UNIT 1 - Chapter 2 - The Biological Perspective Flashcards
Nervous System
An extensive network of specialized cells that carries information to and from all parts of the body
Neuroscience
A branch of the life sciences that deals with the structure and function of neurons, nerves, and nervous tissue
Biological psychology or Behavioral Neuroscience
Branch of neuroscience that focuses on the biological bases of psychological processes, behavior, and learning
Neuron
The basic cell that makes up the nervous system and that receives and sends messages within that system
Dendrites
Branchlike structures of a neuron that receive messages from other neurons
Soma
The cell body of the responsible for maintaining the life of the cell
Axon
Tube-like structure of a neuron that carries the neural message from the cell body to the axon terminals for communication with other cells
Axon Terminals
Enlarged ends of axonal branches of the neuron, specialized from communication between the cells
Glial cells
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
Myelin
Fatty substances produced by certain glial cells that coat the axons of neurons to insulate, protect, and speed up the neural impulse
Nerves
Bundles of axons coated in myelin that travel through the body
Ions
Charged particles
- Inside neuron - negatively charged
- outside neuron - positively charged
Resting Potential
The state of the neuron when not firing a neural impulse
Diffusion
Processes of molecules moving from areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration
Action Potential
The release of the neural impulse, consisting of a reversal of the electrical charge within the axon
All-or-none
Referring to the fact that a neuron either fires completely or does not fire at all
Synaptic Vesicles
Saclike structures found inside the synaptic knob containing chemicals
Neurotransmitter
Chemical found in the synaptic vesicles that, when released, has an effect on the next cell
Synapse (Synaptic Gap)
Microscopic fluid filled spaces between the axon terminal of one cell and the dendrites or soma of the next cell
Receptor Sites
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
Excitatory Synapse
Synapse at which a neurotransmitter causes the receiving cell to fire
Inhibitory Synapse
Synapse at which a neuro transmitter causes the receiving cell to stop firing
Antagonists
Chemical substances that block or reduce a cell’s response to the action of other chemicals or neurotransmitters
Agonists
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.
Reuptake
Process by which neurotransmitters are taken back into the synaptic vesicles
Enzymatic degradation
Process by which structure of neurotransmitter is altered so it can no longer act on a receptor
Central Nervous System (CNS)
Part of the nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal Cord
*** Answers to the Nervous System as a whole
Spinal Cord
A long bundle of neurons that carries messages between the body and the brain and is responsible for very fast, lifesaving reflexes
Afferent (SENSORY) Neuron
A Neuron that carries information from the senses to the Central Nervous System
Efferent (MOTOR) neuron
A neuron that carries messages from the central nervous system to the muscles of the body
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
Reflex Arc
The connection of the afferent neurons to the interneurons to the efferent neurons, resulting in the reflex action
Neuroplasticity
The ability within the brain to constantly change both the structure and function of many cells in response to experience or trauma.
Neurogenesis
The formation of new neurons; occurs primarily during prenatal development, but may also occur at lesser levels in some brain areas during adulthood
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
Epigenetics
The interaction between genes and environmental factors that influence gene activity, environmental factors include diet, life experiences, and physical surroundings.
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.
Somatic Nervous System
Division of the PNS consisting of nerves that control all of the involuntary muscles, organs, and glands
Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
Division of the PNS consisting of nerves that control all of the involuntary muscles, organs, and glands
Sensory pathway
Nerves coming from the sensory organs to the CNS consisting of afferent neurons.
Motor Pathway
Nerves coming from the CNS to the voluntary muscles, consisting of efferent neurons
Sympathetic Division
Part of the ANS that is responsible for reacting to stressful events and bodily arousal; “fight or flight system.”
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.”
Endocrine Glands
Glands that secrete chemicals called hormones directly into the bloodstream
Hormones
Chemicals released into the blood stream by endocrine glands
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)
Oxytocin
Hormone released by the posterior posterior pituitary gland that is involved in reproductive and and parental behaviors
Pineal Gland
Endocrine gland located near the base of the cerebellum, secretes melantonin
Thyroid Gland
Endocrine gland found in the neck, regulates metabolism
Pancreas
Endocrine gland; controls the levels of sugar in the blood
Gonads
Sex glands; secrete hormones that regulate sexual development and behavior as well as reproduction
Ovaries
The female gonads or sex glands
Testes
The male gonads or sex glands
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.
Coronary Heart Disease(CHD)
The buildup of a waxy substance called plaque in the arteries of the heart
Natural Killer (NK) cell
Immune System cell responsible for suppressing viruses and destroying tumor cells
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
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
Computer Tomography
Brain-imaging method using computer controlled x-rays if the brain
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Brain-imaging method using radio waves and magnetic fields of the body to produce detailed images of the brain
Electroencephalogram(EEG)
A recording of the electrical activity of large groups of cortical neurons just below the skull, most often using scalp electrodes
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
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)
MRI based brain imaging method that allows for functional examination of brain areas through changes in brain oxygenation
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
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
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.
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
Limbic system
A group of several brain structures located primarily under the cortex and involved in learning, emotion, memory, and motivation
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
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
Hippocampus
Curved structure located within each temporal lobe, responsible for the formation of long term declarative memories
Amygdala
Brain structure located near the hippocampus, responsible for fear responses and memory and fear
Cortex
Outermost covering of the brain consisting of densely packed neurons responsible for higher thought processes and interpretation of sensory input
Cerebral Hemispheres
The two sections of the cortex on the left and the right sides of the brain
Corpus callosum
Thick band of neurons that connects the right and left cerebral hemispheres
Occipital lobe
Section of the brain located at the rear and bottom of each cerebral hemisphere containing the primary visual centers of the brain
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
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
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
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
Motor cortex
Rear section of the frontal lobe, responsible for sending motor commands to the muscles of the somatic nervous system
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
Association areas
Areas within each lobe of the cortex responsible for the coordination and interpretation of information as well as higher mental processing
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
Wernicke’s asphasia
Condition resulting from damaging to Wernicke’s area, causing the affected person to be unable to understand or produce meaningful language
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
Cerebrum
The upper part of the brain consisting of the two hemispheres and the structures that connect them.
