Chapter 3 Biological Psychology Flashcards
Neurons
Brain cells that specialize in communication.
Glial cells
Provide structural support to neurons.
Dendrites
Receive information from other cells.
Soma
Neuron’s metabolic center.
Axon
Long fiber that extends from the cell’s body and transmits information.
Axon terminal
Knob at the end of the axon that contains synaptic vesicles filled with neurotransmitters.
Neurotransmitters
Chemical messengers that allow neuron-to-neuron communication.
The direction of neural transmission:
Dendrites -> soma -> axon -> terminal button -> synapse -> dendrite
Excitatory messages
Cell loses the negative charge (depolarization).
Inhibitory messages
Cell becomes more negatively charged (hyperpolarization).
Chemical Communication
Some NTs excite the nervous system, whereas other NTs inhibit the nervous system.
The most common NTs in the central system
Glutamate and GABA.
Acetylcholine (ACh)
Influences arousal, selective attention, sleep, and memory.
Drugs that interact with neurotransmitter systems are called:
Psychoactive
Agonists
Increase NT activity.
Antagonists
Decrease in NT activity.
Opioids
Mimic endorphins.
Alcohol, Xanax
Stimulate GABA receptors.
Prozac, Paxil
Block serotonin reuptake.
Cocaine
Blocks dopamine reuptake.
- Somatic nervous system
Conveys information between the CNS and the body.
- Autonomic nervous system
Controls the involuntary actions of internal organs and glands.
Sympathetic
Prepares the body for action: “fight or flight”.
Parasympathetic
Controls rest and digestion.
Hindbrain
Basic life support
Midbrain
Relay station
Forebrain
Higher mental functions
Cerebellum
Plays a predominant role in our sense of balance.
Pons
Connects the cortex to the cerebellum and triggers dreams.
Medulla
Regulates breathing, heartbeat, and other vital functions.
Gray matter
Composed of somas and dendrites.
White matter
Composed of myelinated axons.
Frontal lobe
Oversee and organize most other brain functions (executive functioning).
Prefrontal cortex
Responsible for thinking, planning, and language.
Motor cortex
Voluntary muscle movements.
Broca’s area (left hemisphere)
Speech
Somatosensory cortex
Sensitive to touch, pain, and temperature.
Temporal lobe
Plays a role in hearing, understanding language, and storing autobiographical memories.
Limbic system
The emotional center of the brain.
Hypothalamus
Regulates and controls internal bodily states (4 F’s).
Amygdala
Plays key roles in fear, excitement, and arousal.
Basal ganglia
Forebrain structure that helps control movement.
Right hemisphere
Spatial tasks, emotions.
Left hemisphere
Verbal tasks.
The Endocrine System
Communication system that uses the bloodstream rather than neurons.
Hormones
Chemicals released by endocrine glands into the bloodstream.
Electroencephalograph (EEG)
Measures electrical activity via electrodes placed on skull.
Computed tomography (CT)
Uses multiple X-rays to construct three-dimensional images.
Positron emission tomography (PET)
Measures consumption of glucose-like molecules to give a picture of neural activity.
Functional MRI (fMRI)
Uses magnetic fields to visualize brain activity.
