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Psychology Ch.3

QuestionAnswer
neuron nerve cell specialized for communication
dendrite portion of neuron that receives signals
synaptic vesicle spherical sac containing neurotransmitters
neurotransmitter chemical messenger specialized for communication from neuron to neuron
synapse space between two connecting neurons through which messages are transmitted chemically
synaptic cleft a gap into which neurotransmitters are released from the axon terminal
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
myelin sheath glial cells wrapped around axons that act as insulators of the neuron's signal
resting potential electrical charge difference across the neuronal membrane, when the neuron is not 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 action potential is impossible; limits maximal firing rate
receptor site location that uniquely recognizes a neurotransmitter
reuptake means of recycling neurotransmitters
endorphin chemical in the brain that plays a specialized role in pain reduction
plasticity ability of the nervous system to change
stem cell a cell, often originating in embryos, having the capacity to differentiate into a more specialized cell
neurogenesis creation of new neurons in the adult brain
central nervous system (CNS) part of nervous system containing brain and spinal cord that controls the mind and behavior
peripheral nervous system (PNS) nerves in the body that extend outside the central nervous system
cerebral ventricles pockets in the brain that contain cerebrospinal fluid, which provide the brain with nutrients and cushion against injury
forebrain (cerebrum) forward part of the brain that allows advanced intellectual activities
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
cerebral cortex outermost part of the forebrain, it's responsible for analyzing sensory processing and higher brain functions
frontal lobe forward part of the cerebral cortex responsible for motor function, language, memory, and planning
motor cortex part of frontal lobe responsible 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 specialized for vision
primary sensory cortex regions of the cerebral cortex that initially process information from the senses
association cortex regions of the cerebral cortex that integrate simpler functions to perform more complex functions
basal ganglia structures in the forebrain that help to control movement
limbic system emotional center of brain that also 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 limbic system that plays key roles in fear, excitement, and arousal
hippocampus part of the brain that plays a role in spatial memory
brain stem part of the brain between the spinal cord and cerebral cortex that contains the midbrain, pons, and medulla
midbrain part of the brain stem 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
cerebellum brain structure responsible for our sense of balance
pons part of 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 conveys signals between the brain and the body
interneuron neuron that sends messages to other neurons nearby
reflex an automatic motor response to a sensory stimulus
somatic nervous system part of the nervous system that conveys information between the CNS and the body, controlling and coordinating voluntary movement
autonomic nervous system part of the nervous system controlling involuntary actions of our internal organs and glands, which (along with limbic system) participates in emotion 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 of blood-borne chemical messengers
hormone chemical released into the bloodstream that influences particular organs and glands
pituitary gland master gland that, under the control of the hypothalamus, directs the other glands of the body
EEG recording of brain's electrical activity at the surface of the skull
CT a scanning technique using multiple X-rays to construct three-dimensional images
MRI technique that uses magnetic fields to indirectly visualize brain structure
PET imaging technique that measures consumption of glucose-like molecules, yielding a picture of neural activity in different regions of the brain
fMRI technique that uses magnetic fields to visualize brain activity using the BOLD response (blood oxygenation)
TMS technique that applies strong and quickly changing magnetic fields to the surface of the skull that can either enhance or interrupt brain function
MEG technique that measures brain activity by detecting tiny magnetic fields generated by the brain
lateralization cognitive function that relies more on one side of the brain than the other
chromosome slender thread inside a cell's nucleus that carries genes
gene genetic material composed of deoxyribonucleic acid
genotype our genetic makeup
phenotype our observable traits
heritability percentage of the variability in a trait across individuals that is due to genes
axon portion of neuron that sends signals
adrenal gland tissue located on top of the kidneys that releases adrenaline and cortisol during states of emotional arousal
split-brain surgery procedure that involves severing the corpus callosum to reduce the spread of epileptic seizures
fitness organisms' capacity to pass on their genes
family study analysis of how characteristics run in families
twin study analysis of how traits differ in identifcal versuss fraternal twins
adoption study analysis of how traits vary in individuals raised apart from their biological relatives
Epigenetics(I thinkspeeling) a field that examines how environmental influences affect the expression of genes
Neuroscientist Studies the brain, nervous system, and their impact on behavior.
Neuropsychologist Studies how brain damage or abnormalities affect cognitive functions and behavior.
Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) A treatment using electrodes to modulate brain activity, often for disorders like Parkinson’s.
Reinforcement Learning Learning shaped by rewards or punishments.
Soma The cell body of a neuron containing the nucleus.
Axon Terminals Endings of axons that release neurotransmitters to other neurons.
Astrocyte Glial cells that support neurons and maintain the blood-brain barrier.
Oligodendrocyte Glial cells that create myelin in the central nervous system.
Blood-Brain Barrier A barrier that protects the brain from harmful substances in the blood.
Potential Difference Electrical charge difference across a neuron's membrane.
Excitatory Neurotransmitters Chemicals that increase the likelihood of a neuron firing.
Inhibitory Neurotransmitters Chemicals that decrease the likelihood of a neuron firing.
Psychoactive Substances that affect brain function and alter mood or behavior.
Agonist Substance that enhances the effect of a neurotransmitter.
Antagonist Substance that blocks the effect of a neurotransmitter.
Glutamate Main excitatory neurotransmitter, involved in learning and memory.
GABA Primary inhibitory neurotransmitter, regulating neuronal excitability.
Acetylcholine Neurotransmitter involved in muscle movement and memory.
Norepinephrine Neurotransmitter involved in arousal and the fight-or-flight response.
Monamines Group of neurotransmitters including dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine.
Dopamine Neurotransmitter linked to reward, pleasure, and motor control.
Serotonin Neurotransmitter that regulates mood, sleep, and appetite.
Anandamide Neurotransmitter part of the endocannabinoid system, affecting mood and appetite.
Growth (Plasticity) Brain's ability to change structurally and functionally in response to experience.
Synaptogenesis Formation of new synapses (neuron connections).
Pruning Elimination of unused synapses to improve brain efficiency.
Myelination Formation of myelin around axons to speed up neural communication.
Potentiation Strengthening of synapses, related to learning and memory.
Neurogenesis Formation of new neurons, especially in the hippocampus.
Meninges Protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
Cerebrospinal Fluid Fluid that cushions the brain and helps remove waste.
Gray Matter Brain tissue containing cell bodies, involved in sensory and motor functions.
White Matter Brain tissue consisting of myelinated axons that transmit signals.
Unilateral Neglect Condition where a person ignores one side of their environment, usually due to brain damage.
Split-brain Surgery Surgery to sever the corpus callosum to treat severe epilepsy, causing hemispheric independence.
Frontal Lobe Part of the brain involved in reasoning, planning, and motor control.
Executive Functioning Cognitive processes like planning, decision-making, and impulse control.
Central Sulcus Deep groove separating the frontal and parietal lobes of the brain.
Prefrontal Cortex Region involved in decision-making, impulse control, and higher-level thinking.
Broca’s Area Brain region involved in speech production.
Lateral Fissure Deep groove separating the temporal lobe from the frontal and parietal lobes.
Auditory Cortex Region responsible for processing auditory (sound) information.
Word Salad Jumbled speech, often seen in conditions like schizophrenia.
Pareidolia Tendency to see familiar patterns, like faces, in random stimuli.
Visual Cortex Part of the brain that processes visual information.
Sensory Nerves Nerves that carry sensory information (touch, pain, temperature) to the brain.
Motor Nerves Nerves that carry signals from the brain to muscles for movement.
Fight-or-Flight Response Physiological reaction preparing the body for threat, involving adrenaline and cortisol release.
Oxytocin Hormone involved in childbirth, lactation, and social bonding.
Adrenaline Hormone that increases heart rate and prepares the body for quick action in stress situations.
Cortisol Stress hormone that regulates energy and immune responses, elevated during stress.
Monozygotic Identical twins formed from a single fertilized egg, sharing 100% of their genes.
Dizygotic Fraternal twins formed from two separate eggs, sharing 50% of their genes.
Selective Placement A method used in adoption studies where children are placed in homes similar to their biological families to study the effects of genetics and environment.
Biological/Psychological Psychologist Studies how biological processes affect behavior and mental processes.
Created by: user-1876525
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