Module 2 Flashcards
Epigenetics
studies how the same genotype can be expressed in different ways
2 basic cell types making up the nervous system
glial cells and neurons
Glial cells
allow neuronal communication, provide insulation to neurons, transport nutrients and waste products
Neurons
serve as interconnected information processors that are essential for all of the tasks of the nervous system
Soma
body of the cell
Dendrites/axon
receive/send signals
Terminal buttons
chemical messengers
Synapse
space between two neurons
Receptor
proteins on the cell surface where neurotransmitters attach
Myelin sheath
coats the axon and acts as an insulator, increasing the speed at which the signal travels
Reuptake
once the signal is delivered, excess neurotransmitters in the synapse drift away, are broken down into inactive fragments, or are reabsorbed
Biological perspective
focus on the physiological causes of behavior; asserts that psychological disorders are associated with imbalances in one or more neurotransmitter systems
Psychotropic medications
drugs that treat psychiatric symptoms by restoring neurotransmitter balance
Agonists
chemicals that mimic a neurotransmitter at the receptor site and, thus, strengthen its effects
Antagonists
blocks or impedes the normal activity of a neurotransmitter at the receptor
Central Nervous System
brain and spinal cord
Peripheral Nervous System
nerves that connect the CNS to everything else
Somatic nervous system
part of PNS; conscious or voluntary activities; motor/efferent neurons (away from CNS); sensory/afferent neurons (to the CNS)
Autonomic nervous system
outside the realm of voluntary control; sympathetic (preparing the body for stress-related activities); parasympathetic (returning the body to routine, day-to-day operations)
Cerebral cortex
the surface of the brain; consciousness, thought, emotion, reasoning, language, and memory
Forebrain
largest part of the brain; contains cerebral cortex, thalamus, hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and the limbic system
4 lobes of the brain
frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital
Frontal lobe
involved in reasoning, motor control, emotion, and language
Parietal lobe
involved in processing information from the body’s senses
Temporal lobe
located on the side of the head and is associated with hearing, memory, emotion, and some aspects of language
Occipital lobe
back of the brain; contains the primary visual cortex, which is responsible for interpreting incoming visual information
Thalamus
sensory relay; all senses except smell are routed through here before being directed to other areas
Limbic system
processes emotion and memory; contains hippocampus, thalamus, amygdala, and hypothalamus
Hippocampus
essential structure for learning and memory
Amygdala
involved in our experience of emotion and in tying emotional meaning to our memories
Hypothalamus
regulates a number of homeostatic processes, including the regulation of body temperature, appetite, and blood pressure
Reticular formation
important in regulating the sleep/wake cycle, arousal, alertness, and motor activity
Cerebellum
controls balance, coordination, movement, and motor skills
Endocrine system
glands that produce hormones which are controlled through the hypothalamus and pituitary gland
Pituitary gland
messenger hormones control all the other glands in the endocrine system
Thyroid gland
releases hormones that regulate growth, metabolism, and appetite
Adrenal glands
sit atop our kidneys and secrete hormones involved in the stress response
Pancreas
secretes hormones that regulate blood sugar levels: insulin and glucagon
Gonads
secrete sexual hormones, which are important in reproduction, and mediate both sexual motivation and behavior
