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77 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
neurons
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nerve cells specialized for communication
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central nervous system (CNS)
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part of nervous system containing brain and spinal cord that enables mind and behavior
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peripheral nervous system (PNS)
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nerves in the body that extend outside the central nervous system (CNS)
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forebrain
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forward part of the brain that allows advanced intellectual abilities; also known as the cerebrum
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cerebral cortex
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outermost part of the forebrain, responsible for analyzing sensory processing and higher brain functions. ability to think, talk, and reason
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cerebral hemispheres
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two halves of the cerebral cortex, which serve different yet highly integrated cognition functions
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corpus callosum
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large band of fibers connecting the two cerebral hemispheres
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frontal lobe
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forward part of the cerebral cortex containing the motor cortex and the prefrontal cortex; responsible for motor function, language, and memory
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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 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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aphasia
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serious speech deficit that renders a person unable to communicate effectively
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parietal lobe
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upper middle part of the cerebral cortex lying behind the frontal lobe specialized for touch and perception
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temporal lobe
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lower part of cerebral cortex below the temples, which 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 cerebral cortex specialized for vision
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sensory cortex
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regions of the cerebral cortex devoted to vision, touch, hearing, balance, taste, and smell
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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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dopamine
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neurotransmitter that plays a key role in movement and reward
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basal forebrain
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region in forebrain containing acetylcholine neurons that affect activity of the cortex
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acetylcholine
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neurotransmitter used to control activity, including movement, memory, attention, and dreaming
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thalamus
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part of the brain that processes sensory information and serves as a gateway to the cerebral cortex
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brain stem
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part of the brain between the spinal cord and cerebral cortex that contains the medulla, midbrain, and pons
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midbrain
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part of the brain stem that lies between the forebrain and hindbrain. It helps to control head and neck reflexes and modulate motor activity
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reticular activating system (RAS)
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group of neurons in the brain stem that plays a key role in arousal
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hindbrain
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part of the brain between the spinal cord and midbrain, consisting of the pons, cerebellum, and medulla
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cerebellum
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small cerebrum in hindbrain, responsible for our sense of balance
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pons
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part of hindbrain that connects the cerebral cortex with cerebellum
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medulla
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part of brain stem involved vital functions, such as heartbeat and breathing
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cerebral ventricles
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internal waterways of the CNS that carry cerebrospinal fluids (CSF), which provides the brain with nutrients and cushioning against injury
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interneurons
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neurons that send messages to other neurons nearby and stimulate neurons
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reflex
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an automatic motor response to a sensory stimulus like muscle stretch
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synapse
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space between two connecting neurons through which messages are transmitted
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somatic nervous system
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part of the peripheral nervous system carrying messages from the CNS through the body to control movement
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limbic system
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emotional center of the brain that also plays roles in smell, motivation, and memory
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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 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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autonomic nervous system
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part of the peripheral nervous system controlling the involuntary actions of our internal organs and glands, which (along with the limbic system) participates in emotion
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sympathetic division
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part of the autonomic nervous system engaged during a crisis, or after actions requiring fight or flight
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parasympathetic division
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part 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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hormones
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blood-borne chemical that influences target tissues and glands
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pituitary gland
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master gland, which, 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 adrenaline and cortisol during states of emotional arousal
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dendrites
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portions of neurons that receive signals
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synaptic cleft
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space between two connecting neurons where neurotransmitters are released
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axons
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portions of neurons that send signals
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synaptic vesicles
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spherical sacs containing neurotransmitters
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neurotransmitters
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chemical messengers specialized for communication and released at the synapse
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glia (glial) cells
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support cells in nervous system that plays roles in the formation of myelin and blood-brain barrier, respond to injury, and remove debris
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blood-brain barrier
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glial cells forming a fatty coating that prevents certain substances from entering the brain
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myelin sheath
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glial cell-wrappers around axons that act as insulators of the neurons signal
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resting potential
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electrical charge difference (-70 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 an action potential
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action potential
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regenerative electrical impulse that travels down the axon and allows neurons to communicate
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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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receptor sites
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locations that uniquely recognize a neurotransmitter
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reuptake
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means of recycling neurotransmitters
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endorphins
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chemicals in the brain that play a specialized role in pain reduction
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lesion
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area of damage due to surgery, injury, or disease
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electroencephalography (EEG)
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recording of brain's electrical activity at the surface of the skull
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computed tomography (CT)
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a scanning technique using multiple x-rays to construct three-dimensional images
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magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
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technique that uses magnetic fields to indirectly visualize brain structure
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positron emission tomography (PET)
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imaging technique that measures uptake of glucoselike molecules, yielding a picture of regional metabolic activity in brain in different regions
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functions MRI (fMRI)
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technique that uses magnetic fields to visualize brain activity
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transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
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technique that applies strong and quickly changing magnetic fields to the surface of the skull and that can either enhance or interrupt brain function
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magnetoencephalography (MEG)
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measure of brain activity using magnotometers that sense tiny magnetic fields generated by the brain
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split-brain surgery
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procedure that involves severing the corpus callosum to reduce the spread of epileptic seizures
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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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heritability
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percentage of the variability in a trait across individuals that is due to genes
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family studies
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analyses of how traits run in families
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twin studies
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analyses of how traits differ in identical versus fraternal twins
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adoption studies
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analyses of how traits vary in individuals raised apart from their biological relatives
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plasticity
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ability of the nervous system to change
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neurogenesis
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creation of new neurons in adult brain
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