Mod 4-6 Flashcards
biological psychology
a branch of psychology concerned witht he links between biology and behavior (some biological psychologists call themselves behavioral neuroscientists, neuropsychologists, behavior geneticists, physiological psychologists, or biopsychologists.)
neuron
a nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system
sensory neurons
neurons that carry incoming information from the sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord
motor neurons
neurons that carry outgoing information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands
interneurons
neurons within the brain and spinal cord that communicate internally and intervene between the sensory inputs and motor outputs
dendrite
the bushy, branching extensions of a neuron that receive messages and conduct impulses toward the cell
axon
the extension of a neuron, ending in branching terminal fibers, through which messages pass to other neurons or to muscles or glands
myelin sheath
a layer of fatty tissue segmentally encasing the fibers of many neurons; enables vastly greater transmission speed of neural impulses hops from one node to the next
action potential
a neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down a axon
threshold
the level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse
synaps
the junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron. The tiny gap at this junction is called the synaptic gap or synaptic cleft
neurotransmitters
chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons. When released by the sending neuron, neurotransmitters travel across the synapse and bind to receptor sites on the receiving neuron, thereby influencing whether that neuron will generate a neural impulse
reuptake
a neurotransmitter’s reabsorption by the sending neuron
endorphins
morphine within- natural, opiatelike neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure
nervous system
the body’s speedy, electrochemical communication network, consisting of all the nerve cells of the peripheral and central nervous systems
central nervous system (CNS)
the brain and spinal cord
peripheral nervous system (PNS)
the sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system to the rest of the body
nerves
bundled axons that form neural “cables” connecting the central nervous system with muscles, glans, and sense organs.
somatic nervous system
the division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body’s skeletal muscles. Also called the skeletal nervous system.
autonomic nervous system
the part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organs( such as the heart) Its sympathetic division arouses; its parasympathetic division calms
sympathetic nervous system
the division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy in stressful situations
parasympathetic nervous system
the division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy
reflex
a simple. automatic response to a sensory stimulus, such as the knee-jerk response
endocrine system
the body’s slow chemical communication system; a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream
hormones
chemical messengers that are manufactured by the endocrine gland, travel through the bloodstream, and affect other tissues
adrenal glands
a pair of endocrine glands that sit just above the kidneys and secrete hormones(epinephrine and norepinephrine) that help arouse the body in times of stress
pituitary gland
the endocrine system’s most influential gland. Under the influence of the hypothalamus, the pituitary regulates growth and controls endocrine glands.
lesion
tissue destruction. A brain lesion is a naturally or experimentally caused destruction of brain tissue.
electroencephalogram (EEG)
an amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity that sweep across the brain’s surface. These waves are measured by electrodes placed on the scalp.
PET positron emission tomography scan
a visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task
MRI magnetic resonance imaging
a technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer generated images of soft tissue. MRI scans show brain anatomy
fMRI functional MRI
a technique for revealing bloodflow and therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans. f MRI scans show brain function.
brainstem
the oldest part and central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord wells as it enters the skull; the brainstem is responsible for automatic survival functions
medulla
the base of the brainstem’ controls heartbeat and breathing
reticular formation
a nerve network in the brainstem that plays an important role in controlling arousal
thalamus
the brain’s sensory switchboard, located on top of the brainstem; it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and emdulla
cerebellum
the little brain at the rear of the brainstem functions include processing sensory input and coordinating movement output and balance
limbic system
neural system (including the hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus) located below the cerebral hemispheres;; associated with emotions and drives
amygdala
two lima bean sized neural clusters in the limbic system ; linked to emotion
hypothalamus
a neural structure lying below the thalamus; its directs several maintenance activities (eating, drinking, body temp,) helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion and reward.
cerebral cortex
the intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering the cerbral hemispheres; the body’s ultimate control and information processing center
glial cells (glia)
cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons
frontal lobes
portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead; involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgements
parietal lobes
portion of the cerbral cortex lying at the top of the head and toward the rear; receives sensory input for touch ad body position
occipital lobes
portion of the cerbral cortex lying at the back of the head’ includes areas that receive information form the visual fields
temporal lobes
portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears; includes the auditory areas,, each receiving information primarily form the opposite car.
motor cortex
an area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements
sensory cortex
area at the ront of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations
association areas
areas of the cerebral corte that are not involved in primary motor or sensory fucntions’ rather, they are involved in higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, thinking ,and speaking
plasticity
the brain’s ability to change, especially during childhood, by reorganizing after damage or y building new pathways based on experience
neurogenesis
the formation of new neurons
corpus callosum
the large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them
split brain
a condition resulting from surgery that isolates the brain’s two hemispheres by cutting the fibers(mainly those of the corpos callosum) connecting them
