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Intro to Psychology > Module 2A: Biopsychology > Flashcards

Module 2A: Biopsychology Flashcards

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1
Q

Neuron

A

cells in the nervous system that act as interconnected information processors, which are essential for
all of the tasks of the nervous system

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2
Q

glial cells (glia)

A

nervous system cell that provides physical and metabolic support to neurons, including neuronal
insulation and communication, and nutrient and waste transport

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3
Q

Dendrites

A

branch-like extension of the soma that receives incoming signals from other neurons

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4
Q

Axon

A

major extension of the soma

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5
Q

Soma

A

cell body

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6
Q

Myelin Sheath

A

fatty substance that insulates axons

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7
Q

Action Potential

A

electrical signal that moves down the neuron’s axon

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8
Q

Synapse

A

The neurotransmitters travel across the synapse and bind to
receptors on the dendrites of the adjacent neuron

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9
Q

Electrical and chemical energy

A
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10
Q

threshold of excitation

A

level of charge in the membrane that causes the neuron to become active

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11
Q

all-or-none

A

phenomenon that incoming signal from another neuron is either sufficient or insufficient to reach
the threshold of excitation

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12
Q

action potential

A

electrical signal that moves down the neuron’s axon

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13
Q

neurotransmitter

A

chemical messenger of the nervous system

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14
Q

excitatory vs inhibitory effects

A
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15
Q

neuroplasticity

A

nervous system’s ability to change

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16
Q

synaptogenesis

A

Synaptogenesis is a fancy scientific term that just means nerve cells are making new connections

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17
Q

synaptic pruning

A
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18
Q

endorphins

A

Endorphins help relieve pain, reduce stress and improve your sense of well-being. Endorphins are created in your pituitary gland and hypothalamus, both located in the brain. Endorphins are a type of neurotransmitter, or messenger in your body

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19
Q

nervous system

A

The nervous system includes the brain, spinal cord, and a complex network of nerves. This system sends messages back and forth between the brain and the body. The brain is what controls all the body’s functions. The spinal cord runs from the brain down through the back.

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20
Q

central nervous system (CNS)

A

brain and spinal cord

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21
Q

brain

A
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22
Q

spinal cord

A
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23
Q

peripheral nervous system (PNS)

A

connects the brain and spinal cord to the muscles, organs and senses in
the periphery of the body

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24
Q

nerves

A
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25
Q

somatic nervous system

A

relays sensory and motor information to and from the CNS

26
Q

autonomic nervous system (ANS)

A

controls our internal organs and glands

27
Q

sympathetic nervous system

A

involved in stress-related activities and functions

28
Q

parasympathetic nervous system

A

associated with routine, day-to-day operations of the body

29
Q

endocrine system

A

series of glands that produce chemical substances known as hormones

30
Q

hormones

A

chemical messenger released by endocrine glands

31
Q

adrenal glands

A

sits atop our kidneys and secretes hormones involved in the stress response

32
Q

hypothalamus

A

forebrain structure that regulates sexual motivation and behavior and a number of
homeostatic processes; serves as an interface between the nervous system and the endocrine system

33
Q

pituitary gland

A

secretes a number of key hormones, which regulate fluid levels in the body, and a number of
messenger hormones, which direct the activity of other glands in the endocrine system

34
Q

forebrain

A

largest part of the brain, containing the cerebral cortex, the thalamus, and the limbic system,
among other structures

35
Q

midbrain

A

division of the brain located between the forebrain and the hindbrain; contains the reticular
formation

36
Q

hindbrain

A

division of the brain containing the medulla, pons, and cerebellum

37
Q

brain stem

A
38
Q

medulla

A

hindbrain structure that controls automated processes like breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate

39
Q

pons

A

hindbrain structure that connects the brain and spinal cord; involved in regulating brain activity during sleep

40
Q

thalamus

A

sensory relay for the brain

41
Q

reticular formation

A

midbrain structure important in regulating the sleep/wake cycle, arousal, alertness, and
motor activity

42
Q

cerebellum

A

hindbrain structure that controls our balance, coordination, movement, and motor skills, and it is
thought to be important in processing some types of memory

43
Q

limbic system

A

collection of structures involved in processing emotion and memory

44
Q

amygdala

A

structure in the limbic system involved in our experience of emotion and tying emotional meaning
to our memories

45
Q

ventral tegmental area (VTA)

A

midbrain structure where dopamine is produced: associated with mood,
reward, and addiction

46
Q

hippocampus

A

structure in the temporal lobe associated with learning and memory

47
Q

cerebral cortex

A

surface of the brain that is associated with our highest mental capabilities

48
Q

frontal lobe

A

part of the cerebral cortex involved in reasoning, motor control, emotion, and language; contains
motor cortex

49
Q

parietal lobe

A

part of the cerebral cortex involved in processing various sensory and perceptual information;
contains the primary somatosensory cortex

50
Q

occipital lobe

A

part of the cerebral cortex associated with visual processing; contains the primary visual cortex

51
Q

temporal lobe

A

part of cerebral cortex associated with hearing, memory, emotion, and some aspects of
language; contains primary auditory cortex

52
Q

motor cortex

A

strip of cortex involved in planning and coordinating movement

53
Q

somatosensory cortex

A

essential for processing sensory information from across the body, such as touch,
temperature, and pain

54
Q

visual cortex

A

The occipital lobe is located at the very back of the brain, and contains the primary visual cortex, which is
responsible for interpreting incoming visual information.

55
Q

auditory cortex

A

strip of cortex in the temporal lobe that is responsible for processing auditory information

56
Q

Broca’s area

A

region in the left hemisphere that is essential for language production

57
Q

Wernicke’s area

A

important for speech comprehension

58
Q

association areas

A
59
Q

lateralization

A

concept that each hemisphere of the brain is associated with specialized functions

60
Q

corpus callosum

A

thick band of neural fibers connecting the brain’s two hemispheres

61
Q

split brain

A

Intro to Psychology (16 decks)

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