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Chapter 3
Biological Psychology
Word | Definition | |
---|---|---|
Neuron | nerve cell specialized for communication | pg 85 |
dendrite | portion of neuron that receives signals | pg 86 |
axon | portion of neuron that sends signals | pg 86 |
synaptic vesicle | spherical sac containing neurotransmitters | pg 86 |
neurotransmitter | chemical messenger specialized for communitcation from neuron to neuron | pg 86 |
synapse | space between two connecting neurons through which messages are transmitted chemically | pg 86 |
synaptic cleft | a gap into which neurotransmitters are released from the axon terminal | pg 86 |
glial cell | cell in nervous system that plays a role in the formation of myelin and the blood-brain barrier, responds to injury, removes debris, and enhances learning and memory | pg 87 |
myelin sheath | glial cells wrapped around axons that act as insulators of the neuron's signal | pg 87 |
resting potential | electrical charge difference (-60 millivolts) across the neuronal membrane, when the neuron is not being stimulated or inhibited | pg 87 |
threshold | membrane potential necessary to trigger an action potential | pg 87 |
action potential | electrical impulse that travels down the axon triggering the release of neurotransmitters | pg 87 |
absolute refractory period | time during which another action potential is impossible; limits maximal firing rate | pg 88 |
receptor site | location that uniquely recognizes a neurotransmitter | pg 88 |
reuptake | means of recyling neurotransmitters | pg 88 |
endorphin | chemical in the brain that plays a specialized role in pain reduction | pg 90 |
plasticity | ability of the nervous system to change | pg 91 |
stem cell | a cell, often originating in embryos, haxing the capacity to differentiate into a more specialized cell | pg 92 |
neurogenesis | creation of new neurons in the adult brain | pg 93 |
central nervous system (CNS) | part of the nervous system containing brain and spinal cord that controls the mind and behavior | pg 93 |
peripheral nervous system (PNS) | nerves in the body that extend outside the central nervous system | Pg 93 |
cerebral ventricles | pockets in the brain that contain cerebrospinal fluid, which provide the brain with nutrients and cushion against injury | pg 94 |
forebrain (cerebrum) | forward part of the brain that allows advanced intellectual abilities | pg 95 |
cerebral hemispheres | two halves of the cerebral cortex, each of which serve distinct yet highly integrated functions | pg 95 |
corpus callosum | large band of fibers connecting the two cerebral hemispheres | pg 95 |
frontal lobe | forward part of cerebral cortex responsible for motor function, language, memory and planning | pg 96 |
motor cortex | part of frontal lobe responsible for thinking | pg 96 |
prefrontal cortex | part of frontal lobe responsible for thinking, planning, and language | pg 96 |
Broca's area | language area in the prefrontal cortex that helps to control speech production; plays a key role in speech;also becomes active when we hear a musical note. | pg 96 |
parietal lobe | upper middle part of the cerebral cortex lying behind the frontal lobe that is specialized for touch and perception | Pg 97 |
temportal lobe | lower part of cerebral cortex that plays roles in hearing, understanding language, and memory | pg 97 |
Wernicke's area | part of the temporal lobe involved in understanding speech | pg 98 |
occipital lobe | back part of cerebral cortex specialized for vision | pg 98 |
primary sensory cortex | regions of the cerebral cortex that initially process information from the senses | pg 98 |
association cortex | regions of the cerebral cortex that integrate simpler functions to perform more comples functions | pg 98 |
basal ganglia | structures in the forebrain that help to control movement | pg 98 |
limibic system | emotional center of brain that also plays roles in smell, motivation, and memory | pg 99 |
thalamus | gateway from the sense organs to the primary sensory cortex | pg 99 |
hypothalamus | part of the brain responsible for maintaining a constant internal state | pg 99 |
amygdala | part of limbic system that plays key roles in fear, excitement, and arousal | pg 99 |
hippocampus | part of the brain that plays a role in spatial memory | pg 100 |
midbrain | part of the brain that stem that contributes to movement, tracking of visual stimuli, and reflexes triggered by sound | pg 100 |
reticular activating system (RAS) | brain area that plays a key role in arousal | pg 100 |
hindbrain | region below the midbrain that contains the cerebellum, pons, and medulla | pg 101 |
cerebellum | brain structure responsible for our sense of balance | pg 101 |
pons | part of the brain stem that connects the cortex with the cerebellum | pg 101 |
medulla | part of brain stem involved in basic functions such as heartbeat and breathing | pg 101 |
spinal cord | thick bundle of nerves that conveys signals betwen the brain and the body | pg 101 |
interneuron | neuron that sends messages to other neurons nearby | pg 101 |
reflex | an automatic motor response to a sensory stimulus | pg 101 |
somatic nervous system | part of the nervous system that conveys information between the CNS and the body, controlling and coordinating voluntary movement | pg 102 |
autonomic nervous system | part of the nervous system controlling the involuntary actions of our internal organs and glands, which (along with the limbic system) participates in emotion regulation | pg 102 |
sympathetic nervous system | division of the autonomic nervous system engaged during a crisis or after actions requiring flight or fight | pg 102 |
parasympathetic nervous system | divison of autonomic nervous system that controls rest and digestion | pg 103 |
endocrine system | system of glands and hormones that controls sysecretion of blood-borne chemical messengers; regulate emotion | pg 103 |
hormone | chemical released into the bloodstream that influences particular organs and glands | pg 103 |
pituitary gland | master glandthat, under the control of the hypothalamus directs the other glands of the body | pg 103 |
adrenal gland | tissue located on top of the kidneys that releases adrenaline and cortisol during states of emotional arousal; the emergency centers of the body | pg 104 |
Phrenology | "Bumpology" one of the first attempts to map mind onto brain | pg 104 |
electroencephalograph (EEG) | recording of brain's electrical activity at the surface of the skull | pg 107 |
computed tomography (CT) | a scanning technique using multiple X-rays to construct three-dimensional images | pg 107 |
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) | technique that uses magnetic fields to indirectly visualize brain structure | pg 107 |
positron emission tomography (PET) | imagine technique that measures consumption of glucose-like molecules, yielding a picture of neural activity in different regions of the brain | pg 107 |
functional MRI (fMRI) | technique that uses magnetic fields to visualize brain activity using the BOLD response | blood oxygenation level dependent |
transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) | technique that applies strong and quickly changing magnetic fields to the surface of the skull that can either enhance or interrupt brain function | pg 108 |
magnetoencephalography (MEG) | technique that measures brain activity by detecting tiny magnetic fields generated by the brain | pg 108 |
localization of function | when they identify brain areas that are active during a specific psychological task over and above a baseline rate of activity | pg 110 |
lateralization | cognitive function that relies more on one side of the brain that then other; phenomenon that explains how many cognitive functions rely on one cerebral hemisphwere more than another. | pg 111 |
split-brain surgery | procedure that involves servering the corpus callosum to reduce the spread of epileptic seizures | pg 111 |
chromosome | slender thread inside a cell's nucleus that carries genes; there are 46 human chromosomes and 22 of them are sex linked; thin threads inside the cell's nucleus that carry genes | pg 113 |
gene | genetic material, composed of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) | pg 113 |
genotype | our genetic makeup | pg 114 |
phenotype | our observable traits | pg 114 |
dominant gene | gene that masks other genes' effects | pg 114 |
The monumental Human Genome Project | all human genese, was completed in 2001. hopes tho one day cure all human disorders. | genome- full set of chromosomes and the heritable traits associated with them |
recessive gene | gene that is expressed only in the absensce of a dominant gene | pg 114 |
fitness | organisms' capacity to pass on their genes | pg 114 |
adaptions | make them better suited to their environments | pg 114 |
heritability | percentage of the variability in a trait across individuals that is due to genes | pg 115 |
family study | analysis of how characteristics run in intact families | pg 116 |
twin study | analysis of how traits differ in identical versus fraternal twins | pg 116 |
adoption study | analysis of how traits vary in individuals raised apart from their biological relatives | pg 117 |
selective placement | placing children in homes that are similar to those of their biological parents | pg 117 |
dizygotic (DZ) | fraternal | pg 117 |
nodes | gaps all the way along the axon | pg 87 |
oligodendrocyte | promotes new connections among nerve cells and releases chemicals to aid in healing | pg 87 |
blood-brain barrier | fatty coating that wraps around tiny blood vessels | pg 87 |
potential difference | measure in electrical charge inside versus outside of the neuron | pg 87 bottom |
electrodes | small devices made from wire or fine glass tubes | pg 87 bottom |
glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) | most common neurotransmitters in the CNS | pg 89 |
psychoactive | they affect mood, arousal, or behavior | pg 90 |
cerebral cortex | outermost part of forebrain, responsible for analyzing sensory processing and higher brain functions | pg 95 |
oxytocin | pituary gland responsible for milk flow in mothers and stretching the cervix and vagina during birth | pg 103 |
adaptive advantage | the principle that organisms that possess adaptations survive and reproduce at a higher rate than other organisms | pg 114 |
cerebral hemispheres | outermost part of forebrain, responsible for analyzing sensory processing and higher brain functions |