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Psychology 101 > PSYC 2 > Flashcards

PSYC 2 Flashcards

1
Q

The scientific study of the links between biological (genetic, neural, hormonal) and psychological processes. (Some biological psychologists call themselves behavioral neuroscientists, neuropsychologists, behavior geneticists, physiological psychologists, or biopsychologists.)

A

Biological Psychology

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2
Q

A nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system.

A

Neuron

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3
Q

A neuron’s bushy, branching extensions that receive messages and conduct impulses toward the cell body.

A

Dendrites

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4
Q

The neuron extension that passes messages through its branches to other neurons or to muscles or glands.

A

Axon

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5
Q

A fatty tissue layer segmentally encasing the axons of some neurons; enables vastly greater transmission speed as neural impulses hop from one node to the next.

A

Myelin Sheath

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6
Q

Cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons; they may also play a role in learning and thinking.

A

Glial Cells (Glia)

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7
Q

A neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon.

A

Action Potential

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8
Q

The level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse.

A

Threshold

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9
Q

The junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron. The tiny gap at this junction is called the synaptic gap or synaptic cleft.

A

Synapse

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10
Q

Chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons. When released by the sending neuron, neurotransmitters travel across the synapse and bind to receptor sites on the receiving neuron, thereby influencing whether that neuron will generate a neural impulse.

A

Neurotransmitters

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11
Q

“Morphine within” - natural, opiate-like neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure.

A

Endorphins

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12
Q

The body’s speedy, electrochemical communication network, consisting f all the nerve cells of the peripheral and central nervous systems.

A

Nervous System

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13
Q

The brain and spinal cord.

A

Central Nervous System (CNS)

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14
Q

The sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system (CNS) to the rest of the body.

A

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

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15
Q

Bundled axons that form neural “cables” connecting the central nervous systems with muscles, glands, and sense organs.

A

Nerves

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16
Q

Neurons that carry incoming information from the sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord.

A

Sensory (Afferent) Neurons

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17
Q

Neurons that carry outgoing information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands.

A

Motor (Efferent) Neurons

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18
Q

Neurons within the brain and spinal cord that communicate internally and intervene between the sensory inputs and motor outputs.

A

Interneurons

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19
Q

The division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body’s skeletal muscles. Also called the skeletal nervous system.

A

Somatic Nervous System

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20
Q

The part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and muscles of the internal organs (such as the heart). Its sympathetic division arouses; its parasympathetic division calms.

A

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

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21
Q

The division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy in stressful situations.

A

Sympathetic Nervous System

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22
Q

The division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy.

A

Parasympathetic Nervous System

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23
Q

A simple, automatic response to a sensory stimulus, such as the knee-jerk response.

A

Reflex

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24
Q

The body’s “slow” chemical communication system; a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream.

A

Endocrine System

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25
Q

Chemical messengers that are manufactured by the endocrine glands, travel through the bloodstream, and affect other tissues.

A

Hormones

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26
Q

A pair of endocrine glands that sit just above the kidneys and secrete hormones (epinephrine and norepinephrine) that help arouse the body in times of stress.

A

Adrenal Glands

27
Q

The endocrine system’s most influential gland. Under the influence of the hypothalamus, the pituitary regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands.

A

Pituitary Gland

28
Q

Tissue destruction. A brain lesion is a naturally or experimentally caused destruction of brain tissue.

A

Lesion

29
Q

The oldest part and central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull; the brainstem is responsible for automatic survival functions.

A

Brainstem

30
Q

The base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing.

A

Medulla

31
Q

The brains sensory router, located on top of the brainstem; it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla.

A

Thalamus

32
Q

A nerve network that travels through the brainstem and plays an important role in controlling arousal.

A

Reticular Formation

33
Q

An amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity sweeping across the brain’s surface. These waves are measured by electrodes placed on the scalp.

A

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

34
Q

A visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task.

A

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan

35
Q

A technique that uses magnetic fields and waves to produce computer-generated images of soft tissue. MRI scans show brain anatomy.

A

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

36
Q

A technique for revealing bloodflow and, therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans. fMRI scans show brain function.

A

Functional MRI (fMRI)

37
Q

The “little brain” at the rear of the brainstem; functions include processing sensory input, coordinating movement output and balance, and enabling nonverbal learning and memory.

A

Cerebellum

38
Q

Neural system (including the hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus) located below the cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions and drives.

A

Limbic System

39
Q

Two lima-bean-sized neural clusters in the limbic system; linked to emotion.

A

Amygdala

40
Q

A neural structure lying below (hypo) the thalamus; it directs several maintenance activities (eating, drinking, body temperature), helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion and reward.

A

Hypothalamus

41
Q

The intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering the cerebral hemispheres; the body’s ultimate control and information-processing center.

A

Cerebral Cortex

42
Q

Portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead; involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgments.

A

Frontal Lobes

43
Q

Portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head and toward the rear; receives sensory input for touch and body position.

A

Parietal Lobes

44
Q

Portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head; includes areas that receive information from the visual fields.

A

Occipital Lobes

45
Q

Portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears; includes the auditory areas, each receiving information primarily from the opposite ear.

A

Temporal Lobes

46
Q

An area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements.

A

Motor Cortex

47
Q

Area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations.

A

Sensory Cortex

48
Q

Areas of the cerebral cortex that are not involved in primary motor or sensory functions; rather, they are involved in higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking.

A

Association Areas

49
Q

The brain’s ability to change, especially during childhood, be reorganizing after damage or by building new pathways based on experience.

A

Plasticity

50
Q

The formation of new neurons.

A

Neurogenesis

51
Q

The large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them.

A

Corpus Callosum

52
Q

A condition resulting from surgery that isolates the brain’s two hemispheres by cutting the fibers (mainly those of the corpus callosum) connecting them.

A

Split Brain

53
Q

Every nongenetic influence, from prenatal nutrition to the people and things around us.

A

Environment

54
Q

The study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior.

A

Behavior Genetics

55
Q

Threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes.

A

Chromosomes

56
Q

A complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes.

A

Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)

57
Q

The biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosomes; segments of DNA capable of synthesizing proteins.

A

Genes

58
Q

Twins who develop from a single (monozygotic) fertilized egg that splits in two, creating two genetically identical organisms.

A

Identical Twins

59
Q

Twins who develop from separate (dizygotic) fertilized eggs. They are genetically no closer than ordinary brothers and sisters, but they share a fetal environment.

A

Fraternal Twins

60
Q

The interplay that occurs when the effect of one factor (such as environment) depends on another factor (such as heredity).

A

Interaction

61
Q

The study of environmental influences on gene expression that occur without a DNA change.

A

Epigenetics

62
Q

The study of the evolution of behavior and the mind, using principles of natural selection.

A

Evolutionary Psychology

63
Q

The principle that, among the range of inherited trait variations, those contributing to reproduction and survival will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations.

A

Natural Selection

64
Q

A random error in gene replication that leads to a change.

A

Mutation

Psychology 101 (15 decks)

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