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Psychology AP > Unit Two: Biology > Flashcards

Unit Two: Biology Flashcards

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1
Q

Lesion

A

tissue destruction; a brain lesion is a naturally or experimentally created destruction of brain tissue

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2
Q

Neuron

A

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

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3
Q

Axon

A

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

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4
Q

Dendrite

A

the fibers at the end of a cell body that receive information and conduct it toward the cell body

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5
Q

Myelin sheath

A

a layer of fatty tissue that insulates the axon and speeds its impulses

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6
Q

Synapse

A

the junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron; the tiny gap at this junction is called the synaptic gap or the synaptic cleft

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7
Q

Action potential

A

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

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8
Q

Refractory period

A

a period of inactivity after a neuron has fired

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9
Q

Threshold

A

the level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse

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10
Q

All-or-none responce

A

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

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11
Q

Neurotransmitters

A

chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons. When released by the sending neuron, neurotransmitters travel across the synapse and bind to receptor sites on the receiving neuron, thereby influencing whether that neuron will generate a neural impulse

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12
Q

Reuptake

A

a neurotransmitter’s reabsorption by the sending neuron

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13
Q

Endorphins

A

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

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14
Q

Agonist

A

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

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15
Q

Antagonist

A

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

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16
Q

Nervous system

A

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

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17
Q

Central nervous system (CNS)

A

the brain and spinal cord

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18
Q

Peripheral nervous system (PNS)

A

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

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19
Q

Nerves

A

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

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20
Q

Sensory neurons

A

carry messages from the body’s tissues and sensory receptors inward to the brain and spinal cord for processing

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21
Q

Motor neurons

A

carry instructions from the central nervous system out to the body’s muscles and glands

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22
Q

Interneurons

A

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

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23
Q

Somatic nervous system

A

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

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24
Q

Autonomic nervous system (ANS)

A

the division of the peripheral nervous system that controls our glands and the muscles of our internal organs, influencing such functions as glandular activity, heartbeat, and digestion

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25
Q

Sympathetic nervous system

A

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

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26
Q

Parasympathetic nervous system

A

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

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27
Q

Reflexes

A

automatic responses to stimuli

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28
Q

Endocrine system

A

the collection of glands that secrete hormones directly into the circulatory system

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29
Q

Hormones

A

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

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30
Q

Adrenal glands

A

the “flight-or-flight” gland that releases epinephrine and norepinephrine

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31
Q

Pituitary gland

A

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

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32
Q

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

A

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

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33
Q

CT (computed tomography) scan

A

a series of X-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by computer into a composite representation of a slice of the brain’s structure

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34
Q

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)

A

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

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35
Q

fMRI (functional MRI)

A

a technique for revealing bloodflow and, therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans. fMRI scans show brain function as well as its structure

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36
Q

PET (positron emission tomography) scan

A

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

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37
Q

Brainstem

A

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

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38
Q

Medulla

A

the base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing

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39
Q

Pons

A

help to coordinate movement

40
Q

Reticular formation

A

a net-like neuron network that extends from the spinal cord right up through the thalamus; it filters incoming stimuli from the spinal cord and relays important information to other brain areas and enables arousal

41
Q

Thalamus

A

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

42
Q

Cerebellum

A

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

43
Q

Cerebrum

A

the hemispheres that contribute 85% of the brain’s weight

44
Q

Limbic system

A

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

45
Q

Amygdala

A

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

46
Q

Hypothalamus

A

a neural structure lying below (hypo) 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

47
Q

Hippocampus

A

processes conscious memories

48
Q

Cerebral cortex

A

a thin surface layer of interconnected neural cells

49
Q

Glial cells

A

“worker bees” that provide nutrients and myelin, guide neural connections, and mop up neurotransmitters; they may play a role in learning and thinking

50
Q

Frontal lobe

A

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

51
Q

Parietal lobe

A

mathematical and spacial reasoning

52
Q

Occipital lobe

A

deals with vision, contains visual cortex

53
Q

Temporal lobe

A

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

54
Q

Motor cortex

A

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

55
Q

Somatosensory cortex

A

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

56
Q

Prefrontal cortex

A

located in the forward part of the frontal lobe; aids in judgment, planning, and processing of new memories

57
Q

Association areas

A

areas of the cerebral cortex that are not involved in primary motor or sensory functions; rather, they are involved in higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking

58
Q

Broca’s area

A

speaking

59
Q

Wernicke’s area

A

understanding language, speech

60
Q

Basil ganglia

A

deals with habits and automatic processing

61
Q

Corpus callosum

Optic chiasm

A

the large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them

area where visual info crosses

62
Q

Plasticity

A

the brain’s ability to change, especially during childhood, by reorganizing after damage or by building new pathways based on experience

63
Q

Neurogenesis

A

the formation of new neurons

64
Q

Split brain + scientist

A

a condition resulting from surgery that isolates the brain’s two hemispheres by cutting the fibers (mainly those of the corpus callosum) connecting them

Gazzania

65
Q

Consciousness

A

our awareness of ourselves and our environment

66
Q

Duel processing

A

the principle that information is often simultaneously processed on separate conscious and unconscious tracks

67
Q

Environment

A

every external influence, from prenatal nutrition to the people and things around us

68
Q

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)

A

a complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes

69
Q

Genes

A

the biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosomes; segments of DNA capable of synthesizing proteins

70
Q

Genome

A

the complete instructions for making an organism, consisting of all the genetic material in that organism’s chromosomes

71
Q

Identical twins (monozygotic twins)

A

twins who develop from a single fertilized egg that splits in two, creating two genetically identical organisms

72
Q

Fraternal twins (dizygotic twins)

A

twins who develop from separate fertilized eggs. They are genetically no closer than brothers and sisters, but they share a fetal environment

73
Q

Molecular genetics

A

the subfield of biology that studies the molecular structure and function of genes

74
Q

Heritability

Twin studies- scientist

A

the proportion of variation among individuals that we can attribute to genes. The heritability of a trait may vary, depending on the range of populations and environments studied

Thomas Boushard- Uni of Minnesota

75
Q

Epigenetics

A

the study of environmental influences on gene expression that occur without a DNA change

76
Q

Acetycholine (Ach)

A

muscle action (learning, memory), Alzheimer’s if undersupply

77
Q

Dopamine

A

muscle control+movement+reward (learning, attention, emotion), Schizophrenia if oversupply Parkinson’s+addiction if undersupply

78
Q

Serotonin

A

mood (perception, hunger, sleep, arousal, emotion, inhibitory), Depression+OCD if under supplied

79
Q

Norephinephrine

A

alertness+arousal, lessen mood if undersupply

80
Q

GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)

A

inhibitory, seizures+tremors+insomnia+anxiety if undersupply

81
Q

Glutamate

A

excitatory (learning, memory), migraines+seizures if oversupply

82
Q

Parathyroids

A

regulate level of calcium in blood

83
Q

Pancreas

A

regulate level of sugar in blood

84
Q

Natural selection

A

the principle that, among the range of inherited trait variations, those contributing to reproduction and survival will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations

85
Q

Mutation

A

a random error in gene replication that leads to a change

86
Q

Roger Spheri

A

Neural specificity, taught Gazzania

87
Q

Testis/Ovary

A

sex hormones, cortisol

88
Q

Left or right hemisphere?

Speaking

A

Left

89
Q

Left or right hemisphere?

Perceptual tasks

A

Right

90
Q

Left or right hemisphere?

Sense of self

A

Right

91
Q

Left or right hemisphere?

Calculations

A

Left

92
Q

Left or right hemisphere?

Modulate speech

A

Right

93
Q

Left or right hemisphere?

Sign language

A

Left

94
Q

Left or right hemisphere?

Inferences

A

Right

95
Q

Nucleus accumbens

A

Front of hypothalamus, reward center

Psychology AP (13 decks)

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