Unit two vocab Flashcards

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1
Q

Brainstem

A

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

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2
Q

Behavior genetics

A

The study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior

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3
Q

Peripheral NS

A

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

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4
Q

Neuron

A

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

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5
Q

Reticular formation

A

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

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6
Q

Action potential

A

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

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7
Q

Chromosomes

A

Threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes.

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8
Q

Corpus Callosum

A

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

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9
Q

Mutation

A

A rare error in gene replication that leads to a change

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10
Q

Hypothalamus

A

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

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11
Q

Neurotransmitters

A

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.

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12
Q

Threshold

A

The level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse

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13
Q

Myelin Sheath

A

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

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14
Q

Central NS

A

The brain and spinal cord

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15
Q

Synapse

A

The junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron

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16
Q

Lesion

A

Tissue destruction. It is actually occurring or experimentally cause destruction of brain tissue

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17
Q

Interneuron

A

Neurons within the brain and spinal cord; they communicate internally and process information between the sensory input and motor outputs

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18
Q

MRI

A

A technique that uses magnetic field and radio waves to produce computer-generated images of soft tissue. They can show brain anatomy.

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19
Q

Left Hemisphere

A

part of the brain that primarily responsible for matters of language, symbols, logic, and mathematics and responds to spatial stimuli

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20
Q

Dendrite

A

Neurons often bushy, branching extensions that receive and integrate messages, conducting impulses toward the cell body

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21
Q

Environment

A

Every non-genetic influence, from prenatal nutrition to the people and things around us

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22
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

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23
Q

Occipital lobes

A

The portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head; includes areas that receive information from the visual fields

24
Q

Sympathetic NS

A

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

25
Q

Broca’s Area

A

Helps control language expression, an area of the frontal lobe, usually in the left hemisphere, that directs the muscle movements involved in speech

26
Q

Motor (efferent) neuron

A

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

27
Q

Genome

A

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

28
Q

Genes

A

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

29
Q

Temporal lobes

A

the portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears; includes the auditory areas, it’s receiving information primarily from the opposite ear

30
Q

EEG

A

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

31
Q

Autonomic NS

A

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.

32
Q

Endocrine System

A

The bodies “slow” chemical communication system; a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream

33
Q

Cerebellum

A

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

34
Q

Reuptake

A

A Neurotransmitters reabsorption by the sending neuron

35
Q

Right Hemisphere

A

The part of the brain, sometimes referred to as the more creative hemisphere, responds to musical, and emotional kinds of stimuli

36
Q

Nerve

A

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

37
Q

Thalamus

A

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

38
Q

Endorphins

A

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

39
Q

Parasympathetic NS

A

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

40
Q

Molecular genetics

A

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

41
Q

Natural selection

A

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

42
Q

Fraternal

A

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

43
Q

Identical

A

develop from a single fertilized egg that splits into, creating two genetically identical organisms

44
Q

Sensory (afferent) neuron

A

Call neurons that carry incoming information from the bodies tissues and sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord

45
Q

DNA

A

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

46
Q

Somatic NS

A

The division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the bodies skeletal muscles

47
Q

Biological psychology

A

the scientific study of the links between biological and psychological processes.

48
Q

fMRI

A

A technique for revealing blood fall and, therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans. These scans show brain function as well as structure.

48
Q

Neurogenesis

A

The formation of new neurons

49
Q

Glial cells

A

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

50
Q

Amygdala

A

Two lima bean sized neural clusters in the limbic system that are linked to emotion

51
Q

Axon

A

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

52
Q

Plasticity

A

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

53
Q

Medulla

A

And the base of the brain stem; controls heartbeat and breathing

54
Q

Limbic System

A

Neural system including the amygdala, hypothalamus, and hippocampus that is located below the cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions and drives