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Psychology Ch 2
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Neuron | nerve cell |
| Sensory Neurons | neurons that bring incoming information to the brain and spinal cord |
| Motor Neurons | carry outgoing info from the brain to the body |
| Interneurons | neurons in the brain and spinal cord |
| Dendrite | extensions of a neuron that conduct impulses |
| Axon | line on neuron that messages travel on |
| Myelin Sheath | fatty tissue around axon that helps messages travel faster |
| Action Potential | a neural impulse |
| Threshold | level a stimulation has to pass the be perceived |
| Synapse | gap between axon and dendrite of next neuron |
| Neurotransmitters | chemical messages that cross synaptic gaps |
| Reuptake | when a neuron recharges |
| Endorphins | hormone that rids pain and brings pleasure |
| Nervous System | system of nerves that is a speedy message system |
| Peripheral Nervous System | sensory and motor neurons that connect to the central nervous system |
| Nerves | bundled axons |
| Somatic Nervous System | skeletal nervous system |
| Autonomic Nervous System | nervous system that controls organs |
| Sympathetic Nervous System | part of autonomic nervous system that helps with stressful situations |
| Parasympathetic Nervous Systems | part of autonomic system that calms body |
| Reflex | automatic response |
| Endocrine System | body's slow chemical communication system that releases hormones into the bloodstream |
| Hormones | chemical messengers that go through bloodstream |
| Adrenal Glands | release adrenalin and is just above the kidney |
| Pituitary Gland | part of endocrine system that is influenced by the hypothalamus and regulates growth |
| Electroencephalogram (EEG) | amplified recording of brain waves |
| Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan | visual picture of brain activity by measuring glucose |
| Magnetic Resonance Imagery (MRI) | uses magnetic fields to create computer generated brain anatomy |
| fMRI | reveals blood-flow by comparing MRIs |
| Brainstem | oldest part of the brain that is responsible for automatic functions |
| Medulla | base of brainstem that controls heartbeat and breathing |
| Reticular Formation | nerve network in brainstem that controls arousal |
| Thalamus | brain's sensory switchboard that is at the top of the brainstem and directs messages |
| Cerebellum | the "little brain" that is at the rear of the brainstem that processes coordination and balance |
| Limbic System | neural system below the cerebral hemispheres that controls emotions and drives. it has the hypothalamus, amygdala, and the hippocampus |
| Amygdala | controls anger and fear and is linked to emotion |
| Hypothalamus | controls eating, drinking, and body system while also governing the endocrine system |
| Cerebral Cortex | interconnected neural cells covering cerebral hemispheres. it is the ultimate control and information processing center |
| Glial Cells | they support, nourish, and protects neurons |
| Frontal Lobes | control speaking, muscle movement, making plans, and judgement |
| Parietal Lobes | receives sensory input for touch and body position |
| Occipital Lobes | vision control |
| Temporal Lobes | hearing control |
| Sensory Cortex | front of parietal lobes that process touch and body movement |
| Association Areas | not involved in motor or sensory. it is involved in higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking |
| plascticty | brain's ability to change by reorganizing after damage and building new pathways |
| Neurogenesis | forming new neurons |
| Corpus Callosum | band if fibers connecting hemispheres |
| Motor Cortex | rear of frontal lobe that controls voluntary movement |
| Split Brain | condition when corpus callosum is cut |
| Biological Psychology | studies connections between biology and behavior |
| Central Nervous System | brain and spinal cord nervous system |
| Lesion | tissue distruction |