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Psychology AP > Unit Two: Biology > Flashcards

Unit Two: Biology Flashcards

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
Sympathetic nervous system
the division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy in stressful situations
26
Parasympathetic nervous system
the division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy
27
Reflexes
automatic responses to stimuli
28
Endocrine system
the collection of glands that secrete hormones directly into the circulatory system
29
Hormones
chemical messengers that are manufactured by the endocrine glands, travel through the bloodstream, and affect other tissues
30
Adrenal glands
the "flight-or-flight" gland that releases epinephrine and norepinephrine
31
Pituitary gland
the endocrine system’s most influential gland. Under the influence of the hypothalamus, the pituitary regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands
32
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
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.
33
CT (computed tomography) scan
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
34
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
a technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images of soft tissue. MRI scans show brain anatomy
35
fMRI (functional MRI)
a technique for revealing bloodflow and, therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans. fMRI scans show brain function as well as its structure
36
PET (positron emission tomography) scan
a visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task
37
Brainstem
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
38
Medulla
the base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing
39
Pons
help to coordinate movement
40
Reticular formation
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
Thalamus
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
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
43
Cerebrum
the hemispheres that contribute 85% of the brain's weight
44
Limbic system
neural system (including the hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus) located below the cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions and drives
45
Amygdala
two lima-bean-sized neural clusters in the limbic system; linked to emotion
46
Hypothalamus
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
Hippocampus
processes conscious memories
48
Cerebral cortex
a thin surface layer of interconnected neural cells
49
Glial cells
"worker bees" that provide nutrients and myelin, guide neural connections, and mop up neurotransmitters; they may play a role in learning and thinking
50
Frontal lobe
portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead; involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgments
51
Parietal lobe
mathematical and spacial reasoning
52
Occipital lobe
deals with vision, contains visual cortex
53
Temporal lobe
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
Motor cortex
an area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements
55
Somatosensory cortex
area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations
56
Prefrontal cortex
located in the forward part of the frontal lobe; aids in judgment, planning, and processing of new memories
57
Association areas
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
Broca's area
speaking
59
Wernicke's area
understanding language, speech
60
Basil ganglia
deals with habits and automatic processing
61
Corpus callosum | Optic chiasm
the large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them area where visual info crosses
62
Plasticity
the brain’s ability to change, especially during childhood, by reorganizing after damage or by building new pathways based on experience
63
Neurogenesis
the formation of new neurons
64
Split brain + scientist
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
Consciousness
our awareness of ourselves and our environment
66
Duel processing
the principle that information is often simultaneously processed on separate conscious and unconscious tracks
67
Environment
every external influence, from prenatal nutrition to the people and things around us
68
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)
a complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes
69
Genes
the biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosomes; segments of DNA capable of synthesizing proteins
70
Genome
the complete instructions for making an organism, consisting of all the genetic material in that organism’s chromosomes
71
Identical twins (monozygotic twins)
twins who develop from a single fertilized egg that splits in two, creating two genetically identical organisms
72
Fraternal twins (dizygotic twins)
twins who develop from separate fertilized eggs. They are genetically no closer than brothers and sisters, but they share a fetal environment
73
Molecular genetics
the subfield of biology that studies the molecular structure and function of genes
74
Heritability | Twin studies- scientist
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
Epigenetics
the study of environmental influences on gene expression that occur without a DNA change
76
Acetycholine (Ach)
muscle action (learning, memory), Alzheimer's if undersupply
77
Dopamine
muscle control+movement+reward (learning, attention, emotion), Schizophrenia if oversupply Parkinson's+addiction if undersupply
78
Serotonin
mood (perception, hunger, sleep, arousal, emotion, inhibitory), Depression+OCD if under supplied
79
Norephinephrine
alertness+arousal, lessen mood if undersupply
80
GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)
inhibitory, seizures+tremors+insomnia+anxiety if undersupply
81
Glutamate
excitatory (learning, memory), migraines+seizures if oversupply
82
Parathyroids
regulate level of calcium in blood
83
Pancreas
regulate level of sugar in blood
84
Natural selection
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
Mutation
a random error in gene replication that leads to a change
86
Roger Spheri
Neural specificity, taught Gazzania
87
Testis/Ovary
sex hormones, cortisol
88
Left or right hemisphere? Speaking
Left
89
Left or right hemisphere? Perceptual tasks
Right
90
Left or right hemisphere? Sense of self
Right
91
Left or right hemisphere? Calculations
Left
92
Left or right hemisphere? Modulate speech
Right
93
Left or right hemisphere? Sign language
Left
94
Left or right hemisphere? Inferences
Right
95
Nucleus accumbens
Front of hypothalamus, reward center

Psychology AP (13 decks)

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