Chapter 2 Flashcards
(53 cards)
Biological psychology
A branch of psychology concerned with the links between biology and behavior. (Some biological psychologist call themselves behavioral’s neuroscientist, neuropsychologists, behavior geneticists, physiological psychologist, or biopsychologist)
Neuron
A nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system
Axon
The extension of a neuron, ending in branching terminal fibers, through which messages pass to other neurons or two muscles or glands
Myelin sheath
Layer of fatty tissue segmentally encasing the fibers of many neurons; enables vastly greater transmission speed of neural impulses as the impulse hops from one node to the next
Action potential
A neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon
Threshold
The level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse
Synapse
The junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or somebody at the receiving neuron. The tiny gap at this junction is called the synaptic gap or synaptic cleft.
Neurotransmitters
Chemical messengers across the synaptic gaps between your aunts. When released by the sending neuron, neurotransmitters travel across the synapse and binder sector sites on the receiving your understanding, thereby influencing whether that neuron will generate neural impulse.
Reuptake
In your transmitters reabsorption by the sending neuron
Endorphins
“Working within”- natural, opiate like neurotransmitters linked to pain control and pleasure
Nervous system
The body speedy, electrochemical communication network, consisting of all the nerve cells of that peripheral and central nervous system
Central nervous system (CNS)
The brain and spinal cord.
Peripheral Nervous system (PNS)
The sensory and motor neurons me that connect the central nervous system (CNS) to the rest of the body.
Nerves
Bundled axons that form neural “cables” connecting to central nervous system with muscles, glands,and sense organs
Somatic nervous system
The division of peripheral nervous system that controls the body skeletal muscles. Also called the skeletal nervous system
Autonomic nervous system
Part of the nervous system that controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organs (such as the heart) It’s sympathetic division arouses; it’s parasympathetic division columns.
Sympathetic nervous system
The division of the autonomic nervous system that rouses the body, mobilizing its energy in stressful situations
Parasympathetic nervous system
The division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy
Reflex
A simple, automatic response to sensory stimulus, such as the knee-jerk response
Lesion
Tissue destruction. A brain lesion is a naturally or experimentally caused destruction of brain tissue.
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
An amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity that sweep across the brain surface. These waves are measured by electrodes placed on the scalp.
PET scan (positron emission tomography)
A visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive performs a given task
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
A technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images of soft tissue. MRI scans show brain anatomy.
Brainstem
The oldest part and central core of the frame, beginning where the finest sports club as it enters the skull; the brainstem is responsible for automatic survival functions.
