Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Psych 3320 > Chapter 3 terms > Flashcards

Chapter 3 terms Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
Psychology 101 flashcards GRE® Psychology 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
Q

Hindbrain

A

The lower part of the brain, including the medulla, pons, and the cerebellum

26
Q

Hippocampus

A

A structure of the limbic system thought to be important in the formation of memories

27
Q

Hypothalamus

A

Forebrain structure that regulates eating, drinking, and other basic biological drives.

28
Q

Inferior colliculi

A

Midbrain structures that control sound localization

29
Q

inotropic receptors

A

receptors that are coupled to ion channels and affect the neuron by causing those channels to open

30
Q

L-dopa

A

A chemical precursor of dopamine used in treatment of Parkinson’s disease

31
Q

Limbic system

A

Forebrain structures including the amygdala and hippocampus

32
Q

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

A

Technique that creates a high-resolution, 3-D image of the brain.

33
Q

Medulla oblongata

A

The lowest hindbrain structure of the brain important in the regulation of breathing, heart rate, and other basic life functions.

34
Q

Mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway

A

Pathway that is rewarding when stimulated

35
Q

Metabotropic receptors

A

Receptors that act through a second messenger system

36
Q

Midbrain

A

part of the brain that includes the inferior and superior colliculi and the substantia nigra

37
Q

Monoamines

A

A class of chemicals characterized by a single amine group; includes neurotransmitters: norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin.

38
Q

Myelin

A

a fatty white substance that covers the axons of some neurons

39
Q

Neuromuscular junction

A

Junction between neuron and muscle fibers where release of acetylcholine by neurons causes muscles to contract

40
Q

Neurons

A

individual nerve cells that are basic building blocks of the nervous system

41
Q

Neurotransmitters

A

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
Q

Norepinephrine

A

A neurotransmitter in the brain that is also involved in activity of the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system

43
Q

parasympathetic nervous branch

A

branch of the ANS that is responsible for lowering heart rate and blood pressure

44
Q

Parkinson’s disease

A

a disease that involves a progressive deterioration of motor control

45
Q

Peripheral nervous system

A

sensory nerves, motor nerves, and the autonomic nervous system

46
Q

Pons

A

hindbrain structure important in the control of sleep and wakefulness

47
Q

Positron-emission tomography

A

technique used to measure activity in selected brain regions

48
Q

Receptor sites

A

specialized structures located on dendrites and cell bodies for neurons that are activated by neurotransmitters

49
Q

reticular activating system

A

pathway running through the medulla and pons that regulates alertness and arousal

50
Q

Reuptake

A

one process by which neurotransmitters are inactivated. Neurotransmitters molecules are taken back up into the axon terminal that released them.

51
Q

Serotonin

A

a neurotransmitter in the brain that is involved with sleep and mood

52
Q

Substantia nigra

A

literally “black substance,” this basal ganglia structure is darkly pigmented and produces dopamine. damage to this area produces Parkinson’s disease

53
Q

Superior colliculi

A

midbrain structures that control visual localization

54
Q

Sympathetic branch

A

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
Q

sympathomimetic

A

drugs such as cocaine and amphetamines that produce the physiological effects of sympathetic activity

56
Q

Synapse

A

the junction between neurons

57
Q

thalamus

A

forebrain structure that organizes sensory input

58
Q

Vesicles

A

tiny sacs in axon terminals that store neurotransmitters

Psych 3320 (11 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions