of the nervous system that conveys information between the central nervous system and the body, controlling and coordinating voluntary movement

68
Q

autonomic nervous system

A

part of the nervous system controlling the involuntary actions of our internal organs and glands, which (along with the limbic system) participates in emotion regulation

69
Q

sympathetic nervous system

A

division of the autonomic nervous system engaged during a crisis or after actions requiring fight or flight

70
Q

parasympathetic nervous system

A

division of autonomic nervous system that controls rest and digestion

71
Q

endocrine system

A

system of glands and hormones that controls secretion of blood-borne chemical messengers

72
Q

hormone

A

chemical released into the bloodstream that influences particular organs and glands

73
Q

pituitary gland

A

master gland that, under the control of the hypothalamus, directs the other glands of the body

74
Q

oxytocin

A

“cuddle hormone”

75
Q

adrenal gland

A

tissue located on top of the kidneys that releases adrenaline and cortisol during states of emotional arousal

76
Q

EEG

A

recording of brain’s electrical activity at the surface of the skull

77
Q

CT

A

a scanning technique using multiple X-rays to construct three-dimensional images

78
Q

MRI

A

technique that uses magnetic fields to indirectly visualize brain structure

79
Q

PET

A

imaging technique that measures consumptions of glucose-like molecules, yielding a picture of neural activity in different regions of the brain

80
Q

fMRI

A

technique that uses magnetic fields to visualize brain activity using changes in blood oxygen level

81
Q

TMS

A

technique that applies strong and quickly changing magnetic fields to the surface of the skull that can either enhance or interrupt brain function

82
Q

MEG

A

technique that measures brain activity by detecting tiny magnetic fields generated by the brain

83
Q

lateralization

A

cognitive function that relies more on one side of the brain than the other

84
Q

split-brain surgery

A

procedure that involves severing the corpus callosum to reduce the spread of epileptic seizures

85
Q

chromosome

A

slender thread inside a cells nucleus that carries genes

86
Q

gene

A

genetic material composed of DNA

87
Q

genotype

A

our genetic makeup

88
Q

phenotype

A

our observable traits

89
Q

dominant gene

A

gene that masks other genes effects

90
Q

recessive gene

A

gene that is expressed only in the absence of a dominant gene

91
Q

fitness

A

organisms capacity to pass on their genes

92
Q

evolutionary psychology

A

a field that strikes to explain psychological traits as naturally selected adaptations

93
Q

heritability

A

percentage of the variability in a trait across individuals that is the result of genes

94
Q

family study

A

analysis of how characteristics run in intact families

95
Q

twin study

A

analysis of how traits differ in identical versus fraternal twins

96
Q

adoption studies

A

analysis of how traits vary in individuals raised apart from their biological relatives

97
Q

epigenetics

A

a field that examines how environmental influences affect the expression of genes

PSY 2012 (3 decks)

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