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Psychology and Its Methods > TOPIC 2: The brain and the nervous system > Flashcards

TOPIC 2: The brain and the nervous system Flashcards

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1
Q

Central nervous system (CNS)

A

The brain and the spinal cord

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2
Q

Peripheral nervous system (PNS)

A

All nerve cells in the body that are not part of the cns. The
peripheral nervous system includes the somatic and autonomic nervous system

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3
Q

Neurons

A

The basic units of the nervous system; cells that receive, integrate, and transmit
information. They operate through electrical impulses, communicate with other neurons
through chemical signals, and form neural networks

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4
Q

Dendrites

A

Branchlike extensions of the neuron that detect information from other neurons

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5
Q

Cell body

A

The site in the neuron where information from thousands of other neurons is
collected and integrated

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6
Q

Axon

A

A long, narrow outgrowth of a neuron by which information is conducted from the cell
body to the terminal buttons.

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7
Q

Terminal buttons

A

At the ends of axons, small nodules that release chemical signals from the
neuron into the synapse

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8
Q

Synapse

A

The gap between the terminal buttons of a “sending” neuron and the dendrites of a
“receiving” neuron, where chemical communication occurs between the neurons

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9
Q

Action potential

A

The electrical signal that passes along the axon and subsequently causes
the release of chemicals from the terminal buttons.

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10
Q

Resting membrane potential

A

The electrical charge of a neuron when it is not active

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11
Q

Relative refractory period

A

The brief period of time following action potential when a neuron’s
membrane potential is not negative, or hyperpolarized, making it harder to fire again

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12
Q

All-or-none principle

A

The principle that when a neuron fires, it fires with the same potency
each time;a neuron either fires or not, although the frequency of firing can vary

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13
Q

Absolute refractory period

A

The brief period of time following an action potential when the ion
channel is unable to respond again.

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14
Q

Absolute threshold

A

the smallest level of stimulus that can be detected, usually defined as at least half the time

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15
Q

Myelin sheath

A

a fatty material, made up of glial cells, that insulates some axons to allow for
faster movement of electrical impulses along the axon.

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16
Q

Nodes of Ranvier

A

Small gaps of exposed axon between the segments of myelin sheath,
where action potentials take place

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17
Q

Neurotransmitters

A

Chemical substances that transmit signals from one neuron to another.

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18
Q

Receptors

A

In neurons, specialized protein molecules on the postsynaptic membrane;
neurotransmitters bind to these molecules after passing across the synapse

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19
Q

Synaptic Reuptake

A

The process whereby a neurotransmitter is taken back into the presynaptic
buttons, thereby stopping its activity

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20
Q

Autoreceptors

A

a receptor for a neurotransmitter that is expressed on the same neuron that releases the neurotransmitter

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21
Q

Synaptic enzymes

A

located in the synaptic cleft and are responsible for breaking down specific neurotransmitters

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22
Q

How are agonist drugs affecting neurotransmitter intake?

A

Increase of precursor
counteracting the cleanup enzymes
blocking re-uptake
mimicking the transmitter’s action

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23
Q

Broca’s area

A

A small portion of the left frontal region of the brain, crucial for the production
of language

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24
Q

Electroencephalography (EEG)

A

A technique for measuring electrical activity in the brain

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25
Q

Positron emission tomography (PET)

A

a method of brain imaging that assesses metabolic
activity by using a radioactive substance injected into the bloodstream

26
Q

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

A

A method of brain imaging that uses a powerful
magnetic field to produce high-quality images of the brain

27
Q

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)

A

An imaging technique used to examine
changes in the activity of the working human brain by measuring changes in the blood’s
oxygen levels

28
Q

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)

A

The use of strong magnets to briefly interrupt
normal brain activity as a way to study the brain regions

29
Q

Cerebral cortex

A

The outer layer of brain tissue, which forms the convoluted surface of the
brain; the site of all thoughts, perceptions, and complex behaviors

30
Q

Corpus callosum

A

A massive bridge of millions of axons that connects the hemispheres of
the brain and allows information to flow between them

31
Q

Occipital lobes

A

Regions of the cerebral cortex - at the back of the brain- important for vision

32
Q

Parietal lobes

A

Regions of the cerebral cortex - in front of the occipital lobes and behind the
frontal lobes- important for the sense of touch and for attention to the environment

33
Q

Temporal lobes

A

Regions of the cerebral cortex -below the parietal lobes and in front of the
occipital lobes - important for processing auditory information, form memory, and for object
and face perception

34
Q

Frontal lobes

A

Regions of the cerebral cortex- at the front of the brain- important for
movement and high-level psychological processes associated with the prefrontal cortex

35
Q

Prefrontal cortex

A

The frontmost portion of the frontal lobes, especially prominent in humans;
important for attention, working memory, decision making, appropriate social behavior and
personality

36
Q

Split brain

A

A condition that occurs when the corpus callosum is surgically cut and the two
hemispheres of the brain do not receive information directly from each other

37
Q

Insula

A

The part of the cerebral cortex lying inside the lateral fissure; important for taste, pain,
perception of bodily states, and empathy

38
Q

Thalamus

A

The gateway to the brain; it receives almost all incoming sensory information
before that information reaches the cortex

39
Q

Hypothalamus

A

a brain structure that is involved in the regulation of bodily functions,
including body temperature, body rhythms, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels; it also
influences our basic motivated behaviors

40
Q

Hippocampus

A

A brain structure that is associated with the formation of memories

41
Q

Amygdala

A

A brain structure that serves a vital role in learning to associate things with
emotional responses and in processing emotional information

42
Q

Basal ganglia

A

A system of subcortical structures that are important for the planning and
production of movement

43
Q

Brain stem

A

An extension of the spinal cord; it houses structures that control functions
associated with survival, such as heart rate, breathing, swallowing, vomiting, urination, and
orgasm

44
Q

Cerebellum

A

A large, convoluted protuberance at the back of the brain stem; itis essential for
coordinated movement and balance

45
Q

Somatic nervous system(SNS)

A

A component of the peripheral nervous system: it transmits
sensory signals and motor signals between the central nervous system and the skin,
muscles, and joints

46
Q

Autonomic nervous system(ANS)

A

A component of the peripheral nervous system: it
transmits sensory signals and motor signals between the central nervous system and the
body’s glands and internal organs

47
Q

Sympathetic division

A

A division of the autonomic nervous system; it prepares the body for
action

48
Q

Parasympathetic division

A

A division of the autonomic nervous system ; it returns the body to
its resting state

49
Q

Endocrine system

A

A communication system that uses hormones to influence thoughts,
behaviors, and actions

50
Q

Hormones

A

Chemical substances, released from endocrine glands, that travel through the
bloodstream to targeted tissues; the tissues are subsequently influenced by the hormones

51
Q

Pituitary gland

A

A gland located at the base of the hypothalamus; sends hormonal signals
to other endocrine glands, controlling their release of hormones

52
Q

Plasticity

A

A property of the brain that allows it to change as a result of experience or injury

53
Q

How are agonist drugs affecting neurotransmitter intake?

A

Decrease of precursor
increase effectivenesscleanup enzymes
enhance the re-uptake
blocking of receptors

54
Q

What is serotonin important for?

A

emotional states, impulse control and dreaming. Low levels are associated with sad and anxious moods, food cravings and aggressive behavior

55
Q

What is dopamine important for?

A

serves many significant brain functions, especially those related to motivation and reward

56
Q

What is GABA important for?

A

primary inhibitory neurotransmitter

57
Q

What is glutamate important for?

A

primary excitatory neurotransmitters

58
Q

What are endorphins important for?

A

natural pain reduction and reward

59
Q

Wernicke’s area:

A

region of the brain that contains motor neurons involved in the comprehension of speech

60
Q

What does the left hemisphere process?

A

language(reading, writing, speaking), logic, complex motor behavior

61
Q

What does the right hemisphere process?

A

Psychology and Its Methods (4 decks)

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