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Psych ch3
biopsychology
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| action potential | electrical signals that move down the neuron's axon |
| adrenal gland | located ontop of the kidneys in-charge of the stress response |
| agonist | a drug that mimics/strengthens the effects of a neurotransmitter |
| all or none | neuron signal either reaches the threshold of excitation or dosent |
| allele | type of a gene |
| amygdala | structure in the system controls emotions and relating emotions to memories |
| antagonist | a drug that either blocks or impedes a neurotransmitter |
| auditory cortex | a strip of cortex in the temporal lobe that is responsible for auditory processing |
| autonomic nervous system | controls internal organs and glands |
| axon | major extension of the soma |
| biological perspective | psychological disorders stem from biological imbalances |
| Broca's area | region in the left hemisphere that is responsible for language production |
| Central nervous system | brain and spinal cord |
| cerebellum | hind brain structure controls balance coordination, motor skills and maybe processing memories |
| Cerebral cortex | the surface of the brain- associated with higher mental capacities |
| what does CT stand for | computerised tomography |
| CT scan | computer coordinates and integrates multiple x-rays of a specific area |
| corpus callosum | a band of neural fibres that connect the two hemispheres of the brain |
| Dendrite | branch extension of the soma- receives signals from other neurons TV antenna |
| Diabetes | related to lack of insulin production |
| what does EEG stand for | electroencephalography |
| EEG | records the electrical activities of the brain via electrodes on the scalp |
| endocrine system | a series of glands that produce hormones |
| epigenetics | the study of gene environment interactions |
| fight or flight | heightened sensory capacity to fight or run away |
| what system controls fight or flight | the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system |
| forebrain | largest portion of the brain that contains the cerebral cortex, the thalamus and the lymbic structure |
| fraternal twins | developed from 2 different eggs that are fertilized by different sperm. Same genetic material as regular siblings |
| frontal lobe | part of the cerebral cortex that is involved in reasoning, motor control, emotion and language |
| What does fMRI stand for | functional magnetic resonance imaging |
| what does fMRI do? | shows the changes in metabolic activity over time |
| genetic environmental correlation | genes affect our environment and our environment affects our genes |
| glial cell | nervous cell that provides metabolic and physical support to neurons ex. insulation, communication and waste control |
| gonad | secretes sexual hormones and mediates sexual motivation and behaviour |
| gyrus | the bumps or ridges on the cerebral cortex |
| hemisphere | left or right part of the brain |
| hindbrain | contains the medulla, pons and the cerebellum |
| hippocampus | located in the temporal lobe and is associated with learning and memory |
| homeostasis | state of equilibrium |
| hormone | chemical that is secreted by the endocrine glands |
| hypothalamus | forebrain structure regulates sexual motivation/behaviour and homeostasis. Mediator between nervous and endocrine system |
| laterlization | each hemisphere is associated with specific processes |
| limbic system | structures involved in processing emotions and memory |
| longitudinal fissure | deep groves in the brain's cortex |
| MRI | magnetic resonance imaging- magnetic fields produce a picture of the tissue being imaged |
| medulla | hindbrain structure that controls automated processes ex. blood pressure, breathing etc |
| membrane potential | difference in charge across the neuronal membrane |
| midbrain | division of the brain located between the forebrain and the hindbrain. controls recticular formation |
| motor cortex | a strip of cortex involved in movement |
| myelian sheath | insulates the axon (wires) |
| neuron | nervous system cells that process information |
| neuroplasticity | the nervous system's ability to change |
| neurotransmitter | chemical messengers of the nervous system |
| Nodes of Ranvier | the space between the mylean sheath that expose the axon |
| occipital lobe | part of the cerebral cortex associated with visual processing. contains the primary visual cortex |
| pancreas | secretes hormones that regulate blood sugar |
| parasympathetic nervous system | connects the brain and spinal cord to the muscles, organs and senses in the periphery of the body |
| polygenic | multiple genes affect a given trait |
| pituitary gland | secretes key hormones that direct the other glands of the endocrine system (the boss) |
| pons | hindbrain structure that connects the brain and spinal cord. involved in regulating brain activity during sleep |
| what does PET stand for? | Positron emission tomography |
| PET scan | inject the patient with mildly radioactive substance and monitoring the changes in blood flow to the different regions of the brain |
| Prefrontal cortex | area in the frontal lobe responsible for higher level cognitive functioning |
| psychotropic medication | drugs that treat psychiatric symptoms by fixing neurotransmitter balance |
| range of reaction | sets a boundary in which we can operate and our environment interacts with genes to determine where we fall in the range |
| receptor | protien on the surface of the cell where neurotransmitters attatch |
| resting potential | the state of readiness of a neuron membrane’s potential between signals |
| reticular formation | midbrain structure important in regulating the sleep/wake cycle, arousal, alertness, and motor activity |
| reuptake | neurotransmitter is pumped back into the neuron that released it |
| semipermeable membrane | cell membrane that allows smaller molecules or molecules without an electrical charge to pass through it, while stopping larger or highly charged molecules |
| soma | the cell body |
| somatic nervous system | relays sensory and motor information to and from the CNS |
| somatosensory cortex | essential for processing sensory information from across the body, such as touch, temperature, and pain |
| substantia nigra | midbrain structure where dopamine is produced; involved in control of movement |
| sulcus | depressions or grooves in the cerebral cortex |
| sympathetic nervous system | involved in stress-related activities and functions |
| synaptic cleft | small gap between two neurons where communication occurs |
| synaptic vesicle | storage site for neurotransmitters |
| temporal lobe | part of cerebral cortex associated with hearing, memory, emotion, and some aspects of language; contains primary auditory cortex |
| terminal button | axon terminal containing synaptic vesicles |
| thalamus | sensory relay for the brain |
| threshold of excitation | level of charge in the membrane that causes the neuron to become active |
| thyroid | secretes hormones that regulate growth, metabolism, and appetite |
| ventral tegmental area (VTA) | midbrain structure where dopamine is produced: associated with mood, reward, and addiction |
| Wernicke’s area | important for speech comprehension |
Created by:
eillis.grad2025
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