Unit 1 - All Vocab Flashcards
Neuron
Nerve cell
Cell Body
The part of the neuron that contains the nucleus
Dentrites
A neurons extensions that receive and integrate messages
Axon
Neuron extension that passes messages to other neurons or muscles/glands
Myelin Sheath
Fatty tissue layer encasing axons to allow greater transmission speed
Glial Cells
Cells in the nervous system that help neurons and play a role in learning, thinking and memory
Action Potential
A neural impulse - a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon
Threshold
Level of stimulation required to trigger neural impulse
Refractory Period
Brief resting phase after a neuron has fired
All or None Response
A neuron will either fire or it wont
Synapse
Meeting point between neurons - axon and dentrite (synaptic gap)
Nuerotransmitters
Chemical messages that cross the synaptic gap
Reuptake
A neurotransmitters reabsorption by the sending neuron
Axon Terminal
The end of an axon that transmits electrical impulses to other cells
Agonist
A molecule that increases a neurotransmitters action
Antagonist
A molecule that blocks a neurotransmitters action
Nervous System
The body’s speedy, electrochemical communication network, consisting of all the nerve cells of the CNS and PNS
Central Nervous System (CNS)
The brain and spinal cord
Peripheral Nervous System
The sensory and motor neurons that connect the CNS to the rest of the body (our nerves)
Nerves
Bundled axons that form neural cables connecting the CNS with muscles, glands and sense organs
Sensory (Afferent) Nuerons
Neurons that carry incoming information
Motor (Efferent) neurons
Neurons that carry outgoing information
Interneurons
Neurons within the brain and spinal cord
Somatic Nervous System
Controls the body of the skeletal muscles (voluntary)
Autonomic Nervous System
Controls glands and muscles of the internal organs (Involuntary - automatic)
Sympathetic Nervous System
Part of ANS that arouses the body, mobilizing energy
Parasympathetic Nervous System
Part of ANS that calms the body, conserving energy
Reflexes
A simple, automatic response to a sensory stimulus
Endocrine System
The body’s “slow” chemical communication system - a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream
Hormones
Chemical messengers manufactured by endocrine glands that travel through the bloodstream
Adrenal Glands
Endocrine glands above the pancreas that secrete hormones to arouse the body in times of stress
Pituitary Glands
Most influential - regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands
Acetylcholine (ACh)
Neurotransmitter that controls voluntary movement and muscle contraction (also plays a role in learning, memory and sleep)
Dopamine
A neurotransmitter that controls movement, attention and alertness, and rewards
GABA
A neurotransmitter that inhibits excitation and anxiety (calming)
Endorphins
Neurotransmitters that play a role in pain relief, feelings of pleasure and stress reduction - “natural opiates”
Serotonin
A neurotransmitter that plays a role in mood regulation, hunger/appetite and sleep
Epinephrine/Norepinephrine
Neurotransmitter that enable the “flight or fight” response - slows down appetite and digestion during response
Glutamate
Neurotransmitter involved in memory. Major excitatory neurotransmitter
Substance P
Neurotransmitter involved in pain perception and immune response
Adrenaline
Hormone produced by the adrenal gland in order to handle stress
Leptin
A hormone that reduces the feeling of hunger
Ghrelin
Hormone that increases the feeling of hunger and can signal the pituitary gland to release growth hormone
Melatonin
Hormone released by the pineal gland (photosensitive) that makes you feel sleepy and regulates your circadian rhythm
Oxytocin
The “love” hormone - plays a role in bonding and trust
Lesion
Naturally or experimentally caused destruction of brain tissue
EEG
Neural measure in which electrodes are placed on the scalp to measure electrical activity in neurons
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
Neural measure in which magnetic fields and radio waves provide a map of brain structure
fMRI (Functioning)
Neural measure that measures blood flow to brain regions by comparing continuous MRI’s
Brain stem
Core of the brain (and oldest part) responsible for automatic survival functions
Medulla (and Pons)
Base of brain stem controlling heartbeat and breathing (Pons: coordination and sleep)
Thalamus
Sensory control center located on the top of the brain stem (directs messages)
Reticular Formation
A nerve network that travels through the brain stem into the thalamus and plays an important part in controlling arousal
Cerebellum
“Little Brain” at the rear of the brain stem that processes sensory input, coordinates movement and balance and enables nonverbal learning and memory
Limbic System
Neural system located below the cerebral hemispheres (amygdala, hypothalamus and hippocampus) associated with emotions and drives
Amygdala
Lima bean sized neural clusters in the limbic system linked to aggression and fear
Hypothalamus
Neural structure in the limbic system, below the thalamus, that directs maintenance activities (eating, drinking, body temperature) and helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland
Hippocampus
Neural center in the limbic system that stores long term memory/events
Cerebral Cortex
A thin surface layer of interconnected neural cells covering the cerebral hemispheres
Frontal Lobes
Located just behind the forehead, involved in speaking, muscle movements, making plans and judgement
Parietal Lobes
Located on the top of/rear of the head, receives sensory input for touch and body position
Occipital Lobes
Located at the back of the head, receives information from the visual field
Temporal Lobes
Located above the ears, includes auditory areas, receiving information from the opposite ear
Motor Cortex
An area at the rear of the frontal lobes that control voluntary movements
Somatosensory Cortex
An area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations
Association Areas
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
Plasticity
The brains ability to change, especially during childhood, by reorganizing after damage, or by building new pathways based on experience (what makes the human brain unique)
Neurogenisis
The formation of new neurons
Aphasia
Impairment of language, usually caused by left hemisphere damage either to Broca’s area or Wernicke’s area
Broca’s Area
Located on the left hemisphere of the frontal lobes, helps control language expression and directs muscle movements involved in speech
Wernicke’s Area
Located on the left temporal lobe, involved in language comprehension and expression
Corpus Callosum
The large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them
Split Brain
A condition resulting from surgery that isolates the brains two hemispheres by cutting the fibers connecting them (corpus callosum)
Consciousness
Our subjective awareness of ourselves and our environment
Cognitive Neuroscience
The interdisciplinary study of the brain activity linked with our mental processes
Dual Processing
The principle that information is often simultaneously processed on separate conscious and unconscious tracks
Blindsight
A condition in which a person can respond to a visual stimulus without consciously experiencing it
Parallel Processing
Processing many aspects of a problem simultaneously; generally used to process well-learned information or to solve easy problems
Sequential Processing
Processing one aspect of a problem at a time; generally used to process new information or to solve difficult problems
Behavior Genetics
The study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior
Heredity
The genetic transfer of of characteristics from parents to offspring
Environment
Every non-genetic influence
Chromosomes
Threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes
DNA
A complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up chromosomes
Genes
Segments of DNA capable of of synthesizing proteins
Genome
All the genetic material in an organisms chromosomes
Identical (monozygotic) twins
Develop from a single, fertilized egg that splits in two, creating two genetically identical organisms.
Fraternal (dizygotic) twins
Develop from seperate fertilized eggs. Genetically no similar than ordinary siblings.
Heritability
The proportion of variation among individuals in a group that we can attribute to genes
Interaction
The interplay that occurs when the effect of one factor (environment) depends on another (heredity)
Molecular Genetics
Studies the molecular structure and function of genes
Molecular Behavior Genetics
The study of how the structure and function and genes interact with our environment to influence behavior.
Epigenetics
The study of environmental influences on gene expression
Natural Selection
The principle that successful traits will be passed down through generations
Mutation
Random error in gene replication that leads to a change
Social Script
A culturally modeled guide for how to act in various situations
Sleep
A periodic, natural loss of consciousness
Circadian Rhythm
Our biological clock (24 hour cycle)
REM Sleep
Sleep stage in which muscles are relaxes and vivid dreams occur
Alpha Waves
Slow brain waves of the relaxed, awake state
NREM Sleep
All sleep stages except for REM
Hallucinations
Sensory experiences that occur without a sensory stimulus
Hypnagogic Sensations
Bizarre experiences while transitioning to sleep
Delta Waves
Large, slow brain waves associated with the deep sleep of NREM-3
Suprachiamatic Nucleus (SNC)
A pair of cell clusters in the hypothalamus that controls circadian rhythm
Insomnia
Recurring problems in falling or staying asleep
Narcolepsy
Sudden attacks of overwhelming sleepiness
Sleep Apnea
Stopping breathing repeatedly while sleeping
Night Terrors
appearing terrified, talking nonsense, sitting up or walking around during NREM-3 sleep
Sleep walking/sleep talking
Occurs during REM sleep - acting out your dreams
Dream
Sequence of image, emotions and thoughts passing through a sleeping persons mind
Manifest Content
Symbolic, remembered story line of a dream
Latent Content
Underlying meaning of a dream
REM Rebound
The tendency for REM Sleep to increase following REM Sleep deprivation
Psychoactive Drug
A chemical substance that alters perceptions and moods
Substance Use Disorder
Continued substance use and craving despite life disruption/physical risk
Tolerance
Diminishing effect of substance with the same dose, requiring larger and larger doses to receive the same effect
Withdrawal
Discomfort/distress following discontinued substance use
Depressants
Drugs that reduce neural activity
Alcohol Use Disorder
Prolonged and excessive drinking
Stimulants
Drugs that excite neural activity and speed up body functions
Cociane
A powerful/addictive stimulant that produces temporarily increased alertness and euphoria
Hallucinogens
Psychedelic (“mind-manifesting”) drugs that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images
Near-death Experience
Altered state of consciousness reported after a close brush with death (similar to the effect of hallucinogens)
Marijuana
A hallucinogen with the active ingredient being THC
Cocaine
A depressant that produces feelings of sedation and well-being
Caffeine
A stimulants that makes you feel less tired
Transduction
The process of converting one form of energy into another form that our brain can use
Psychophysics
The study of the relationships between the physical energy we can detect and its effects on our physchological experiences
Absolute Threshold
The minimum stimulus energy needed to detect a particular stimulus 50% of the time
Signal Detection Theory
Predicts when we detect weak signals
Subliminal
Below ones absolute threshold for conscious awareness
Difference Threshold
The minimum difference between two stimuli required for detection 50% of the time (just noticeable difference)
Priming
The activation, often unconsciously, of certain associations, thus predisposing ones perception, memory or response
Weber’s Law
The principle that, to be perceived as different, two stimuli must differ by a constant minimum percentage
Sensory Adaptation
Diminished sensitivity as a consequence of constant stimulation
Wavelength
Distance from the peak of one light or sound wave to the next
Hue
Dimension of color determined by wavelength of light
Intensity
Amount of energy in a light or sound wave
Cornea
The eyes clear, protective outer layer that covers the pupil and the iris
Pupil
The adjustable opening in the center of the eye through which light enters
Iris
Ring of muscle tissue that forms the colored portion of the eye around the pupil and controls the opening of the pupil
Lens
Transparent structure behind the pupil that changes shape to focus images on the retina
Accommodation
The process by which the eyes lens changes shape to focus on near and far objects on the retina
Rods
Retinal receptors that detect black, white, and gray. Necessary for peripheral/twilight vision.
Cones
Retinal receptors that function in daylight/well-lit conditions. Detect fine detail/color.
Optic Nerve
The nerve that carries neural impulses from the eye to the brain
Blind Spot
Point at which the optic nerve leaves the eye, creating a “blind” spot because there are no receptor cells.
Fovea
Central, focal point in the retina, around which the eyes cones cluster
Three Color Theory
The theory that the retina contains 3 different types of color receptors (red, green, blue) which when stimulated, in combination, can produce the perception of any color.
Opponent Process Theory
The theory that opposing retinal processes enable color vision
Feature Detectors
Nerve Cells in the brains visual cortex that respond to specific features of the stimulus (shape, angle, movement etc.)
Audition
The sense or act of hearing (hearing)
Frequency
The number of complete wavelengths that pass a point in a given time
Pitch
A tone’s experienced highness or lowness; depends on frequency
Middle Ear
The chamber between the eardrum and cochlea containing three tiny bones that concentrate the vibrations of the eardrum on the cochlea’s oval window
Cochlea
A coiled, bony, fluid filled tube in the inner ear; sound waves traveling through the cochlea fluid trigger nerve impulses
Inner Ear
The innermost part of the ear, containing the cochlea, semicircular canals, and vestibular sacs
Sensorineural hearing loss
Most common and aka “nerve deafness”, results from damage to the cochlea’s receptor cells and auditory nerves
Conduction Hearing Loss
Less common, caused by damage to the mechanical system, that conducts sound waves to the cochlea
Cochlear Implant
A device for converting sounds into electrical signals and stimulating the auditory nerve through electrodes threaded into the cochlea
Place Theory
In hearing, the theory that links the pitch we hear with the place where the cochlea’s membrane is stimulated
Frequency Theory
In hearing, the theory that the rate of nerve impulses traveling up the auditory nerve matched the frequency of a tone, enabling us to sense its pitch
Gate Control Theory
The theory that the spinal cord contains a neurological “gate” that blocks pain signals or allows them to pass onto the brain
Olfaction
The sense of smell
Kinesthesia
Our movement sense - our system for position and movement
Vestibular Sense
Our sense of body movement and position that enables our sense of balance
Sensory Interaction
The principle that one sense may influence another
Embodied Cognition
The influence of bodily sensations, gestures and other states on cognitive preferences and judgements
