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Psych > Chapter 3: Neuroscience and Behavior > Flashcards

Chapter 3: Neuroscience and Behavior Flashcards

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1
Q

neurons

A

cells in the nervous system that communicate with one another to perform information-processing tasks

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2
Q

cell body

A

part of a neuron that coordinates information-processsing tasks and keeps it alive

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3
Q

dendrite

A

part of a neuron that receives information from other neurons and relays it to the cell body

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4
Q

axon

A

part of a neuron that transmits information to other neurons, muscles or glands

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5
Q

myelin sheath

A

an insulating layer of fatty material

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6
Q

glial cells

A

support cells found in the nervous system

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7
Q

synapse

A

the junction or region between the axon of one neuron and the dendrites or cell body of another

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8
Q

sensory neurons

A

neurons that receive information from the external world and convey this information to the brain via the spinal cord

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9
Q

motor neurons

A

neurons that carry signals from the spinal cord to the muscles to produce movement

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10
Q

interneurons

A

neurons that connect sensory neurons, motor neurons, or other neurons

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11
Q

resting potential

A

the difference in electric charge between the inside and outside of a neuron’s cell membrane

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12
Q

action potential

A

an electric signal that is conducted along a neuron’s axon to a synapse

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13
Q

refractory period

A

the time following an action potential during which a new action potential cannot be initiated

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14
Q

terminal buttons

A

knoblike structures that branch out from an axon

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15
Q

neurotransmitters

A

chemicals that transmit information across the synapse to a receiving neuron’s dendrites

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16
Q

receptors

A

parts of the cell membrane that receive the neurotransmitter and initiate or prevent a new electric signal

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17
Q

acetylcholine (ACh)

A

a neurotransmitter involved in a number of functions including voluntary motor control

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18
Q

dopamine

A

a neurotransmitter that regulates motor behavior, motivation, pleasure, and emotional arousal

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19
Q

glutamate

A

a major excitatory neurotransmitter involved in information transmission throughout the brain

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20
Q

GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)

A

the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain

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21
Q

norepinephrine

A

a neurotransmitter that influences mood and arousal

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22
Q

serotonin

A

a neurotransmitter that is involved in the regulation of sleep and wakefulness, eating, and aggressive behavior

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23
Q

endorphins

A

chemicals that act within the pain pathways and emotion centers of the brain

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24
Q

agonists

A

drugs that increase the action of a neurotransmitter

25
Q

antagonists

A

drugs that block the function of a neurotransmitter

26
Q

nervous system

A

an interacting network of neurons that conveys electrochemical information throughout the body

27
Q

central nervous system (CNS)

A

the part of the nervous system that is compassed of the brain and spinal cord

28
Q

peripheral nervous system (PNS)

A

the part of the nervous system that connects the central nervous system to the body’s organs and muscles

29
Q

somatic nervous system

A

a set of nerves that conveys information into and out of the central nervous system

30
Q

autonomic nervous system (ANS)

A

a set of nerves that carries involuntary and automatic commands that control blood vessels, body organs and glands

31
Q

sympathetic nervous system

A

a set of nerves that prepares the body for action in threatening situations

32
Q

parasympathetic nervous system

A

a set of nerves that helps the body return to a normal resting state

33
Q

spinal reflexes

A

simple pathways in the nervous system that rapidly generate muscle contractions

34
Q

hindbrain

A

area of the brain that coordinates information coming into and out of the spinal cord

35
Q

medulla

A

an extension of the spinal cord into the skull that coordinates heart rate, circulation and respiration

36
Q

reticular formation

A

a brain structure that regulates sleep, wakefulness, and levels of arousal

37
Q

cerebellum

A

a large structure of the hindbrain that controls fine motor skills

38
Q

pons

A

a brain structure that relates information from the cerebellum to the rest of the brain

39
Q

tectum

A

a part of the midbrain that orients an organism in the environment

40
Q

tegmentum

A

a part of the midbrain that is involved in movement and arousal

41
Q

cerebral cortex

A

the outermost layer of the brain, visible to the naked eye and divided into two hemispheres

42
Q

subcortical structures

A

areas of the forebrain housed under the cerebral cortex near the very center of the brain

43
Q

limbic system

A

a group of forebrain structures including the hypothalamus, amygdala, and hippocampus which are involved in motivation, emotion, learning and memory

44
Q

thalamus

A

a subcortical structure that relays and filters information from the senses and transmits the information to the cerebral cortex

45
Q

hypothalamus

A

a subcortical structure that regulates body temperature, hunger, thirst, and sexual behavior

46
Q

pituitary gland

A

the “master gland” of the body’s hormone-producing system, which releases hormones that direct the functions of many other glands in the body

47
Q

hippocampus

A

a structure critical for creating new memories and integrating them into a network of knowledge so that they can be stored indefinitely i other parts of the cerebral cortex

48
Q

amygdala

A

a part of the limbic system that plays a central role in many emotional processes, particularly the formation of emotional memories

49
Q

basal ganglia

A

a set of subcortical structures that directs international movements

50
Q

corpus callosum

A

a thick band of nerve fibers that connects large areas of the cerebral cortex on each side of the brain and supports communication of information across the hemispheres

51
Q

occipital lobe

A

a region of the cerebral cortex that processes visual information

52
Q

gene

A

the unit of hereditary transmission

53
Q

chromosomes

A

strands of DNA wound around each other in a double-helix configuration

54
Q

heritability

A

a measure of the variability of behavioral traits among individuals that can be accounted for by genetic factors

55
Q

Electroencephalograph (EEG)

A

a device used to record electrical activity in the brain

56
Q

parietal lobe

A

region of the cerebral cortex whose functions include processing information and touch

57
Q

temporal lobe

A

a region of the cerebral cortex responsible for hearing and language

58
Q

frontal lobe

A

a region of the cerebral cortex that has specialized areas for movement, abstract thinking, planning, memory and judgment

59
Q

association areas

A

areas of the cerebral cortex that are composed of neurons that help provide sense and meaning to information registered in the cortex

Psych (5 decks)

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