Psyc. 2 8-30-08
psyc. vocab
Terms
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- lateralization of function
- the notion that specific psychological or cognitive functions are processed primarily on one side of the brain
- positron emission tomography PET
- an invasive imaging technique that provides color-coded images of brain activity by tracking the brain's use of a radioactively tagged compound, such as glucose, oxygen, or a drug
- neurogenesis
- the development of new neurons
- adrenal medulla
- the inner portion of the adrenal glands; secretes epinephrine and norepinephrine
- glial cells
- support cells that assist neurons by providing structural support, nutrition, and removal of cell wastes; manufacture myelin
- reticular formation
- a network of nerve fibers located in the center of the medulla that helps regulate attention, arousal, and sleep; also called the reticular activating system
- cortical localization
- the notion that different functions are located or localized in different ares of the brain; also called localization of function
- serotonin
- neurotransmitter involved in sleep and emotions
- limbic system
- a group of forebrain structures that form a border around the brainstem and are involved in emotion, motivation, learning, and memory
- peripheral nervous system
- division of the nervous system that includes all the nerves lying outside the central nervous system
- synaptic transmission
- the process through which neurotransmitters are released by one neuron, cross the synaptic gap, and affect adjoining neurons
- pituitary gland
- endocrine gland attached to the base of the brain that secretes hormones that affect the function of other glands as well as hormones that act directly on physical processes.
- structural plasticity
- the brain's ability to change its physical structure in response to learning, active practicve, or environmental influences.
- action potential
- a brief electrical impulse by which info is transmitted along the axon of a neuron
- substantia nigra
- an area of the midbrain that is involved in morot control and contains a large concentration of dopamine-producing hormones
- split-brain operation
- a surgical procedure that invovles cutting the corpus callosum
- thalamus
- a forebrain structure that processes sensory info for all sense, except smell, and relays it to the cerebral cortex
- dopamine
- associated with parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, and drug addiction
- somatic nervous system
- subdivision of the peripheral nervous system that communicates sensory info to the cns and carries motor messages from the cns to the muscles.
- cerebral cortex
- the wrinkled outer portion of the forebrain, which contains the most sophisticated brain centers
- brainstem
- a region of the brain made up of the hindbrain and the midbrain
- functional magnetic resonance imaging fMRI
- a noninvasive imaging tech that uses magnetic fields to map brain activity by measuring changes in the brain's blood flow and oxygen levels
- gonads
- the endocrine glands that secrete hormones that regulate sexual characteristics and reproductive processes; ovaries in females and testes in males.
- neurotransmitters
- chemical messengers manufactured by a neuron
- synaptic gap
- the tiny space between the axon terminal of one neuron and the dendrite of an adjoining neuron
- GABA gamma-aminobutyric acid
- neurotransmitter that usually communicates an inhibitory message
- norepinephrine
- associated with depression, and stress
- neuron
- highly specialized cell that communicates info in electrical and chemical form; a nerve cell
- hindbrain
- region at the base of the brain that contains several structures that regulate basic life functions
- corpus callosum
- a thick band of axons that connects the two cerebral hemispheres and acts as a communication link between them
- endorphins
- neurotransmitters that regulate pain perceptions
- cell body
- processes nutrients and provides energy for the neuron to function; contains the cell's nucleus; also called the soma
- amygdala
- an almond-shaped forebrain structure that is part of the limbic system and is involved in emotion and memory
- neuroscience
- the study of the nervous system, especially the brain.
- autonomic nervous system
- subdivision of the peripheral nervous system that regulates involuntary functions
- reuptake
- the process by which neurotransmitter molecules detach from a postsynaptic neuron and are reabsorbed by a presynapic neuron so they can be recycled and used again.
- all-or-none law
- the principle that either a neuron is sufficiently stimulated and an action potential occurs or a neuron is not sufficiently stimulated and an action potential does not occur
- interneuron
- type of neuron that communicates info from one neuron to the next
- hormones
- chemical messengers secreted into the bloodstream primarily by endocrine glands.
- medulla
- a hindbrain structure that controls vital life functions such as breathing and circculation
- biological psychology
- specialized branch of psychology that studies the relationship between behavior and bodily processes and systems; also call biopsychology or psychobiology
- acetylcholine
- neurotansmitter that causes muscle contraction and is involved in memory function
- acetycholine
- associated with alzheimer's disease
- frontal lobe
- the largest lobe of each cerebral hemisphere; processes voluntary muscle movements and is invovled in thinking, planning, and emotional control
- norepinephrine
- neurotransmitter involved in learning and memory; also a hormone manufactured by adrenal glands.
- dopamine
- neurotransmitter involved in the regulation of bodily movement, thought processes, and rewarding sensations.
- spinal reflexes
- sime, automatic behaviors that are processed in the spinal cord.
- magnetic resonance imaging MRI
- a noninvasive imaging tech that produces highly detailed images of the brain using electromagnetic signals generated by the brain in response to magnetic fields.
- sensory neuron
- type of neuron that conveys info to the brain from specialized receptor cells in sense organs and internal organs
- serotonin
- associated with depression
- electroencephalograph
- an instrument that produces a graphic record of the brain's electrical activity by using electrodes placed on the scalpe
- synapse
- the point of communication between two neurons
- pons
- a hindbrain structure that conncets the medulla to the two sides of the cerebellum; helps coordinate and integrate movements on each side of the body
- hypothalamus
- a peanut-sixed forebrain structure that is part of the limbic system and regulates behaviors related to survival, such as eating, drinking, and sexual activity
- stimulus threshold
- the minimum level of stimulation required to activate a particular neuron
- aphasia
- the partial or complete inability to articulate ideas or understand spoken or writeen language bc of brain injury or damage.
- cognitive neuroscience
- the study of the neural basis of cognitive process that integrates contributions from psychology, neuroscience, and computer science.
- motor neuron
- type of neuron that signals muscles to relax or contract
- temporal lobe
- an area on each hemisphere of the cerebral cortex near the temples that is the primary receiving area for auditory info.
- MIDBRAIN
- THE MIDDLE AND SMALLEST BRAIN REGION, INVOVLED IN PROCESSING AUDITORY AND VISUAL SENSORY INFO
- GABA
- associated with anxiety disorders
- true or false; nerves and neurons are not the same
- true
- parasympathetic nervous system
- branch of the autonomic nervous system that maintains normal bodily functions and conserves the body's physical resources
- hippocampus
- a curved forebrain structure that is part of the limbic system and is involved in learning and forming new memories
- dendrites
- multiple short fibers that extend from the neuron's cell body and recieve info from other neurons or from sensory receptor cells
- sympathetic nervous system
- branch of the autonomic nervous system that produces rapid physical arousal in response to perceived emergencies or threats
- nerves
- bundles of neuron axons that carry info in the peripheral nervous system
- myelin sheath
- a white, faty covering wrapped around the axons of some neurons that increases their communication speed
- endocrine system
- system of glands located throughout the body that secrete hormones into the bloodstream
- axon terminals
- branches at the end of the axon that contain tiny pouches, or sacs, called synaptic vesicles
- endorphins
- associated with opiate addiction
- adrenal glands
- pair of endocrine glands that are involved in the human stress response
- functional plasticity
- the brain's ability to shift functions from damaged to undamaged brain areas
- resting potential
- state in which a neuron is prepared to activate and communicate its message if it receives sufficient stimulation
- central nervous system
- division of the nervous system that consists of the brain and spinal cord
- parietal lobe
- an area on each hemisphere of the cerebral cortex located above the tempral lobe that processes somatic sensations
- axon
- the long, fluid-filled tube that carries a neuron's messages to other body areas
- nervous system
- the primary internal communication network of the body; divided into the central and peripheral parts
- cerebellum
- a large, two sided hindbrain structure at the back of the brain; responsible for muscle cordination and maintaining posture and equilibrium
- occipital lobe
- an area at the back of each cerebral hemisphere that is the primary receiving are for visual info
- phrenology
- a discredited pseudo-scientific theory of the brain that claimed that personality characteristics, moral character, and intelligence could be determined by examining the bumps on a person's skull
- adrenal cortex
- the outer portion of teh adrenal glands