UNIT #2 Cirricular Outcomes And Vocabulary

Question 1

Biological psychology

Answer 1

The scientific study of the links between biological (genetic, neural, hormonal) and psychological process.

[Also known as behavioural neuroscientists, neuropsychologists, etc]

Question 2

Neuron

Answer 2

A nerve cell ; the basic building block of the nervous system

Question 3

Dendrites

Answer 3

A neuron’s bushy branching extensions that receive messages and conduct impulses toward the cell body

Question 4

Axon

Answer 4

The neuron extension that passes messages through its branches to other neurons or to muscle or glands

Question 5

Myelin sheath

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Action potential

Answer 6

A neural impulse ; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon

Question 7

Refractory period

Answer 7

A period of inactivity after a neuron has fired

Question 8

Threshold

Answer 8

The level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse

Question 9

All or nothing

Answer 9

A neuron’s reaction of either firing (with a full-strength response) or not firing

Question 10

Synapse

Answer 10

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

Question 11

Neurotransmitters

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Reuptake

Answer 12

A neurotransmitter’s reabsorption by the sending neuron

Question 13

Endorphins

Answer 13

A natural opiate-like neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure

Question 14

Agonist

Answer 14

A molecule that, by binding to a receptor site, stimulates a response

Question 15

Antagonist

Answer 15

A molecule that, by binding to a receptor site, inhibits or blocks a response

Question 16

Nervous system

Answer 16

The body’s speedy, electrochemical communication network, consisting of all the nerve cells of the peripheral and central nervous systems

Question 17

Central nervous system (CNS)

Answer 17

The brain and spinal chord

Question 18

Peripheral nervous system (PNS)

Answer 18

The sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system (CNS) to the rest of the body

Question 19

Nerves

Answer 19

Bulged axons that form neural “cables” connecting the central nervous system with muscles, glands and sense organs

Question 20

Sensory (afferent) neurons

Answer 20

Neurons that carry incoming information from the sensory receptors to the brain and spinal chord

Question 21

Motor (efferent) neurons

Answer 21

Neurons that carry outgoing information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands

Question 22

Interneurons

Answer 22

Neurons within the brain and spinal cord that communicate internally and intervene between the sensory inputs and motor outputs

Question 23

Somatic nervous system (SNS)

Answer 23

The division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body’s skeletal muscles. Also called the skeletal nervous system

Question 24

Autonomic nervous system (ANS)

Answer 24

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

Question 25

Sympathetic nervous system

Answer 25

The division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing it’s energy in stressful situations

Question 26

Parasympathetic nervous system

Answer 26

The division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy

Question 27

Reflex

Answer 27

A simple,automatic response to a sensory stimulus such as the knee-jerk response

Question 28

Endocrine system

Answer 28

The body’s “slow” chemical communication system : a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream

Question 29

Hormones

Answer 29

Chemical messengers that are manufactured by the endocrine glands travel through the bloodstream and affect other tissues

Question 30

Adrenal glands

Answer 30

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

Question 31

Pituitary glands

Answer 31

The endocrine system’s most influential gland. Under the influence of the hypothalamus, the pituitary regulates froth and controls other endocrine glands

Question 32

Lesion

Answer 32

Tissue destruction. A brain lesion is naturally/experimentally caused destruction of brain tissue

Question 33

CT (computed tomography) scan

Answer 33

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

Question 34

PET (Position emission tomography) scan

Answer 34

A visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task

Question 35

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)

Answer 35

A technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images of soft tissue. They show brain anatomy

Question 36

fMRI (functioning MRI)

Answer 36

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

Question 37

Brain stem

Answer 37

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

Question 38

Medulla

Answer 38

The base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing

Question 39

Thalamus

Answer 39

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

Question 40

Cerebellum

Answer 40

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

Question 41

Limbic system

Answer 41

Neural system (including the hippocampus, amygdala and hypothalamus) located below the cerebral hemispheres, associated with emotions and drives

Question 42

Amygdala

Answer 42

Two Lima-bean-sized neural clusters in the limbic system; linked to emotion

Question 43

Hypothalamus

Answer 43

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

Question 44

Cerebral cortex

Answer 44

Ultimate control and info processing centre

Question 45

Glial cells

Answer 45

Cells in the nervous system that supports, nourishes and protects neurons; they may also play a role in learning and thinking

Question 46

Frontal lobes

Answer 46

Portions of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead; involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgements

Question 47

Occipital lobes

Answer 47

Portion of the cerebral cortex lying ah the back of the head; includes areas that receive info from the visual fields