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Psy > Chapter 3 Biopsychology > Flashcards

Chapter 3 Biopsychology Flashcards

1
Q

action potential

A

electrical signal that moves down the neuron’s axon

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2
Q

agonist

A

drug that mimics or strengthens the effects of a neurotransmitter

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3
Q

all-or-none

A

phenomenon that incoming signal from another neuron is either sufficient or insufficient to reach the threshold of excitation

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4
Q

amygdala

A

structure in the limbic system involved in our experience of emotion and tying emotional meaning to our memories

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5
Q

antagonist

A

drug that blocks or impedes the normal activity of a given neurotransmitter

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6
Q

auditory cortex

A

strip of cortex in the temporal lobe that is responsible for processing auditory information

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7
Q

autonomic nervous system

A

controls our internal organs and glands

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8
Q

axon

A

major extension of the soma

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9
Q

Broca’s area

A

region in the left hemisphere that is essential for language production

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10
Q

central nervous system (CNS)

A

brain and spinal cord

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11
Q

cerebellum

A

hindbrain structure that controls our balance, coordination, movement, and motor skills, and it is thought to be important in processing some types of memory

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12
Q

cerebral cortex

A

surface of the brain that is associated with our highest mental capabilities
chromosome long strand of genetic information

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13
Q

computerized tomography (CT) scan

A

imaging technique in which a computer coordinates and integrates
multiple x-rays of a given area

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14
Q

corpus callosum

A

thick band of neural fibers connecting the brain’s two hemispheres

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15
Q

dendrite

A

branch-like extension of the soma that receives incoming signals from other neurons

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16
Q

deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)

A

helix-shaped molecule made of nucleotide base pairs

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17
Q

electroencephalography (EEG)

A

recording the electrical activity of the brain via electrodes on the scalp

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18
Q

forebrain

A

largest part of the brain, containing the cerebral cortex, the thalamus, and the limbic system,
among other structures

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19
Q

fraternal twins

A

twins who develop from two different eggs fertilized by different sperm, so their genetic
material varies the same as in non-twin siblings

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20
Q

frontal lobe

A

part of the cerebral cortex involved in reasoning, motor control, emotion, and language; contains motor cortex

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21
Q

functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)

A

MRI that shows changes in metabolic activity over time
gene sequence of DNA that controls or partially controls physical characteristics

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22
Q

genetic environmental correlation

A

view of gene-environment interaction that asserts our genes affect our
environment, and our environment influences the expression of our genes

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23
Q

genotype

A

genetic makeup of an individual

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24
Q

glial cell

A

nervous system cell that provides physical and metabolic support to neurons, including neuronal insulation and communication, and nutrient and waste transport

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25
Q

gyrus

A

(plural: gyri) bump or ridge on the cerebral cortex

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26
Q

heterozygous

A

consisting of two different alleles

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27
Q

hindbrain

A

division of the brain containing the medulla, pons, and cerebellum

28
Q

hippocampus

A

structure in the temporal lobe associated with learning and memory

29
Q

hypothalamus

A

forebrain structure that regulates sexual motivation and behavior and a number of
homeostatic processes; serves as an interface between the nervous system and the endocrine system

30
Q

lateralization

A

concept that each hemisphere of the brain is associated with specialized functions

31
Q

limbic system

A

collection of structures involved in processing emotion and memory

32
Q

magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

A

magnetic fields used to produce a picture of the tissue being imaged

33
Q

medulla

A

hindbrain structure that controls automated processes like breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate

34
Q

membrane potential

A

difference in charge across the neuronal membrane

35
Q

midbrain

A

division of the brain located between the forebrain and the hindbrain; contains the reticular
formation

36
Q

motor cortex

A

strip of cortex involved in planning and coordinating movement

37
Q

myelin sheath

A

fatty substance that insulates axons

38
Q

neurotransmitter

A

chemical messenger of the nervous system

39
Q

Nodes of Ranvier

A

open spaces that are found in the myelin sheath that encases the axon

40
Q

occipital lobe

A

part of the cerebral cortex associated with visual processing; contains the primary visual cortex

41
Q

parasympathetic nervous system

A

associated with routine, day-to-day operations of the body

42
Q

parietal lobe

A

part of the cerebral cortex involved in processing various sensory and perceptual information; contains the primary somatosensory cortex

43
Q

peripheral nervous system (PNS)

A

connects the brain and spinal cord to the muscles, organs and senses in
the periphery of the body

44
Q

pituitary gland

A

secretes a number of key hormones, which regulate fluid levels in the body, and a number of messenger hormones, which direct the activity of other glands in the endocrine system

45
Q

polygenic

A

multiple genes affecting a given trait

46
Q

pons

A

hindbrain structure that connects the brain and spinal cord; involved in regulating brain activity during sleep

47
Q

positron emission tomography (PET) scan

A

involves injecting individuals with a mildly radioactive substance
and monitoring changes in blood flow to different regions of the brain

48
Q

prefrontal cortex

A

area in the frontal lobe responsible for higher-level cognitive functioning

49
Q

psychotropic medication

A

drugs that treat psychiatric symptoms by restoring neurotransmitter balance

50
Q

range of reaction

A

asserts our genes set the boundaries within which we can operate, and our environment
interacts with the genes to determine where in that range we will fall

51
Q

receptor

A

protein on the cell surface where neurotransmitters attach

52
Q

resting potential

A

the state of readiness of a neuron membrane’s potential between signals

53
Q

reticular formation

A

midbrain structure important in regulating the sleep/wake cycle, arousal, alertness, and
motor activity

54
Q

reuptake

A

neurotransmitter is pumped back into the neuron that released it

55
Q

somatic nervous system

A

relays sensory and motor information to and from the CNS

56
Q

somatosensory cortex

A

essential for processing sensory information from across the body, such as touch,
temperature, and pain

57
Q

substantia nigra

A

midbrain structure where dopamine is produced; involved in control of movement

58
Q

sympathetic nervous system

A

involved in stress-related activities and functions

59
Q

temporal lobe

A

part of cerebral cortex associated with hearing, memory, emotion, and some aspects of
language; contains primary auditory cortex

60
Q

thalamus

A

sensory relay for the brain

61
Q

thyroid

A

secretes hormones that regulate growth, metabolism, and appetite

62
Q

ventral tegmental area (VTA)

A

midbrain structure where dopamine is produced: associated with mood,
reward, and addiction

63
Q

Wernicke’s area

A

important for speech comprehension

64
Q

just noticeable difference

A

the minimum level of stimulation that a person can detect 50% of the time

65
Q

Absolute threshold

A

In neuroscience and psychophysics, an absolute threshold was originally defined as the lowest level of a stimulus – light, sound, touch, etc. – that an organism could detect.

66
Q

Cataplexy

A

This sudden loss of muscle tone while a person is awake leads to weakness and a loss of voluntary muscle control

Psy (7 decks)

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