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AP Psychology > Unit 3: Modules 9-11 > Flashcards

Unit 3: Modules 9-11 Flashcards

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1
Q

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

A

Neuron

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2
Q

The part of the neuron that contains the nucleus, the cell’s life-support center

A

Cell Body (soma)

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3
Q

A neuron’s often bushy, branching extensions, that receive and integrate messages, conducting 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 that segmentally encases the axons of some neurons, enables vastly greater transmission speed as neurons hop from one node to the next

A

Myelin Sheath

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6
Q

Cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons; they also play a role in learning, thinking, and memory

A

Glial Cells

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7
Q

A neural impulse, a brief electronically charge that travels down an axon

A

Action Potential

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8
Q

The level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse

A

Threshold

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9
Q

In neural processing, a brief resting pause that occurs after neuron has fired, subsequent action potentials cannot occur until the axon returns to its resting state

A

Refractory Period

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10
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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11
Q

The junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body or receiving neuron. The tiny gap at this junction is called:

A

Synapse or synaptic cleft

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12
Q

Chemical transmitter that crosses the synaptic gap between neurons, when released by sending neurons, they travel across the synapse and bind to receptor sites on the receiving neuron, influencing whether that neuron will generate a neural impulse

A

Neurotransmitter

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13
Q

Neurotransmitter’s reabsorption by the sending neuron

A

Reuptake

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14
Q

Natural, opiate-like neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure, “morphine-within”

A

Endorphins

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15
Q

Molecule that increases a neurotransmitter’s action

A

Agonist

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16
Q

Molecule that inhibits or blocks a neurotransmitter’s action

A

Antagonist

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17
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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18
Q

The brain and spinal cord

A

Central Nervous System (CNS)

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19
Q

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

A

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

20
Q

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

A

Nerves

21
Q

Neurons that carry incoming information from the body’s tissues and sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord

A

Sensory (afferent) Neurons

22
Q

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

A

Motor (efferent) Neurons

23
Q

Neurons within the brain and spinal cord, communicate internally and process information between sensory inputs and motor outputs

A

Interneurons

24
Q

Division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and muscles of internal organs (ex: the heart) sympathetic - arouses parasympathetic - calms

A

Autonomic Nervous System

25
Q

The division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy

A

Sympathetic Nervous System

26
Q

Division of the autonomic system that calms the body, conserving its energy

A

Parasympathetic Nervous System

27
Q

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

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

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

A

Hormones

30
Q

Pair of endocrine glands that sit just above the kidneys and secrete hormones (epinephrine and norepinephrine) in times of stress

A

Adrenal Glands

31
Q

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

A

Pituitary Gland

32
Q

Tissue destruction, is a naturally or experimentally caused destruction of brain tissue

A

Lesion

33
Q

Amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity sweeping across the brain’s surface. These waves are measured by electrodes placed on scalp.

A

Electroencephalography (EEG)

34
Q

Brain imaging technique that measures magnetic fields from the brain’s natural electrical activity

A

Magnetoencephalography (MEG)

35
Q

Series of x-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by computer into a composite representation of a slice of brain’s structure (CAT Scan)

A

CT (computed tomography) Scan

36
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 (positron emission tomography) Scan

37
Q

Technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer generated images of soft tissue. Shows brain anatomy.

A

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)

38
Q

A technique for revealing blood flow, and therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans. Shows brain function and structure.

A

fMRI (functional MRI)

39
Q

Oldest part and central core of the brain, begins where spinal cord swells as it enters the skull, is responsible for automatic survival functions

A

Brainstem

40
Q

Base of the brainstem, controls heartbeat and breathing

A

Medulla

41
Q

Nerve network that travels through the brainstem into the thalamus and plays an important role in controlling arousal

A

Retricular Formation

42
Q

Brain’s sensory control center, directs messages to sensory receiving areas in cortex and transmits replies to cerebellum and medulla

A

Thalamus

43
Q

“Little Brain” at the rear of brainstem, processes sensory input, coordinating movement output and balance, enabling nonverbal learning and memory

A

Cerebellum

44
Q

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

A

Limbic system

45
Q

Two-lima-bean sized neural clusters in the lambic system, linked to emotion

A

Amygdala

46
Q

Neural structure lying below the thalamus, directs maintenance activities (eating, drinking, body temperature) governs endocrine system with pituitary, limited to emotion and reward

A

Hypothalamus

47
Q

Neural center located in limbic system, helps process for storage explicit (conscious) memories of facts and events

A

Hippocampus

AP Psychology (29 decks)

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