Unit 3: Biology & Psychology Flashcards
The body’s network for electrochemical communication. This system includes all the nerve cells in the body
Nervous system
Portion of the nervous system that includes the brain and spinal cord. This portion is encased in bone.
Central Nervous System - CNS
Individual brain cells. - Used by CNS to communicate by sending electrical signals through individual nerve cells that make up the fundamental building blocks of the nervous system
Neurons
Junction between the presynaptic terminal button of one neuron and the dendrite, axon, or soma of another postsynaptic neuron
Synapses
Part of a neuron that extends away from the cell body and is the main input to the neuron - How neurons communicate (“antennas”)
Dendrites
Cell body of a neuron that contains the nucleus and genetic information, and directs protein synthesis
Soma
Transient all-or-nothing electrical current that is conducted down the axon when the membrane reaches the threshold of excitation
Action Potential
Part of the neuron that extends off the soma, splitting several times to connect with other neurons; main output of the neuron
Axon
Fatty tissue that insulates the axons of the neurons; necessary for normal conduction of electrical impulses among neurons
Myelin Sheath
The small space between the presynaptic terminal button and the postsynaptic dendritic spine, axon or soma
Synetic gap aka synetic cleft
Chemical substance released by the presynaptic terminal button that acts on the postsynaptic cell
Neurotransmitters
The “trunk” of the brain comprised of the medulla, pons, midbrain and diencephalon.
Brain Stem
In charge of basic life support functions: breathing, digestion and heart beating
Brain Stem
Includes the subcortical structures of the amygdala and hippocampal formation as well as some cortical structures; responsible for aversion and gratification
Limbic System
Structures that influence hunger, sleep-wake cycle, sexual desire, fear, aggression and memory
Limbic System
Distinctive structure at the back of the brain, Latin for “small brain”
Cerebellum
aka “cerebral cortex” most advanced part of the brain
Cerebrum
Part of the brain in charge of processes that are associated with more awareness: speaking/planning. Contains primary sensory areas: seeing, hearing, feeling and moving
Cerebrum
The outer surface of the forebrain. Heavily folded/layered tissue. Contains left and right hemispheres connected to one another by a thick bundle of axons called the corpus callosum
Cerebrum
Thick bundle of nerve cells that connect two hemispheres of the brain and allow them to communicate
Corpus callosum
“opposite side.” used to refer to the two hemispheres of the brain that process sensory information and motor commands for the opposite side of the body. Ex: the left hemisphere controls the right side of the body and vice versa
Contralateral
The back most (posterior) part of the cerebrum; involved in vision
Occipital Lobe
The part of the cerebrum in front of (anterior to) the occipital lobe and below the lateral fissure. Involved in vision, auditory processing, memory and integrating vision and audition
Temporal Lobe
Part of the cerebrum between the frontal and occipital lobes. Involved in bodily sensations, visual attention, and integrating the senses
Parietal Lobe
Contains primary somatosensory cortex
Parietal Lobe
The front most (anterior) part of the cerebrum. Responsible for motor output and planning, language, judgement and decision making
Frontal Lobe
Strip running along the side of the brain. In charge of voluntary movements like waving goodbye, wiggling your eyebrows and kissing
Primary Motor Cortex
All of the nerve cells that connect the central nervous system to all the other parts of the body. (Not enclosed by bones)
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
Neuroimaging technique that measures brain activity by detecting the presence of a radioactive substance in the brain that is initially injected into the bloodstream and then pulled in by active brain tissue
Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
Refers to how small a unit of time can be measured. High temporal resolution means capable of resolving very small units of time; in neuroscience it describes how precisely in time a process can be measured in the brain
Temporal Resolution
Neuroimaging technique that measures electrical brain activity via multiple electrodes on the scalp
Electroencephalography (EEG)
Refers to how small the elements of an image are; high spatial resolution means the device or technique can resolve very small elements; in neuroscience it describes how small of a structure in the brain can be imaged
Spatial Resolution
Neuroimaging technique infers brain activity by measuring changes in light as it is passed through the skull and surface of the brain
Diffuse Optical Imaging (DOI)
The empirical science of how genes and environments combine to generate behavior
Behavioral Genetics