Neuroscience And Behavior (Psychology)

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Neurons

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Cells in the nervous system that communicate with one another to perform information-processing tasks.

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Cell Body

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The part of neuron that coordinates information-processing tasks and keeps the cell alive.

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Dendrites

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The part of neuron that receives information from other neurons and relays it to the cell body.

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Axon

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The part of a neuron that transmits information to other neurons, muscles, or glands.

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Myelin Sheath

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An insulating layer of fatty material.

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Glial cells

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Support cells found in the nervous system.

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Synapes

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the junction or region between the axon of one neuron and the dendrites or cell body of another.

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Sensory Neurons

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Neurons that receive information from the external world and convey this information to the brain via the spinal cord.

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Motor Neurons

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Neurons that carry signals from the spinal cord to the muscles to produce movement.

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Interneurons

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Neurons that connect sensory neurons, motor neurons, or other interneurons.

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Resting Potential

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The difference in electric charge between the inside and outside of neuron's cell membrane.

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Action Potential

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An electric signal that is conducted along an axon to a synapse.

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Refractory Period

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The time following an action potential during which a new action potential cannot be initiated.

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Terminal Buttons

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knoblike structures that branch out from an axon.

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Neurotransmitters

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Chemicals that transmit information across the synapse to receiving neuron's dendrites .

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Receptors

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Parts of the cell membrane that receive the neurotransmitter and initiate a new electric signal.

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Acetylcholine (ACH)

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A neurotransmitter involved in a number of functions, including voluntary mother control.

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Dopamine

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A neurotransmitter that regulates motor behavior, motivation, pleasure and emotional arousal.

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Glutamate

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A major excitatory neurotransmitter involved in information transmission throughout the brain.

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GABA ( Gamma-Aminobutric Acid)

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The primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain.

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Norepinephrine

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A neurotransmitter that influences mood and arousal.

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Serotonin

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A nerotranmitter that is involved in the regulation of sleep and wakefulness, eating, and aggressive behavior.

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Endorphins

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Chemicals that act within the pain pathways and emotions centers of the brain.

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Agonists

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Drugs that increase the action of a neurotransmitter.

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Antagonists

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Drugs that block the function of a neurotransmitter.

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Nervous System

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An interacting network of neurons that conveys electro-chemical information throughout the body.

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Central Nervous System (CNS)

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The part of the nervous system that is composed of the brain and spinal cord.

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Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

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The part of the nervous system that connects the central nervous system to the body's organs and muscles.

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Somatic Nervous System

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A set of nerves that conveys information into and out of the central nervous system.

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Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

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A set of nerves that carries involunatry and automatic commands that control blood vessels, body organs, and glands.

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Sympathetic Nervous System

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A set of nerves that prepares the body for action in threatening situations.

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Parasypathetic Nervous System

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A set of nerves that helps the body return to a normal resting state.

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Spinal Reflexes

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Simple pathways in the nervous system that rapidly generate muscle contractions.

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Hindbrain

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An area of the brain that coordinates information coming into and out of the spinal cord.

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Medulla

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An extension of the spinal cord into the skull that coordinates heart rate, circulation and respiration.

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Reticular Formation

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A brain structure that regulates sleep, wakefulness, and levels of arousal.

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Cerebellum

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A large structure of the hindbrain that controls fine motor skills.

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Pons

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A brain structure that relays information from the cerebellum to the rest of the brain.

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Tectum

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A part of the midbrain that orients an organism in the enviroment

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Tegmentum

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A part of the midbrain that is involved in movement and arousal.

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Cerebral Cortex

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The outermost layer of the brain, visible to the naked eye and divided into two hemispheres.

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Subcortal Stuctures

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Areas of the forebrain housed under the cerebral cortex near the very center of the brain.

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Thalamus

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A subcortical structure that relays and filters information from the senses and transmits the information to the cerebral cortex.

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Hypothalamus

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A subcortical structure that regulates body temperature, hunger, thirst, and sexual behavior.

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Pituitary Gland

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The "master gland" of the body's hormone-producing system, which releases hormones that direct that functions of many other glands in the body.

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Limbic System

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A group of forebrain structures including the hypothalamus, the amygdala, and the hippocampus, which are involved in motivation, emotion, learning, and memory.

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Hippocampus

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A structure critical for creating new memories and integrating them into a network of knowledge so that they can be stores indefinitely in other parts of the cerebral cortex.

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Amygdala

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A part of the limbic system that plays a central role in many emotional processes, particularly the formation of emotional memories.

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Basal Ganglia

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A set of subcortical structures that directs intentional movements.

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Corpus Callosum

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A thick band of nerve fibers that connects large areas of the cerebral cortex on each side of the brain and supports communication of information across the hemispheres.

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Occipital Lobe

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A region of the cerebral cortex that processes visual information.

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Parietal Lobe

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A region of the cerebral cortex whose functions include processing information about touch.

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Temporal Lobe

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A region of the cerebral cortex responsible for hearing and language.

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Frontal Lobe

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A region of the cerebral cortex that has specialized areas for movement, abstract thinking, planning, memory, and judgment.

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Association Areas

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Areas of the cerebral cortex that are composed of neurons that help provide sense and meaning to information registered in the cortex.

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Gene

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The unit of hereditary transmission

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Chromosomes

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Strands of DNA wound around each other in a double-helix configuration.

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Heritability

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A measure of the variability of behavioral traits among individuals that can be accounted for by genetic factors.

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Electroencephalogram (EEG)

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A device used to record electrical activity in the brain.