Psych 2 Flashcards
the body’s speedy, electrochemical communication network, consisting of all the nerve cells of the peripheral and central nervous systems
nervous system
brain and spinal cord
Central Nervous System (CNS)
the sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system (CNS) to the rest of the body.
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
bundled axons that form neural “cables” connecting the central nervous system with muscles, glands, and sense organs
nerves
neurons that carry incoming information from the body’s tissues and sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord
sensory (afferent) neurons
neurons that carry outgoing information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands
motor (efferent) neurons
neurons within the brain and spinal cord that communicate internally and intervene between the sensory inputs and motor outputs
interneurons
the division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body’s skeletal muscles. Also called the skeletal nervous system.
somatic nervous system
the part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organs (such as the heart). Its sympathetic division arouses; its parasympathetic division calms.
autonomic nervous system (ANS)
the division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy.
sympathetic
the division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy
parasympathetic nervous system
a simple, automatic response to a sensory stimulus, such as the knee-jerk response
reflex
a nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system
neuron
the part of a neuron that contains the nucleus; the cell’s life-support center
cell body
a neuron’s bushy, branching extensions that receive messages and conduct impulses toward the cell body
dendrites
the segmented neuron extension that passes messages through its branches to other neurons or to muscles or glands
axon
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
myelin sheath
cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons
glial cells
a neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon
action potential
the level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse
threshold
in neural processing, a brief resting pause that occurs after a neuron has fired; subsequent action potentials cannot occur until the axon returns to its resting state
refractory period
a neuron’s reaction of either firing (with a full-strength response) or not firing.
all-or-none response
the junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron
synapse
chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons
neurotransmitters
a neurotransmitter’s reabsorption by the sending neuron
reuptake
“morphine within”–natural, opiatelike neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure.
endorphins
a molecule that increases a neurotransmitter’s action
agonist
a molecule that inhibits or blocks a neurotransmitter’s action
antagonist
the body’s “slow” chemical communication system; a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream
endocrine system
chemical messengers that are manufactured by the endocrine glands, travel through the bloodstream, and affect other tissues
hormones
the scientific study of the links between biological and psychological processes
biological psychology
an integrated approach that incorporates biological, psychological, and social-cultural levels of analysis
biopsychosocial approach
the differing complementary views, from biological to psychological to social-cultural, for analyzing any given phenomenon
levels of analysis
the brain’s ability to change, especially during childhood, by reorganizing after damage or by building new pathways based on experience
neuroplasticity
tissue destruction, naturally or experimentally caused destruction of brain tissue
lesion
An amplified recording of the electrical waves sweeping across the brain’s surface, measured by electrodes placed on the scalp.
EEG (electroencephalogram)
consists of the medulla, pons, and cerebellum; directs essential survival functions, such as breathing, sleeping, and wakefulness, as well as coordination and balance
hindbrain
found atop the brainstem; connects the hindbrain with the forebrain, controls some motor movement, and transmits auditory and visual information.
midbrain
consists of the cerebral cortex, thalamus, and hypothalamus; manages complex cognitive activities, sensory and associative functions, and voluntary motor activities
forebrain
central core of the brain, responsible for automatic survival functions
brainstem
the hindbrain structure that is the brainstem’s base; controls heartbeat and breathing
medulla
the forebrain’s sensory control center, 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
thalamus
a nerve network that travels through the brainstem and thalamus and plays an important role in controlling arousal
reticular formation
the “little brain” at the rear of the brainstem; functions include processing sensory input and coordinating movement output and balance
cerebellum
neural system located mostly in the forebrain- below the cerebral hemispheres- that includes the amygdala, hypothalamus, hippocampus, thalamus, and pituitary glands; associated with emotion and drives.
limbic system
two lima bean-sized neural clusters in the limbic system; linked to emotion.
amygdala
a neural structure lying below the thalamus; directs eating, drinking, body temperature; helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion and reward
hypothalamus
a neural center located in the limbic system; helps process explicit memories for storage
hippocampus
The intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering the cerebral hemispheres; the body’s ultimate control and information-processing center.
cerebral cortex
the portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead; involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgments
frontal lobes
portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head and toward the rear; receives sensory input for touch and body position
parietal lobes
portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head; includes areas that receive information from the visual fields
occipital lobe
portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears; includes the auditory areas, each receiving information primarily from the opposite ear
temporal lobes
cerebral cortex area at the rear of the frontal lobes; controls voluntary movements
motor cortex
cerebral cortex area at the front of the parietal lobes; registers and processes body touch and movement sensations
somatosensory cortex
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
association areas
the formation of new neurons
neurogenesis
the large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them
corpus callosum
a condition resulting from surgery that isolates the brain’s two hemispheres by cutting the fibers (mainly those of the corpus callosum) connecting them
split brain
