Psych Exam 1- Chapter 2; Charnetski

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biological psychology

Back 1

specialized branch of psych that studies the relationship between behavior and bodily processes and systems;
also called biopsych or psychobiology

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neuroscience

Back 2

the study of the nervous system, especially the brain

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neuron

Back 3

highly specialized cell that communicated information in electrical and chemical form; a nerve cell

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glial cells

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support cells that assist neurons by providing structural support, nutrition, and removal of cell wastes
manufacture myelin

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sensory neuron

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type of neuron that conveys information to the brain from specialized receptor cells in sense organs and internal organs

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motor neuron

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type of neuron that signals muscles to relax or contract

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interneuron

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type of neuron that communicated information from one neuron to the next

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cell body

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processes nutrients and provides energy for the neuron to function
contains the cell's nucleus
also called the soma

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dendrites

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multiple short fibers that extend from the neuron's cell bosy and receive information from other neurons or from sensory receptor cells

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axon

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the long, fluid-filled tube that carries a neuron's messages to other body areas

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myelin sheath

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a white, fatty covering wrapped around the axons of some neurons that increases their communication speed

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action potential

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a brief electrical impulse by which information is transmitted along the axon of a neuron

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stimulus threshold

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the minimum level of stimulation required to activate a particular neuron

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resting potential

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state in which a neuron is prepared to activate and communicate its message if it receives sufficient stimulation

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axon terminals

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branches at the end of the axon that contain tiny puches, or sacs, called synaptic vesicles

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synaptic vesicles

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tiny puches pr sacs in the axon terminals that contain chemicals called neurotransmitters

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neurotransmitters

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chemical messengers manufactured by a neuron

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all or none law

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the principle that either a neuron is sufficiently stimulated and an action potential occurs or a neuron is not sufficiently stimulated and an action potential does not occur

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synapse

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the point of communication between two neurons

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synaptic gap

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the tiny space between the axon terminal of one neuron and the dendrite of an adjoining neuron

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synaptic transmission

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the process though which neurotransmitters are released by one neuron, cross the synaptic gay and affect adjoining neurons

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reuptake

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the process by which neurotransmitter molecules detach from a postsynaptic neuron and are reabsorbed by a presynaptic neuron so they can be recycled and used again

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acetylcholine

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neurotransmitter that causes muscle contraction and is involved in memory function

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dopamine

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neurotransmitter involved in the regulation of bodily movement, thought processes, and rewarding sensations

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serotonin

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neurotransmitter involved in sleep and emotions

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norepinephrine

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neurotransmitter involved in learning and memory;
also a hormone manufactured by adrenal glands

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GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)

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neurotransmitters that usually communicated an inhibitory message

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endorphins

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neurotransmitters that regulate pain perceptions

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nervous system

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the primary internal communication network out of the body;
divided into the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system

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nerves

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bundles of neuron axons that carry information in the peripheral nervous system

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central nervous system (CNS)

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division of the nervous system that consists of the brain and the spinal cord

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spinal reflexes

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simple, automatic behaviors that are processed in the spinal cord

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peripheral nervous system

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division of the nervous system that includes all the nerves lying outside the central nervous system

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somatic nervous system

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subdivision of the peripheral nervous system that communicated sensory information to the central nervous system and carried motor messages from the central nervous system to the mucles

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autonomic nervous system

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subdivision of the peripheral nervous system that regulates involuntary functions

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sympathetic nervous system

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branch of the autonomic nervous system that produces rapid physical arousal in response to perceived emergencies or threats

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parasympathetic nervous system

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branch of the autonomic nervous system that maintins normal bodily functions and conserves the body's physical resources

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endocrine system

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system of glands located throughout the body that secrete hormones into the bloodstream

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hormones

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chemical messengers secreted into the bloodstream primarily by endocrine glands

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pituitary gland

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endocrine gland attached to the base of the brain that secretes hormones that affect the function of other glands as well as hormones that act directly on physical processes

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adrenal glands

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pair of endocrine glands that are involved in the human stress response

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adrenal cortex

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the outer portion of the adrenal glands

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adrenal medulla

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the inner portion of the adrenal glands;
secretes epinephrine and norepinephrine

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gonads

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the endocrine glands that secrete hormones that regulate sexual characteristics and reproductive processes; ovaries in females, testes in males

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functional plasticity

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the brain's ability to shift function from damaged to undamaged brain areas

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phrenology

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a discredited pseudoscientific theory of the brain that claimed that personality characteristics, moral character, and intelligence could be determined by examining the bumps on a person's skull

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cortical localization

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the notion that different functions re located or localized in different areas of the brain;
also called localization of function

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structural plasticity

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the brain's ability to change its physical structure in response to learning, active practice or environmental influences

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neurogenesis

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the development of new neurons

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brainstem

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a region of the brain made up of the hindbrain and the midbrain

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hindbrain

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a region at the base of the brain that contains several structures that regulare basic life functions

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medulla

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a hindbrain structure that controls vital life functions such as breathing and circulation

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pons

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a hindbrain structure that connects the medulla to the two sides of the cerebellum;
helps coordinate and integrate movements on each side of the body

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cerebellum

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a large, two sided hindbrain structure at the back of the brain; responsible for muscle coordination and maintaing posture and equilibrium

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reticular formation

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a network of nerve fibers located in the center of the medulla that helps regulate attention, arousal and sleep;
also called the reticular activating system

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midbrain

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the middle and smallest brain region, involved in processing auditory and visual sensory information

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substantia nigra

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an area of the midbrain that is involved in motor control and contains a large concentration of dopamine-producing neurons

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forebrain

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the largest and most complex brain region which contains centers for complex behaviors and mental processes;also called the cerebrum

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cerebral cortex

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the wrinkled outer portion of the forebrain which contains the most sophisticated brain centers

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cerebral hemispheres

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the nearly symmetrical left and right halves of the cerebral cortex

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corpus callosum

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a think band of axons that connects the two cerebral hemispheres and acts as a communication link between them

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temporal lobe

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an area on each hemisphere of the cerebral cortex near the temples that is the primary receiving area for auditory information

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occipital lobe

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an area at the back of each cerebral hemisphere that is the primary receiving area for visual information

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parietal lobe

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an area on each hemisphere of the cerebral cortex located above the temporal lobe that processes somatic sensations

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frontal lobe

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the largest lobe of each cerebral hemisphere;
processes voluntary muscle movements and is involved in thinking, planning, and emotional control

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limbic system

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a group of forebrain structures that form a border around the brainstem and are involved in emotion, motivation, learning and memory

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hippocampus

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a curve forebrain structure that is part of the limbic system and is involved in learning and forming new memories

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thalamus

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a forebrain structure that processes sensory information for all sense, except small and relays it to the cerebral cortex

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hypothalamus

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a peanut-sized forebrain structure that is part of the limbic system and regulares behaviors related to survival, such as eating, drinking and sexual activity

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amygdala

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almond-shaped cluster of neurons in the brain's temporal lobe, involved in memory and emotional responses, especially fear

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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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lateralization of function

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the notion that specific psychological or cognitive functions are processed primarily on one side of the brain

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aphasia

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the partial or complete inability to articulate ideas or understand spoken or written language because of brain injury or damage

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split-brain operation

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a surgical procedure that involves cutting the corpus callosum

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Pierre Paul Broca (1824-1880)

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french surgeon and neuroanatomist who in 1861 discovered an area on the lower left frontal love of the cerebral cortex that, when damages, produces speech disturbances nut no loss of comprehension

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Roger Sperry (1913-1994)

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US psychologist who received the Nobel price in 1981 for his pioneering research on brain specialization in split-brain patients

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Karl Wernicke (1848-1905)

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German neurologist who is 1874 discovered an area on the left temporal lobe of the cerebral cortex that when damaged produces meaningless or nonsensical speech and difficulties in verbal or written comprehension