Unit 2, Modules 9-15 Flashcards
Biological Psychology
Links biological (genetic, neural and hormonal) and psychological processes
Neuron
A nerve cell; the basica building block of the nervous system.
Soma/Cell body
The part of the a neuron that contains the nucleus; the cell’s life support center
Axon
The neuron extension that passes messages through its branches to other neurons or to muscles or glands
Myelin Sheath
A fatty tissue layer encasing axons for some of the neurons; increases speed of transmission
Dendrites
A neuron’s often branching extensions that receive and integrate messages, conducting impulses toward the cell body
Axon Terminal
The place where the chemicals are released
Action Potential
Neural impulse, brief electrical charge, that fires down an axon
Resting Potential
The imbalance of electrical charge that exists between the interior of electrically excitable neurons (nerve cells) and their surroundings.
Threshold
The level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse
All or None Response
A neuron’s reaction of firing (all or none)
Synapse
The junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or or cell body of the receiving neuron. The gap is known as the synaptic gap or the synaptic cleft.
Neurotransmitters
Chemical messengers that cross synaptic gaps. Bind to receptor sites, influencing whether that neuron will generate a neural impulse.
Acetycholine (ACH)
+- Alzheimer’s disease
Attention
Arousal
Muscle action/ movement
Movement
Dopamine
- Parkinson’s
+ Schizophrenia cocaine & amphetamines
Motor movements
Learning
Alertness
Norepinephrine
- Depression
Mood
Arousal
Learning
Serotonin
- Depression
+ Anxiety, inhibit dreaming
Mood
Sleep
Hunger
Aggresssoin
GABA
- Anxiety, Huntington’s Disease, Epilepsy
Inhibitory effect on axons
Sleep
Movement
Endorphins
No established problems
Pain
Pleasure
Example: Runner’s High
Agonist
A molecule that increases a neurotransmitter’s action
Antagonist
A molecule that inhibits or blocks a neurotransmitter’s action
Central Nercous System (CNS)
The brain and the spinal cord
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
The sensory and motor neurons that connect the CNS to the rest of the body
Somatic Nervous System (Skeletal Nervous System)
The division of the peripheral nervous system controls the body’s skeletal muscles. (Voluntary movements)
Afferent nerves - sensory
Efferent nevers - motor
Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
The part of the Peripheral Nervous System that controls the glands and the muscle of internal organs. (Its sympathetic division arouses its parasympathetic division calms) (To sum this up, basically, this is the automatic things you do)
Sympathetic Nervous System
The division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body; mobilizing its energy. (Fight or flight)
Parasympathetic Nervous System
The division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body.
Hormones
Chemical messengers manufactured by the endocrine glands, travels through blood, and affects other tissues
Endocrine System*
The body’s “slow” chemical communication system; glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream
Four Lobes of the Brain**
Frontal Lobe - Voluntary movement, expressive language
Parietal Lobe - sensory perception
Temporal Lobe - audio and processing of memory
Occipital Lobe - vision
Hemisphere
Half of a sphere, usually referring to the left and right side of the brain
The right deals with creativity
The left deals with logic
Brain Stem**
The oldest part and central core of the brain, starts at the spinal cord, and enters the skull; the brainstem is responsible for AUTOMATIC SURVIVAL functions
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
A recording of the electrical activity across the brain’s surface. Measured by electrodes placed on scalp
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
A technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images of soft tissue. Shows the anatomy of the brain.
Position Emission Tomography (PET)
A visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task
Cerebral Cortex**
The intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells overing the cerebral hemisphere; the body’s ultimate control and information-processing center
Medulla*
The base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing
Corpus Callosum*
Large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them
Hemispheric Dominance (Lateralization of Brain Function)
Just describes which hemisphere you are dominant.
Reticular Formation*
A nerve network that travels through the brainstem into the thalamus and plays an important role in controlling arousal
Thalamus*
The brain’s sensory control center, above the top of the brainstem; it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla
Cerebellum*
“little brain” at the rear of the brainstem; functions include processing sensory input, coordinating movement output and balance, and enabling nonverbal leraning and memory
Limbic System*
Neural system (amygdala, hypothalamus, hippocampus) 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*
Neural structure below the thalamus; directs the eating, drinking, body temperature (maintenance activities), helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, linked to emotion and REWARD
Motor Cortex**
Generates signals to direct the movement of the body
Sensory Cortex**
All cortical areas linked with sensory functions
Association Areas**
Areas of the cerebral cortex that don’t deal with primary motor functions, but higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking
Phineas Gage
One of the first cases that allowed people to second think the functions of the brain. Survived rod going through his frontal cortex, but his personality changed.
Clive Wearing
Musicologist
Aphasia
Impairment of language, usually cause by the left hemisphere damage, Broca’s area or Wenicke’s area
Broca’s Area**
Helps control language expression - frontal lobe, left hemisphere, directs the muscle movements connected to speech
Wernicke’s Area**
A brain area involved in language comprehension and expression; usually in tthe temporal lobe
Plasticity
The brain’s ability to change, especially during childhood, by reorganizing after damage or by building new pathways based on experience
Split Brain Research
The research of Split Brain: (A condition resulting from surgery that isolates the brain’s two hemispheres by cutting fibers (mainly those of the corpus callosum) connecting them)
Pons*
The part of the brainstem that links the medulla oblongata and the thalamus. Critical role for the respiratory rythm of breathing. Fundamental to REM sleep.
Hippocampus*
A neural center located in the limbic system; helps process (conscious) memories of facts and events
