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PSYC 104 > Chapter Three - Biological Psychology > Flashcards

Chapter Three - Biological Psychology Flashcards

(82 cards)

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1
Q

Absolute Refractory Period

A

Time during which another action potential is impossible; limits the maximal firing rate.

Approx. 1-2 ms after AP initiation.

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2
Q

Action Potential

A

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

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3
Q

Adoption Study

A

Analysis of how traits vary in individuals who were raised apart from their biological relatives.

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4
Q

Adrenal Gland

A

Tissue located on top of the kidneys that releases adrenaline and cortisol during stages of emotional arousal.

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5
Q

Amygdala

A

Part of the limbic system that modulates attention, perception, and memory based on our emotions.

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6
Q

Autonomic Nervous System

A

Part of the NS controlling the involuntary actions of our internal organs and glands, which participates in emotion regulation.

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7
Q

Axon

A

Portion of neuron that sends signals.

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8
Q

Basal Ganglia

A

Structures in the forebrain that help to control movement.

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9
Q

Brain Stem

A

Part of the brain between the spinal cord and cerebral cortex that contains the midbrain, pons and medulla.

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10
Q

Broca’s Area

A

Language area in prefrontal cortex that helps control speech production.

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11
Q

Central Nervous System

A

Part of nervous system containing the brain and spinal cord that controls the mind and behaviour.

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12
Q

Cerebellum

A

Brain structure responsible for our sense of balance.

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13
Q

Cerebral Cortex

A

Outermost part of the forebrain, responsible for analyzing sensory information and higher brain functions.

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14
Q

Cerebral Hemispheres

A

Two halves of the cerebral cortex, each of which serves a distinct, yet highly integrated function.

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15
Q

Cerebral Ventricles

A

Pockets in the brain that contain CSF, which provide the brain with nutrients and cushion against injury.

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16
Q

Chromosome

A

Slender thread inside of a nucleus that carries genes.

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17
Q

Computed Tomography

A

CT: a scanning technique using multiple x-rays to construct 3D images.

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18
Q

Corpus Callosum

A

Large band of fibres connecting the two cerebral hemispheres.

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19
Q

Deep Brain Stimulation

A

Technique in which electrodes and a battery source are implanted in the brain to deliver electricity to specific brain areas.

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20
Q

Dendrite

A

Portion of neuron that receives signals.

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21
Q

Dominant Gene

A

Gene that masks other genes’ effects.

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22
Q

Electroencephalograph

A

Recording of brain’s electrical activity at the surface of the skull.

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23
Q

Endocrine System

A

System of glands and hormones that controls secretion of blood-borne chemical messengers.

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24
Q

Epigenetics

A

A field that examines how environmental influences affect the expression of genes

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25
Family Study
Analysis of how characteristics run in intact families.
26
Fitness
Organisms' capacity to pass on their genes.
27
Forebrain
Top part of the brain that allows advanced intellectual abilities.
28
Frontal Lobe
Forward part of the cerebral cortex responsible for motor function, language, decision making, and planning.
29
Functional MRI
Technique that uses magnetic fields to visualize brain activity using changes in blood oxygen level.
30
Gene
Genetic material composed of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).
31
Genotype
Our genetic makeup.
32
Glial Cell
Cell in the NS that plays a role in the formation of the myelin and the blood-brain barrier, responds to injury, removes debris, facilitates communication among neurons, and enhances learning and memory.
33
Heritability
Percentage of the variability in a trait across individuals that is the result of genes.
34
Hindbrain
Region below the midbrain that contains the cerebellum, pons, and medulla.
35
Hippocampus
Part of the brain that plays a role in spatial memory.
36
Hormone
Chemical released into the bloodstream that influences particular organs and glands.
37
Hypothalamus
Part of the brain responsible for maintaining a constant internal state.
38
Interneuron
Neuron that sends messages to other nearby neurons.
39
Lateralization
Cognitive function that relies more on one side of the brain than the other.
40
Limbic System
A network of regions involved in emotion, motivation, learning and memory.
41
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Technique that uses magnetic fields to indirectly visualize brain structure.
42
Magnetoencephalography
Technique that measures brain activity by deducting tiny magnetic fields generated by the brain.
43
Medulla
Part of the brain stem involved in basic functions such as heartbeat and breathing.
44
Midbrain
Part of the brain stem that contributes to movement, tracking visual stimuli, and reflexes triggered by sound.
45
Motor Cortex
Part of the frontal lobe responsible for body movement.
46
Myelin Sheath
Glial cells wrapped around axons that act as insulators of the neuron's signal.
47
Neurogenesis
Creation of new neurons in the adult brain.
48
Neuron
Nerve cells specialized for communication.
49
Neurotransmitter
Chemical messenger specialized for communication from neuron to neuron.
50
Occipital Lobe
Back part of the cerebral cortex specialized for vision.
51
Parasympathetic Nervous System
Division of the autonomic nervous system that controls rest and digestion.
52
Parietal Lobe
Upper middle part of the cerebral cortex lying behind the frontal lobe that's specialized for touch and perception.
53
Peripheral Nervous System
Nerves in the body outside of the CNS.
54
Phenotype
Our observable traits.
55
Pituitary Gland
Master gland that, under the control of the hypothalamus, directs the other glands of the body.
56
Plasticity
Ability of the nervous system to change.
57
Pons
Part of the brain stem that connects the cortex with the cerebellum.
58
Position Emission Tomography
Imaging technique that measures consumption of glucose-like molecules, yielding a picture of neural activity in different regions of the brain.
59
Prefrontal Cortex
Part of the frontal lobe responsible for thinking, planning, and language.
60
Primary Sensory Cortex
Regions of the cerebral cortex that initially process information from the senses.
61
Receptor Site
Location that uniquely recognizes a neurotransmitter.
62
Recessive Gene
Gene that is expressed only in the absence of a dominant gene.
63
Reflex
An autonomic motor response to a sensory stimulus.
64
Resting Potential
Electrical charge difference (-60mV) across the neuronal membrane when the neuron is not being stimulated or inhibited.
65
Reticular Activating System
Brain area that plays a key role in arousal.
66
Reuptake
Means of recycling neurotransmitters.
67
Somatic Nervous System
Part of the NS that conveys info between the CNS and the body. Controlling and coordinating voluntary movement.
68
Spinal Cord
Thick bundle of nerves that conveys signals between the brain and the body.
69
Split - Brain Surgery
Procedure that involves severing the corpus callosum to reduce the spread of epileptic seizures.
70
Stem Cell
A cell, often originating in embryos, having the capacity. to differentiate into a more specialized cell.
71
Sympathetic Nervous System
Division of the autonomic nervous system engaged during a crisis or after actions requiring fight or flight.
72
Synapse
Space between two connecting neurons through which messages are transmitted chemically.
73
Synaptic Cleft
A gap into which neurotransmitters are released from the axon terminal.
74
Synaptic Vesicle
Spherical sac containing neurotransmitters.
75
Temporal Lobe
Lower part of the cerebral cortex that plays roles in hearing, understanding language, and memory.
76
Thalamus
Gateway from the sense organs to the primary sensory cortex.
77
Threshold of Excitation
Membrane potential necessary to trigger an action potential.
78
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Technique that applies strong and quickly changing magnetic fields to the surface of the skull that can either enhance or interrupt brain function.
79
Twin Study
Analysis of how traits differ in monozygotic versus dizygotic twins.
80
Wernicke's Area
Part of the temporal lobe involved in understanding speech and language.
81
Franz Gall
Father of phrenology.
82
Hans Berger
Developed the EEG - Electroencephalogram.

PSYC 104 (8 decks)

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