Unit two vocab Flashcards
Brainstem
the oldest part and central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull; it is responsible for automatic survival functions
Behavior genetics
The study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior
Peripheral NS
Sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system to the rest of the body
Neuron
a nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system
Reticular formation
A nerve network that travels through the brainstem into the thalamus and plays an important role in controlling arousal
Action potential
a neural impulse, a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon
Chromosomes
Threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes.
Corpus Callosum
the large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them
Mutation
A rare error in gene replication that leads to a change
Hypothalamus
A neural structure line below the thalamus; it direct several maintenance activities like eating, drinking, body temperature, and helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion and reward
Neurotransmitters
chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons. When released by the sending neuron, they travel across the synapse and bind to receptor sites on the receiving neuron, thereby influencing whether that neuron will generate a neural impulse.
Threshold
The level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse
Myelin Sheath
A fatty tissue layer sentimentally and casing the axons of some neurons; enables vastly greater transmission speed as neural impulses hop from one node to the next
Central NS
The brain and spinal cord
Synapse
The junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron
Lesion
Tissue destruction. It is actually occurring or experimentally cause destruction of brain tissue
Interneuron
Neurons within the brain and spinal cord; they communicate internally and process information between the sensory input and motor outputs
MRI
A technique that uses magnetic field and radio waves to produce computer-generated images of soft tissue. They can show brain anatomy.
Left Hemisphere
part of the brain that primarily responsible for matters of language, symbols, logic, and mathematics and responds to spatial stimuli
Dendrite
Neurons often bushy, branching extensions that receive and integrate messages, conducting impulses toward the cell body
Environment
Every non-genetic influence, from prenatal nutrition to the people and things around us
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
Occipital lobes
The portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head; includes areas that receive information from the visual fields
Sympathetic NS
Division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy
Broca’s Area
Helps control language expression, an area of the frontal lobe, usually in the left hemisphere, that directs the muscle movements involved in speech
Motor (efferent) neuron
Know that carry outgoing information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands
Genome
The complete instructions for making an organism, consisting of all the genetic material in that organism’s chromosomes
Genes
the biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosomes, segments of DNA capable of synthesizing proteins
Temporal lobes
the portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears; includes the auditory areas, it’s receiving information primarily from the opposite ear
EEG
An amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity sweeping across the brain surface. These waves are measured by electrodes placed on the scalp
Autonomic NS
The part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organs like the heart. Its sympathetic division arouses, its parasympathetic division calms.
Endocrine System
The bodies “slow” chemical communication system; a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream
Cerebellum
The “little brain” at the rear of the brainstem; functions include processing center input, coordinating movement output and balance, and enabling nonverbal learning and memory
Reuptake
A Neurotransmitters reabsorption by the sending neuron
Right Hemisphere
The part of the brain, sometimes referred to as the more creative hemisphere, responds to musical, and emotional kinds of stimuli
Nerve
Are bundled axons that form neural cables connecting the central nervous system with muscles, glands, and sense organs
Thalamus
the brain sensory control center; located on the top of the brainstem; it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla
Endorphins
“morphine within” natural, opiate like neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure
Parasympathetic NS
the division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy
Molecular genetics
Are the subfield of biology that studies the molecular structure and function of genes
Natural selection
The principle that inherited traits that better enable an organism to survive and reproduce in a particular environment will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations
Fraternal
develop from separate fertilized eggs. They are genetically no closer than ordinary brothers and sisters, but they share a prenatal environment.
Identical
develop from a single fertilized egg that splits into, creating two genetically identical organisms
Sensory (afferent) neuron
Call neurons that carry incoming information from the bodies tissues and sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord
DNA
A complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes
Somatic NS
The division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the bodies skeletal muscles
Biological psychology
the scientific study of the links between biological and psychological processes.
fMRI
A technique for revealing blood fall and, therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans. These scans show brain function as well as structure.
Neurogenesis
The formation of new neurons
Glial cells
Cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons; they also play a role in learning, thinking, and memory
Amygdala
Two lima bean sized neural clusters in the limbic system that are linked to emotion
Axon
The neuron extension that passes messages through its branches to other neurons or two muscles or glands
Plasticity
the ability to change, especially during childhood, by reorganizing after damage or by building new pathways based on experience
Medulla
And the base of the brain stem; controls heartbeat and breathing
Limbic System
Neural system including the amygdala, hypothalamus, and hippocampus that is located below the cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions and drives
