Psychology Ch.2

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Section 1: Biological psychology

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the scientific study of the links between biological (genetic, neural, hormonal) and psychological processes.

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Section 1: Biological Psychologists

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behavioral neuroscientists; neuropsychologists; behavior geneticists; physiological psychologists; biopsychologists

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Section 1: Neuron

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A nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system

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Section 1: Dendrite

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the neuron's bushy, branching extensions that receive messages and conduct impulses toward the cell body.

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Section 1: Axon

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The neuron's extension that passes messages through it's branching terminal fibers that form junctions with other neurons, muscles, or glands. Covered by myelin sheath.

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Section 1: Action Potential

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A neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon.

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Section 1: Threshold

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The level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse. Minimum level of stimulation.

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Section 2: Synapse

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The junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron. The tiny gap at this junction is called the 'synaptic gap' or 'synaptic cleft.' Meeting point between neurons!!

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Section 2: Neurotransmitters

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Chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps b/w neurons. When released by the sending neuron, neurotransmitters travel across the synapse and bind to receptor sites on the receiving neuron, thereby influencing whether that neuron will generate a neural impulse.

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Section 3: Endorphins

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"morphine within" -- natural, opiatelike neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure.

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Section 4: Nervous System

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The body's speedy, electrochemical communication network, consisting of all the nerve cells of the peripheral and central nervous systems.

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Section 4: Central Nervous System

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The brain and spinal cord. The body's decision maker!

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Section 4: Spinal Cord

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Part of CNS; An information highway that connects the PNS to the Brain!!

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Section 4: Peripheral Nervous System

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the sensory AND motor neurons that connect the central nervous system (CNS) to the rest of the body. **Responsible for gathering information and transmitting CNS decisions to other body parts!**

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Section 4: Nerves

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bundled axons that form neural "cables" connecting the central nervous system with muscles, glands, and sensory organs.

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Section 4: Sensory Neurons

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Neurons that carry incoming information from the sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord.

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Section 4: Motor Neurons

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Neurons that carry outgoing info from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands.

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Section 4: Interneurons

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Neurons within the brain and spinal cord that communicate internally and intervene between the sensory inputs and motor outputs.

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Section 4: Somatic Nervous System

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The division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body's skeletal muscles. Also called 'skeletal nervous system.' Voluntary!!

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Section 4: Automatic Nervous System

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the part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organs (such as the heart). Its [sympathetic division] arouses; its [parasympathetic division] calms.

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Section 4: Sympathetic Nervous System

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The division of the automatic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy in stressful situations.

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Section 4: Parasympathetic Nervous System

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The division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy.

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Section 4: Reflex

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Our automatic response to a sensory stimulus; knee-jerk reaction. Involves a simple, spinal reflex pathway with a single sensory neuron and a single motor neuron!

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Section 5: Endocrine System

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The body's "slow" chemical communication system; a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream.

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Section 5: Hormones

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Chemical messengers that are manufactured by the endocrine glands, travel through the bloodstream, and affect other tissues, including brain

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Section 5: Adrenal Glands

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A pair of endocrine glands that sit just above the kidneys and secrete hormones (epinephrine and norepinephrine) that help arouse the body in times of stress.

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Section 5: Pituitary Gland

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The endocrine system's most influential gland. Under the influence of the hypothalamus, the pituitary regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands.

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Section 6: Lesion

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Tissue destruction. A brain lesion is a naturally or experimentally caused destruction of brain tissue.

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Section 7: Brainstem

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The oldest part and central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull; the brainstem is responsible for automatic survival functions.

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Section 7: Electroencephalogram (EEG)

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An amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity that sweep across the brain's surface. These waves are measured by electrodes placed on the scalp.

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Section 7: PET (positron emission tomography) scan

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A visual display of brain activity that detects whee a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task.

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Section 7: MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)

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A technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images of soft tissue. MRI scans show brain anatomy.

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Section 7: fMRI (functional MRI)

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A technique for revealing bloodflow and, therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans. fMRI scans show brain function.

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Section 7: Medulla

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The base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing.

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Section 7: Thalamus

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The brain's sensory switchboard, located on the top of the brainstem; it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla.

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Section 7: Reticular Formation

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A nerve network in the brainstem that plays an important role in controlling arousal.

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Section 7: Cerebellum

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the "little brain" at the rear of the brainstem; functions include some nonverbal learning, processing sensory input, and coordinating movement output and balance.

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Section 7: Limbic System

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Neural system (including hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus) located below the cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions and drives.

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Section 7: Amygdala

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Two lima bean-sized neural clusters in the limbic system; linked to emotion.

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Section 7: Hypothalamus

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A neural structure lying below (hypo) the thalamus; it directs several maintenance activities (eating, drinking, body temperature), helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion and reward.

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Section 7: Cerebral Cortex

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The intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering the cerebral hemispheres; the body's ultimate control and information-processing center.

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Section 8: Frontal Lobes

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Portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead; involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgements.

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Section 8: Parietal Lobes

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Portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head and toward the rear; receives sensory input for touch and body position.

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Section 8: Occipital Lobes

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Portion of the cerebral cortex lying in the back of the head; includes areas that receive information from the visual fields.

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Section 8: Temporal Lobes

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Portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears; includes the auditory areas, each receiving information primarily from the opposite ear.

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Section 9: Motor Cortex

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An area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements.

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Section 9: Sensory Cortex

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Area at front of parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations

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Section 9: Association Areas

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Areas of cerebral cortex that are not involved in primary motor or sensory functions; involved in higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, thinking, speaking, and integrating information.

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Section 9: Aphasia

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Impairment of language, usually caused by left hemisphere damage either to Broca's area (impairing speaking) or to Wernicke's area (impaired understanding

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Section 9: Broca's Area

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Controls language expression; area of frontal lobe, usually in the left hemisphere, that directs the muscle movements involved in speech.

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Section 9: Wernicke's Area

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Controls language reception; a brain area, usually in the left temporal lobe, that is involved in language comprehension and expression.

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Section 10: Plasticity

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The brain's ability to change, esp. during childhood, by reorganizing after damage or by building new pathways based on experience.

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Section 10: Neurogenesis

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The formation of new neurons

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Section 11: Corpus Callosum

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The large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them.

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Section 11: Split Brain

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A condition resulting from surgery that isolates the brain's two hemispheres by cutting the fibers (mainly those of the corpus collosum) connecting them.