psy chapter 3 Flashcards
neuron
nerve cell specialized for communication
dendrite
portion of neuron that sends signals
synaptic vesicle
spherical sac containing neurotransmitters
neurotransmitter
chemical messenger specialized for communication from neuron to neuron
synapse
space between two connecting neurons through which messages are transmitted chemically
synaptic cleft
a gap into which neurotransmitters are released from the axon terminal
glial cell
cell in nervous system that plays a role in the formation of myelin and the blood-brain barrier; responds to injury, removes debris, and enhances learning and memory
myelin sheath
glial cells wrapped around axons that act as insulators of the neuron’s signal
resting potential
electrical charge difference (~60mV) across the neuronal membrane, when the neuron is not being stimulated or inhibited
threshold
membrane potential necessary to trigger an action potential
action potential
electrical impulse that travels down the axon triggering the release of neurotransmitters
absolute refractory period
time during which another action potential is impossible; limits maximal firing rate
receptor site
location that uniquely recognizes a neurotransmitter
reuptake
means of recycling neurotransmitters
endorphin
chemical in the brain that plays a specialized role in pain reduction
plasticity
ability of the nervous system to change
cerebral ventricles
pockets in the brain that contain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which provide the brain with nutrients and cushion against injury
neurogenesis
creation of new neurons in the adult brain
central nervous system (CNS)
part of nervous system containing brain and spinal cord that controls the mind and behaviour
peripheral nervous system (PNS)
nerves in the body that extend outside the central nervous system (CNS)
cerebral ventricles
pockets in the brain that contain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which provide the brain with nutrients and cushion against injury
frontal lobe
forward part of cerebral cortex responsible for motor function, language, memory, and planning
cerebral hemispheres
two halves of the cerebral cortex, each of which serve distinct yet highly integrated functions
corpus callosum
large band of fibers connecting the two cerebral hemispheres
Broca’s area
language area in the prefrontal cortex that helps to control speech production
frontal lobe
forward part of cerebral cortex responsible for motor function, language, memory, and planning
motor cortex
part of frontal lobe responsible for body movement
prefrontal cortex
part of frontal lobe responsible for thinking, planning, and language
Broca’s area
language area in the prefrontal cortex that helps to control speech production
primary sensory cortex
regions of the cerebral cortex, that initially process information from the senses
association cortex
regions of the cerebral cortex that integrate simpler functions to perform more complex functions
basal ganglia
structures in the forebrain that help to control movement
occipital lobe
back part of cerebral cortex specialized for vision
primary sensory cortex
regions of the cerebral cortex, that initially process information from the senses
association cortex
regions of the cerebral cortex that integrate simpler functions to perform more complex functions
amygdala
part of limbic system that plays key roles in fear, excitement, and arousal
limbic system
emotional centre of brain that also plays roles in smell, motivation, and memory
thalamus
gateway from the sense organs to the primary sensory cortex
hypothalamus
part of the brain responsible for maintaining a constant internal state
reticular activating system (RAS)
brain area that plays a key role in arousal
hippocampus
part of the brain that plays a role in spatial memory
brain stem
part of the brain between the spinal cord and cerebral cortex that contains the mindbrain, pons, and medulla
midbrain
part of the brain stem that contributes to movement, tracking of visual stimuli, and reflexes triggered by sound
reticular activating system (RAS)
brain area that plays a key role in arousal
hindbrain
regions below the midbrain that contains the cerebellum, pons, and medulla
cerebellum
brain structure responsible for our sense of balance
reflex
an automatic motor response to a sensory stimulus
medulla
part of brain stem involved in basic functions, such as heartbeat and breathing
spinal cord
thick bundle of nerves that convey’s signals between the brain and body
interneuron
neuron that sends messages to other neurons nearby
reflex
an automatic motor response to a sensory stimulus
endocrine system
system of glands and hormones that controls secretion of blood-borne chemical messengers
autonomic nervous system
part of the nervous system controlling the involuntary actions of our internal organs and glands, which (along with the limbic system) participates in emotion regulation
pituitary gland
master gland that, under control of the hypothalamus, directs the other glands of the body
parasympathetic nervous system
division of autonomic nervous system that controls rest and digestion
endocrine system
system of glands and hormones that controls secretion of blood-borne chemical messengers
hormone
chemical released into the bloodstream that influences particular organs and glands
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
technique that uses magnetic fields to indirectly visualize brain structure
adrenal gland
tissue located on top of the kidneys that releases adrenaline and cortisol during states of emotional arousal
electroencephalograph (EEG)
recording of brain’s electrical activity at the surface of the skull
computed tomography (CT)
a scanning technique using multiple X-rays to construct 3D images
magnetoencephalography (MEG)
technique that measures brain activity by detecting tiny magnetic fields generated by the brain
positron emission tomography (PET)
imaging technique that measures consumption of glucose-like molecules, yielding a picture of neural activity in different regions of the brain
split-brain surgery
procedure that involves severing the corpus callosum to reduce the spread of epileptic seizures
transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
technique that applies strong and quickly changing magnetic fields to the surface of the skull that can either enhance or interrupt brain function
magnetoencephalography (MEG)
technique that measures brain activity by detecting tiny magnetic fields generated by the brain
lateralization
cognitive function that relies more on one side of the brain than the other
split-brain surgery
procedure that involves severing the corpus callosum to reduce the spread of epileptic seizures
chromosome
slender thread inside a cell’s nucleus that carries genes
gene
genetic material, composed of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
genotype
our genetic makeup
heritability
percentage of the variability in a trait across individuals that is due to genes
dominant gene
gene that masks other genes’ effects
twin study
analysis of how traits differ in identical versus fraternal twins
fitness
organisms’ capacity to pass on their genes
heritability
percentage of the variability in a trait across individuals that is due to genes
family study
analysis of how characteristics run in intact families
twin study
analysis of how traits differ in identical versus fraternal twins
adoption study
analysis of how traits vary in individuals raised apart from their biological relatives
