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Chapter 3

Biological Psychology

WordDefinition
Neuron nerve cell specialized for communication pg 85
dendrite portion of neuron that receives signals pg 86
axon portion of neuron that sends signals pg 86
synaptic vesicle spherical sac containing neurotransmitters pg 86
neurotransmitter chemical messenger specialized for communitcation from neuron to neuron pg 86
synapse space between two connecting neurons through which messages are transmitted chemically pg 86
synaptic cleft a gap into which neurotransmitters are released from the axon terminal pg 86
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 pg 87
myelin sheath glial cells wrapped around axons that act as insulators of the neuron's signal pg 87
resting potential electrical charge difference (-60 millivolts) across the neuronal membrane, when the neuron is not being stimulated or inhibited pg 87
threshold membrane potential necessary to trigger an action potential pg 87
action potential electrical impulse that travels down the axon triggering the release of neurotransmitters pg 87
absolute refractory period time during which another action potential is impossible; limits maximal firing rate pg 88
receptor site location that uniquely recognizes a neurotransmitter pg 88
reuptake means of recyling neurotransmitters pg 88
endorphin chemical in the brain that plays a specialized role in pain reduction pg 90
plasticity ability of the nervous system to change pg 91
stem cell a cell, often originating in embryos, haxing the capacity to differentiate into a more specialized cell pg 92
neurogenesis creation of new neurons in the adult brain pg 93
central nervous system (CNS) part of the nervous system containing brain and spinal cord that controls the mind and behavior pg 93
peripheral nervous system (PNS) nerves in the body that extend outside the central nervous system Pg 93
cerebral ventricles pockets in the brain that contain cerebrospinal fluid, which provide the brain with nutrients and cushion against injury pg 94
forebrain (cerebrum) forward part of the brain that allows advanced intellectual abilities pg 95
cerebral hemispheres two halves of the cerebral cortex, each of which serve distinct yet highly integrated functions pg 95
corpus callosum large band of fibers connecting the two cerebral hemispheres pg 95
frontal lobe forward part of cerebral cortex responsible for motor function, language, memory and planning pg 96
motor cortex part of frontal lobe responsible for thinking pg 96
prefrontal cortex part of frontal lobe responsible for thinking, planning, and language pg 96
Broca's area language area in the prefrontal cortex that helps to control speech production; plays a key role in speech;also becomes active when we hear a musical note. pg 96
parietal lobe upper middle part of the cerebral cortex lying behind the frontal lobe that is specialized for touch and perception Pg 97
temportal lobe lower part of cerebral cortex that plays roles in hearing, understanding language, and memory pg 97
Wernicke's area part of the temporal lobe involved in understanding speech pg 98
occipital lobe back part of cerebral cortex specialized for vision pg 98
primary sensory cortex regions of the cerebral cortex that initially process information from the senses pg 98
association cortex regions of the cerebral cortex that integrate simpler functions to perform more comples functions pg 98
basal ganglia structures in the forebrain that help to control movement pg 98
limibic system emotional center of brain that also plays roles in smell, motivation, and memory pg 99
thalamus gateway from the sense organs to the primary sensory cortex pg 99
hypothalamus part of the brain responsible for maintaining a constant internal state pg 99
amygdala part of limbic system that plays key roles in fear, excitement, and arousal pg 99
hippocampus part of the brain that plays a role in spatial memory pg 100
midbrain part of the brain that stem that contributes to movement, tracking of visual stimuli, and reflexes triggered by sound pg 100
reticular activating system (RAS) brain area that plays a key role in arousal pg 100
hindbrain region below the midbrain that contains the cerebellum, pons, and medulla pg 101
cerebellum brain structure responsible for our sense of balance pg 101
pons part of the brain stem that connects the cortex with the cerebellum pg 101
medulla part of brain stem involved in basic functions such as heartbeat and breathing pg 101
spinal cord thick bundle of nerves that conveys signals betwen the brain and the body pg 101
interneuron neuron that sends messages to other neurons nearby pg 101
reflex an automatic motor response to a sensory stimulus pg 101
somatic nervous system part of the nervous system that conveys information between the CNS and the body, controlling and coordinating voluntary movement pg 102
autonomic nervous system part of the nervous system controlling the involuntary actions of our internal organs and glands, which (along with the limbic system) participates in emotion regulation pg 102
sympathetic nervous system division of the autonomic nervous system engaged during a crisis or after actions requiring flight or fight pg 102
parasympathetic nervous system divison of autonomic nervous system that controls rest and digestion pg 103
endocrine system system of glands and hormones that controls sysecretion of blood-borne chemical messengers; regulate emotion pg 103
hormone chemical released into the bloodstream that influences particular organs and glands pg 103
pituitary gland master glandthat, under the control of the hypothalamus directs the other glands of the body pg 103
adrenal gland tissue located on top of the kidneys that releases adrenaline and cortisol during states of emotional arousal; the emergency centers of the body pg 104
Phrenology "Bumpology" one of the first attempts to map mind onto brain pg 104
electroencephalograph (EEG) recording of brain's electrical activity at the surface of the skull pg 107
computed tomography (CT) a scanning technique using multiple X-rays to construct three-dimensional images pg 107
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique that uses magnetic fields to indirectly visualize brain structure pg 107
positron emission tomography (PET) imagine technique that measures consumption of glucose-like molecules, yielding a picture of neural activity in different regions of the brain pg 107
functional MRI (fMRI) technique that uses magnetic fields to visualize brain activity using the BOLD response blood oxygenation level dependent
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 pg 108
magnetoencephalography (MEG) technique that measures brain activity by detecting tiny magnetic fields generated by the brain pg 108
localization of function when they identify brain areas that are active during a specific psychological task over and above a baseline rate of activity pg 110
lateralization cognitive function that relies more on one side of the brain that then other; phenomenon that explains how many cognitive functions rely on one cerebral hemisphwere more than another. pg 111
split-brain surgery procedure that involves servering the corpus callosum to reduce the spread of epileptic seizures pg 111
chromosome slender thread inside a cell's nucleus that carries genes; there are 46 human chromosomes and 22 of them are sex linked; thin threads inside the cell's nucleus that carry genes pg 113
gene genetic material, composed of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) pg 113
genotype our genetic makeup pg 114
phenotype our observable traits pg 114
dominant gene gene that masks other genes' effects pg 114
The monumental Human Genome Project all human genese, was completed in 2001. hopes tho one day cure all human disorders. genome- full set of chromosomes and the heritable traits associated with them
recessive gene gene that is expressed only in the absensce of a dominant gene pg 114
fitness organisms' capacity to pass on their genes pg 114
adaptions make them better suited to their environments pg 114
heritability percentage of the variability in a trait across individuals that is due to genes pg 115
family study analysis of how characteristics run in intact families pg 116
twin study analysis of how traits differ in identical versus fraternal twins pg 116
adoption study analysis of how traits vary in individuals raised apart from their biological relatives pg 117
selective placement placing children in homes that are similar to those of their biological parents pg 117
dizygotic (DZ) fraternal pg 117
nodes gaps all the way along the axon pg 87
oligodendrocyte promotes new connections among nerve cells and releases chemicals to aid in healing pg 87
blood-brain barrier fatty coating that wraps around tiny blood vessels pg 87
potential difference measure in electrical charge inside versus outside of the neuron pg 87 bottom
electrodes small devices made from wire or fine glass tubes pg 87 bottom
glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) most common neurotransmitters in the CNS pg 89
psychoactive they affect mood, arousal, or behavior pg 90
cerebral cortex outermost part of forebrain, responsible for analyzing sensory processing and higher brain functions pg 95
oxytocin pituary gland responsible for milk flow in mothers and stretching the cervix and vagina during birth pg 103
adaptive advantage the principle that organisms that possess adaptations survive and reproduce at a higher rate than other organisms pg 114
cerebral hemispheres outermost part of forebrain, responsible for analyzing sensory processing and higher brain functions
Created by: kreadnour
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