unit 2 vocab Flashcards
neuron
a nerve cell
cell body
the part of a neuron that contains the nucleus
axon
the neurons extensions that passes messages through its branches to other neurons or to muscles glands.
dendrites
a neuron’s branching extensions that receive and integrate messages conducting impulses toward the cell body
myelin
a fatty tissue layer segmentally encasing the axons of some neurons
glial cells
cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons; play a role in learning, thinking, and memory.
action potential
a neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down the axon
threshold
the level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse
refectory period
in neural proccesing, a brief resting pause that occurs after a neuron has fired; subsequent action potentials cannot occur until the axon returns to its resting state
all or none response
a neuron’s reaction of either firing or not firing
synapse
the junction between the axon tip of sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron.
neurotransmitters
chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons
reuptake
a neurotransmitter’s reabsorption by the sending neuron
endorphins
natural opiate like neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure.
agonist
a molecule that increases a neurotransmitters action
antagonist
a molecule that inhibits or blocks a neurotransmitters action
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 cord
peripheral nervous system
the sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system (CNS) to the rest of the body
nerves
bundled axons that form neural cables connecting the CNS with muscles, glands, and sense organs
sensory neurons
neurons that carry incoming info from the body’s tissue and sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord
motor neurons
neurons that carry outgoing info from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands
interneurons
neurons within the brain and spinal cord; they communicate internally and process info between the sensory inputs and motor outputs
somatic nervous system
the divisional the peripheral nervous system that controls the body’s skeletal muscles
autonomic nervous system
the part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organs
sympathetic nervous system
the division autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy
parasympathetic nervous system
the division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy.
reflex
a simple autonomic response to a sensory stimulus.
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 effect other tissues.
adrenal glands
a pair of endocrine glands that sit just above the kidneys and secrete hormones that help the body in times of stress.
pituitary glands
the endocrine system’s most influential gland. under the influence of the hypothalamus, it regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands
lesion
tissue destruction
electroencephalogram (EEG)
an amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity sweeping across the brain’s surface
magnetoencephalography
a brain imaging technique that measures magnetic fields from the brain’s natural electrical activity.
CT scan
a series of X-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by a computer into a composite representation of a slice of the brain structre
PET scan
a visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain preforms a given task
MRI
a technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images of soft tissue.
fMRI
a technique for revealing blood flow and, therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans.
Brainstem
the oldest part and central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull; responsible for autonomic survival functions
medulla
the base of the brainstem that controls heartbeat and breathing
thalamus
the brain sensory control center located on top of the brain stem; directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla
reticular formation
a nerve network that travels through the brainstem into the thalamus and plays an important role in controlling arousal.
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
the neural system located below the cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions and drives
amygdala
two lima bean sized clusters in the limbic system; linked to emotion
hypothalamus
a neural structure lying below the thalamus; it directs several maintenance activities, helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion ad reward.
hippocampus
a neural center located in the limbic system; helps process for storage explicit memories of facts and events.
cerebral cortex
the intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering the cerebral hemispheres; the body’s ultimate control and information-processing center.
frontal lobes
the portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead; involved in speaking and muscles movements and in making plans and judement
parietal lobes
the portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head and toward the rear; receives sensory input for touch and body position
motor cortex
an area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements
occipital lobes
the portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head; includes areas that receive information from the visual fields
temporal lobes
the portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears; includes the auditory areas, each receiving information primarily from the opposite ear
somatosensory cortex
an area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations
association areas
areas of the cerebral cortex that are not involved in primary motor or sensory functions; they are involved in higher mental functions such as learning remembering thinking and speaking.
plasticity
the brain’s ability to change especially during childhood, by reorganizing after damage or buy building new pathway based on experience
neurogenesis
the formation of new neurons
corpus callosum
the large band of neural fibers connecting the two brianis hemispheres and carrying messages between them
split brain
a condition resulting from surgery that isolates the two brains hemispheres by cutting the fibers connecting them
consciousness
our subjective awareness of ourselves and our envernment
cognitive neuroscience
the interdisciplinary study of the brian activity linked with cognition
dual processing
the principle that information is often simotaisly processed on sperate conscious and unconscious track
blind sight
a condition in which a person can respond to a visual stimulus without consciously experiencing it
parallel processing
processing many aspects of a problem simultaneously
sequential processing
processing one aspect of a problem at a time
behavior genetics
the study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior.
heredity
the genetic transfer of charatrisices from parents to offspring
environment
every nongenetic influence from prenatal nutrition to the people and things around us
chromosomes
threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain genes
DNA
a complex molecule containing genetic information that makes ups chromosomes
genes
the biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosomes
genome
the complete instructions for making an organism
identical twins
develop from a single fertilized egg that splits in two, creating two genetically identical organisms
fraternal twins
develop from separate fertilized eggs. they are genetically not closer than a normal pair of siblings
heritability
the promotion of varation among individuals in a group that we can attibute to genes
interaction
the interplay that occurs when the effect of one factor
molocular genetics
the subfeild of biology that studies the molecular structure and function of genes
molecular behavior genetics
the study of how the structure and function of genes interact with our environment to influence behavior
epigenetics
the study of environmental influences on gene expression that occur without DNA change
evolutionary phycology
the study of the evolution of behavior and the mind using principles of natural selection
natural selection
the principle that inherited traits that better enable an organism to survive and reproduce in a particular envernment will most likely be passed on to succeding generations
mutation
a random error in gene replication that leads to a change
social script
a culturally modeled guide for how to act in various situations
consciousness
our subjective awareness of ourselves and our envernment
hypnosis
a social interaction in which one person suggests to another that certain perceptions feelings, thoughts, or behaviors will spontaneously occur
posthypnotic suggestion
a suggestion made during hypnosis during a hypnosis session to be carried out after the subject is no longer hypnotized
dissociation
a split in consciousness which allows some thoughts and behaviors to occur simultaneously
sleep
a periodic natural loss of consciousness
circadian rhythm
our biological clock
REM sleep
rapid eye movement sleep
alpha waves
the slow brain waves of a relaxed awake state
NREM sleep
non-rapid eye movement sleep
hallucinations
false sensory experiences such as seeing things in the dark
hypnagogic sensations
bizarre experinces such as jerking awake while transitioning to sleep
Delta waves
the large slow brain waves associated with the deep sleep of NREM-3
suprachiasmatic nucleus
a pair of cell clusters in the hypothalamus that controls circadian rythem
insomnia
recurring problems in falling or staying asllep
narcolepsy
a sleep disorder characterized by uncontrollable sleep attacks
sleep apnea
a sleep disorder characterized by temporary cessations of breathing during sleep and repeated momentary awakenings
night terrors
a sleep disorder characterized by high arousal and an appearance of being terrified
dream
a sequence of images, emotions, and thoughts passing through a sleeping person’s mind
manifest content
the symbolic remembered storyline of a dream
latent content
the underlying meaning of a dream
REM rebound
the tendency for REM sleep to increase following REM sleep deprivation
psychoactive drug
a chemical substance that alters preceptions and moods
substance use disorder
a disorder characterized by continued substance craving and use despite significant life disruption and/or physical risk
depressants
drugs that reduce neural activity and slow body functions
alcohol use disorder
alcohol use marked by tolerance withdrawal and a drive to continue problematic use
barbiturates
drugs that depress central nervous system activity, reducing anxiety but impairing memory and judgment
opiates
opium and its derivatives such as morphine and heroin
stimulants
drugs that excite neural activity and speed up body functions
nicotine
a stimulating and highly addictive psychoactive drug in tobacco
cocaine
a powerful and addictive stimulant derived from the coca plant
amphetamines
drugs such as methamphetamine that stimulate neural activity causing accelerated body functions and associated energy and mood changes
methamphetamine
a powerfully addictive drug that stimulates the central nervous system with accelerated body functions and associated energy and mood changes over time appears to reduce baseline dopamine levels
Ecstasy
a synthetic stimulant and mild hallucinogen Produces euphoria and social intimacy but with short-term health risks and longer-term harm to serotonin-producing neurons and to mood and cognition
hallucinogens
psychedelic drugs such as LSD that distort preceptions and envoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input
near-death experience
an altered state of consciousness reported after a close brush with death
LSD
a powerful hallucinogenic drug also known as “acid”
THC
the major active ingredient in marijuana that trigger a variety of effects including mild hallucinations
