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Intro to Psychology > Module 2A: Biopsychology > Flashcards

Module 2A: Biopsychology Flashcards

(61 cards)

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1
Q

Neuron

A

cells in the nervous system that act as interconnected information processors, which are essential for
all of the tasks of the nervous system

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2
Q

glial cells (glia)

A

nervous system cell that provides physical and metabolic support to neurons, including neuronal
insulation and communication, and nutrient and waste transport

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3
Q

Dendrites

A

branch-like extension of the soma that receives incoming signals from other neurons

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4
Q

Axon

A

major extension of the soma

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5
Q

Soma

A

cell body

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6
Q

Myelin Sheath

A

fatty substance that insulates axons

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7
Q

Action Potential

A

electrical signal that moves down the neuron’s axon

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8
Q

Synapse

A

The neurotransmitters travel across the synapse and bind to
receptors on the dendrites of the adjacent neuron

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9
Q

Electrical and chemical energy

A
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10
Q

threshold of excitation

A

level of charge in the membrane that causes the neuron to become active

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11
Q

all-or-none

A

phenomenon that incoming signal from another neuron is either sufficient or insufficient to reach
the threshold of excitation

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12
Q

action potential

A

electrical signal that moves down the neuron’s axon

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13
Q

neurotransmitter

A

chemical messenger of the nervous system

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14
Q

excitatory vs inhibitory effects

A
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15
Q

neuroplasticity

A

nervous system’s ability to change

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16
Q

synaptogenesis

A

Synaptogenesis is a fancy scientific term that just means nerve cells are making new connections

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17
Q

synaptic pruning

A
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18
Q

endorphins

A

Endorphins help relieve pain, reduce stress and improve your sense of well-being. Endorphins are created in your pituitary gland and hypothalamus, both located in the brain. Endorphins are a type of neurotransmitter, or messenger in your body

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19
Q

nervous system

A

The nervous system includes the brain, spinal cord, and a complex network of nerves. This system sends messages back and forth between the brain and the body. The brain is what controls all the body’s functions. The spinal cord runs from the brain down through the back.

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20
Q

central nervous system (CNS)

A

brain and spinal cord

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21
Q

brain

A
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22
Q

spinal cord

A
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23
Q

peripheral nervous system (PNS)

A

connects the brain and spinal cord to the muscles, organs and senses in
the periphery of the body

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24
Q

nerves

A
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25
somatic nervous system
relays sensory and motor information to and from the CNS
26
autonomic nervous system (ANS)
controls our internal organs and glands
27
sympathetic nervous system
involved in stress-related activities and functions
28
parasympathetic nervous system
associated with routine, day-to-day operations of the body
29
endocrine system
series of glands that produce chemical substances known as hormones
30
hormones
chemical messenger released by endocrine glands
31
adrenal glands
sits atop our kidneys and secretes hormones involved in the stress response
32
hypothalamus
forebrain structure that regulates sexual motivation and behavior and a number of homeostatic processes; serves as an interface between the nervous system and the endocrine system
33
pituitary gland
secretes a number of key hormones, which regulate fluid levels in the body, and a number of messenger hormones, which direct the activity of other glands in the endocrine system
34
forebrain
largest part of the brain, containing the cerebral cortex, the thalamus, and the limbic system, among other structures
35
midbrain
division of the brain located between the forebrain and the hindbrain; contains the reticular formation
36
hindbrain
division of the brain containing the medulla, pons, and cerebellum
37
brain stem
38
medulla
hindbrain structure that controls automated processes like breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate
39
pons
hindbrain structure that connects the brain and spinal cord; involved in regulating brain activity during sleep
40
thalamus
sensory relay for the brain
41
reticular formation
midbrain structure important in regulating the sleep/wake cycle, arousal, alertness, and motor activity
42
cerebellum
hindbrain structure that controls our balance, coordination, movement, and motor skills, and it is thought to be important in processing some types of memory
43
limbic system
collection of structures involved in processing emotion and memory
44
amygdala
structure in the limbic system involved in our experience of emotion and tying emotional meaning to our memories
45
ventral tegmental area (VTA)
midbrain structure where dopamine is produced: associated with mood, reward, and addiction
46
hippocampus
structure in the temporal lobe associated with learning and memory
47
cerebral cortex
surface of the brain that is associated with our highest mental capabilities
48
frontal lobe
part of the cerebral cortex involved in reasoning, motor control, emotion, and language; contains motor cortex
49
parietal lobe
part of the cerebral cortex involved in processing various sensory and perceptual information; contains the primary somatosensory cortex
50
occipital lobe
part of the cerebral cortex associated with visual processing; contains the primary visual cortex
51
temporal lobe
part of cerebral cortex associated with hearing, memory, emotion, and some aspects of language; contains primary auditory cortex
52
motor cortex
strip of cortex involved in planning and coordinating movement
53
somatosensory cortex
essential for processing sensory information from across the body, such as touch, temperature, and pain
54
visual cortex
The occipital lobe is located at the very back of the brain, and contains the primary visual cortex, which is responsible for interpreting incoming visual information.
55
auditory cortex
strip of cortex in the temporal lobe that is responsible for processing auditory information
56
Broca's area
region in the left hemisphere that is essential for language production
57
Wernicke's area
important for speech comprehension
58
association areas
59
lateralization
concept that each hemisphere of the brain is associated with specialized functions
60
corpus callosum
thick band of neural fibers connecting the brain’s two hemispheres
61
split brain

Intro to Psychology (16 decks)

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