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PSYC 101 > Chapter 3 > Flashcards

Chapter 3 Flashcards

1
Q

Neuron

A

Nerve cell specialized for communication

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2
Q

Dendrite

A

Portion of neuron that receives signals

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3
Q

Axon

A

Portion of neuron that sends signals

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4
Q

Synaptic Vesicle

A

Spherical sac containing neurotransmitters

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5
Q

Neurotransmitter

A

Chemical messenger specialized for communication from neuron to neuron

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6
Q

Synapse

A

Space between two connecting neurons through which messages are transmitted chemically

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7
Q

Synaptic Cleft

A

A gap into which neurotransmitters are released from the axon terminal

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8
Q

Glial Cell

A

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

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9
Q

Myelin Sheath

A

Glial cells wrapped around axons that act as insulators of the neuron’s signal

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10
Q

Resting Potential

A

Electrical charge difference across the neuronal membrance, when the neuron isn’t being stimulated or inhibited

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11
Q

Threshold

A

Membrane potential necessary to trigger action potential

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12
Q

Action potential

A

Electrical impulse that travels down the axon, triggering the release of neurotransmitters

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13
Q

Absolute Refractory Period

A

Time during which another action potential is impossible

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14
Q

Graded Potentials

A

Postsynaptic potentials that can be excitatory in inhibitory

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15
Q

Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials

A

Graded potential in a dendrite that is caused by excitatory synaptic transmission

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16
Q

Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potentials

A

Graded potential in a dendrite that is caused by inhibitory synaptic transmission

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17
Q

Receptor site

A

Location that uniquely recognizes a neurotransmitter

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18
Q

Reuptake

A

Means of recycling neurotransmitters

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19
Q

Endorphins

A

Chemical in brain that plays a specialized role in pain reduction

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20
Q

Plasticity

A

Ability of the nervous system to change

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21
Q

Neurogenesis

A

Creation of new neurons in an adult brain

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22
Q

Stem Cell

A

A cell having the capacity to differentiate into a more specialized cell

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23
Q

Central Nervous System

A

Part of NS that contains the brain and spinal cord; Controls behaviour

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24
Q

Peripheral Nervous System

A

Nerves in the body that extend outside the central nervous system

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25
Q

Cerebral Ventricles

A

Pockets in the brain that contain cerebrospinal fluid

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26
Q

Cerebral Cortex

A

Responsible for analyzing sensory processing and higher brain functions

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27
Q

Forebrain (Cerebrum)

A

Forward part of the brain that allows for advanced intellectual abilities

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28
Q

Cerebral Hemispheres

A

Two halves of the cerebral cortex, each of which serves distinct yet highly integrated functions

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29
Q

Corpus Callosum

A

Large band of fibres connecting the two cerebral hemispheres

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30
Q

Frontal Lobe

A

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

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31
Q

Motor Cortex

A

Part of frontal lobe responsible for body movement

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32
Q

Prefrontal Cortex

A

Part of frontal lobe responsible for thinking, planning, language

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33
Q

Broca’s Area

A

Language area in the prefrontal cortex that helps to control speech production

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34
Q

Parietal Lobe

A

Upper middle part of the cerebral cortex that is specialized for touch and perception

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35
Q

Temporal Lobe

A

Lower part of the cerebral cortex involved in hearing, understanding language, memory

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36
Q

Wernicke’s Area

A

Part of temporal lobe involved in understanding speech

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37
Q

Occipital Lobe

A

Part of cerebral cortex specialized for vision

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38
Q

Primary Sensory Cortex

A

Regions of cerebral cortex that initially process information from the senses

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39
Q

Association Cortex

A

Regions of cerebral cortex that integrate simpler functions to perform more complex functions

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40
Q

Basal Ganglia

A

Structures in the forebrain that help to control movement

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41
Q

Limbic System

A

Emotional centre of brain that also plays role in smell, motivation, memory

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42
Q

Thalamus

A

Gateway from the sensory organs to the primary sensory cortex

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43
Q

Hypothalamus

A

Part of the brain responsible for maintaining a constant internal state

44
Q

Amygdala

A

Part of limbic system that plays key roles in fear,excitement and arousal

45
Q

Hippocampus

A

Part of the brain that plays a role in spatial memory

46
Q

Cerebellum

A

Brain structure responsible for our sense of balance

47
Q

Brain stem

A

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

48
Q

Midbrain

A

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

49
Q

Reticular Activating System

A

Brain area that plays key role in arousal

50
Q

Hindbrain

A

Region below the midbrain that contains the cerebellum, pons, medulla

51
Q

Pons

A

Part of brain stem that connects the cortex with the cerebellum

52
Q

Medulla

A

Part of brain stem involved in basic functions

53
Q

Spinal Cord

A

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

54
Q

Interneuron

A

Neuron that sends messages to other neurons

55
Q

Reflex

A

Automatic motor response to a sensory stimulus

56
Q

Somatic Nervous System

A

Conveys information between the CNS and the body, voluntary movement

57
Q

Autonomic Nervous System

A

Controls the involuntary actionsof our internal organs and glands

58
Q

Parasympathetic Nervous System

A

Controls rest and digestion

59
Q

Endocrine System

A

System of glands and hormomes that controls secretion of blood-borne chemical messengers

60
Q

Hormone

A

Chemical released into the bloodstream that influences particular organs and glands

61
Q

Pituitary Gland

A

Master gland

62
Q

Adrenal Gland

A

On top of kidneys that releases adrenalin and cortisol

63
Q

EEG

A

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

64
Q

What is EEG

A

electroencephalograph

65
Q

CT

A

Scanning technique using multiple X-rays to construct three-dimensional images

66
Q

What is CT

A

computed tomography

67
Q

MRI

A

Technique that uses magnetic fields to indirectly visualize brain structure

68
Q

What is MRI

A

magnetic resonance imaging

69
Q

PET

A

Measures consumption of glucose-like molecules, yielding a picture of neural activity in different regions of the brain

70
Q

What is PET

A

positron emission tomography

71
Q

fMRI

A

technique that uses magnetic fields to visualize brain activity

72
Q

What is fMRI

A

functional MRI

73
Q

TMS

A

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

74
Q

What is TMS

A

transcranial magnetic stimulation

75
Q

MEG

A

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

76
Q

What is MEG

A

magnetoencephalography

77
Q

Lateralization

A

Cognitive funtion that relies more on one side of the brain than the other

78
Q

Split-brain Surgery

A

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

79
Q

Chromosome

A

Small thread inside a cell’s nucleus that carries genes

80
Q

Gene

A

Genetic material composed of DNA

81
Q

genotype

A

our genetic makeup

82
Q

phenotype

A

our observable traits

83
Q

dominant gene

A

gene that masks other genes’ effects

84
Q

recessive gene

A

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

85
Q

fitness

A

organisms’ capacity to pass on their genes

86
Q

heritability

A

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

87
Q

family study

A

analysis of how characteristics run in intact families

88
Q

twin study

A

analysis of how traits differ in identical versus fraternal twins

89
Q

adoption study

A

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

90
Q

glutamate

A

main excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS; participates in the relay of sensory information and learning

91
Q

glutamate

A

alcohol and memory enhancers interact with NMDA receptors, a specific type of glutamate receptor

92
Q

GABA gamma aminobutyric avid

A

main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS

93
Q

GABA gamma aminobutyric avid

A

alcohol and anti-anxiety drugs increase GABA activity

94
Q

ACh acetylcholine

A

muscle contraction (PNS); cortical arousal (CNS)

95
Q

ACh acetylcholine

A

nicotine stimulates ACh receptors. Memory enhancers increase Ach. Insecticides block ACh breakdown. Botox causes paralysis by clocking ACh release

96
Q

NE norepinephrine

A

brain arousal and other functions like mood, hunger, and sleep

97
Q

NE norepinephrine

A

amphetamine and methamphetamine increase NE, dopamine and serotonin

98
Q

dopamine

A

motor function and reward

99
Q

dopamine

A

l-Dopa, which increases dopamine, is used to treat Parkinson’s disease. Antipsychotic drugs, which block dopamine action, are used to treat schizophrenia

100
Q

serotonin

A

mood and temperature regulation, aggression and sleep cycles

101
Q

serotonin

A

SSRI (serotonin seletcive reuptake inhibitor) antidepressants are used to treat depression

102
Q

Endorphins

A

pain reduction

103
Q

Endorphins

A

narcotic drugs - codeine, morphine, and heroin – reduce pain and produce euphoria

104
Q

anadamide

A

pain reduction, increase in appetitie

105
Q

anadamide

A

THC (tetrahydrocannabinol found in weed produces euphoria

PSYC 101 (11 decks)

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