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Chapter 2: Neuroscience, Genetics, and Behavior

Terms

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neural networks
interconnected neural cells. With experience, networks can learn, as feedback strengthens or inhibits connections that produce certain results. Computer simulations of neural networks show analogous learning
frontal lobes
the portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead; involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgments.
Interneurons
central nervous system neurons that internally communicate and intervene between the sensory inputs and motor outputs.
Reticular formation
a nerve network in the brainstem that plays an important role in controlling arousal.
Dendrite
the bushy, branching extensions of a neuron that receive message and conduct impulses toward the cell body.
aphasia
impairment of language, usually caused by left hemisphere damage either to Broca's area(imparing speaking) or to Wernicke's area (impairing understanding)
PET(position emission tomograph) scan
a visual display of brain activity that detects where a radiactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task.
motor neurons
the neurons that carry outgoing information from the central nervous system to the muscles and glands.
parasympathetic nervous system
the division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy
Threshold
the level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse.
Parietal lobes
the portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head and toward the rear; includes the sensory cortex.
nervous system
the body's speedy, electrochemical communication system, consisting of all the nerve cells of the peripheral and central nervous systems.
identical twins
twins who develop from a single zygote that splits in two, creating two genetic replicas
Central nervous system(CNS)
the brain and the spinal cord.
CT(computed tomograph) scan
a series of x-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by computer into a composite represenation of a slice through the body. Also called CAT scan.
Neurotransmitters
chemical messengers that traverse the synaptic gaps between neurons. When released by the sending neurons, neurotransmitters travel across the synapse and bind to receptor sites on the receiving neuron, thereby influencing whether it will generate a neural impulse.
fraternal twins
twins who develop from separate zygotes. They are genetically no closer than brothers and sisters, but they share the fetal environment.
Occipital lobes
the portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head; includes the visual areas, which receives visual information from the opposite visual field.
lesion
tissue destruction. A brain lession is naturally or experimentally caused destruction of brain tissue.
association areas
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
acetylcholine
a neurotransmitter that, among its functions, triggers muscle contraction.
Sensory neurons
neurons that carry incoming information from the sense receptors to the central nervous system
limbic system
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 food and sex. Includes the hippocmpus, amygdala, and hypothalamus.
motor cortex
an area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movement.
temporal lobes
the portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears; includes the auditory areas, each of which receives auditory information primarily from the opposite ear.
Cerebellum
the "little brain" attached to the rear of the brainstem; it helps coordinate voluntary movement and balance.
Medulla
the base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing.
Neuron
a nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system.
Hormones
chemical messengers, mostly those manufatured by the endocrine glands, that are produced in one tissue and affect another.
Endocrine
the body's slow chemical communication system; a set of glands that secretes hormones into the bloodstreams.
Synapse
the junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of he receiving neuron. The tiny gap at this junction is called the synaptic gap or cleft.
nerves
neural "cables" containing many axons. These bundled axons, which are part of the nervous system, connect the central nervous system with muscles, glands, and sense organs.
Thalamus
the brain's sensory switchboard, located on top pof the brainstem; it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla.
Peripheral nervous system(PNS)
the sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system(CNS) to the rest of the body.
adrenal
a pair of endocrine glands just above the kidneys. The adrenals secrete the hormones epinephrine(adrenaline) and norepinephrine, which help to arouse the body in times of stress.
sympathetic nervous system
the division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy in stressful situations.
Action potential
a neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon. The action potential is generated by the movement of positively charged atoms in and out of channels in the axon's membrane.
corpus callosum
the largest bundle of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemisphere and carrying messages between them
electroencephalogram(EEG)
an amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity that sweep across the brain's surface. These waves are measured by electrodes placed on the scalp.
glial cells
cells in ther nervous system that are not neurons but that support, nourish, and protect neurons.
Skeletal nervous system
the division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body's skeletal muscles
split brain
a condition in which the two hemispheres of the brain are isolated by cutting the connecting fibers(mainly those of the corpus callosum) between them.
Wernicke's area
an area of the left temporal lobe involved in language comprehension
chromosomes
threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes
evolutionary psychology
the study of the evolution of behavior using the principles of natural selection, which presumably favors behavior to tendencies that contribute to the preservation and spread of one's genes.
sensory cortex
the area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body sensations
hypothalamus
a neural structure lying below the thalamus; it directs several maintenance activities(eating, drinking, body temperature), helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary glands, and is linked to emotion.
amygdala
two almond-shaped neural clusters that are components of the limbic system and are linked to emotion
Myelin Sheath
a layer of fatty cells segmentally encasing the fibers of many neurons; makes possible vastly greater transmission speed of neural impulse.
MRI(magnetic resonance imaging)
a technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images that distinguish among different types of soft tissues; allows us to see structures within the brain.
genes
the biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosomes; a segment of DNA capable of synthesizing a protein.
reflex
a simple, automatic, inborn response to a sensory stimulus, such as the knee-jerk response
pituitary gland
the endocrine system's most influential glands. Under the influence of the hypothalamus, the pituitary regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands.
brainstem
the oldest part and central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull; it is responsible for automatic survival functions.
Heritability
the proportion of variation among individuals that we can attribute to genes
Broca's area
an area of the left frontal lobe that directs the muscles movement involved in speech.
autonomic nervous system
the part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organs(such as the heart). Its sympathetic division arouses; its parasympathetic division calms.
axon
the extension of a neuron, ending in branching terminal fibers, through which messages are sent to other neurons or to muscles or glands.
Endorphins
"morphine within"--natural, opiatelike neurotransmiters linked to pain control and to pleasure.
behavior genetics
the study of the power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior
cerebral cortex
the intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells that covers the cerebral atmosphere; the body's ultimate control and info processing center
DNA
a complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes
biological psychology
a branch of psychology concerned with the links between biology and behavior.

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