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
Psychology Exam 2
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| neuron | nerve cell specialized for communication |
| dendrite | portion of neurons that receives signals |
| axon | portion of neuron that sends signals |
| synaptic vehicle | spherical sac containing neurotransmitters |
| neurotransmitter | chemical messenger specialized for communication from neuron to neuron |
| synapse | space b/w 2 connecting neurons through which messages are transmitted chemically |
| synaptic cleft | a gap into which neurotransmitters are released form the axon terminal |
| glial cell | cell in nervous system that plays a role in the formation of myelin and blood-- brain barrier, responds to injury, removes debris, and enhances learning and memory |
| myelin sheath | glial cells wrapped around axons that act as insulators of the neuron's signal |
| resting potential | electric charge difference across the neuronal membrane, when the neuron isn't being stimulated or inhibited |
| threshold | membrane potential necessary to trigger an action potential |
| action potential | electrical impulse that travels down the axon triggering the release of neurotransmitters |
| absolute refractory period | time during which another actional potential is impossible; limits maximal firing rate |
| receptor site | location that uniquely recognizes a neurotransmitter |
| reuptake | means of recycling neurotransmitters |
| endorphins | chemical in the brain that plays a specialized role in pain reduction |
| plasticity | ability of the nervous system to change |
| neurogenesis | creation of new neurons in the adult brain |
| stem cell | a cell, often originating in embryos, having the capacity to differentiate into a more specialized cell |
| central nervous system (CNS) | part of nerovus system containing brain and spinal cord that controls mind and behavior |
| peripheral nervous system (PNS) | nerves in the body that extend outside the CNS |
| cerebral ventricles | pockets in the brain that contain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which provide the brain with nutrients and cushion against injury |
| cerebral cortex | outermost part of forebrain, responsible for analyzing sensory processing and higher brain functions |
| cerebrum | forward part of the brain that allows advanced intellectual abilities |
| cerebral hemispheres | two halves of the cerebral cortex, each of which serve distinct yet highly integrated functions |
| corpus callosum | large band of fibers connecting the two cerebral hemispheres |
| frontal lobe | forward part of cerebral cortex responsible for motor functions, language, memory, and planning |
| motor cortex | part of frontal lobe repsonsible for body movement |
| prefrontal cortex | part of frontal lobe responsible for thinking, planning, and language |
| Broca's area | language area in the prefrontal cortex that helps to control speech production |
| parietal lobe | upper middle part of the cerebral cortex lying behind the frontal lobe that is specialized for touch and perception |
| temporal lobe | lower part of cerebral cortex that plays roles in hearing, understanding language, and memory |
| Wernicke's area | part of the temporal lobe involved in understanding speech |
| occipital lobe | back part of cerebral cortex speciailized for vision |
| primary sensory cortex | regions of the cerebral cortex that initially process information form the senses |
| association cortex | regions of the cerebral cortex that integrate simpler functions to perform more complex functions |
| basal gangalia | structures in the forebrain that help to control movement |
| limbic system | emotional center of brain that plays roles in smell, motivation, and memory |
| thalamus | gateway from the sense organs to the primary sensory cortex |
| hypothalamus | part of the brain responsible for maintaining a constant internal state |
| amygdala | part of the limbic system that plays key roles in fear, excitement, and arousal |
| hippocampus | part of the brain that plays a role in spatial memory |
| cerebellum | brain structure responsible for our sense of balance |
| brain stem | part of the brain b/w the spinal cord and cerebral cortex that contains the midbrain, pons, and medulla |
| midbrain | part of the brain that contributes to movement, tracking of visual stimuli, and reflexes triggered by sound |
| reticular activating system (RAS) | brain area that plays a key role in arousal |
| hindbrain | region below the midbrain that contains the cerebellum, pons, and medulla |
| pons | part of the brain stem that connects the cortex with the cerebellum |
| medulla | part of brain stem involved in basic functions, such as heartbeat and breathing |
| spinal cord | thick bundle of nerves that convey signals between the brain and the body |
| interneuron | neuron that sends messages to other neurons nearby |
| reflex | automatic motor response to a sensory stimulus |
| somatic nervous system | part of the nervous system that conveys information b/w CNS and body, controlling and coordinating voluntary movement |
| autonomic nervous system | part of the nervous system controlling the involuntary system of out internal organs and glands, which (along with the limbic system) participates in emotional regulation |
| sympathetic nervous system | division of the autonomic nervous system engaged during a crisis or after actions requiring fight or flight |
| parasympathetic nervous system | division of autonomic nervous system that controls rest and digestion |
| endocrine system | system of glands and hormones that controls secretion and blood-borne chemical messengers |
| hormone | chemical released into the bloodstream that influences particular organ and glands |
| pituitary gland | master gland that, under the control of the hypothalamus, directs the other glands of the body |
| adrenal gland | tissue located at the top of the kidneys that releases adrenaline and cortisol during states of emotional arousal |
| electroencephalograph (EEG) | recording of the brain's electrical activity at the surface of the skull |
| computed tomography (CT) | a scanning technique using multiple X-rays to contruct 3-D images |
| magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) | technique that uses magnetic fields to indirectly visualize brain structure |
| positron emission tomography (PET) | imaging technique that measures consumption of glucose-like molecules, yielding a picture of neural activity in different regions of the brain |
| functional MRI (fMRI) | technique that uses magnetic fields to visualize brain activity using changes in blood oxygen level |
| 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 |
| magnetoencephalography | technique that measures brain activity by detecting tiny magentic fields fields generated by the brain |
| lateralization | cognitive function that relies more on one side of the brain than the other |
| split-brain surgery | procedure that involves severing the corpus callosum to reduce the spread of epileptic seizures |
| chromosome | slender thread inside a cell's nucleus that carries genes |
| gene | genetic material, composed of DNA |
| genotype | genetic makeup |
| phenotype | physical traits |
| dominant gene | gene that masks other genes' effect |
| recessive gene | gene that is expressed only in the absence of a dominant gene |
| fitness | organisms' capacity to pass on their genes |
| heritability | percentage of the variability in a trait across individuals that is due to genes |
| family study | analysis of how characteristics run in intact families |
| twin study | analysis of how traits differ in identical versus fraternal twins |
| adoption study | analysis of how traits vary in individuals raised apart from their biological relatives |
| sleep paralysis | state of being unable to move just after falling asleep or right before waking up |
| consciousness | our subjective experience of the world, our bodies, and our mental perspectives |
| circadian rhythm | cyclical changes that occur on a roughly 24-hour basis in many biological processes |
| biological clock | area of the hypothalamus that's responsible for controlling our levels of alertness |
| REM | darting of the eyes underneath closed eyelids during sleep |
| REM sleep | stage of sleep during which the brain is most active and during which vivid dreaming most often occurs |
| non-REM sleep | stages 1-4 of sleep cycle, during which rapid eye movement doesn't occur and dreaming is less frequent and vivid |
| lucid dreaming | experience of becoming aware that one is dreaming |
| insomina | difficulty falling and staying asleep |
| narcolepsy | disorder characterized by the rapid and often unexpected onset of sleep |
| sleep apnea | disorder caused by a blockage of the airway during sleep, resulting in daytime fatigue |
| night terrors | sudden waking episodes characterized by screaming, perspiring, and confusion followed by a return to a deep sleep |
| sleepwalking | walking while fully asleep |
| activation-synthesis theory | theory that dreams reflect inputs from brain activation originating in the pons, which the forebrain then attempts to weave into a story |
| neurocognitive theory | theory that dreams are a meaningful product of our cognitive capabilities, which shape what we dream about |
| out-of-body experience (OBE) | sense of our consciousness leaving our body |
| near-death experience (NDE) | experience reported by people who have nearly died or thought they were going to die |
| deja vu | feeling or reliving an experience that's new |
| mystical experience | feeling of unity or oneness with the world, often with strong spiritual overtones |
| hypnosis | set of techniques that provides people with suggestions for alterations in their perceptions, thoughts, feelings, and behaviors |
| sociocognitive theory | approach to explaining hypnosis based on people's attitudes, beliefs, expectations, and responsiveness to waking suggestions |
| past-life regression therapy | therapeutic approach that hypnotizes and supposedly age-regresses patients to a previous life to identify the source of a present-day problem |
| dissociation theory | approach to explaining hypnosis based on a seperation b/w personality functions that are normally well integrated |
| psychoactive drug | substance that contains chemicals similar to those found naturally in our brains that after consciousness by changing chemical processes in neurons |
| tolerance | reduction in the effect of a drug as a result of reepeated use, requiring users to consume greater quantities to achieve the same effect |
| withdrawal | unpleasant effects of reducing or stopping consumption of a drug that users have consumed habitually |
| physical dependence | dependence of a drug that occurs when people contiinue to take it to avoid withdrawal symptoms |
| psychological dependence | dependence of a drug that occurs when continued use of the drug is motivated by intense cravings |
| sedative | drug that exerts a calming effect |
| hypnotic | drug that exerts a sleep-inducing effect |
| stimulant | drug that increases activity in the central nervous system |
| narcotic | drug that relieves pain and induces sleep |
| hallucinogenic | causing dramatic alterations of perception, mood, and thought |
Created by:
sahil
Popular Psychology sets