The Biological Basis Of Behavior- Intro To Psych

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Myelin Sheath

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White fatty covering found on some axons

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Neurons

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Individual cells that are the smallest units of the nervous system

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Dendrites

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Short fibers that branch out from the cell body and pick up incoming messages

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axon

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Single long fiber extending from the cellbody; it carries outgoing messages

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Glial Cells (glia)

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Cells that form the myelinated sheath; they insulate and support neurons by holding them together, removing waste products, and preventing

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cell nucleus

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cell nucleus contains a complete set of chromosomes and genes;

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Terminal buttons

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structure at the end of an axon terminal branch

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cell body

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cell body is made up of nucleus, cytoplasm and cell membrane

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sensory (afferent) neurons

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neurons that carry messages from sense organs to the spinal cord or brain

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motor (or efferent) neurons

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neurons that carry messages from the spinal cord or brain to the muscles and glands

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interneurons (or associated neurons)

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Neurons that carry messages from one neuron to another

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synapse

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area composed of the axon terminal of one neuron, the synaptic space, and the dendrite or cell body of the next neuron

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synaptic vesicles

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Tiny sacs in a terminal button that release chemicals into the synapse

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Receptor sites

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A location on a receptor neuron into which a specific neurotransmitter fits like a key into a lock

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frontal lobe

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coordinates messages from the other cerebral lobes; involved in complex problem-solving tasks

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primary motor cortex

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part of the frontal lobe; sends messages to muscles and glands; key role in voluntary movement

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central fissure

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separates the primary somatosensory cortex from the primary motor cortex

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primary somatosensory cortex

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registers sensory messages from the entire body

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parietal lobe

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reiews sensory information from sense receptors all over the body (in the skin, muscles, joints, organs, taste buds); also involved in spatial abilities

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temporal lobe

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involved in complex visual tasks; balance; regulates emotions; strong role in understanding language

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occipital lobe

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recieves and processes visual information

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neural plasticity

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the ability of the brain to change in response to experience

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neurotransmitters

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chemicals released by the synaptic vesicles that travel across the synaptic space and affect adjacent neurons

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Acetylcholine (ACh)

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distributed widely throughout the central nervous system, where it is involved in arousal, attention, memory, motivation, and movement. involved in muscle action trhrough presence at neuromuscular junction (specialized type of synapse where neurons connect to muscle cells). Degeneration of neurons that produce ACh have been linked to Alzheimer's disease. too much can lead to spasms and tremors; too little to paralysis or torpor

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dopamine

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involved in a wide variety of behaviors and emotions, including pleasure. implicated in schizophrenia and Parkinson's disease

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Serotonin

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involved in the regulation of sleep, dreaming, mood, eating, pain, and aggressive behavior. Implicated in depression

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norepineephrine

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affects arousal, wakefulness, learning, memory, and mood. produced in the adrenal gland

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endorphins

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involved in the inhibition of pain. released during strenuous exercise. may be responsible for "runner's high"

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glumate

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involved in long-term memory and the perception of pain

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GABA/Gamm aminobutyric acid

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a largely inhibitory neurotransmitter distributed widely throughout the central nervous system. implicated in sleep and eating disorders. low levels of GABA have also been linked to extreme anxiety

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Peripheral Nervous System

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Division of the Nervous System that connects the central nervous system to the rest of the body

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reticular formation

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network of neurons in the hindbrain, midbrain, and part of the forebrain whose primary function is to alert and arouse the higher parts of the brain

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pituitary gland

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gland located on the underside; it produces the largest number of the body's hormones

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adrenal gland

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two endocrine glands located just above the kidneys

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Central Nervous System

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

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Cerebellum

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Regulates reflexes and balance... coordinates movement

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thalamus

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forebrain region that relays and translates incoming messages from sense recptors, except those from smell. major sensory relay center. regulates higher brain centers and peripheral nervous system

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hypothalamus

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emotion and motivation. stress and reactions

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limbic system

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Ring of structures that play a role in learning emotional behavior

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cerebral cortex

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The outer surface of the two cerebral hemispheres that regulates most complex behavior

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amygdala

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Part of the limbic system: governs emotions related to self-perservation

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corpus callosum

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permits the exchange of information between the two hemispheres

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broca's area

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involved in the production of speech. Damage to this region afects the ability to talk, but understanding spoken or written language is hardly affected

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Wernicke's area

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involved in our understanding of spoken or written language. damage to this region affecs comprehension of language, but speech is hardly affected

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hormones

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Chemical substances released by the endocrine glands; they help regulate bodily activities

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Hormones

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Chemical substances released by the endocrine glands; they help regulate bodily activities

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parathyroids

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four tiny glands embedded in the thyroid; they secrete parathormone. helps balance calcium levels--> results in excitatory levels

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pineal gland

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a gland located roughly in the center of the brain that appears to regulate activity levels ovr the course of the day--> secretes melatonin which helps regulate sleeo-wake cycles

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pancreas

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organ lying between the stomach and small intestine; it secretes insulin and glucagon to regulate blood-sugar levels

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thyroid gland

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endocrine gland located below the voice box; it produces the hormone thyroxin