Help
Options
Didn't know it?
click below
click below
Knew it?
click below
click below
Don't Know
Remaining cards (0)
Know
retry
shuffle
restart
0:00
Embed Code - If you would like this activity on your web page, copy the script below and paste it into your web page.
Normal Size Small Size show me how
Normal Size Small Size show me how
PSYC 121
Chapter 2
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| biological psychology | specialized branch of psychology that studies relationship between behavior and bodily processes and systems, aka biopsychology or psychobiology |
| neuroscience | the study of the nervous system, especially the brain |
| neuron | highly specialized cell that communicates information in electrical and chemical form; a nerve cell |
| sensory neuron | type of neuron that conveys information to the brain from specialized receptor cells in sense organs and internal organs |
| motor neuron | type of neuron that signal muscles to relax or contract |
| interneuron | type of neuron that communicates information from one neuron to the next |
| cell body | processes nutrients and provides energy for the neuron to function; contains the cell's nucleus; also called the soma |
| dendrites | multiple short fibers that extend from the neuron's cell body and receive information from other neurons or from sensory receptor cells |
| axon | the long, fluid-filled tube that carries a neuron's messages to other body areas |
| glial cells or glia | support cells that assist neurons by providing structural support, nutrition, and removal of cell wastes; manufacture myelin |
| myelin sheath | a white, fatty covering wrapped around the axons of some neurons that increases their communication speed |
| action potential | a brief electrical impulse by which information is transmitted along the axon of a neuron |
| stimulus threshold | the minimum level of stimulation required to activate a particular neuron |
| resting potential | state in which a neuron is prepared to activate and communicate its message if it receives sufficient stimulation |
| axon terminals | branches at the end of the axon that contain tiny pouches, or sacs, called synaptic vesicles |
| synaptic vesicles | tiny pouches or sacs in the axon terminals that contain chemicals called neurotransmitters |
| neurotransmitters | chemical messengers manufactured by a neuron |
| synaptic transmission | the process through which neurotransmitters are released by one neuron, cross the synaptic gap, and affect adjoining neurons |
| reuptake | the process by which neurotransmitter molecules detach from a postsynaptic neuron and are reasbsorbed by a presynaptic neuron so they can be recycled and used again |
| acetylcholine | neurotransmitter that causes muscle contractions and is involved in learning and memory |
| dopamine | neurotransmitter involved in the regulation of bodily movement, thought processes, and rewarding sensations |
| serotonin | neurotransmitter involved in sensory perceptions, sleep, and emotions |
| norepinephrine | neurotransmitter involved in learning, memory, and regulation of sleep; also a hormone manufactured by adrenal glands |
| GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) | neurotransmitter that usually communicates and inhibitory message |
| endorphins | neurotransmitters that regulate pain perceptions |
| agonist | drug or other chemical substance that binds to a receptor site and triggers a response in the cell |
| antagonist | drug or other chemical substance that blocks a receptor site and inhibits or prevents a response in the receiving cell |
| nervous system | the primary internal communication network of the body; divided into the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system |
| nerves | bundles of neuron axons that carry information in the peripheral nervous system |
| central nervous system (CNS) | division of the nervous system that consists of the brain and spinal cord |
| spinal reflexes | simple, automatic behaviors that are processed in the spinal cord |
| peripheral nervous system | division of the nervous system that includes all the nerves lying outside the central nervous system |
| somatic nervous system | subdivision of the peripheral nervous system that communicates sensory information to the central nervous system and carries motor messages from the central nervous system to the muscles |
| autonomic nervous system | subdivision of the peripheral nervous system that regulates involuntary functions |
| sympathetic nervous system | branch of the autonomic nervous system that produces rapid physical arousal in response to perceived emergencies or threats |
| parasympathetic nervous system | branch of the autonomic nervous system that maintains normal bodily functions and conserves the body's physical resources |
| endocrine system | system of glands, located throughout the body that secrete hormones into the bloodstream |
| hormones | chemical messengers secreted into the bloodstream primarily by endocrine glands |
| pituitary gland | endocrine gland attached to the base of the brain that secretes hormones that affect the function of other glands as well as hormones that act directly on physical processes |
| adrenal glands | pair of endocrine glands that are involved in the human stress response |
| adrenal cortex | the outer portion of the adrenal glands |
| adrenal medulla | the inner portion of the adrenal glands; secretes epinephrine and norepinephrine |
| gonads | the endocrine glands that secrete hormones that regulate sexual characteristics and reproductive processes; ovaries in females and testes in males |
| phrenology | a pseudoscientific theory of the brain that claimed that personality characteristics, moral character, and intelligence could be determined by examining the bumps on a person's skull |
| cortical localization | the notion that different functions are located or localized in different areas of the brain; aka localization of function |
| brainstem | a region of the brain made up of the hindbrain and the midbrain |
| hindbrain | a region at the base of the brain that contains several structures that regulate basic life functions |
| medulla | a hindbrain structure that controls vital life functions such as breathing and circulation |
| pons | a hindbrain structure that connects the medulla to the two sides of the cerebellum; helps coordinate and integrate movements on each side of the body |
| cerebellum | a large, two-sided hindbrain structure at the back of the brain; responsible for muscle coordination and maintaining posture and equilibrium |
| reticular formation | a network of nerve fibers located in the center of the medulla that helps regulate attention, arousal, and sleep; aka reticular activating system |
| midbrain | the middle and smallest brain region, involved in processing auditory and visual sensory information |
| substantia nigra | an area of the midbrain that is involved in motor control and contains a large concentration of dopamine-producing neurons |
| forebrain | the largest and most complex brain region, which contains centers for complex behaviors and mental processes; aka the cerebrum |
| cerebral cortex | the wrinkled outer portion of the forebrain, which contains the most sophisticated brain centers |
| cerebral hemispheres | the nearly symmetrical left and right halves of the cerebral cortex |
| corpus callosum | a thick band of axons that connects the two cerebral hemispheres and acts as a communication link between them |
| temporal lobe | an area on each hemisphere of the cerebral cortex near the temples that is the primary receiving area for auditory information |
| occipital lobe | an area at the back of each cerebral hemisphere that is the primary receiving area for visual information |
| parietal lobe | an area on each hemisphere of the cerebral cortex located above the temporal lobe that processes somatic sensations |
| frontal lobe | the largest lobe of each cerebral hemisphere; processes voluntary muscle movements and is involved in thinking, planning, and emotional control |
| limbic system | a group of forebrain structures that form a border around the brainstem and are involved in emotion, motivation, learning, and memory |
| hippocampus | a curved forebrain structure that is part of the limbic system and is involved in learning and forming new memories |
| thalamus | a forebrain structure that processes sensory information for all senses, except smell, and relays it to the cerebral coretex |
| hypothalamus | a peanut-sized forebrain structure that is part of the limbic system and regulates behaviors related to survival, such as eating, drinking, and sexual activity |
| amygdala | almond-shaped cluster or neurons in the brain's temporal lobe, involved in memory and emotional responses, especially fear |
| cortical localization | the notion that different functions are located or localized in different areas of the brain; aka localization of function |
| lateralization of function | the notion that specific psychological or cognitive functions are processes primarily on one side of the brain |
| aphasia | the partial or complete inability to articulate ideas or understand spoken or written language because of brain injury or damage |
| split-brain operation | a surgical procedure that involves cutting the corpus callosum |
Created by:
Nicolekr
Popular Psychology sets