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PSYC 101 > Chapter 3 > Flashcards

Chapter 3 Flashcards

(105 cards)

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1
Q

Neuron

A

Nerve cell specialized for communication

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2
Q

Dendrite

A

Portion of neuron that receives signals

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3
Q

Axon

A

Portion of neuron that sends signals

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4
Q

Synaptic Vesicle

A

Spherical sac containing neurotransmitters

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5
Q

Neurotransmitter

A

Chemical messenger specialized for communication from neuron to neuron

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6
Q

Synapse

A

Space between two connecting neurons through which messages are transmitted chemically

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7
Q

Synaptic Cleft

A

A gap into which neurotransmitters are released from the axon terminal

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8
Q

Glial Cell

A

Cell in nervous system that plays a role in the formation of myelin and blood-brain barrier; Responds to injury, removes debris and enhances learning and memory

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9
Q

Myelin Sheath

A

Glial cells wrapped around axons that act as insulators of the neuron’s signal

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10
Q

Resting Potential

A

Electrical charge difference across the neuronal membrance, when the neuron isn’t being stimulated or inhibited

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11
Q

Threshold

A

Membrane potential necessary to trigger action potential

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12
Q

Action potential

A

Electrical impulse that travels down the axon, triggering the release of neurotransmitters

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13
Q

Absolute Refractory Period

A

Time during which another action potential is impossible

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14
Q

Graded Potentials

A

Postsynaptic potentials that can be excitatory in inhibitory

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15
Q

Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials

A

Graded potential in a dendrite that is caused by excitatory synaptic transmission

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16
Q

Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potentials

A

Graded potential in a dendrite that is caused by inhibitory synaptic transmission

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17
Q

Receptor site

A

Location that uniquely recognizes a neurotransmitter

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18
Q

Reuptake

A

Means of recycling neurotransmitters

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19
Q

Endorphins

A

Chemical in brain that plays a specialized role in pain reduction

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20
Q

Plasticity

A

Ability of the nervous system to change

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21
Q

Neurogenesis

A

Creation of new neurons in an adult brain

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22
Q

Stem Cell

A

A cell having the capacity to differentiate into a more specialized cell

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23
Q

Central Nervous System

A

Part of NS that contains the brain and spinal cord; Controls behaviour

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24
Q

Peripheral Nervous System

A

Nerves in the body that extend outside the central nervous system

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25
Cerebral Ventricles
Pockets in the brain that contain cerebrospinal fluid
26
Cerebral Cortex
Responsible for analyzing sensory processing and higher brain functions
27
Forebrain (Cerebrum)
Forward part of the brain that allows for advanced intellectual abilities
28
Cerebral Hemispheres
Two halves of the cerebral cortex, each of which serves distinct yet highly integrated functions
29
Corpus Callosum
Large band of fibres connecting the two cerebral hemispheres
30
Frontal Lobe
Forward part of cerebral cortex responsible for motor function, language, memory and planning
31
Motor Cortex
Part of frontal lobe responsible for body movement
32
Prefrontal Cortex
Part of frontal lobe responsible for thinking, planning, language
33
Broca's Area
Language area in the prefrontal cortex that helps to control speech production
34
Parietal Lobe
Upper middle part of the cerebral cortex that is specialized for touch and perception
35
Temporal Lobe
Lower part of the cerebral cortex involved in hearing, understanding language, memory
36
Wernicke's Area
Part of temporal lobe involved in understanding speech
37
Occipital Lobe
Part of cerebral cortex specialized for vision
38
Primary Sensory Cortex
Regions of cerebral cortex that initially process information from the senses
39
Association Cortex
Regions of cerebral cortex that integrate simpler functions to perform more complex functions
40
Basal Ganglia
Structures in the forebrain that help to control movement
41
Limbic System
Emotional centre of brain that also plays role in smell, motivation, memory
42
Thalamus
Gateway from the sensory organs to the primary sensory cortex
43
Hypothalamus
Part of the brain responsible for maintaining a constant internal state
44
Amygdala
Part of limbic system that plays key roles in fear,excitement and arousal
45
Hippocampus
Part of the brain that plays a role in spatial memory
46
Cerebellum
Brain structure responsible for our sense of balance
47
Brain stem
Part of brain between spinal cord and cerebral cortex that contains midbrain, pons, medulla
48
Midbrain
Part of brain stem that contributes to movement, tracking of visual stimuli, and reflexes triggered by sound
49
Reticular Activating System
Brain area that plays key role in arousal
50
Hindbrain
Region below the midbrain that contains the cerebellum, pons, medulla
51
Pons
Part of brain stem that connects the cortex with the cerebellum
52
Medulla
Part of brain stem involved in basic functions
53
Spinal Cord
Thick bundle of nerves that conveys signals between the brain and the body
54
Interneuron
Neuron that sends messages to other neurons
55
Reflex
Automatic motor response to a sensory stimulus
56
Somatic Nervous System
Conveys information between the CNS and the body, voluntary movement
57
Autonomic Nervous System
Controls the involuntary actionsof our internal organs and glands
58
Parasympathetic Nervous System
Controls rest and digestion
59
Endocrine System
System of glands and hormomes that controls secretion of blood-borne chemical messengers
60
Hormone
Chemical released into the bloodstream that influences particular organs and glands
61
Pituitary Gland
Master gland
62
Adrenal Gland
On top of kidneys that releases adrenalin and cortisol
63
EEG
Recording of brain's electrical activity at the surface of the skull
64
What is EEG
electroencephalograph
65
CT
Scanning technique using multiple X-rays to construct three-dimensional images
66
What is CT
computed tomography
67
MRI
Technique that uses magnetic fields to indirectly visualize brain structure
68
What is MRI
magnetic resonance imaging
69
PET
Measures consumption of glucose-like molecules, yielding a picture of neural activity in different regions of the brain
70
What is PET
positron emission tomography
71
fMRI
technique that uses magnetic fields to visualize brain activity
72
What is fMRI
functional MRI
73
TMS
technique that applies strong and quickly charging magnetic fields to the surface of the skill that can either enhance or interrupt brain function
74
What is TMS
transcranial magnetic stimulation
75
MEG
technique that measures brain activity by detecting tiny magnetic fields generated by the brain
76
What is MEG
magnetoencephalography
77
Lateralization
Cognitive funtion that relies more on one side of the brain than the other
78
Split-brain Surgery
Procedure that involves severing the corpus callosum to reduce the spread of epileptic seizures
79
Chromosome
Small thread inside a cell's nucleus that carries genes
80
Gene
Genetic material composed of DNA
81
genotype
our genetic makeup
82
phenotype
our observable traits
83
dominant gene
gene that masks other genes' effects
84
recessive gene
gene that is expressed only in the absence of a dominant gene
85
fitness
organisms' capacity to pass on their genes
86
heritability
percentage of the variability in a trait across individuals that is due to genes
87
family study
analysis of how characteristics run in intact families
88
twin study
analysis of how traits differ in identical versus fraternal twins
89
adoption study
analysis of how traits vary in individuals raised apart from their biological relatives
90
glutamate
main excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS; participates in the relay of sensory information and learning
91
glutamate
alcohol and memory enhancers interact with NMDA receptors, a specific type of glutamate receptor
92
GABA gamma aminobutyric avid
main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS
93
GABA gamma aminobutyric avid
alcohol and anti-anxiety drugs increase GABA activity
94
ACh acetylcholine
muscle contraction (PNS); cortical arousal (CNS)
95
ACh acetylcholine
nicotine stimulates ACh receptors. Memory enhancers increase Ach. Insecticides block ACh breakdown. Botox causes paralysis by clocking ACh release
96
NE norepinephrine
brain arousal and other functions like mood, hunger, and sleep
97
NE norepinephrine
amphetamine and methamphetamine increase NE, dopamine and serotonin
98
dopamine
motor function and reward
99
dopamine
l-Dopa, which increases dopamine, is used to treat Parkinson's disease. Antipsychotic drugs, which block dopamine action, are used to treat schizophrenia
100
serotonin
mood and temperature regulation, aggression and sleep cycles
101
serotonin
SSRI (serotonin seletcive reuptake inhibitor) antidepressants are used to treat depression
102
Endorphins
pain reduction
103
Endorphins
narcotic drugs - codeine, morphine, and heroin -- reduce pain and produce euphoria
104
anadamide
pain reduction, increase in appetitie
105
anadamide
THC (tetrahydrocannabinol found in weed produces euphoria

PSYC 101 (11 decks)

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