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42 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
Biological Psychology
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a branch of psychology concerned with the links between biology and behaviour.
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Neuron
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a nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system.
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Dendrite
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the bushy, branching extensions of a neuron that recieve messages and conduct impulses toward the cell body.
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Axon
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the extension of a neuron, ending in branching terminal fibers, through which messages pass to other neurons or to muscles or glands.
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Action Potential
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a neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon.
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Threshold
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the level of stimulation required to trigger nerve impulse.
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Synapse
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the junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite of cell body of the receiving neuron.
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Neurotransmitters
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chemical messengers that traverse the synaptic gaps between neurons,
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Endorphines
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natural, opiatelike neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure.
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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 system.
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Peripheral Nervous System
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the sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system to the rest of the body
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Central Nervous System
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The brain and spinal cords
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Nerves
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neural "cables" containing many axons. these bundled axons, which are part of the peripheral nervous system, connect the central nervous system with muscles, glands and sense organs.
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Sensory Neurons
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neurons that carry incoming information from the sense receptors to the central nervous system.
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Motor Neurons
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neurons that carry outgoing information from the central nervous system to the muscles and glands.
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Interneurons
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central nervous system neurons that internally communicate and intervene between the sensory inputs and motor outputs.
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Somatic Nervous System
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the division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body's skeletal muscles
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Autonomic Nervous System
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the part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organs. Its sympathetic division arouses; its parasympathetic division calms
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Sympathetic Nervous System
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the division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy in stressful situations.
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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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Reflex
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a simple, automatic response to a sensory stimulus, such as the knee- jerk response.
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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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Hormones
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chemical messengers, mostly those manufactured by the endocrine glands, that are produced in one tissue and affect another.
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Adrenal Glands
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a pair of endocrine glands just above the kidneys; secrete the hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine which help the body in times of stress.
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Pituitary Gland
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the endocrine system's most influential gland. under the influence of the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland regulates growth and controls endocrine glands.
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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 function.
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Medulla
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the base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing.
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Thalamus
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the brains sensory switchboard located on top of the brainstem; it directs messages to the sensory recieving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla.
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Reticular Formation
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a nerve network in the brainstem that plays an important role in controlling arousal.
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Cerebellum
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the "little brain", attached to the rear of the brainstem; its functions include processing sensory input and coordinating movement ouput and balance.
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Limbic System
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a doughnut shaped system of neutral structures below the cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions such as fear and aggression and drives such as those for food and sex
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Amygdala
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two lima bean sized neutral clusters that are components of the limbic system and are linked to emotion.
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Hypothalamus
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a neutral structure lying below the thalamus; it directs several maintenance activities, helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland and is linked to emotion.
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Cerebral Cortex
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the intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells that covers the cerebral hemispheres; the body's ultimate control and information processing center.
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Frontal Lobe
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the 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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Parietal Lobe
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the portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head and toward the rear; recieves sensory input for touch and body position.
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Occipital Lobe
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the portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head; includes the visual areas, each recieving information from the opposite visual field.
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Temporal Lobe
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the portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears; includes the auditory areas, each recieving information primarily from the opposite ear.
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Motor Cortex
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an area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls the voluntary movements.
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Sensory Cortex
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the area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations
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Association Areas
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areas of the cerebral cortex that are not involved in primary motor or sensory functions; rather they are involved in higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, thinking and speaking.
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Aphasia
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impairment of language, usually caused by left hemisphere damage either to Broca's area or to Wernicke's area
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