Psychology Chapter 2 Flashcards
neuron
basic unit of cell communication ;highly specialized and transmits electrical and chemical signals
sensory neuron
conveys info from the senses/environment to the brain
Motor neurons
responsible for info going to/from muscles and glands
mirror neuron
activated by watching other peoples actions; allows us to feel what other people are thinking
Interneurons
communicate between neurons
neuroscience
study of the nervous system
3 basic components of a neuron
cell body, dendrites,axon
Cell body (soma)
contains neuron’s nucleus and determines if it will fire
Dendrites (little trees)
receive info from other cell and deliver it to the cell body
axon (axle)
conducts impulses away from cell body and transmits them to other neurons
myelin sheath
fatty covering wrapped around axons like sausage links to help increase communication speed and protect axon
glial cells (most abundant cell in the brain) 4
glue of the brain; provide support, nutrients, remove debris and make myelin
nodes of ranvier
divits on myelin sheath that divide it onto segments and allow signals to “jump” through the axon
Multiple Sclerosis
degeneration of the myelin sheath
Action potential
electrical impulse; sodium potassium across axon membrane; ion channels (sodium in to make + and potassium out to make - again)
nerve
bundle of neurons
stimulus threshold
minimum level of stimulation to activate neuron
Communication between neurons switches from_____ to____
electrical to chemical
synapse
point of communication between two nerves
synaptic gap
space between axon of one nerve and dendrite of another
axon terminals
branches at the end of an axon
synaptic vesicles
tiny pouches in terminal that contain neurotransmitters
neurotransmitters
chemical messengers made by the neuron
synaptic transmission
neurotransmitters crossing the synaptic gap to receptor site of a dendrite
reuptake
recycling of neurotransmitters by presynaptic neuron
acetylcholine
neurotransmitter responsible for muscle contractions, learning, and memory (Alzhiemers)
Dopamine
neurotransmitter responsible for movement, thought processes, and rewarding sensation (Drugs, parkinsons, and schizophrenia)
Serotonin
emotional states, sleep, sensory perception (depression)
Endorphines
pain perception, positive emotions (opioid addiction)
agonist
drug that binds to receptor sites
antagonist
blocks receptor sites
Central nervous system
nervous system containing brain and spinal cord
Peripheral Nervous system
all potions of nervous system that are connected to the brain and spinal cord
spinal reflexes
simple automatic behaviors that occur without any brain involvement
Somatic nervous system
(aka skeletal nervous system; voluntary) part of PNS that communicates sensory info to the CNS and carries motor messages from the CNS to the muscles
Autonomic
part of PNS that regulates involuntary function (organs)
Sympathetic NS
part of ANS; rapid reflexes/ fight or flight response/ prepare for an emergency
Parasympathetic NS
part of ANS; maintains normal body functions and conserves physical resources
Phrenology
Franz Gall: different bumps of the brain performed different tasks (pseudoscience)
Localization of Function
specialization of different areas of the brain for particular function
Endocrine system
system of glands located throughout the body that secrete hormones
hormones
chemical messages secreted into the blood stream
pituitary gland
regulates production of hormones by other glands
functional plactisity
brains ability to move functions from damaged area to working ones
structural plasticity
brains ability to change shape as it develops
neurogenesis
development of new neurons
Hindbrain
(reptilian brain) coordinates info coming in and out of the spinal cord; primitive part of brain
medula
H: controls vital life functions; coordinates heart and breathing
Pons
H: connects the medulla to the two sides of the cerebellum
cerebellum (little brain)
H: coordination, balance, muscle tone, habitual movements (riding a bike)
Reticular Activating System
dense network of neurons at the core of the brain; regulates sleep
Midbrain
smallest part of the brain; orientation and movement as well as processing auditory and visual info
tectum (roof)
orients and organism towards stimuli
tegmentum
pleasure seeking and motivation
Substantia nigra
responsible for reward, addiction, and fluidity of movement
forebrain (cerebral cortex)
largest and most complex part of the brain; higher order functions and emotions
gyri
raised part of the brain
sulci
indentations on the surface of the brain
corpus collosum
thick band of axons that connects the two halves of the brain
Temporal lobe
located near your temples; responsible for auditory functions, memory
occipital lobe
back of the brain; visual info
Frontal lobe
voluntary movements, thinking, planning, and emotional control
Association cortex
process sensory and motor info from your body
Somatosensory
eating, temperature, pain
Primary Motor Cortex
where most body movements are initiated
The Limbic System
critical for learning, memory, emotions; area of forebrain under the cerebral cortex
hippocampus
part of limbic system; forming new memories and learning
Thalamus (inner chamber)
process sensory info except smell and relays it to the cerebral cortex; thought to also be involved with awareness and motivation
Hypothalamus
regulates survival related behaviors such as eating, drinking, sexual activity, fear, aggression; also controls the pituitary gland and regulates hormone secretion
amygdala
emotions, especially fear; forming strong emotional memories
Brocas area
left hemisphere; responsible for speech
Wernickle area
left; understanding language or words
lateralization of function
certain cognitive functions are processed on one side of the brain
Aphasia
partial or complete inability to understand spoken or written language
Right Half of brain
nonverbal emotional information, creativity, music
Left half of brain
language, reading, speech, writing
olfactory bulb
smell, located in frontal lobe w/ memory
