UNIT #2 Cirricular Outcomes And Vocabulary Flashcards
Biological psychology
The scientific study of the links between biological (genetic, neural, hormonal) and psychological process.
[Also known as behavioural neuroscientists, neuropsychologists, etc]
Neuron
A nerve cell ; the basic building block of the nervous system
Dendrites
A neuron’s bushy branching extensions that receive messages and conduct impulses toward the cell body
Axon
The neuron extension that passes messages through its branches to other neurons or to muscle or glands
Myelin sheath
A fatty tissue layer set mentally encasing the axons of some neurons ; enables vastly greater transmissions speed as neural impulses hop from one sausage-like node to the next
Action potential
A neural impulse ; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon
Refractory period
A period of inactivity after a neuron has fired
Threshold
The level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse
All or nothing
A neuron’s reaction of either firing (with a full-strength response) or not firing
Synapse
The junction between the axon tip of the sending neutron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neutron. The tiny gap at this junction is called the synaptic gap/cleft
Neurotransmitters
Chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons. When released by the sending neuron, neurotransmitters travel across the synapse and bind to refer or sites on the receiving neuron, thereby influencing whether that neuron will generate a neural impulse
Reuptake
A neurotransmitter’s reabsorption by the sending neuron
Endorphins
A natural opiate-like neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure
Agonist
A molecule that, by binding to a receptor site, stimulates a response
Antagonist
A molecule that, by binding to a receptor site, inhibits or blocks a response
Nervous system
The body’s speedy, electrochemical communication network, consisting of all the nerve cells of the peripheral and central nervous systems
Central nervous system (CNS)
The brain and spinal chord
Peripheral nervous system (PNS)
The sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system (CNS) to the rest of the body
Nerves
Bulged axons that form neural “cables” connecting the central nervous system with muscles, glands and sense organs
Sensory (afferent) neurons
Neurons that carry incoming information from the sensory receptors to the brain and spinal chord
Motor (efferent) neurons
Neurons that carry outgoing information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands
Interneurons
Neurons within the brain and spinal cord that communicate internally and intervene between the sensory inputs and motor outputs
Somatic nervous system (SNS)
The division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body’s skeletal muscles. Also called the skeletal nervous system
Autonomic nervous system (ANS)
The part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organs (ex : heart). It’s sympathetic division arouses ; it’s parasympathetic division calms
Sympathetic nervous system
The division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing it’s energy in stressful situations
Parasympathetic nervous system
The division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy
Reflex
A simple,automatic response to a sensory stimulus such as the knee-jerk response
Endocrine system
The body’s “slow” chemical communication system : a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream
Hormones
Chemical messengers that are manufactured by the endocrine glands travel through the bloodstream and affect other tissues
Adrenal glands
A pair of endocrine glands that sit just above the kidneys and secrete hormones (epinephrine and norepinephrine) that help arouse the body in times or stress
Pituitary glands
The endocrine system’s most influential gland. Under the influence of the hypothalamus, the pituitary regulates froth and controls other endocrine glands
Lesion
Tissue destruction. A brain lesion is naturally/experimentally caused destruction of brain tissue
CT (computed tomography) scan
A series of X-ray photographs take from different angles and combined by computer into a composite representation of a slice of the brain’s structure
PET (Position emission tomography) scan
A visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
A technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images of soft tissue. They show brain anatomy
fMRI (functioning MRI)
A technique for revealing blood flow and therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans. fMRI scans show how brain function as well as its structure
Brain stem
The oldest part and central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull; the brain stem is responsible for automatic survival functions
Medulla
The base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing
Thalamus
The brain’s sensory control center located on top of the brain stem; it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla
Cerebellum
The “little brain” at the rear of the brainstem; functions include processing sensory input, coordinating movement output and balance and enabling nonverbal learning and memory
Limbic system
Neural system (including the hippocampus, amygdala and hypothalamus) located below the cerebral hemispheres, associated with emotions and drives
Amygdala
Two Lima-bean-sized neural clusters in the limbic system; linked to emotion
Hypothalamus
A neural structure lying below the thalamus; it directs several maintenance activities (eating, drinking, body temp), helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion and reward
Cerebral cortex
Ultimate control and info processing centre
Glial cells
Cells in the nervous system that supports, nourishes and protects neurons; they may also play a role in learning and thinking
Frontal lobes
Portions of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead; involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgements
Occipital lobes
Portion of the cerebral cortex lying ah the back of the head; includes areas that receive info from the visual fields
