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Brain and Behavior

Brain and Behavior Modules 7-11

TermDefinition
Neuron An individual nerve cell.
Central Nervous System The brain and spinal cord.
Peripheral Nervous System All parts of the nervous system outside of the brain and spinal cord.
Nerve A bundle of axons.
Somatic Nervous System The system of nerves linking the spinal cord with the body and sense organs.
Autonomic Nervous System The system of nerves carrying information to and from the internal organs and glands.
Sympathetic Branch The branch of the ANS that arouses the body.
Parasympathetic Branch The branch of the ANS that quiets the body.
Dendrites Neuron fibers that receive incoming messages.
Soma The main body of a neuron or other cell.
Axon Fiber that carries information away from the cell body of a neuron.
Axon terminals Bulb-shaped structures at the ends of axons that form synapses with the dendrites and somas of other neurons.
Resting Potential The electrical charge of an inactive neuron.
Action potential A nerve impulse.
Ion Channels Tiny openings through the axon membrane.
Negative After Potential A drop in electrical charge below the resting potential
Myelin A fatty layer coating some axons.
Saltatory conduction The process by which nerve impulses conducted down the axons of neurons coated with myelin jump from gap to gap in the myelin layer.
Synapse The microscopic space between two neurons, over which messages pass.
Neurotransmitter Any chemical released by a neuron that alters activity in other neurons.
Receptor Sites Areas on the surface of neurons and other cells that are sensitive to neurotransmitters or hormones.
Neuropeptides Brain chemicals, such as enkephalins and endorphins, that regulate the activity of neurons.
Neural networks Interlinked collections of neurons that process information in the brain.
Reflex Arc The simplest behavior, in which a stimulus provokes an automatic response.
Neuroplasticity The capacity of the brain to change in response to experience.
Neurogenesis The production of new brain cells.
Cerebral Cortex The outer layer of the brain.
Corticalization An increase in the relative size of the cerebral cortex.
Split-brain operation Cutting the corpus callosum. (help with epilepsy)
Lobes of the cerebral cortex Areas on the left and right cortex bordered by major fissures or defined by their functions.
Frontal Lobes Areas of the cortex associated with movement, the sense of self, and higher mental functions.
Primary motor cortex A brain area associated with control of movement.
Mirror Neurons Neurons that become active when a motor action is being carried out and when another organism is observing carrying out the same action.
Association Neurons All areas of the cerebral cortex that are not primarily sensoryor motor in function.
Aphasia A speech disturbance resulting from brain damage.
Broca's Area A language area related to grammar and pronunciation.
Prefrontal area (prefrontal cortex) The very front of the frontal lobes;involved in sense of self, reasoning and planning.
Parietal Lobes Area of the cortex that include the sites in which body sensations register. (touch, temperature, and pressure)
Primary somatosensory area (cortex) A receiving area for body sensations.
Temporal Lobes Areas of the cortex that include the sites where hearing registers in the brain.
Primary auditory area (cortex) Part of the temporal lobe in which auditory information is first registered.
Wernicke's area A temporal lobe brain area related to language comprehension.
Occipital Lobes Portion of the cerebral cortex in which vision registers in the brain.
Primary Visual Area The part of the occipital lobe that first receives input from the eyes.
Visual agnosia An inability to identify seen objects.
Facial agnosia An inability to perceive familiar faces.
Subcortex All brain structures below the cerebral cortex.
Brainstem The lowest portions of the brain, including the cerebellum, medulla, pons, and reticular formation.
Medulla The structure that connects the brain with the spinal cord and controls vital life functions.
Pons An area on the brainstem that acts as a bridge between the medulla and other structures.
Cerebellum A brain structure that controls posture, muscle tone, and coordination.
Reticular Formation A network within the medulla and brainstem; associated with attention, alertness, and some reflexes.
Reticular activating system A part of the reticular formation that activated the cerebral cortex.
Thalamus A brain structure that relays sensory information to the cerebral cortex.
Hypothalamus A small area of the brain that regulates emotional behaviors and motives.
Limbic System A system in the forebrain that is closely linked with emotional response.
Amygdala A part of the limbic system associated with fear responses/
Hippocampus A part of the limbic system associated with strong memories.
Endocrine System Glands whose secretions pass directly into the bloodstream or lymph system.
Hormones Glandular secretions that affect bodily functions or behavior.
Pituitary Gland The master gland at the base of the brain whose hormones influence other endocrine glands.
Growth Hormone A hormone, secreted by the pituitary gland, that promote body growth.
Oxytocin A hormone, release by the pituitary gland, that plays a broad role in regulating pregnancy, parenthood, sexual activity, social bonding, trust, and even reducing stress reactions.
Pineal Gland Gland in the brain that helps regulate body rhythms and sleep cycles.
Melatonin Hormone released by the pineal gland in response to daily cycles of light and dark.
Thyroid gland Endocrine gland that helps regulate the rate of metabolism.
Epinephrine (Adrenaline) An adrenal hormone that tends to around the body; epinephrine is associated with fear. (AKA adrenaline)
Norepinephrine Both a brain neurotransmitter and an adrenal hormone that tends to arouse the body; norepinephrine is associated with anger. (AKA noradrenaline)
Adrenal Glands Endocrine glands that arouse the body, regulate salt balance, adjust the body to stress, and affect sexual functioning.
Handedness A preference for the left or right hand in most activities.
Sidedness A combination of preference for hand, foot, eye, and ear.
Dominant Hemisphere A term usually applied to the side of a person's brain that produces language.
Lateralization Differences between the two sides of the body; especially, differences in the ability in the brain hemisphere.
Acetylcholine Excitatory neurotransmitter, activates, muscles, participates in movement, autonomic function, learning, and memory, deficiency may play a role in Alzheimer’s disease.
Dopamine Excitatory neurotransmitter, participates in motivation, rewards, planning of behavior, deficiency may lead to Parkinsons, reduced feelings of pleasure, excess may cause Schizphenia
Enkephalins Related to endorphins, pain may cause the brain to release neuropeptides called enkephalins. These opiate-like neuroregulators relieve pain and stress.
Cerebrum Includes the whole top part of the brain, including the white matter that are the axons (wires) connecting the surface to the rest of the brain.
Endorphins related to enkephalins. Neuropeptides released by the pituitary gland, along with enkephalins these chemicals. Reduce pain so that it is not too disabling.
Corpus Callosum Band of fibers connecting the two hemispheres
Mirror Neuron’s significance to Psychology Mirror neurons play a role in empathy, socialization, and learning.
Effector Cells Muscle fibers are made up of effector cells (cells capable of producing a response)
Connector Neuron A neuron that links two others. The connector neuron activates a motor neuron.
Motor Neuron A neuron that carries commands from the central nervous system to muscles and glands.
Grey Matter The cerebral cortex covers most of the brain with grey matter. A spongy tissue. 3 mm thick. Contains 70% of the neurons in the central nervous system.
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