Biological Factors 2a

Question 1

Examines the relationship between mind and body, neural mechanisms, and the influence of heredity on behavior.

Answer 1

Biological Psychology

Question 2

body’s nerve cells which make up the nervous system

Answer 2

neuron

Question 3

-input fibers that carry electrical signals into a neuron from connected cells.

Answer 3

dendrite

Question 4

A long, tubular structure in a neuron that transmits action potentials

Answer 4

axon

Question 5

a layer of fatty cells – also called glial cells – that surround the axon fibers of the neuron

Answer 5

myelin sheath

Question 6

occurs when a neuron transmits an electrical charge down its axon, which terminates in the release of chemical signals in the form of neurotransmitters

Answer 6

action potential

Question 7

the limits of one’s perceptions

Answer 7

threshold

Question 8

where the end of one neuron meets the beginning of another neuron

Answer 8

synapse

Question 9

a chemical messenger inside the body, produced only in the neurons

Answer 9

neurotransmitters

Question 10

neurotransmitter involved in learning, memory, and muscle contraction

Answer 10

acetylcholine

Question 11

neurotransmitters linked to reduced pain and increased pleasure

Answer 11

endorphins

Question 12

Consists of all the nerve cells. It is the body’s speedy, electrochemical communication system.

Answer 12

nervous system

Question 13

the entire complex of neurons, axons, and supporting tissue that constitute the brain and spinal cord. Primarily involved in mental activities and in coordinating and integrating incoming sensory messages and outgoing motor messages

Answer 13

central nervous system

Question 14

all the nerves that branch out from the CNS components and extend to other parts of the body – to the sense organs, muscles, and glands. A communication relay going back and forth between the brain and the extremities

Answer 14

peripheral nervous system

Question 15

neural “cables” containing many axons

Answer 15

nerves

Question 16

nerves responsible for sensing a stimulus

Answer 16

sensory neurons

Question 17

nerves responsible for carrying signals away from the central nervous system in order to initiate an action

Answer 17

motor neurons

Question 18

any neuron that is neither sensory nor motor but connects other neurons within the central nervous system

Answer 18

interneurons

Question 19

division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body’s skeletal muscles

Answer 19

somatic nervous system

Question 20

the part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organs (sympathetic and parasympathetic)

Answer 20

autonomic nervous system

Question 21

the division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy in stressful situations

Answer 21

sympathetic nervous system

Question 22

ubdivision of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) which regulates bodily functions which are outside of voluntary control, therefore being automatic

Answer 22

parasympathetic nervous system

Question 23

Innate motor responses that are triggered by specific patterns of sensory stimulation

Answer 23

reflex

Question 24

artifical network or mathematical model for information processing based on how neurons and synapses work in the human brain

Answer 24

neural networks

Question 25

a system of glands that secretes hormones into the circulatory system. Includes the ovaries and testes, the pituitary gland, the thyroid, and pineal glands. Controls growth and development, reproduction, and body metabolism.

Answer 25

endocrine system

Question 26

chemical messengers that are secreted by endocrine glands

Answer 26

hormones

Question 27

responsible for releasing epinephrine and norepinephrine

Answer 27

adrenal glands

Question 28

gland located at the base of the brain producing hormones that control other glands and which affects metabolism, bone growth and sexual maturity. "Master Gland"

Answer 28

pituitary gland

Question 29

tissue destruction

Answer 29

leison

Question 30

amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity that sweep across the brain's surface

Answer 30

electroencephalogram

Question 31

Used to evaluate cerebral metabolism and blood flow as well as the binding and transport of neurotransmitter systems in the brain

Answer 31

positron emission tomography scan

Question 32

technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images of soft tissue

Answer 32

magnetic resonance imaging

Question 33

technique for revealing bloodflow and brain activity by comparing successive scans

Answer 33

functional MRI

Question 34

The central core of the brain, it connects the brain and spinal cord and is responsible for automatic functions

Answer 34

brainstem

Question 35

controls automatic (involuntary) functions of the body, such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. Part of brainstem

Answer 35

medulla

Question 36

nerve network in the brainstem that plays an important role in controlling arousal

Answer 36

reticular formation

Question 37

brain's sensory switchboard

Answer 37

thalamus

Question 38

plays a role in motor control and movement including balance, subtle movement, and equilibrium. It also plays a role in cognitive functions such as attention and language.

Answer 38

cerebellum

Question 39

the overall system of the brain that regulates emotions and controls behavior. Includes the Hippocampus, amygdala, hypothalamus, and other structures

Answer 39

limbic system

Question 40

the center of emotion and motivations. Is responsible for fear responses and learning out of fearful situations.

Answer 40

amygdala

Question 41

regulates the autonomic nervous system by producing and releasing hormones. Through its influence on the endocrine system, it can regulate sleep-wake cycles, respiration, and other autonomic responses.

Answer 41

hypothalamus

Question 42

intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells that covers the cerebral hemispheres. It is the body's ultimate control and information processing center

Answer 42

cerebral cortex

Question 43

Cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons

Answer 43

glial cells

Question 44

located at the front portion of the brain and is home to many important brain structures including the primary motor cortex, prefrontal cortex, and Broca's area. Regulates voluntary movements such as walking. Different areas of the cortex control different areas of the body

Answer 44

frontal lobes

Question 45

located at the top of the brain, between the frontal and occipital lobe. It consists of the somatosensory cortex and is responsible for integrating sensory information from different parts of the body, especially visual information related to navigation and spatial orientation

Answer 45

parietal lobes

Question 46

portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head; includes areas that receive information from the visual fields

Answer 46

occipital lobes

Question 47

located beneath the lateral fissure on the cerebral hemisphere. Its primary function is processing auditory sensory input and is the location of the primary auditory cortex and Wernicke's area. However, it also plays a role in interpreting meaning from visual stimuli and object recognition

Answer 47

temporal lobes

Question 48

An area at the rear of the frontal lobe that controls voluntary movements

Answer 48

motor cortex

Question 49

the site that registers touch, pressure, temperature, and pain in the cerebral cortex. This area is also responsible for awareness associated with bodily movement and position

Answer 49

sensory cortex

Question 50

located in the cerebral cortex. They act in learning, speech, memory, etc. These functions are considered to be higher mental functions. These are not involved in motor or sensory functions

Answer 50

association areas

Question 51

impairment of language, usually caused by left. hemisphere damage either to Broca's area (impairing speaking) or to Wernicke's area (impairing understanding)

Answer 51

aphasia

Question 52

located in the left hemisphere in the frontal lobe. This area is responsible for speech production and language comprehension

Answer 52

broca's area

Question 53

the language area that is responsible for comprehending spoken word as well as formulating written and spoken language

Answer 53

wernicke's area

Question 54

brain's ability to reorganize itself after an accident or tragedy OR modify itself in response to experience/a change

Answer 54

plasticity

Question 55

the bridge. between the left and right. hemispheres. Allows two sides to work together on tasks

Answer 55

corpus callosum

Question 56

A condition resulting from surgery that isolates the brain's two hemispheres by cutting the fibers (mainly those of the corpus callosum) connecting them

Answer 56

split brain