Modules 9-15 Flashcards
Neuron
A nerve cell the basic building block of the nervous system
Dentrites
A neurons bushy, branching extensions that recieve messages and conduct impulses toward the cell body
Axon
The neuron extension that passes messages through its branches to other neurons or to muscle or glands
Myelin
A fatty tissue layer segment ally encasing the axons of some neurons enables vastly grater transmission speed as neural impulses hop from one sausage like node to the next
Action potiental
A neural impulse a bread electrical charge that travels down an axon
Refactory period
A period of inactivity after a neuron has fired
Threshold
The level of stimulation required to trigger a nueralimpulse
Synapse
The junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron
Biological psychology
The scientific study of the links between biological and psychological processes.
neurotransmitters
chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons. When released by the sending nueron neruontrasmitters travel across the synase and bind the ceceptor sites on the receiving neuron, therby influencing whether that nueron will generate a nueral impulse.
reuptake
a nuerotrasmitters readsorption by the sending neuron.
endorphins
natural opiate like neurotransmitter linked to pain cosntrol and to pleasure
agonist
a molecule that by binding to a receoptor site stimulates a response
antagonist
a molecule that by binding to a receptor site inhibits or blocks a response
nervous system
the bodys speedy electochemical communication network cisisting of all the nerve celss of the peripheral and central nervous systems.
centeral nervous system
the brain and spinal cord.
nerves
bundled axons that form neural cables connecting the central nervous system with muscles glands and sense organs
sensory neurons
neurons that carry incoming information from the sensory recpetors to the brain and spinal cord
motor neurons
neurons that carry outgoing information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscle and glands
interneurons
neurons within the brain and spianl cord that communicate internally and intervene between the senroy inputs and motor outputs.
somatic nervous system
the division of the periperal nervous system that controsl the bodys skeletal muscles
autonomic nervous system
the part of the peripheal nervous system that controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organs its sympathetic divison arouses its parasympatheic divison calms
sympathetic nervous system
the division of the autnomic nervous system that arouses the body mobilizing its energy in stressful sitations
parasypathetic nervous system
the divison of the autnomic nervous system that calms teh body conserving its energy
reflex
a simple automatic response to a sensory stimulus such as the knee jerk response
endocrine system
the bodys chemical communication system a set f glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream
hormones
chemical messangers that manufacctured by the endocrine glands travel through the bloodstream and affect other tissues
adrenal glands
a pair of endcocrine glands that sit just above the kindeys and secrete hormones that help arouse the body in times of stress
pituitary gland
the eondocrine systems most influnetal gland. Under the influence of the hypothalamus the ptuitary regulates growth and controls other endocrine gland
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 electric activity sweeping across the brains surface.
CT computed tomography scan
a series of xrarys photographs taken from different angles and combined by computer into a composite representation of a slice of the brains structure.
PET positron emisson tomopgrahy
a visual display of brain activity that detects where a radiactive form of glucosse goes while the brain performs a given task
MRI magnetic resonance imaging
a techinque that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer genrated images of soft tissue MRI scans show brain anatomy
fMRI
a technique for reavealing blodoflow and therfore brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans.
brainstem
the oldest part of the brain beginning whre the spinal cord sells as it enters the skull the brainstem is responsible for automatic survival functions
medulla
the base of the brainstem controls heartbeat and breathing
thalamus
the brains sensory contro center located on top of the brainstem it directs messages to the senory recieiving areas in the corteex and trasmits repies to the cerebellum and medulla
reticular formation
a nerve network that travels through the braisntem and thalamus and plays an importatn role in controlloing arousal
cerebellum
the little brain at the rear of the brainstem functions include processing sensory imput coordinating movement output and balance and enabling nonveraba learning and memory
limbic system
neural system located below the cerbral hemisphere associated with emotions and drive
amygdala
two lima bean sized nueral clusters in the limbic system linked to emotions
hypothalmus
a nueral structure lying below the thalmus it directs several maintance activiest helps govern the edocrine system
cerebral cortex
the intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering the cerbral hemispheres the body ultimate control and information processing center
glial cells
cells in the nervous system that support nourish and protect nuerons they may play a role in learning and thinking
frontal lobes
portion of the cerbral cortex lying just behind the forehead involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgement
parietal lobes
receives sensory input for touch and body position
occipital lobes
recieve information primarlily from the oppsoite ear
otor cortex
and area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements
somatosenroy cortex
area that the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations
association areas
areas of the involved cerbral cortex that are not involved in primary motor or seneroy functions rater they are involved in higher mental functions
plasticity
the brains ability to change especially during childhood by reorganing after damage or by building new pathways
corpus callosum
the large band of nuereal fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres
cognitive neuroscience
the interdiscplinary study of the brain activity with congiton
dual processing
the principle tht information is often simulatonesly processed on spereate conscius and unconsouious tracks
genome
the complete instructions for making an organism consisting of all the gentic material in that organisms chromsomes
molecular genetics
the subfield of biology that studes the molecular strcte and funtion of genese
heirtability
the proportion of variation among individals that we can attribute to genes the heritability of a tait may vary depending on the range of populations and eviroments studied.
epigentics
the study of enviormental influneces on gene expression that occur without a DNA change
mutation
a random error in gene replication that leads to a change
