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58 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
biological psychology
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a branch of psychology concerned with the links between biology and behavior
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neuron
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a nerve cell; basic building block of the nervous system
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dendrite
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the bushy, branching extensions of a neuron that receive 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, messages pass to other neurons or muscles or glands
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action potential
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a neural impulse. Electrical impulse
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myelin
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a layer of fatty tissue encasing the fibers of many neurons; enables greater transmission speed
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glial cells
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garbage collectors
outnumber neurons 10 to 1 build myelin sheath |
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threshold
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the level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse
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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.
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neurotransmitters
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chemical messengers that traverse the synaptic gaps between neurons
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acetylcholine (ACh)
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enables muscle action, learning, and memory.
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endorphines
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morphine within-natural, opiatelike neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure.
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dopamine
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influences movement, learning, attention, and emotion
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serotonin
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affects mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal
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norepinephrine
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helps control alertness and arousal
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GABA
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a major inhibitory neurotransmitter
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glutamate
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a major excitatory neurotransmitter; involved in memory
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agonists
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mimics or enhances the neurotransmitter
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antagonists
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interferes with or inhibits the neurotransmitter.
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nervous system
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the body's speedy, electrochemical communication system, consists of the nerve cells ofthe peripheral and central nervous system
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central nervous system
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the brain and spinal cord
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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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nerves
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neural cables containing many axons. 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 info from the sense receptors to the CNS
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interneurons
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CNS neurons that internally communicate and intervene between the sensory inputs & motor outputs
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motor neurons
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neurons that carry outgoing info from the CNS to the muscle and glands
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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 & the muscles of the internal organs. its sympathetic division arouses and parasympathetic division calms.
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sympathetic nervous system
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the division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body. conserves energy.
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reflex
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a simple, automatic, inborn response to a sensory stimulus
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lesion
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tissue destruction
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electroencephalogram (EEG)
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an amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity that sweep accross the brain's surface. these waves are measured by electodes placed on the scalp
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CT (computed tomograph)
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a series of x-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by computer into composite representation of a slice through the the body (CAT Scan)
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PET positron emission tomograph Scan
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a visual display of brain activity that detects where radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task.
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MRI magnetic resonance imaging
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A technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images that distinguish among different types of soft tissue; allows us to see structures within the brain
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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. responsible for automatic survival functions.
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Medulla
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base of the brainstem controls heartbeat and breathing
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reticular formation
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a nerve network in the brainstem that plays and important role in controlling arousal
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thalamus
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the brain's sensory switchboard, located on 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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cerebellum
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the "little brain" attached to the rear of the brainstem. helps coordinate voluntary movement and balance
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limbic system
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a doughnut-shaped system of neural structures at the border of the brainstem and cerebral hemispheres. associated with emotions such as fear and aggression, and drives such as those for food and sex. Includes hippocampus, amygala, hypothalamus
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hippocampus
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memory processing
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amygala
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two almond-shaped neural clusters that are components of the limbic system and are linked to emotion
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hypothalamus
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neural structure lying below the thalamus.
directs several maitenance activities helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland 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 info center |
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frontal lobes
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involved in speaking & muscle movements & in making plans and judgements
motor cortex: area at the rear frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements |
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parietal lobes
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include the sensory cortex
sensory cortex: area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body sensations. |
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occipital lobes
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include the visual areas which receive the visual information form the opposite visual field
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temporal lobes
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include the auditory areas (Weirnickes)
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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
involved in higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking. |
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Broca's
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words
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Corpus callosum
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largest bundle of neural fibers
connects the 2 brain hemispheres carries messages between hemispheres |
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left brain
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logic & language, speech/words/verbal, calculation
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right brain
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perceptual, creative thought, emotions, motor
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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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split brain
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condition where the 2 hemispheres of the brain are isolated by cutting the corpus collosum
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adrenal glands
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a pair of endocrine glands just above the kidneys. Secrete adreneline in times of stress
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pituitary gland
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the endocrine system's most influential gland. regulated growth and controls other endocrine glands.
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