Chapter Two Flashcards
All-or-none
Referring to the fact that a neuron either fires completely or does not fire at all
Amygdala
Brain structure located near the hippocampus, responsible for fear responses and memory of fear
Antagonists
Chemical substances that block or reduce a cell’s response to the action of other chemicals or neurotransmitters
Association areas
Areas within each love of the cortex responsible for the coordination and interpretation of information, as well as higher mental processes
Autonomic nervous system
Division of the PNS consisting of nerves that control all of the involuntary muscles, organs, and glands
Axon
Tubelike structure that carries the neural message to other cells
Axon terminals
Branches at the end of the axon
Biological psychology or
Behavioral neuroscience
Branch of neuroscience had focuses on the biological bases of psychological processes, behavior, and learning
Brain stem
Section of the brain that connects directly to the spinal cord and regulates vital functions such as breathing, the heart, reflexes, and level of alertness
Broca’s aphasia
Condition resulting from damage to Broca’s area, causing the affected person to be unable to speak fluently, to mispronounce words, and to speak haltingly
Central nervous system (CNS)
Part of the nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord
Cerebellum
Part of the lower brain located being the pons that controls and coordinates involuntary, rapid, fine motor movement
Cerebral hemispheres
The two sections of the correct on the left and right sides of the brain
Cerebrum
Upper part of the brain consisting of two hemispheres and the structures that connect them
Cingulate cortex
Primary cortical component of the limbic system, involved in emotional and cognitive processing
Computed tomography (CT)
Brain imaging method using computer controlled X-Rays of the brain
Corpus callosum
Thick band of neurons that connects the right and left cerebral hemispheres
Cortex
Outermost covering of the brain consisting of densely packed neurons, responsible for higher though processes and interpretation of sensory input
Deep lesioning
Insertion of a thin, insulated wire into the brain through which an electrical current is sent that destroys the brain cells at the tip of the wire
Dendrites
Branchlike structures that receive messages from other neurons
Diffusion
Process of molecules moving from areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration
Dopamine
Neurotransmitter that regulates movement, balance, and waking and is involved in the disorders of schizophrenia and Parkinson’s disease
Efferent (motor) neuron
A neuron that carries messages from the central nervous system to the muscles of the body
Electroencephalograph
Machine designed to record the electroencephalogram
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
A recording of the electrical activity of large groups of cortical neurons just below the skull, most often using scalp electrodes
Endocrine glands
Glands that secrete chemicals called hormones directly into the bloodstream
Endorphin
Neurotransmitter that is found naturally in the body and works to block pain and elevate mood. It is chemically similar to morphine and its name is short for “endogenous morphine”
Enzymatic degradation
Process by which structure of neurotransmitters is altered so it can no longer act on a receptor
Excitatory synapse
Synapse at which a neurotransmitter causes the receiving cell to fire
Frontal lobes
Areas of the cortex located in the front and top of the brain, responsible for higher mental processes and decision making as well as the production of fluent speech
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
MRI-based brain-imaging method that allows for a function examination of brain areas through changes in brain oxygenation
GABA
Abbreviation for gamma- aminobutyric acid, the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain
Glial cells
Cells that provide support for the neurons to grow on and around, deliver nutrients to neurons, produce myelin to coat axons, clean up waste products and dead neurons, influence information processing, and during prenatal development, influence the generation of new neurons
Gonads
Sex glands; secrete hormones that regulate sexual development and behavior as well as reproduction
Hippocampus
Curved structure located within each temporal lobe, responsible for the formation of long-term memories and the storage of memory for location of objects