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

UNIT 1 - Chapter 2 - The Biological Perspective Flashcards

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
Reuptake
Process by which neurotransmitters are taken back into the synaptic vesicles
26
Enzymatic degradation
Process by which structure of neurotransmitter is altered so it can no longer act on a receptor
27
Central Nervous System (CNS)
Part of the nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal Cord *** Answers to the Nervous System as a whole
28
Spinal Cord
A long bundle of neurons that carries messages between the body and the brain and is responsible for very fast, lifesaving reflexes
29
Afferent (SENSORY) Neuron
A Neuron that carries information from the senses to the Central Nervous System
30
Efferent (MOTOR) neuron
A neuron that carries messages from the central nervous system to the muscles of the body
31
Interneuron
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
32
Reflex Arc
The connection of the afferent neurons to the interneurons to the efferent neurons, resulting in the reflex action
33
Neuroplasticity
The ability within the brain to constantly change both the structure and function of many cells in response to experience or trauma.
34
Neurogenesis
The formation of new neurons; occurs primarily during prenatal development, but may also occur at lesser levels in some brain areas during adulthood
35
Stem Cells
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
Epigenetics
The interaction between genes and environmental factors that influence gene activity, environmental factors include diet, life experiences, and physical surroundings.
37
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
All nerves and neurons that are not contained in the brain and spinal cord but that run through the body itself.
38
Somatic Nervous System
Division of the PNS consisting of nerves that control all of the involuntary muscles, organs, and glands
39
Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
Division of the PNS consisting of nerves that control all of the involuntary muscles, organs, and glands
40
Sensory pathway
Nerves coming from the sensory organs to the CNS consisting of afferent neurons.
41
Motor Pathway
Nerves coming from the CNS to the voluntary muscles, consisting of efferent neurons
42
Sympathetic Division
Part of the ANS that is responsible for reacting to stressful events and bodily arousal; "fight or flight system."
43
Parasympathetic Division
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
Endocrine Glands
Glands that secrete chemicals called hormones directly into the bloodstream
45
Hormones
Chemicals released into the blood stream by endocrine glands
46
Pituitary Gland
Gland located in the brain that secretes human growth hormone and influences all other hormone-secreting glands (also known as the master gland)
47
Oxytocin
Hormone released by the posterior posterior pituitary gland that is involved in reproductive and and parental behaviors
48
Pineal Gland
Endocrine gland located near the base of the cerebellum, secretes melantonin
49
Thyroid Gland
Endocrine gland found in the neck, regulates metabolism
50
Pancreas
Endocrine gland; controls the levels of sugar in the blood
51
Gonads
Sex glands; secrete hormones that regulate sexual development and behavior as well as reproduction
52
Ovaries
The female gonads or sex glands
53
Testes
The male gonads or sex glands
54
Adrenal Glands
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
Coronary Heart Disease(CHD)
The buildup of a waxy substance called plaque in the arteries of the heart
56
Natural Killer (NK) cell
Immune System cell responsible for suppressing viruses and destroying tumor cells
57
Type 2 Diabetes
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
Lesioning
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
Computer Tomography
Brain-imaging method using computer controlled x-rays if the brain
60
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Brain-imaging method using radio waves and magnetic fields of the body to produce detailed images of the brain
61
Electroencephalogram(EEG)
A recording of the electrical activity of large groups of cortical neurons just below the skull, most often using scalp electrodes
62
Positron emission tomography (PET)
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
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)
MRI based brain imaging method that allows for functional examination of brain areas through changes in brain oxygenation
64
Medulla
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
Pons
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
Reticular formation (RF)
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
Cerebellum
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
Limbic system
A group of several brain structures located primarily under the cortex and involved in learning, emotion, memory, and motivation
69
Thalamus
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
Hypothalamus
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
Hippocampus
Curved structure located within each temporal lobe, responsible for the formation of long term declarative memories
72
Amygdala
Brain structure located near the hippocampus, responsible for fear responses and memory and fear
73
Cortex
Outermost covering of the brain consisting of densely packed neurons responsible for higher thought processes and interpretation of sensory input
74
Cerebral Hemispheres
The two sections of the cortex on the left and the right sides of the brain
75
Corpus callosum
Thick band of neurons that connects the right and left cerebral hemispheres
76
Occipital lobe
Section of the brain located at the rear and bottom of each cerebral hemisphere containing the primary visual centers of the brain
77
Parietal lobes
Sections of the brain located at the top and back of each cerebral hemisphere containing the centers for touch, temperature, and body position
78
Somatosensory cortex
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
Temporal lobes
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
Frontal lobes
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
Motor cortex
Rear section of the frontal lobe, responsible for sending motor commands to the muscles of the somatic nervous system
82
Mirror Neurons
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
Association areas
Areas within each lobe of the cortex responsible for the coordination and interpretation of information as well as higher mental processing
84
Broca's Aphasia
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
Wernicke's asphasia
Condition resulting from damaging to Wernicke's area, causing the affected person to be unable to understand or produce meaningful language
86
Spatial neglect
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
Cerebrum
The upper part of the brain consisting of the two hemispheres and the structures that connect them.

Psychology (9 decks)

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