Module 2A: Biopsychology Flashcards
Neuron
cells in the nervous system that act as interconnected information processors, which are essential for
all of the tasks of the nervous system
glial cells (glia)
nervous system cell that provides physical and metabolic support to neurons, including neuronal
insulation and communication, and nutrient and waste transport
Dendrites
branch-like extension of the soma that receives incoming signals from other neurons
Axon
major extension of the soma
Soma
cell body
Myelin Sheath
fatty substance that insulates axons
Action Potential
electrical signal that moves down the neuron’s axon
Synapse
The neurotransmitters travel across the synapse and bind to
receptors on the dendrites of the adjacent neuron
Electrical and chemical energy
threshold of excitation
level of charge in the membrane that causes the neuron to become active
all-or-none
phenomenon that incoming signal from another neuron is either sufficient or insufficient to reach
the threshold of excitation
action potential
electrical signal that moves down the neuron’s axon
neurotransmitter
chemical messenger of the nervous system
excitatory vs inhibitory effects
neuroplasticity
nervous system’s ability to change
synaptogenesis
Synaptogenesis is a fancy scientific term that just means nerve cells are making new connections
synaptic pruning
endorphins
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
nervous system
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.
central nervous system (CNS)
brain and spinal cord
brain
spinal cord
peripheral nervous system (PNS)
connects the brain and spinal cord to the muscles, organs and senses in
the periphery of the body
nerves
somatic nervous system
relays sensory and motor information to and from the CNS
autonomic nervous system (ANS)
controls our internal organs and glands
sympathetic nervous system
involved in stress-related activities and functions
parasympathetic nervous system
associated with routine, day-to-day operations of the body
endocrine system
series of glands that produce chemical substances known as hormones
hormones
chemical messenger released by endocrine glands
adrenal glands
sits atop our kidneys and secretes hormones involved in the stress response
hypothalamus
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
pituitary gland
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
forebrain
largest part of the brain, containing the cerebral cortex, the thalamus, and the limbic system,
among other structures
midbrain
division of the brain located between the forebrain and the hindbrain; contains the reticular
formation
hindbrain
division of the brain containing the medulla, pons, and cerebellum
brain stem
medulla
hindbrain structure that controls automated processes like breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate
pons
hindbrain structure that connects the brain and spinal cord; involved in regulating brain activity during sleep
thalamus
sensory relay for the brain
reticular formation
midbrain structure important in regulating the sleep/wake cycle, arousal, alertness, and
motor activity
cerebellum
hindbrain structure that controls our balance, coordination, movement, and motor skills, and it is
thought to be important in processing some types of memory
limbic system
collection of structures involved in processing emotion and memory
amygdala
structure in the limbic system involved in our experience of emotion and tying emotional meaning
to our memories
ventral tegmental area (VTA)
midbrain structure where dopamine is produced: associated with mood,
reward, and addiction
hippocampus
structure in the temporal lobe associated with learning and memory
cerebral cortex
surface of the brain that is associated with our highest mental capabilities
frontal lobe
part of the cerebral cortex involved in reasoning, motor control, emotion, and language; contains
motor cortex
parietal lobe
part of the cerebral cortex involved in processing various sensory and perceptual information;
contains the primary somatosensory cortex
occipital lobe
part of the cerebral cortex associated with visual processing; contains the primary visual cortex
temporal lobe
part of cerebral cortex associated with hearing, memory, emotion, and some aspects of
language; contains primary auditory cortex
motor cortex
strip of cortex involved in planning and coordinating movement
somatosensory cortex
essential for processing sensory information from across the body, such as touch,
temperature, and pain
visual cortex
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.
auditory cortex
strip of cortex in the temporal lobe that is responsible for processing auditory information
Broca’s area
region in the left hemisphere that is essential for language production
Wernicke’s area
important for speech comprehension
association areas
lateralization
concept that each hemisphere of the brain is associated with specialized functions
corpus callosum
thick band of neural fibers connecting the brain’s two hemispheres
split brain
