Exam 2-1 Flashcards
hormone
a biological chemical that affects parts of the brain some distance from where it is produced
hypothalamus
A complex structure near the lower center of the brain that directly connects to many other parts of the brain and is involved in the production of psychologically important hormones thought to be important for mood and motivation.
amygdala
A structure located near the base of the brain that is believed to play a role in emotion, especially negative emotions such as anger and fear
hippocampus
behind the hypothalamus, plays an important role in memory processes
Nucleus Accumbens
a neural structure that is a part of the dopaminergic system that, among other functions, responds to reward with the experience of pleasure
cortex
The outside portion of an organ.
frontal cortex
the front part of the brain. is divided left and right into the two frontal lobes, associated with cognitive functioning such as planning, foresight, and understanding.
neocortex
the outer layer of the cortex of the brain is regarded as uniquely human
neurotransmitters
the chemicals that allow one neuron to affect, or communicate, with another
synapses
the space between two neurons across which impulses are carried by neurotransmitters
neuron
A cell of the nervous system that receives and transmits information; also called a nerve cell
pituitary gland
A small gland, the size of a pea, is located below the hypothalamus. It plays a central role in many bodily functions through the hormones it secretes
adrenal cortex
the outer layer of the adrenal gland, atop the kidneys, that secretes several behaviorally important hormones
Electroencephalography (EEG)
a technique for measuring the brain’s electrical activity by placing electrode sensors on the outside of the skull
functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
a technique for imaging brain activity by using a powerful magnet to help detect blood flow in the brain
