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AP Psychology Vocabulary > Unit 3 Biological Basis > Flashcards

Unit 3 Biological Basis Flashcards

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1
Q

the scientific study of the links between biological and psychological processes

A

Biological Psychology

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2
Q

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

A

Neuron

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3
Q

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

A

Dendrites

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4
Q

the neuron extension that passes messages through its branches to other neurons or to muscles or glands

A

Axon

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5
Q

a fatty tissue layer segmentally encasing the axons of some neurons; enables vastly greater transmission speed as neural impulses hop from one node to the next

A

Myelin sheath

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6
Q

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

A

Action potential

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7
Q

a period of inactivity after a neuron has fired

A

Refactory period

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8
Q

the level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse

A

threshold

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9
Q

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

A

all-or-none response

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10
Q

the junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron

A

synapse

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11
Q

Chemical messengers, across the synapse, bind with receptors on dendrites

A

neurotransmitters

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12
Q

a neurotransmitter’s reabsorption by the sending neuron

A

reuptake

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13
Q

“morphine within”–natural, opiatelike neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure.

A

endorphins

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14
Q

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

A

Agonist

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15
Q

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

A

antagonist

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16
Q

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

A

nervous system

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17
Q

brain and spinal cord

A

Central nervous system (CNS)

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18
Q

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

A

Peripheral nervous system (PNS)

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19
Q

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

A

Nerves

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20
Q

neurons that carry incoming information from the sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord

A

Sensory (afferent) nuerons

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21
Q

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

A

Motor (efferent) nuerons

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22
Q

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

A

Internuerons

23
Q

the division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body’s skeletal muscles

A

Somatic nervous system

24
Q

the part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organs (such as the heart). Its sympathetic division arouses; its parasympathetic division calms.

A

autonomic nervous system

25
Q

the division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy in stressful situations

A

sympathetic nervous system

26
Q

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

A

parasympathetic nervous system

27
Q

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

A

Reflex

28
Q

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

A

endocrine system

29
Q

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

A

Hormones

30
Q

A pair of endocrine glands that sit just above the kidneys and secrete hormones that help arouse the body in times of stress.

A

Adernal glands

31
Q

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

A

Pituitary glands

32
Q

tissue destruction. A brain lesion is a naturally or experimentally caused destruction of brain tissue

A

Leison

33
Q

An amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity that sweep across the brain’s surface. These waves are measured by electrodes placed on the scalp.

A

Electroencephalogram (EGG)

34
Q

a series of X-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by computer into a composite representation of a slice through the body. Also called CAT scan.

A

CT (computed tomography) scan

35
Q

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

A

PET (position emission tomography) scan

36
Q

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

A

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)

37
Q

A technique for revealing bloodflow and, therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans. fMRI scans show brain function.

A

fMRI (functional MRI)

38
Q

the oldest part and central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull; the brainstem is responsible for automatic survival functions

A

Brainstem

39
Q

the base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing

A

Medulla

40
Q

the brain’s sensory control center, located on top of the brainstem; it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla

A

Thalamus

41
Q

a nerve network that travels through the brainstem and thalamus and plays an important role in controlling arousal

A

Reticular formation

42
Q

the “little brain” at the rear of the brainstem; functions include processing sensory input and coordinating movement output and balance

A

Cerebellum

43
Q

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

A

limbic system

44
Q

two lima bean-sized neural clusters in the limbic system; linked to emotion.

A

amygdala

45
Q

A neural structure lying below the thalamus; it directs several maintenance activities (eating, drinking, body temperature), helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion and reward.

A

Hypothalamus

46
Q

The intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering the cerebral hemispheres; the body’s ultimate control and information-processing center.

A

Cerebral cortex

47
Q

cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons

A

Gilal cells (glia)

48
Q

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

A

Frontol lobes

49
Q

portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head and toward the rear; receives sensory input for touch and body position

A

parietal lobes

50
Q

portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head; includes areas that receive information from the visual fields

A

occipital lobes

51
Q

portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears; includes the auditory areas, each receiving information primarily from the opposite ear

A

temporal lobe

52
Q

an area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements

A

motor cortex

53
Q

area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations

A

Somatosensory cortex

AP Psychology Vocabulary (1 decks)

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