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Psychology Ch.3

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Question
Answer
neuron   nerve cell specialized for communication  
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dendrite   portion of neuron that receives signals  
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synaptic vesicle   spherical sac containing neurotransmitters  
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neurotransmitter   chemical messenger specialized for communication from neuron to neuron  
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synapse   space between two connecting neurons through which messages are transmitted chemically  
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synaptic cleft   a gap into which neurotransmitters are released from the axon terminal  
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glial cell   cell in nervous system that plays a role in the formation of myelin and the blood-brain barrier, responds to injury, removes debris and enhances learning and memory  
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myelin sheath   glial cells wrapped around axons that act as insulators of the neuron's signal  
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resting potential   electrical charge difference across the neuronal membrane, when the neuron is not being stimulated or inhibited  
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threshold   membrane potential necessary to trigger an action potential  
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action potential   electrical impulse that travels down the axon triggering the release of neurotransmitters  
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absolute refractory period   time during which another action potential is impossible; limits maximal firing rate  
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receptor site   location that uniquely recognizes a neurotransmitter  
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reuptake   means of recycling neurotransmitters  
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endorphin   chemical in the brain that plays a specialized role in pain reduction  
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plasticity   ability of the nervous system to change  
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stem cell   a cell, often originating in embryos, having the capacity to differentiate into a more specialized cell  
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neurogenesis   creation of new neurons in the adult brain  
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central nervous system (CNS)   part of nervous system containing brain and spinal cord that controls the mind and behavior  
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peripheral nervous system (PNS)   nerves in the body that extend outside the central nervous system  
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cerebral ventricles   pockets in the brain that contain cerebrospinal fluid, which provide the brain with nutrients and cushion against injury  
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forebrain (cerebrum)   forward part of the brain that allows advanced intellectual activities  
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cerebral hemispheres   two halves of the cerebral cortex, each of which serve distinct yet highly integrated functions  
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corpus callosum   large band of fibers connecting the two cerebral hemispheres  
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cerebral cortex   outermost part of the forebrain, it's responsible for analyzing sensory processing and higher brain functions  
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frontal lobe   forward part of the cerebral cortex responsible for motor function, language, memory, and planning  
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motor cortex   part of frontal lobe responsible for body movement  
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prefrontal cortex   part of frontal lobe responsible for thinking, planning, and language  
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Broca's area   language area in the prefrontal cortex that helps to control speech production  
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parietal lobe   upper middle part of the cerebral cortex lying behind the frontal lobe that is specialized for touch and perception  
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temporal lobe   lower part of cerebral cortex that plays roles in hearing, understanding language, and memory  
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Wernicke's area   part of the temporal lobe involved in understanding speech  
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occipital lobe   back part of cerebral cortex specialized for vision  
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primary sensory cortex   regions of the cerebral cortex that initially process information from the senses  
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association cortex   regions of the cerebral cortex that integrate simpler functions to perform more complex functions  
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basal ganglia   structures in the forebrain that help to control movement  
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limbic system   emotional center of brain that also plays roles in smell, motivation, and memory  
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thalamus   gateway from the sense organs to the primary sensory cortex  
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hypothalamus   part of the brain responsible for maintaining a constant internal state  
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amygdala   part of limbic system that plays key roles in fear, excitement, and arousal  
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hippocampus   part of the brain that plays a role in spatial memory  
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brain stem   part of the brain between the spinal cord and cerebral cortex that contains the midbrain, pons, and medulla  
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midbrain   part of the brain stem that contributes to movement, tracking of visual stimuli, and reflexes triggered by sound  
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reticular activating system (RAS)   brain area that plays a key role in arousal  
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hindbrain   region below the midbrain that contains the cerebellum, pons, and medulla  
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cerebellum   brain structure responsible for our sense of balance  
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pons   part of brain stem that connects the cortex with the cerebellum  
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medulla   part of brain stem involved in basic functions such as heartbeat and breathing  
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spinal cord   thick bundle of nerves that conveys signals between the brain and the body  
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interneuron   neuron that sends messages to other neurons nearby  
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reflex   an automatic motor response to a sensory stimulus  
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somatic nervous system   part of the nervous system that conveys information between the CNS and the body, controlling and coordinating voluntary movement  
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autonomic nervous system   part of the nervous system controlling involuntary actions of our internal organs and glands, which (along with limbic system) participates in emotion regulation  
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sympathetic nervous system   division of the autonomic nervous system engaged during a crisis or after actions requiring fight or flight  
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parasympathetic nervous system   division of autonomic nervous system that controls rest and digestion  
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endocrine system   system of glands and hormones that controls secretion of blood-borne chemical messengers  
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hormone   chemical released into the bloodstream that influences particular organs and glands  
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pituitary gland   master gland that, under the control of the hypothalamus, directs the other glands of the body  
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EEG   recording of brain's electrical activity at the surface of the skull  
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CT   a scanning technique using multiple X-rays to construct three-dimensional images  
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MRI   technique that uses magnetic fields to indirectly visualize brain structure  
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PET   imaging technique that measures consumption of glucose-like molecules, yielding a picture of neural activity in different regions of the brain  
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fMRI   technique that uses magnetic fields to visualize brain activity using the BOLD response (blood oxygenation)  
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TMS   technique that applies strong and quickly changing magnetic fields to the surface of the skull that can either enhance or interrupt brain function  
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MEG   technique that measures brain activity by detecting tiny magnetic fields generated by the brain  
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lateralization   cognitive function that relies more on one side of the brain than the other  
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chromosome   slender thread inside a cell's nucleus that carries genes  
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gene   genetic material composed of deoxyribonucleic acid  
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genotype   our genetic makeup  
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phenotype   our observable traits  
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heritability   percentage of the variability in a trait across individuals that is due to genes  
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Created by: rlhaas
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