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Psychology > 3. Neurscience and Behaviour > Flashcards

3. Neurscience and Behaviour Flashcards

(58 cards)

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1
Q

Neurons

A

Cells in the nervous system that communicate with one another to perform information-processing tasks

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2
Q

Cell soma

A

The part of a neuron that coordinates information-processing tasks and keeps the cells alive

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3
Q

Dendrites

A

The part of a neuron that receives information from other neurons and relays it to the cell body

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4
Q

Axon

A

The part of a neuron that carries information to other neurons, muscles, or glands

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5
Q

Synapse

A

The junction or region between the axon of one neuron and the dendrites or cell body of another

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6
Q

Myelin sheath

A

An insulating layer of fatty material

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7
Q

Glial cells

A

Support cells found in the nervous system

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8
Q

Sensory neurons

A

Neurons that receive information from the external world and convey this information to the brain via the spinal cord

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9
Q

Motor neurons

A

Neurons that carry signals from the spinal cord to the muscles to produce movement

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10
Q

Interneurons

A

Neurons that connect sensory neurons, motor neurons, or other interneurons

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11
Q

Resting potential

A

The difference in electric charge between the inside and outside of a neuron’s cell membrane

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12
Q

Action potential

A

An electric signal that is conducted along a neuron’s axon to a synapse

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13
Q

Terminal buttons

A

Knoblike structures that branch out from an axon

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14
Q

Neurotransmitters

A 
Chemicals that transmit information across the synapse to a receiving neuron's dendrites
Acetylcholine
Dopamine
Glutamate
Serotonin
Norepinephrine
Endorphins
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15
Q

Receptors

A

Parts of the cell membrane that receive the neurotransmitter and initiate or prevent a new electric signal

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16
Q

Agonists

A

Drugs that increase the action of a neurotransmitter

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17
Q

Antagonists

A

Drugs that block the function of a neurotransmitter

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18
Q

Nervous system

A

An interacting network of neurons that conveys electrochemical information throughout the body

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19
Q

Central nervous system

A

The part of the nervous system that is composed of the brain and spinal cord

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20
Q

Peripheral nervous system

A

The part of the nervous system that connects the central nervous system to the body’s organs and muscles

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21
Q

Somatic nervous system

A

A set of nerves that conveys information between voluntary muscles and CNS

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22
Q

Autonomic nervous system

A

A set of nerves that carries involuntary and automatic commands that control blood vessels, body organs, and glands

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23
Q

Sympathetic nervous system

A

A set of nerves that prepares the body for action in challenging or threatening situation

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24
Q

Parasympathetic nervous system

Study These Flashcards
A

A set of nervous that helps the body return to a normal resting state

25
Spinal reflexes
Simple pathways in the nervous system that rapidly generate muscle contractions
26
Hindbrain
An area of the brain that coordinates information coming into and out of the spinal cord
27
Medulla
An extension of the spinal cord into the skull that coordinates heart rate, circulation, and respiration
28
Reticular formation
A brain structure that regulates sleep, wakefulness, and levels of arousal
29
Cerebellum
A large structure of the hindbrain that controls fine motor skills
30
Pons
A brain structure that relays information from the cerebellum to the rest of the brain
31
Subcortical structures
Areas of the forebrain housed under the cerebral cortex near the very centre of the brain
32
Thalamus
A subcortical structure that relays and filters information from the senses and transmits the information to the cerebral cortex Filters sensory information Shuts pathways during sleep
33
Hypothalamus
A subcortical structure that regulates body temperature, hunger, thirst, and sexual behaviour Lesions result in overeating or lack of appetite
34
Pituitary gland
The master gland of the body's hormone-producing system, which releases hormones that direct the functions of many other glands in the body Adrenocorticotropic hormone activates sympathetic nervous system
35
Hippocampus
A structure critical for creating new memories and integrating them into a network of knowledge so that they can be stored indefinitely in other parts of the cerebral cortex
36
Amygdala
A part of the limbic system that plays a central role in many emotional processes, particularly the formation of emotional memories
37
Basal ganglia
A set of subcortical structures that directs intentional movements
38
Cerebral cortex
The outermost layer of the brain, visible to the naked eye and divided into two hemispheres Corpus callosum, occipital lobe, parietal lobe, temporal lobe, frontal lobe
39
Corpus callosum
A thick band of nerve fibers that connects large areas of the cerebral cortex on each side of the brain and supports communication of information across the hemispheres
40
Occipital lobe
A region of the cerebral cortex that processes visual information
41
Parietal lobe
A region of the cerebral cortex whose functions include processing information about touch
42
Temporal lobe
A region of the cerebral cortex responsible for hearing and language
43
Frontal lobe
A region of the cerebral cortex that has specialized areas for movement, abstract thinking, planning, memory, and judgement Sets humans apart from other species
44
Association areas
Areas of the cerebral cortex that are composed of neurons that help provide sense and meaning to information registered in the cortex
45
Mirror neurons
Neurons that are active when an animal performs a behaviour, such as reaching for or manipulating an object, and are also activated when another animal observes that animal performing the same behaviour
46
Gene
The major unit of hereditary transmission
47
Chromosomes
Strands of DNA wound around each other in a double-helix configuration
48
Epigenetics
Environmental influences that determine whether or not genes are expressed, without altering the basic DNA sequences that constitute the genes themselves
49
Where is language processed?
Largely in the left hemisphere
50
Midbrain
Tegmentum and tectum
51
Hindbrain
Reticular formation, medulla, cerebellum, pons
52
Forebrain
Subcortical structures, cerebral cortex
53
Contralateral control
One side of the brain controls the other side of the body
54
Somatosensory cortex
Represents the skin areas on the contralateral surface of the body Behind motor cortex
55
Motor cortex
Initiates voluntary movements Sends messages to basal ganglia, cerebellum, spinal cord In front of somatosensory cortex Different parts correspond to different body parts
56
Homunculus
Little man
57
Giri and sulci
Smooth and indentations on brain
58
Amphetamine
Stimulates release of norepinephrine and dopamine

Psychology (15 decks)

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