Psy101 L04 Key Terms

Question 1

The largest brain structure; consisting of the upper part of the brain, divided into two hemispheres, it is in charge of most sensory, motor, and cognitive processes. From the Latin for “brain.”

Answer 1

Cerebrum [suh-REE-brum]

Question 2

A collection of neurons and supportive tissue running from the base of the brain down the center of the back, protected by a column of bones (the spinal column).

Answer 2

Spinal cord

Question 3

A collection of several thin layers of cells covering the cerebrum; it is largely responsible for higher mental functions. Cortex is Latin for “bark” or “rind.”

Answer 3

Cerebral cortex

Question 4

The subdivision of the peripheral nervous system that regulates the internal organs and glands.

Answer 4

Autonomic nervous system

Question 5

A recording of neural activity detected by electrodes.

Answer 5

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

Question 6

A brain structure that regulates movement and balance and is involved in the learning of certain kinds of simple responses.

Answer 6

Cerebellum

Question 7

Lobes at the lower back part of the brain.

Answer 7

Occipital [ahk-SIP-uh-tuhl] lobes

Question 8

A method for studying the body and brain tissue without injecting chemicals.

Answer 8

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)

Question 9

A bundle of nerve fibers (axons and sometimes dendrites) in the peripheral nervous system.

Answer 9

Nerve

Question 10

Immature cells that renew themselves and have the potential to develop into mature cells; given encouraging environments, stem cells from early embryos can develop into any cell type.

Answer 10

Stem cells

Question 11

Lobes at the top of the brain’s cerebral cortex; they contain areas that receive information on pressure, pain, touch, and temperature.

Answer 11

Parietal [puh-RYE-uh-tuhl] lobes

Question 12

The subdivision of the autonomic nervous system that mobilizes bodily resources and increases the output of energy during emotion and stress.

Answer 12

Sympathetic nervous system

Question 13

The subdivision of the peripheral nervous system that connects to sensory receptors and to skeletal muscles; sometimes called the skeletal nervous system.

Answer 13

Somatic nervous system

Question 14

The bundle of nerve fibers connecting the two cerebral hemispheres.

Answer 14

Corpus callosum [CORE-puhs cah-LOW-suhm]

Question 15

The subdivision of the autonomic nervous system that operates during relaxed states and that conserves energy.

Answer 15

Parasympathetic nervous system

Question 16

A chemical substance that is released by a transmitting neuron at the synapse and that alters the activity of a receiving neuron.

Answer 16

Neurotransmitter

Question 17

A brain structure involved in emotions and drives vital to survival, such as fear, hunger, thirst, and reproduction; it regulates the autonomic nervous system.

Answer 17

Hypothalamus

Question 18

A method for analyzing biochemical activity in the brain, using injections of a glucose-like substance containing a radioactive element.

Answer 18

PET scan (positron-emission tomography)

Question 19

A brain structure involved in the storage of new information in memory.

Answer 19

Hippocampus

Question 20

All portions of the nervous system outside the brain and spinal cord; it includes sensory and motor nerves.

Answer 20

Peripheral nervous system (PNS)

Question 21

A small endocrine gland at the base of the brain, which releases many hormones and regulates other endocrine glands.

Answer 21

Pituitary gland

Question 22

The part of the brain located in the temporal lobes which processes sounds.

Answer 22

Auditory cortex

Question 23

Lobes at the sides of the brain’s cerebral cortex; they contain areas involved in hearing, memory, perception, emotion, and (in the left lobe, typically) language comprehension.

Answer 23

Temporal lobe

Question 24

A brain structure that relays sensory messages to the cerebral cortex.

Answer 24

Thalamus

Question 25

Lobes at the front of the brain’s cerebral cortex; they contain areas involved in short-term memory, higher-order thinking, initiative, social judgment, and (in the left lobe, typically) speech production.

Answer 25

Frontal lobes

Question 26

The two halves of the cerebrum.

Answer 26

Cerebral hemispheres

Question 27

A brain structure involved in the arousal and regulation of emotion and the initial emotional response to sensory information.

Answer 27

Amygdale [uh-MIG-dul-uh]

Question 28

A cell that conducts electrochemical signals; the basic unit of the nervous system; also called a nerve cell.

Answer 28

Neuron

Question 29

An area of the left temporal lobe involved in language comprehension.

Answer 29

Wernicke’s area

Question 30

Theory that the left hemisphere of the brain exerts control over the right hemisphere.

Answer 30

Hemispheric dominance

Question 31

A group of brain areas involved in emotional reactions and motivated behavior.

Answer 31

Limbic system

Question 32

The portion of the nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord.

Answer 32

Central nervous system (CNS)

Question 33

Chemical substances in the nervous system that are similar in structure and action to opiates; they are involved in pain reduction, pleasure, and memory and are known technically as endogenous opioid peptides.

Answer 33

Endorphins

Question 34

The part of the brain located in the parietal lobes where information is received about pressure, pain, touch, and temperature.

Answer 34

Somatosensory cortex

Question 35

The part of the neuron that keeps it alive and determines whether it will fire.

Answer 35

Cell body

Question 36

The part of the brain located in the occipital lobes where visual signals are processed.

Answer 36

Visual cortex

Question 37

A neuron’s extending fiber that conducts impulses away from the cell body and transmits them to other neurons.

Answer 37

Axon

Question 38

Hormones that regulate the development and functioning of reproductive organs and that stimulate the development of male and female sexual characteristics; they include androgens, estrogens, and progesterone.

Answer 38

Sex hormones (androgens, estrogens, progesterone)