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AP Psychology Unit 1
Biological Bases of Behavior
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Neuroanatomy | The study of the parts and function of neurons |
| Neurons | Individual nerve cells (Make up our entire nervous system) |
| Dendrites | Root like parts of the cell that stretch out from the cell body |
| Synaptic Connections | The junctions where neurons communicate with each other or with other cells like muscle or gland cells |
| Cell Body (Soma) | Contains the nucleus and other parts of the cell needed to sustain its life |
| Axon | Wire-like structure ending in the terminal buttons that extends from the cell body |
| Terminal Buttons | The end points of a neuron's axon, where it forms synapses with other cells |
| Myelin Sheath | A fatty covering around the axon of some neurons that speeds neural impulses |
| Neural Impulse | An electrochemical signal that is sent from neurons to other neurons, or to muscles and glands that are controlled by neurons |
| Neurotransmitters | Chemicals contained in terminal buttons that enable neurons to communicate. Neurotransmitters fit into receptor sites on the dendrites of neurons |
| Synapse | The space between the terminal buttons of one neuron and the dendrites of the next neuron |
| All - or - None Principle | A neuron either fires completely or doesn't fire at all. Impulse strength is always the same -- neurons cannot fire 'a little' or 'a lot' |
| Excitatory Neurotransmitters | Neurotransmitters that stimulate the next neuron to fire |
| Inhibitory Neurotransmitters | Neurotransmitters that prevent the next neuron from firing |
| Synaptic Gap (Synaptic Cleft) | The small gap between two neurons of a synapse |
| Neural Firing | An electrochemical process in which electricity travels within the cell (from the dendrites to the terminal buttons), and chemicals (neurotransmitters) travel between cells in the synapse. Electricity does not jump between the neurons |
| Afferent Neurons (Sensory Neurons) | Neurons that take information from the senses to the brain |
| Interneurons | Once information reaches the brain or spinal cord, interneurons take the messages and send them elsewhere in the brain or on to efferent neurons |
| Efferent Neurons (Motor Neurons) | Neurons that take information from the brain to the rest of the body |
| Spinal Cord | A bundle of nerves that run through the center of the spine. It transmits information from the rest of the body to the brain |
| Peripheral Nervous System | The nervous system outside the brain and spinal cord |
| Somatic Nervous System | A division of the peripheral Nervous system responsible for voluntary muscle movements and receiving sensory information from the body |
| Autonomic Nervous System | A component of the peripheral Nervous system that regulates involuntary physiologic processes including heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, digestion, and sexual arousal |
| Sympathetic Nervous System | The part of the autonomic nervous system that controls the speeding up of our body after a stress response |
| Para sympathetic Nervous System | The part of the autonomic nervous system that controls the slowing down of our body after a stress response |
| Lesioning | The removal or destruction of part of the brain |
| Electroencephalogram (EEG) | A machine that records the electrical activity of the brain |
| Computerized Axial Tomography (CAT or CT) | A diagnostic imaging procedure that uses a combination of X-rays and computer technology to produce images of inside the body |
| Tomography | A process that generates detailed images of internal structures by creating cross-sectional slices of the body |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) | A medical imaging technique that uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images of the inside of the body |
| Carcinogenic Radiation | High energy radiation, such as X-rays, gamma rays, alpha particles, beta particles, and neutrons, that can damage DNA and cause cancer |
| Positron Emission Tomography (PET) | A medical imaging technique that uses radioactive substances call radiotracers to create detailed images of the body’s organs and tissues |
| Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) | A system that uses magnetic resonance imaging to measure the tiny changes in blood flow that take place when a certain part of you brain is working |
| Hindbrain | The region of the developing vertebrate brain that is composed of the Medulla Oblongata, the Pons, and the Cerebellum |
| Medulla Oblongata (Medulla) | A vital part of the brainstem responsible for regulating essential bodily functions like breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure |
| Pons | A part of the brainstem that links the brain to the spinal cord, specifically located between the midbrain and the medulla oblongata |
| Cerebellum | The part of the brain that helps coordinate muscle movement and regulate a wide range of functions and processes in both your brain and body |
| Midbrain | A small central part of the brainstem, developing from the middle of the primitive or embryonic brain |
| Reticular Formation | A netlike collection of cells throughout the midbrain. It controls general body arousal and the ability to focus (attention) |
| Forebrain | The anterior part of the brain, including the cerebral hemispheres, the thalamus, and the hypothalamus |
| Thalamus | A relay station in the brain that processes and transmits sensory information (except smell) to the appropriate areas of the cerebral cortex. It plays a key role in consciousness, alertness, and perception |
| Hypothalamus | A small structure in the brain that helps maintain homeostasis. It controls vital functions related to hunger, thirst, body temperature, and emotions by communicating with the endocrine system |
| Homeostasis | Internal balance |
| Hippocampus | The two arms that surround the thalamus |
| Amygdala | Structures near the end of each hippocampal arm |
| Fissures | A wrinkle found in the brain that divides major regions of the cerebral cortex |
| Cerebral Cortex | The outermost layer of the brain, responsible for higher-level thinking, reasoning, perception, and voluntary movement |
| Contralateral Control | The left hemisphere gets sensory messages and controls the motor function of the right half of the body. The right hemisphere gets sensory messages and controls the motor function of the left half of the body. |
| Brain Lateralization (Hemisphere Specialization) | The specialization of function in each hemisphere |
| Corpus Callosum | The nerve bundle that connects the two hemispheres and allows communication between them |
| Split-Brain Patients | Patients whose corpus callosum has been cut to treat severe epilepsy |
Created by:
Rithvik21
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