Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Psych 3320 > Chapter 3 terms > Flashcards

Chapter 3 terms Flashcards

1
Q

Acetylcholine

A

A neurotransmitter linked with cognitive processes and memory that is found both in the brain and in the parasympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Action potential

A

The electrical impulse along the axon that occurs when neuron fires.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Agonist

A

A substance that occupies a neural receptor and causes some change in the conductance of the neuron

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Alzheimer’s disease

A

One of the most common forms of dementia involves a progressive loss of memory and other cognitive functions.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Anandamide

A

lipid neurotransmitter mimicked by marijuana

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

antagonist

A

a substance that occupies a neural receptor and blocks normal synaptic transmission

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Autonomic nervous system (ANS)

A

part of the parasympathetic nervous system; has two branches: sympathetic and parasympathetic;

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

axon

A

a long cylindrical extension of the cell body of the neuron; conducts an electrical charge from the cell body to the axon terminals

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Axon terminals or terminal buttons

A

Enlarged buttonlike structures at the ends of axon branches

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

beta-blockers

A

drugs that block beta-adrenergic receptors of the sympathetic system and thus act to relieve high blood pressure

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

basal ganglia

A

nucleus, the putamen, and the globus pallidus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

blood-brain barrier

A

The system that “filters” the blood before it can enter the brain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Central nervous system

A

The brain and the spinal cord

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Cerebellum

A

Hindbrain structure important in motor control and coordination

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Computerized axial tomography

A

Technique that produces 3-d x-ray images of the brain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Cortex

A

The outermost and largest part of the human brain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Dendrites

A

Spiny branchlike structures that extend from the cell body of a neuron, typically contain numerous receptor sites and are thus important in neural transmission

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Dopamine

A

A neurotransmitter in the brain that is involved with movement and reward

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Electroencephalography (EEG)

A

Technique used to measure electrical activity in the brain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Endorphins

A

Neurotransmitters in the brain that are mimicked by opiate drugs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Enzyme breakdown

A

one process by which neurotransmitters are inactivated. chemicals called enzymes interact with the transmitter molecule and change its structure so that it no longer is capable of occupying receptor sites

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Forebrain

A

The largest part of the human brain; includes the cerebral cortex, thalamus, hypothalamus, and limbic system.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

GABA

A

Short for gamma aminobutyric acid; the most abundant inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Glutamate

A

An excitatory amino acid neurotransmitter

25
Hindbrain
The lower part of the brain, including the medulla, pons, and the cerebellum
26
Hippocampus
A structure of the limbic system thought to be important in the formation of memories
27
Hypothalamus
Forebrain structure that regulates eating, drinking, and other basic biological drives.
28
Inferior colliculi
Midbrain structures that control sound localization
29
inotropic receptors
receptors that are coupled to ion channels and affect the neuron by causing those channels to open
30
L-dopa
A chemical precursor of dopamine used in treatment of Parkinson's disease
31
Limbic system
Forebrain structures including the amygdala and hippocampus
32
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Technique that creates a high-resolution, 3-D image of the brain.
33
Medulla oblongata
The lowest hindbrain structure of the brain important in the regulation of breathing, heart rate, and other basic life functions.
34
Mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway
Pathway that is rewarding when stimulated
35
Metabotropic receptors
Receptors that act through a second messenger system
36
Midbrain
part of the brain that includes the inferior and superior colliculi and the substantia nigra
37
Monoamines
A class of chemicals characterized by a single amine group; includes neurotransmitters: norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin.
38
Myelin
a fatty white substance that covers the axons of some neurons
39
Neuromuscular junction
Junction between neuron and muscle fibers where release of acetylcholine by neurons causes muscles to contract
40
Neurons
individual nerve cells that are basic building blocks of the nervous system
41
Neurotransmitters
Chemical substances stored in the axon terminals that are released into the synapse when the neuron fires. Neurotransmitters then influence activity in postsynaptic neurons
42
Norepinephrine
A neurotransmitter in the brain that is also involved in activity of the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system
43
parasympathetic nervous branch
branch of the ANS that is responsible for lowering heart rate and blood pressure
44
Parkinson's disease
a disease that involves a progressive deterioration of motor control
45
Peripheral nervous system
sensory nerves, motor nerves, and the autonomic nervous system
46
Pons
hindbrain structure important in the control of sleep and wakefulness
47
Positron-emission tomography
technique used to measure activity in selected brain regions
48
Receptor sites
specialized structures located on dendrites and cell bodies for neurons that are activated by neurotransmitters
49
reticular activating system
pathway running through the medulla and pons that regulates alertness and arousal
50
Reuptake
one process by which neurotransmitters are inactivated. Neurotransmitters molecules are taken back up into the axon terminal that released them.
51
Serotonin
a neurotransmitter in the brain that is involved with sleep and mood
52
Substantia nigra
literally "black substance," this basal ganglia structure is darkly pigmented and produces dopamine. damage to this area produces Parkinson's disease
53
Superior colliculi
midbrain structures that control visual localization
54
Sympathetic branch
branch of ANs that is activated during emotional arousal and is responsible for such physiological changes as increased heart and respiratory rate, increased blood pressure, and pupil dilation
55
sympathomimetic
drugs such as cocaine and amphetamines that produce the physiological effects of sympathetic activity
56
Synapse
the junction between neurons
57
thalamus
forebrain structure that organizes sensory input
58
Vesicles
tiny sacs in axon terminals that store neurotransmitters

Psych 3320 (11 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions