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AP Psychology > Ch. 3 Vocab (Part 1) > Flashcards

Ch. 3 Vocab (Part 1) Flashcards

1
Q

A nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system

A

Neuron

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2
Q

A neuron’s bushy, branching extensions that receive messages and conduct impulses toward the cell body

A

Dendrites

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3
Q

The neuron extension that passes messages through its branches to other neurons or to muscles or glands

A

Axon

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4
Q

A layer of fatty tissue that insulates axons and speeds their impulses

A

Myelin sheath

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5
Q

A neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon

A

Action potential

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6
Q

A period of inactivity after a neuron has fired; a resting period after orgasm, during which a man can not receive another

A

Refractory period

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7
Q

The level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse

A

Threshold

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8
Q

A neuron’s reaction of either firing (with a full-strength response) or not firing

A

All-or-none response

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9
Q

A junction b/t two nerve cells, consisting of a minute gap across which impulses pass by diffusion of a neurotransmitter

A

Synapse

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10
Q

chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons; when released by the sending neuron, they travel across the synapse and bind to receptor sites on the receiving neuron, thereby influencing whether that neuron will generate a neural impulse

A

Neurotransmitter

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11
Q

a neurotransmitter’s reabsorption by the sending neuron

A

Reuptake

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12
Q

Naturally occurring opiates produced by the brain and released through neurotransmitters in response to pain or vigorous exercise (“natural high”)

A

Endorphins

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13
Q

a molecule that, by binding to a receptor site, stimulates a response

A

Agonist

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14
Q

a molecule that, by binding to a receptor site, inhibits or blocks a response

A

Antagonist

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15
Q

the body’s speedy, electrochemical communication network, consisting of all the nerve cells of the peripheral and central nervous systems

A

Nervous system

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16
Q

the brain and spinal cord

A

Central nervous system

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17
Q

the sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system (CNS) to the rest of the body

A

Peripheral nervous system

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18
Q

bundled axons that form neural “cables” connecting the central nervous system with muscles, glands, and sense organs

A

Nerves

19
Q

neurons that carry incoming information from the sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord

A

Sensory neurons

20
Q

neurons that carry outgoing information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands

A

Motor neurons

21
Q

neurons within the brain and spinal cord that communicate internally and intervene between the sensory inputs and motor outputs

A

Interneurons

22
Q

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

A

Somatic nervous system

23
Q

the part of the nervous system responsible for control of the bodily functions not consciously directed, such as breathing, the heartbeat, and digestive processes

A

Autonomic nervous system

24
Q

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

A

Sympathetic nervous system

25
Q

the division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy

A

Parasympathetic nervous system

26
Q

a simple, automatic response to a sensory stimulus, such as the knee-jerk response

A

Reflex

27
Q

this system’s glands secrete another form of chemical messengers, hormones, which travel through the bloodstream and affect other tissues, including the brain. When hormones act on the brain, they influence our interest in sex, food, and aggression.

A

Endocrine system

28
Q

chemical messengers that are manufactured by the endocrine glands, travel through the bloodstream, and affect other tissues

A

Hormones

29
Q

glands on top of the kidneys that release epinephrine and norepinephrine (also called adrenaline and noradrenaline). These hormones increase heart rate, blood pressure, and blood sugar, providing us with a surge of energy, known as the fight-or-flight response. When the emergency passes, the hormones—and the feelings of excitement—linger a while.

A

Adrenal glands

30
Q

the endocrine system’s most influential gland; Under the influence of the hypothalamus, the pituitary regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands

A

Pituitary glands

31
Q

tissue destruction; a naturally or experimentally caused destruction of brain tissue

A

Lesion

32
Q

an amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity sweeping across the brain’s surface. These waves are measured by electrodes placed on the scalp

A

Electroencephalogram

33
Q

a series of X-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by computer into a composite representation of a slice of the brain’s structure

A

CT scan

34
Q

a visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task

A

PET scan

35
Q

a technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images of soft tissue; show brain anatomy

A

MRI

36
Q

a technique for revealing bloodflow and, therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans; show brain function as well as its structure

A

fMRI brainstem

37
Q

a structure of the brain located in the brain stem; primarily responsible for breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, and coughing

A

Medulla

38
Q

the brain’s sensory control center, located on top of the brainstem; it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla

A

Thalamus

39
Q

a nerve network that travels through the brainstem and thalamus and plays an important role in controlling arousal

A

Reticular formation

40
Q

coordinates voluntary movement and balance and supports learning and memories of such

A

Cerebellum

41
Q

neural system (including the hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus) located below the cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions and drives

A

Limbic system

42
Q

Linked to emotion

A

Amygdala

43
Q

a neural structure lying below (hypo) the thalamus; it directs several maintenance activities (eating, drinking, body temperature), helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion and reward

A

Hypothalamus

44
Q

The scientific study of the links b/t biological and psychological processes

A

Biological psychology

AP Psychology (17 decks)

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