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Psychology > UNIT 1 - Chapter 2 - The Biological Perspective > Flashcards

UNIT 1 - Chapter 2 - The Biological Perspective Flashcards

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1
Q

Nervous System

A

An extensive network of specialized cells that carries information to and from all parts of the body

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2
Q

Neuroscience

A

A branch of the life sciences that deals with the structure and function of neurons, nerves, and nervous tissue

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3
Q

Biological psychology or Behavioral Neuroscience

A

Branch of neuroscience that focuses on the biological bases of psychological processes, behavior, and learning

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4
Q

Neuron

A

The basic cell that makes up the nervous system and that receives and sends messages within that system

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5
Q

Dendrites

A

Branchlike structures of a neuron that receive messages from other neurons

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6
Q

Soma

A

The cell body of the responsible for maintaining the life of the cell

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7
Q

Axon

A

Tube-like structure of a neuron that carries the neural message from the cell body to the axon terminals for communication with other cells

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8
Q

Axon Terminals

A

Enlarged ends of axonal branches of the neuron, specialized from communication between the cells

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9
Q

Glial cells

A

Cells that provide support for the neurons to grow on and around, deliver nutrients to neurons, produce myelin to coat axons, clean up waste products and dead neurons, influence information processing, and during prenatal development, influence the generation of new neurons

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10
Q

Myelin

A

Fatty substances produced by certain glial cells that coat the axons of neurons to insulate, protect, and speed up the neural impulse

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11
Q

Nerves

A

Bundles of axons coated in myelin that travel through the body

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12
Q

Ions

A

Charged particles

  • Inside neuron - negatively charged
  • outside neuron - positively charged
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13
Q

Resting Potential

A

The state of the neuron when not firing a neural impulse

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14
Q

Diffusion

A

Processes of molecules moving from areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration

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15
Q

Action Potential

A

The release of the neural impulse, consisting of a reversal of the electrical charge within the axon

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16
Q

All-or-none

A

Referring to the fact that a neuron either fires completely or does not fire at all

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17
Q

Synaptic Vesicles

A

Saclike structures found inside the synaptic knob containing chemicals

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18
Q

Neurotransmitter

A

Chemical found in the synaptic vesicles that, when released, has an effect on the next cell

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19
Q

Synapse (Synaptic Gap)

A

Microscopic fluid filled spaces between the axon terminal of one cell and the dendrites or soma of the next cell

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20
Q

Receptor Sites

A

Three dimensional proteins on the surface of the dendrites or certain cells of the messages of the muscles and glands which are shaped to fit only certain neurotransmitters

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21
Q

Excitatory Synapse

A

Synapse at which a neurotransmitter causes the receiving cell to fire

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22
Q

Inhibitory Synapse

A

Synapse at which a neuro transmitter causes the receiving cell to stop firing

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23
Q

Antagonists

A

Chemical substances that block or reduce a cell’s response to the action of other chemicals or neurotransmitters

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24
Q

Agonists

A

Chemical substances that mimic or enhance the effects of a neurotransmitter on the receptor sites of the next cell, increasing or decreasing the activity of that cell.

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25
Q

Reuptake

A

Process by which neurotransmitters are taken back into the synaptic vesicles

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26
Q

Enzymatic degradation

A

Process by which structure of neurotransmitter is altered so it can no longer act on a receptor

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27
Q

Central Nervous System (CNS)

A

Part of the nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal Cord
*** Answers to the Nervous System as a whole

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28
Q

Spinal Cord

A

A long bundle of neurons that carries messages between the body and the brain and is responsible for very fast, lifesaving reflexes

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29
Q

Afferent (SENSORY) Neuron

A

A Neuron that carries information from the senses to the Central Nervous System

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30
Q

Efferent (MOTOR) neuron

A

A neuron that carries messages from the central nervous system to the muscles of the body

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31
Q

Interneuron

A

A neuron found in the center of the spinal cord that receives information from the afferent neurons and sends commands to the muscles through the efferent neurons. Interneurons also make up the bulk of neurons in the brain

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32
Q

Reflex Arc

A

The connection of the afferent neurons to the interneurons to the efferent neurons, resulting in the reflex action

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33
Q

Neuroplasticity

A

The ability within the brain to constantly change both the structure and function of many cells in response to experience or trauma.

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34
Q

Neurogenesis

A

The formation of new neurons; occurs primarily during prenatal development, but may also occur at lesser levels in some brain areas during adulthood

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35
Q

Stem Cells

A

Special cells found in all the tissues of the body that that are capable of becoming other cell types when those cells need to be replaced due to damage or wear and tear

36
Q

Epigenetics

A

The interaction between genes and environmental factors that influence gene activity, environmental factors include diet, life experiences, and physical surroundings.

37
Q

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

A

All nerves and neurons that are not contained in the brain and spinal cord but that run through the body itself.

38
Q

Somatic Nervous System

A

Division of the PNS consisting of nerves that control all of the involuntary muscles, organs, and glands

39
Q

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

A

Division of the PNS consisting of nerves that control all of the involuntary muscles, organs, and glands

40
Q

Sensory pathway

A

Nerves coming from the sensory organs to the CNS consisting of afferent neurons.

41
Q

Motor Pathway

A

Nerves coming from the CNS to the voluntary muscles, consisting of efferent neurons

42
Q

Sympathetic Division

A

Part of the ANS that is responsible for reacting to stressful events and bodily arousal; “fight or flight system.”

43
Q

Parasympathetic Division

A

Part of the ANS that restores the body to normal functioning after arousal and is responsible for the day-to-day functioning of the organs and glands; “eat-drink-and-rest system.”

44
Q

Endocrine Glands

A

Glands that secrete chemicals called hormones directly into the bloodstream

45
Q

Hormones

A

Chemicals released into the blood stream by endocrine glands

46
Q

Pituitary Gland

A

Gland located in the brain that secretes human growth hormone and influences all other hormone-secreting glands (also known as the master gland)

47
Q

Oxytocin

A

Hormone released by the posterior posterior pituitary gland that is involved in reproductive and and parental behaviors

48
Q

Pineal Gland

A

Endocrine gland located near the base of the cerebellum, secretes melantonin

49
Q

Thyroid Gland

A

Endocrine gland found in the neck, regulates metabolism

50
Q

Pancreas

A

Endocrine gland; controls the levels of sugar in the blood

51
Q

Gonads

A

Sex glands; secrete hormones that regulate sexual development and behavior as well as reproduction

52
Q

Ovaries

A

The female gonads or sex glands

53
Q

Testes

A

The male gonads or sex glands

54
Q

Adrenal Glands

A

Endocrine glands located on top of each kidney that secrete over 30 different hormones to deal with stress, regulate salt intake, and provide a secondary source of sex hormones affecting the sexual changes that occur during adolescence.

55
Q

Coronary Heart Disease(CHD)

A

The buildup of a waxy substance called plaque in the arteries of the heart

56
Q

Natural Killer (NK) cell

A

Immune System cell responsible for suppressing viruses and destroying tumor cells

57
Q

Type 2 Diabetes

A

Disease typically occurring in middle adulthood when the body either becomes resistant to the effects of insulin or can no longer secrete enough insulin to maintain normal glucose levels

58
Q

Lesioning

A

Insertion of a thin, insulated electrode into the brain through which an electrical current is sent, destroying the brain cells at the tip of the wire

59
Q

Computer Tomography

A

Brain-imaging method using computer controlled x-rays if the brain

60
Q

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

A

Brain-imaging method using radio waves and magnetic fields of the body to produce detailed images of the brain

61
Q

Electroencephalogram(EEG)

A

A recording of the electrical activity of large groups of cortical neurons just below the skull, most often using scalp electrodes

62
Q

Positron emission tomography (PET)

A

Brain-imaging method in which a radioactive sugar is injected into the subject and a computer compiles a color-coded image of the activity of the brain

63
Q

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)

A

MRI based brain imaging method that allows for functional examination of brain areas through changes in brain oxygenation

64
Q

Medulla

A

The first large swelling at the top of the spinal cord, forming the lowest part of the brain, which is responsible for life-sustaining functions such as breathing, swallowing, and heart rate

65
Q

Pons

A

The large swelling above the medulla that relays information from the cortex to the cerebellum, and that plays a part in sleep, dreaming , left-right body coordination, and arousal

66
Q

Reticular formation (RF)

A

An area of neurons running through the middle of the medulla and the pons and slightly beyond that is responsible for general attention, alertness, and arousal.

67
Q

Cerebellum

A

Part of the lower brain located behind the pons that controls and coordinates involuntary, rapid, fine motor movement and may have some cognitive functions

68
Q

Limbic system

A

A group of several brain structures located primarily under the cortex and involved in learning, emotion, memory, and motivation

69
Q

Thalamus

A

Part of the limbic system located in the center of the brain, this structure relays sensory information from the lower part of the brain to the proper areas of the cortex and processes some sensory information before sending it to its proper area

70
Q

Hypothalamus

A

Small structures in the brain located below the thalamus and directly above the pituitary gland, responsible for motivational behavior such as sleep, hunger, thirst, and sex

71
Q

Hippocampus

A

Curved structure located within each temporal lobe, responsible for the formation of long term declarative memories

72
Q

Amygdala

A

Brain structure located near the hippocampus, responsible for fear responses and memory and fear

73
Q

Cortex

A

Outermost covering of the brain consisting of densely packed neurons responsible for higher thought processes and interpretation of sensory input

74
Q

Cerebral Hemispheres

A

The two sections of the cortex on the left and the right sides of the brain

75
Q

Corpus callosum

A

Thick band of neurons that connects the right and left cerebral hemispheres

76
Q

Occipital lobe

A

Section of the brain located at the rear and bottom of each cerebral hemisphere containing the primary visual centers of the brain

77
Q

Parietal lobes

A

Sections of the brain located at the top and back of each cerebral hemisphere containing the centers for touch, temperature, and body position

78
Q

Somatosensory cortex

A

Area of cortex at the front of the parietal lobes responsible for processing information from the skin and internal body receptors for touch, temperature, and body position

79
Q

Temporal lobes

A

Areas of the cortex located along the side of the brain, starting just behind the temples, containing the neurons responsible for the sense of hearing and meaningful speech

80
Q

Frontal lobes

A

Areas of the brain located in the front and the top, responsible for higher mental processes and decision making as well as the production of fluent speech

81
Q

Motor cortex

A

Rear section of the frontal lobe, responsible for sending motor commands to the muscles of the somatic nervous system

82
Q

Mirror Neurons

A

Neurons that fire when an animal or person performs an action and also when an animal or person observes that same action being performed by another

83
Q

Association areas

A

Areas within each lobe of the cortex responsible for the coordination and interpretation of information as well as higher mental processing

84
Q

Broca’s Aphasia

A

Condition resulting from damage to Broca’s area, causing the affected person to be unable to speak fluently, to mispronounce words, and to speak haltingly

85
Q

Wernicke’s asphasia

A

Condition resulting from damaging to Wernicke’s area, causing the affected person to be unable to understand or produce meaningful language

86
Q

Spatial neglect

A

Condition produce most often by damage to the parietal lobe association areas of the right hemisphere, resulting in an inability to recognize objects or body parts in the left visual field

87
Q

Cerebrum

A

The upper part of the brain consisting of the two hemispheres and the structures that connect them.

Psychology (9 decks)

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