click below
click below
Normal Size Small Size show me how
biopsychology
biological structures of the brain
Question | Answer |
---|---|
action potential | electrical signal that moves down the neuron’s axon |
adrenal gland | sits atop our kidneys and secretes hormones involved in the stress response |
agonist | drug that mimics or strengthens the effects of a neurotransmitter |
all-or-none | phenomenon that incoming signal from another neuron is either sufficient or insufficient to reach the threshold of excitation |
allele | specific version of a gene |
amygdala | structure in the limbic system involved in our experience of emotion and tying emotional meaning to our memories |
antagonist | drug that blocks or impedes the normal activity of a given neurotransmitter |
auditory cortex | strip of cortex in the temporal lobe that is responsible for processing auditory information |
autonomic nervous system | controls our internal organs and glands |
axon | major extension of soma |
biological perspective | view that psychological disorders like depression and schizophrenia are associated with imbalances in one or more neurotransmitter systems |
Broca’s area | region in the left hemisphere that is essential for language production |
CNS | brain and spinal cord |
cerebellum | hindbrain structure that controls our balance, coordination, movement, and motor skills, and it is thought to be important in processing some types of memory |
cerebral cortex | surface of the brain that is associated with our highest mental capabilities |
chromosome | long strand of genetic information |
computerized tomography (CT) scan | imaging technique in which a computer coordinates and integrates multiple x-rays of a given area |
corpus callosum | thick band of neural fibers connecting the brain’s two hemispheres |
dendrite | branch-like extension of the soma that receives incoming signals from other neurons |
deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) | helix-shaped molecule made of nucleotide base pairs |
diabetes | disease related to insufficient insulin production |
dominant allele | allele whose phenotype will be expressed in an individual that possesses that allele |
electroencephalography (EEG) | recording the electrical activity of the brain via electrodes on the scalp |
endocrine system | series of glands that produce chemical substances known as hormones |
epigenetics | study of gene-environment interactions, such as how the same genotype leads to different phenotypes |
fight or flight response | activation of the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system, allowing access to energy reserves and heightened sensory capacity so that we might fight off a given threat or run away to safety |
forebrain | largest part of the brain, containing the cerebral cortex, the thalamus, and the limbic system, among other structures |
fraternal twins | twins who develop from two different eggs fertilized by different sperm, so their genetic material varies the same as in non-twin siblings |
frontal lobe | part of the cerebral cortex involved in reasoning, motor control, emotion, and language; contains motor cortex |
functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) | MRI that shows changes in metabolic activity over time |
gene | sequence of DNA |
genetic environmental correlation | view of gene-environment interaction that asserts our genes affect our environment, and our environment influences the expression of our genes |
genotype | genetic makeup of an individual |
glial cell | nervous system cell that provides physical and metabolic support to neurons, including neuronal insulation and communication, and nutrient and waste transport |
gonad | secretes sexual hormones, which are important for successful reproduction, and mediate both sexual motivation and behavior |
gyrus | bump or ridge in cerebral cortex |
hemisphere | left or right side of brain |
heterozygous | consisting of two different alleles |
hindbrain | division of the brain containing medulla, pons, and cerebellum |
hippocampus | structure in the temporal lobe associated with learning and memory |
homeostasis | state of equilibrium |
homozygous | consisting of two identical alleles |
hormone | chemical messenger released by endocrine glands |
hypothalamus | forebrain structure that regulates sexual motivation and behavior and a number of homeostatic processes; serves as an interface between the nervous system and the endocrine system |
identical twins | twins that develop from the same sperm and egg |
lateralization | concept that each hemisphere of the brain is associated with specialized functions |
limbic system | collection of structures involved in processing emotion and memory |
longitudinal fissure | deep groove in the brain’s cortex |
MRI | magnetic fields used to produce a picture of the tissue being imaged |
medulla | hindbrain structure that controls automated processes like breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate |
membrane potential | difference in charge across the neuronal membrane |
midbrain | division of the brain located between the forebrain and the hindbrain; contains the reticular formation |
motor cortex | strip of cortex involved in planning and coordinating movement |
mutation | sudden, permanent change in a gene |
myelin sheath | fatty substance that insulates axons |
neuron | cells in the nervous system that act as interconnected information processors, which are essential for all of the tasks of the nervous system |
neuroplasticity | nervous system's ability to change |
neurotransmitter | chemical messenger of the nervous system |
Nodes of Ranvier | open spaces that are found in the myelin sheath that encases the axon |
occipital lobe | part of the cerebral cortex associated with visual processing; contains the primary visual cortex |
pancreas | secretes hormones that regulate blood sugar |
parasympathetic nervous system | associated with routine, day-to-day operations of the body |
parietal lobe | part of the cerebral cortex involved in processing various sensory and perceptual information; contains the primary somatosensory cortex |
PNS | connects the brain and spinal cord to the muscles, organs and senses in the periphery of the body |
phenotype | individual’s inheritable physical characteristics |
pituitary gland | secretes a number of key hormones, which regulate fluid levels in the body, and a number of messenger hormones, which direct the activity of other glands in the endocrine system |
polygenic | multiple genes affecting a given trait |
pons | hindbrain structure that connects the brain and spinal cord; involved in regulating brain activity during sleep |
positron emission tomography (PET) scan | involves injecting individuals with a mildly radioactive substance and monitoring changes in blood flow to different regions of the brain |
prefrontal cortex | area in the frontal lobe responsible for higher-level cognitive functioning |
psychotropic medication | drugs that treat psychiatric symptoms by restoring neurotransmitter balance |
range of reaction | asserts our genes set the boundaries within which we can operate, and our environment interacts with the genes to determine where in that range we will fall |
receptor | protein on the cell surface where neurotransmitters attach |
recessive allele | allele whose phenotype will be expressed only if an individual is homozygous for that allele |
resting potential | the state of readiness of a neuron membrane’s potential between signals |
reticular formation | midbrain structure important in regulating the sleep/wake cycle, arousal, alertness, and motor activity |
reuptake | neurotransmitter is pumped back into the neuron that released it |
semipermeable membrane | cell membrane that allows smaller molecules or molecules without an electrical charge to pass through it, while stopping larger or highly charged molecules |
soma | cell body |
somatic nervous system | relays sensory and motor information to and from the CNS |
somatosensory cortex | essential for processing sensory information from across the body, such as touch, temperature, and pain |
substantia nigra | midbrain structure where dopamine is produced; involved in control of movement |
sulcus | depressions or grooves in the cerebral cortex |
sympathetic nervous system | involved in stress-related activities and functions |
synaptic cleft | small gap between two neurons where communication occurs |
synaptic vesicle | storage site for neurotransmitters |
temporal lobe | part of cerebral cortex associated with hearing, memory, emotion, and some aspects of language; contains primary auditory cortex |
terminal button | axon terminal containing synaptic vesicles |
thalamus | sensory relay for the brain |
threshold of excitation | level of charge in the membrane that causes the neuron to become active |
ventral tegmental area (VTA) | midbrain structure where dopamine is produced: associated with mood, reward, and addiction |
Wernicke’s area | important for speech comprehension |