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Psychology
Chapter 6 Vocab
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| CNS | the brain and spinal cord |
| spinal cord | nerves that run up and down the length of the back and transmit most messages between the body and brain. |
| PNS | nerves branching beyond and spinal cord into the body |
| neurons | the long, thin cells of nerve tissue along which messages travel to and from the brain |
| synapse | the gap that exists between individual nerve cells |
| neurotransmitters | the chemicals released by neurons, which determine the rate at which other neurons fire |
| SNS | the part of the peripheral nervous system that controls voluntary movement of skeletal muscles |
| ANS | the part of the peripheral nervous system that controls internal biological functions |
| hind brain | a part of the brain located at the rear base of the skull that is involved in the basic processes of life |
| midbrain | a small part of the brain above the pons that arouses the brain, integrates sensory information, and relays it upward |
| fore brain | a part of the brain that covers the brain´s central core, responsible for sensory and motor control ad the processing of thinking and language. |
| lobes | the different regions into which the cerebral cortex is divided |
| EEG | a machine used to record the electrical activity of large portions of the brain |
| CT | an imaging technique used to study the brain to pinpoint injuries and brain deterioration |
| PET | an imaging technique used to see which brain areas are being activated while performing tasks |
| MRI | a measuring technique used to study brain structure and activity |
| endocrine system | a chemical communication system using hormones, by which messages are sent through the bloodstream |
| hormones | chemical substances that carry messages through the body in blood |
| pituitary gland | the center of control of the endocrine system that secretes a large number of hormones |