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64 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Cerebral Hemispheres
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Symmetrical halves on top of brain stem.
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Corpus Callosum
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Band of nerve cells that connects the two cerebral hemispheres.
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Biopsychology
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Study of interactions of biology, behavior, and mental processes
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Evolution
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Gradual process of biological change as a species adapts to its environment
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Natural Selection
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Driving force behind evolution. Fittest organisms survive.
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Genotype
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Genetic makeup
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Phenotype
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Observable physical and behavorial characteristics
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DNA
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Deoxyribonuclic acid. Encodes genetic characteristics.
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Gene
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Functional segment of a chromosome. Encodes inherited physical and mental characteristics.
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Chromosome
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Structure along which genes are organized. Consists of DNA.
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Sex Chromosomes
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X and Y. Determine our physical sex characteristics.
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Neuron
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Cell that receives and transmits information to other cells.
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Nerves
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Bundles of neurons
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Sensory Neuron
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Nerve cell that sends messages TOWARD the CNS FROM sense receptors. (Afferent)
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Motor Neuron
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Nerve cell that sends messages AWAY from the CNS TOWARD the muscles and glands. (efferent)
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Interneuron
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Relays messages between nerve cells. Especially in the brain and spinal cord.
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Dendrite
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Branched fiber that extends from cell body and carries info into the neuron
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Soma
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Contains the nucleus, includes the chromosomes. (Cell body)
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Axon
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Extended fiber that conducts infro from the soma to terminal buttons. Info travels by action potential (electric charge)
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Resting Potential
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Electrical charge of axon in inactive state. Ready to "fire"
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Action Potential
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Nerve impulse caused by the electrical charge across the axon's cell membrane. Causes neurotransmitters to be released
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All-or-none Principle
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Action potential in the axon occurs completely or not at all
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Synapse
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Gap that is a communication link between neurons. Also occur between nerve cells and muscles/glands
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Terminal Buttons
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Contain neurotransmitters that carry neuron's message into the synapse
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Synaptic Transmission
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Relaying of info across the synapse using chemical neurotransmitters
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Neurotransmitter
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Chemical messenger that relays neural messages across the synapse. (Includes hormones)
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Plasticity
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Ability to adapt or change as the result of experience. May help nervous system adapt to physical damage
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Glial Cell
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Provide structural support for neurons. Insulating cover (myelin sheath) of the axon, which facilitates electrical impulse
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Nervous System
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Entire Network of neurons in the body. Includes CNS, PNS, and their subdivisions.
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Central Nervous System
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Brain and Spinal Cord
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Reflex
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Unlearned response triggered by stimuli.
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Peripheral Nervous System
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Parts not included in CNS. Includes autonomic and somatic nervous systems
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Somatic Nervous System
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Carries sensory information to the CNS and sends voluntary messages to skeletal muscles.
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Autonomic Nervous System
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Sends communications between CNS and the internal organs and glands.
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Sympathetic Division
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Sends messages to internal organs and glands that help us respond to stressful and emergency situations.
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Parasympathetic Division
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Monitors the routine operations of internal organs and returns body to calmer functioning after arousal by sympathetic division
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Endocrine System
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Hormone system. Includes endocrine glands. Body's chemical messenger system.
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Hormones
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Chemical messengers for endocrine system. Some serve as neurotransmitters
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Pituitary Gland
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"Master gland." Produces hormones influencing other endocrine glands & growth. Takes orders from and is attached to hypothalamus.
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Agonists
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Drugs/chemicals that ENHANCE OR MIMIC the effects of neurotransmitters
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Antagonists
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Drugs/chemicals that INHIBIT effects of neurotransmitters
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Neural Pathways
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Bundles of nerve cells that follow the same route and employ the same neurotransmitter
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Electroencephalograph
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Device for recording brainwaves (EEG)
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Brain Stem
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Includes medulla, pons, and reticular formation. Most primitive
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Medulla
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Controls breathing, heart rate. Sensory and motor pathways cross it.
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Pons
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Regulates brain activity during sleep and dreaming. "Bridge"
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Reticular Formation
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Forms core of brain stem. Arouses the cortx to keep the brain alert and attentive t new stimulation.
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Thalamus
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All messages go through this. Central "relay station"
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Cerebellum
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Responsible for coordinated movements
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Limbic System
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Emotion and memory. Includes Hippocampus, amygdala, hypothalamus, and other structures.
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Hippocampus
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Long-term memory
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Amygdala
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Memory and emotion, especially fear and aggression.
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Hypothalamus
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Monitors blood to determine condition of body.
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Cerebral Cortex
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Grey matter covering cerebral hemispheres. Carries on much of "higher" mental processing, such as thinking and perceiving.
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Frontal Lobes
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Movement and thinking
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Motor Cortex
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Voluntary movement
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Mirror Neuron
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Fires in response to observation of another person's actions of emotions
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Parietal lobes
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Touch sensation and in spatial relationships
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Somatosensory Cortex
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Sensations of touch
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Occipital Lobes
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Visual
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Visual Cortex
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Visual processing areas of cortex in occipital and temporal lobes
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Temporal Lobes
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Process sounds (speech), storing long-term memory. (faces?)
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Association Cortex
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Combine information from various other parts of the brain
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Cerebral dominance
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Tendency of each hemisphere to exert dominance over different functions (language, spatial, etc.)
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