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neuron

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Nerve cell specialized for communication

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dendrite

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Portion of neuron that receives signals

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axon

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Portion of neuron that sends signals

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synaptic vesicle

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Spherical sac containing neurotransmitters

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neurotransmitter

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Chemical messenger specialized for communication from neuron to neuron

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synapse

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Space between two connecting neurons through which messages are transmitted chemically

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synaptic cleft

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A gap into which neurotransmitters are released from the axon terminal

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glial cell

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Cell in the 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

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myelin sheath

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Glial cells wrapped around axons that act as insulators of the neuron's signal

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resting potential

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Electrical charge difference (-60 millivolts) across the neuronal membrane, when the neuron is not being stimulated or inhibited

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threshold

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membrane potential necessary to trigger action potential

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action potential

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electrical impulse that travels down the axon, triggering the release of neurotransmitters; positive particles rapidly flow into the axon until a maximal level is reached

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absolute refractory period

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time during which another action potential is impossible; limits maximal firing rate

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graded potential

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postsynaptic potentials that can be excitatory or inhibitory depending on whether positively or negatively charged particles flow across the neuronal membrane and in which direction they flow

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excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP)

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graded potential in a dendrite that is caused by excitatory synaptic transmission; positive ions allowed in which depolarizes the neuron

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inhibitory postsynaptic potential (IPSP)

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graded potential that is caused by inhibitory synaptic transmission; negative ions move in which hyperpolarizes the neuron

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receptor site

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location that uniquely recognizes a neurotransmitter

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reuptake

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means of recycling neurotransmitters; process by which the synaptic vesicle reabsorbs the neurotransmitter

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endorphin

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chemical in the brain that plays a specialized role in pain reduction

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plasticity

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ability of the nervous system to change

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stem cell

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a cell, often originating in embryos, having the capacity to differentiate into a more specialized cell

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neurogenesis

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creation of new neurons in the adult brain

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central nervous system

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part of the nervous system containing the brain and spinal cord that controls the mind and behaviour

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peripheral nervous system

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nerves in the body that extend outside the central nervous system

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cerebral ventricles

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pockets in the brain that contain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which provides the brain with nutrients and cushions against injury

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forebrain

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forward part of the brain that allows advanced intellectual abilities; aka cerebrum

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frontal lobe

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forward part of the cerebral cortex responsible for motor function, language, memory and planning

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motor cortex

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part of the frontal lobe responsible for body movement

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prefrontal cortex

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part of the frontal lobe responsible for thinking, planning and language

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Broca's area

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language area in the prefrontal cortex that helps to control speech production

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parietal lobe

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upper middle part of the cerebral cortex lying behind the frontal lobe that is specialized for touch and perception

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temporal lobe

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lower part of the cerebral cortex that plays roles in hearing, understanding language, and memory

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Wernicke's area

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part of the temporal lobe involved in understanding speech

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occipital lobe

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back part of the cerebral cortex specialized for vision

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primary sensory cortex

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regions of the cerebral cortex that initially process information from the senses

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association cortex

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regions of the cerebral cortex that integrate simpler functions to perform more complex functions

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basal ganglia

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structures in the forebrain that help to control movement

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limbic system

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emotional centre of the brain that also plays roles in smell, motivation and memory

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thalamus

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gateway from the sense organs to the primary sensory cortex

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hypothalamus

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part of the brain responsible for maintaining a constant internal state

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amygdala

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part of the limbic system that plays key roles in fear, excitement and arousal

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hippocampus

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part of the brain that plays a role in spatial memory

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brain stem

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part of the brain between the spinal cord and the cerebral cortex that contains the midbrain, pons, and medulla

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midbrain

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part of the brain stem that contributes to movement, tracking of visual stimuli, and reflexes triggered by sound

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reticular activating system

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brain area that plays a key role in arousal

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hindbrain

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region below the midbrain that contains the cerebellum, pons, and medulla

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cerebellum

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brain structure responsible for our sense of balance

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pons

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part of the brain stem that connects the cortex with the cerebellum

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medulla

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part of the brain stem involved in basic functions such as heartbeat and breathing

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spinal cord

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thick bundle of nerves that conveys signals between the brain and the body

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interneuron

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neuron that sends messages to other neurons nearby

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reflex

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automatic motor response to a sensory stimulus

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somatic nervous system

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part of the nervous system that conveys information between the CNS and the body, controlling and coordinating voluntary movement

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autonomic nervous system

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part of the nervous system controlling involuntary actions of our internal organs and glands; along with the limbic system, it participates in emotion regulation

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sympathetic nervous system

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division of the autonomic NS engaged during a crisis or after actions requiring fight or flight

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parasympathetic nervous system

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division of autonomic nervous system that controls rest and digestion

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endocrine system

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system of glands and hormones that controls secretion of blood-borne chemical messengers

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hormone

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chemical released into the bloodstream that influences particular organs and glands

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pituitary gland

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master gland that, under the control of the hypothalamus, directs the other glands of the body

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adrenal gland

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tissue located on top of the kidneys that releases adrenalin and cortisol during states of emotional arousal

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lateralization

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cognitive function that relies more on one side of the brain than the other

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cerebral hemispheres

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two halves of the cerebral cortex, each of which serves distinct yet highly integrated functions

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corpus callosum

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large band of fibres connecting the two cerebral hemispheres

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cerebral cortex

answer

outermost part of forebrain, responsible for analyzing sensory processing and higher brain functions

Psychology from Inquiry to Understanding – Chapter 3 Terms – Flashcards

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