Discovering Psychology-Chapter 2 – Flashcards
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endorphins
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Neurotransmitter that regulate pain
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endocrine system
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System of glands located throughout the body that secrete hormones throughout the body
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electroencephalogram
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Graphic record of brain actity produced by the electroencephalograph (EEG)
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dopamine
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Neurotransmitter that regulates body movement, thought processes, and rewarding sensations.
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dendrites
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Multiple short fibers that extend (tree-like branches) from the neuron cell body and receive information from sensory receptor cells.
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cortical localization
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The notion that different functions are located or localized in different areas of the brain; also called localization of function
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corpus collosum
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The thick band of axon that connect the two brain hemispheres of the brain and allows communication between them.
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cognitive neuroscience
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The study of the neural (nerve) basis of cognitive processes
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cerebral hemisphere
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The right and left halves of cerebral cortex (right and left brain)
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cerebellum
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Large structure at back of the brain responsible for muscle coordination, posture, and equilibrium
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cell body
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the area of the nerve cell where the nucleous is located that processes nutrients and provides energy for the nerve cell.
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brain stem
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Region of the brain made up the hindbrain and midbrain
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axon
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The long fluid-filled tube that carries nerve message to other parts of the body
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axon terminals
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Branches at the end of the axon that contain tiny pouches called synaptic vesicles
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autonomic nervous system
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"automatic" Subdivision of the nervous system that controls involuntary body functions
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amygdala
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Almond-shaped cluster of neurons in temporal lobe involved in memory and emotional responses
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all-or-none law
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Either there is enough stimulation for action potential of a nerve or there is not enough stimulation and action potential doesn't occur.
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adrenal medulla
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Inner portion of the adrenal gland that secrete epinephrine and norepinephrine
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adrenal glands
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Pair of endocrine glands that control human stress response.
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adrenal cortex
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the outer portion of the adrenal glands
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action potential
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Brief electrical impulse by which information is transmitted along the axon of neuron.
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acetylcholine
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Neurotransmitter that cause muscle contraction and involved in memory function.
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norepinephrine
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Neurotransmitter involved in learning and memory also a hormone produced in adrenal glands
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neuroscience
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The study of the nervous system especially the brain.
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neurotransmitter
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Chemical messengers produced by the neuron.
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neurogenisis
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The development of new neurons
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neuron
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Nerve cell
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nervous system
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Primary internal communication network of the body divided into the central and peripheral nervous system.
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nerves
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Bundles of neuron axon that carry information to the peripheral nervous system.
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myelin sheath
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The white fatty covering around axon and some neuron that increases their communication
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motor neuron
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Neuron that tells muscle to relax (motor=movement and muscle help you move)
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medulla
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hindbrain structure that controls vital life functions such as breathing or circulation
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midbrain
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The middle and smallest region that processes sound and visual information
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magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
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Non invasive imaging technique that produces highly detailed images of the brain using electromagnetic signals generated by the brain in response to the magnetic field.
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limbic system
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group of forebrain structures that surround the brainstem involves emotions, motivation, learming and memory.
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lateralization of function
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The notion that specific brain functions are processed primarily on one side of the brain.
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interneuron
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Type of neuron that communicates information from one neuron to the next
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hormones
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Chemical messengers secreted into the blood steam by endocrine glands
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hippocampus
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curved forebrain structure invovled in learing and forming new memories
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hindbrain
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the back portion of the brain including the cerebellum and brainstem
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gonads
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sex glands (testes or ovaries)
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glial cell
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cells that assist neurons by providing structural support, waste removal, and production of myelin of the cell.
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GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)
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Neurotransmitter that usually communicates inhibitatory messages
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functional plasticity
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The brain's ability to function from damaged to undamaged areas
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functional MRI (fMRI)
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Use of magnetic fields to map the brain activity measuring changes.
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frontal lobe
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The largest lobe of each cerebral hemisphere that processes voluntary (non automatic) muslce movement also involved in thinking, planning, and emotional control.
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forebrain
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The largest and most complex brain region (cerebrum) contains the centers for complex behaviors and mental processes
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thalamus
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forebrain structue responsible for all the senses except smell and relays it to the cerebral cortex.
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temporal lobe
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An area located on each side of the right and left hemispheres near the temples that is the receiving area for sound information
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synaptic vesicles
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Tiny pouches on the axon terminals that contain the neurotransmitters.
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synaptic transmission
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The process through which neurotransmitters are released by one neuron goes across the synaptic gap to adjoining neurons.
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synaptic gap
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The tiny space between the axon terminal of one neuron and dendrite of adjoining neuron
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synapse
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The point of communication between two neurons
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sympathetic nervous system
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part of the autonomic nervous system (automatic) that produces "fight or flight" response.
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substantia nigra
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An area of the midbrain that is invovled in motor control and contains large amount of dopamine producing neurons.
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structural plasticity
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Brain ability to change physical structure in response to learning, active practice or environmental influences.
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stimulus threshhold
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The minimum level of stimulation required to activate a particular neuron.
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split brain operation
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a surgery that involves cutting the corpus callosum
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spinal reflexes
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Simple automatic behaviors processed in the spinal cord
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somatic nervous system
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Subdivision of the peripheral nervous system that carries sensory information to the central nervous system and carries motor information to muscles.
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serotonin
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Neurotransmitter involved in sleep and emotions
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sensory neurons
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Type of neuron that sends information to the brain from receptor cells in sense organs and internal organs
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reuptake
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Process where neurotransmitters are recycled and used again
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reticular formation
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A network of nerve fibers located in the center of the medulla that regulates attention, arousal, and sleep.
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resting potential
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State in which the neuron is prepared to activate and communicate its message if sufficient stimulation is received'
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positron emission tomography (PET)
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An invasive imaging technique that provides color-coded images of brain activity through radioactivity
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pons
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Hindbrain structure that connects the medulla to the two sides of the cerebellum; helps coordinate and integrate movement on each side of the body.
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pituitary gland
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Endocrine gland located at the base of the brain that secretes hormones that affects the function of other glands and hormones.
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phrenology
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A discredited false science that personality, moral character and intellegence can be determined by the bumps on your skull.
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peripherial nervous system
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Nerves outside of the central nervous system
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parietal lobe
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An area on each hemisphere of the brain that processes somatic (body) sensations
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parasympathetic nervous system
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Division of the autonomic (automatic) nervous system that maintains the body's normal function.
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occipital lobe
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Area at the back of each hemisphere that controls visual information.
