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Neuroscience Flashcards

1
Q

Biological Psychology

A

Specialized branch of psychology that studies the relationship between behavior and bodily processes and systems; also called biopsychology

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2
Q

Neuroscience

A

The study of the nervous system, especially the brain

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3
Q

Neuron

A

Highly specialized cell that communicates information in electrical and chemical form; a nerve cell

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4
Q

Glial Cell

A

Support cells that assist neurons by providing structural support, nutrition, and removal of cell wastes; manufacture myelin

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5
Q

Sensory Neuron

A

Type of neuron that conveys information to the brain from specialized receptor cells in sense organs and internal organs

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6
Q

Motor Neuron

A

Type of neuron that signals muscles to relax or contract

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7
Q

Interneuron

A

Type of neuron that communicates information from one neuron to the next

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8
Q

Cell Body

A

The part of a neuron that contains the nucleus

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9
Q

Dendrites

A

Multiple short fibers that extend from the neuron’s cell body and receive information from other neurons or from sensory receptor cells

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10
Q

Axon

A

The long, fluid-filled tube that carries a neuron’s messages to other body areas

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11
Q

Myelin Sheath

A

A white, fatty covering wrapped around the axons of some neurons that increases their communication speed

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12
Q

Action Potential

A

A brief electrical impulse by which information is transmitted along the axon of a neuron

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13
Q

Stimulus Threshold

A

The minimum level of stimulation required to activate a particular neuron

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14
Q

Resting Potential

A

State in which a neuron is prepared to activate and communicate its message if it receives sufficient stimulation

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15
Q

All-or-None Law

A

The principle that either a neuron is sufficiently stimulated and an action potential occurs or a neuron is not sufficiently stimulated and an action potential does not occur

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16
Q

Synapse

A

The point of communication between two neurons

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17
Q

Synaptic Gap

A

The tiny space between the axon terminal of one neuron and the dendrite of an adjoining neuron

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18
Q

Axon Terminals

A

Branches at the end of the axon that contain tiny pouches, or sacs, called synaptic vesicles

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19
Q

Synaptic Vesicles

A

Tiny pouches or sacs in the axon terminals that contain chemicals called neurotransmitters

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20
Q

Neurotransmitters

A

Chemical messengers manufactured by a neuron

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21
Q

Synaptic Transmission

A

The process through which neurotransmitters are released by one neuron, cross the synaptic gap, and affect adjoining neurons

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22
Q

Reuptake

A

The process by which neurotransmitter molecules detach from a postsynaptic neuron and are reabsorbed by a presynaptic neuron so they can be recycled and used again

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23
Q

Acetylcholine

A

Neurotransmitter that causes muscle contraction and is involved in memory function

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24
Q

Dopamine

A

Neurotransmitter involved in the regulation of bodily movement, thought processes, and rewarding sensations

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25
Q

Serotonin

A

Neurotransmitter involved in sleep and emotions

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26
Q

Norepinephrine

A

Neurotransmitter involved in learning and memory; also a hormone manufactured by adrenal glands

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27
Q

GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid)

A

Neurotransmitter that usually communicates an inhibitory message

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28
Q

Endorphins

A

Neurotransmitters that regulate pain perceptions

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29
Q

Nervous System

A

The primary internal communication network of the body; divided into the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system

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30
Q

Nerves

A

Bundles of neuron axons that carry information in the peripheral nervous system

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31
Q

Central Nervous System

A

Division of the nervous system that consists of the brain and spinal cord

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32
Q

Spinal Reflexes

A

Simple, automatic behaviors that are processed in the spinal cord

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33
Q

Peripheral Nervous System

A

Division of the nervous system that includes all the nerves lying outside the central nervous system

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34
Q

Somatic Nervous System

A

Subdivision of the peripheral nervous system that communicates sensory information to the central nervous system and carries motor messages from the central nervous system to the muscles

35
Q

Autonomic Nervous System

A

Subdivision of the peripheral nervous system that regulates involuntary functions

36
Q

Sympathetic Nervous System

A

Branch of the autonomic nervous system that produces rapid physical arousal in response to perceived emergencies or threats

37
Q

Parasympathetic Nervous System

A

Branch of the autonomic nervous system that maintains normal bodily functions and conserves the body’s physical resources

38
Q

Endocrine System

A

System of glands located throughout the body that secrete hormones into the bloodstream

39
Q

Hormones

A

Chemical messengers secreted into the bloodstream by endocrine glands

40
Q

Pineal Gland

A

Produces melatonin, which helps regulates sleep-wake cycles

41
Q

Thyroid Gland

A

Controls body metabolism rate

42
Q

Pancreas

A

Regulates blood sugar and insulin levels; involved in hunger

43
Q

Ovaries

A

Secrete estrogen and progesterone, which regulate female sexual development and reproduction and influence sexual behavior

44
Q

Testes

A

Secrete testosterone, which regulates male sexual development and reproduction and influences sexual behavior

45
Q

Pituitary Gland

A

Endocrine gland attached to the base of the brain that secretes hormones that affect the function of other glands as well as hormones that act directly on physical processes

46
Q

Adrenal Glands

A

Pair of endocrine glands that are involved in the human stress response

47
Q

Adrenal Cortex

A

Outer portion of the adrenal glands

48
Q

Adrenal Medulla

A

The inner portion of the adrenal glands; secretes epinephrine and norepinephrine

49
Q

Gonads

A

The endocrine glands that secrete hormones that regulate sexual characteristics and reproductive processes; ovaries in females and testes in males

50
Q

Phrenology

A

A discredited pseudoscientific theory of the brain that claimed that personality characteristics, moral character, and intelligence could be determined by examining the bumps on a person’s skull

51
Q

Cortical Localization

A

The notion that different functions are located or localized in different areas of the brain; also referred to as localization of function

52
Q

EEG (Electroencephalograph)

A

An instrument that produces a graphic record of the brain’s electrical activity by using electrodes placed on the scalp

53
Q

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

A

An imaging technique that provides three-dimensional, highly detailed images of the brain using electrical signals generated by the brain in response to magnetic fields

54
Q

PET Scan (Positron Emission Tomography)

A

An imaging technique that provides color-coded images of the brain activity by measuring the amount of a radioactive compound, glucose, or oxygen used in different brain regions

55
Q

fMRI (Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

A

An imaging technique that uses magnetic fields to map brain activity by measuring changes in the brain’s blood supply during different mental activities

56
Q

Cognitive Neuroscience

A

The study of the neural basis of cognitive process that integrates contributions from psychology, neuroscience, and computer science

57
Q

Neurogenesis

A

The development of new neurons

58
Q

Brainstem

A

A region of the brain made up of the hindbrain and the midbrain

59
Q

Hindbrain

A

A region at the base of the brain that contains several structures that regulate basic life functions

60
Q

Medulla

A

A hindbrain structure that controls vital life functions such as breathing and circulation

61
Q

Pons

A

A hindbrain structure that connects the medulla to the two sides of the cerebellum; helps coordinate and integrate movements on each side of the body

62
Q

Cerebellum

A

A large, two-sided hindbrain structure at the back of the brain responsible for muscle coordination and maintaining posture and equilibrium

63
Q

Reticular Formation

A

A network of nerve fibers located in the center of the medulla that helps regulate attention, arousal, and sleep; also called the reticular activating system

64
Q

Midbrain

A

The middle and smallest brain regions involved in processing auditory and visual sensory information

65
Q

Substantia Nigra

A

An area of the midbrain that is involved in motor control and contains a large concentration of dopamine-producing neurons

66
Q

Forebrain

A

The largest and most complex brain region, which contains centers for complex behaviors and mental processes; also called the cerebrum

67
Q

Cerebral Cortex

A

The wrinkled outer portion of the forebrain. which contains the most sophisticated brain centers

68
Q

Cerebral Hemispheres

A

The nearly symmetrical left and right halves of the cerebral cortex

69
Q

Corpus Callosum

A

A thick band of nerve fibers that connects the two cerebral hemispheres and acts as a communication link between them

70
Q

Temporal Lobe

A

An area on each hemisphere of the cerebral cortex near the temples that is the primary receiving area for auditory information

71
Q

Occipital Lobe

A

An area at the back of each cerebral hemisphere that is the primary receiving area for visual information

72
Q

Parietal Lobe

A

An area on each hemisphere of the cerebral cortex located above the temporal love that processes somatic sensations

73
Q

Frontal Lobe

A

The largest lobe of each cerebral hemisphere; processes voluntary muscle movements and is involved in thinking, planning, and emotional control

74
Q

Limbic System

A

A group of forebrain structures that form a border around the brainstem and are involved in emotion, motivation, learning, and memory

75
Q

Hippocampus

A

A curved forebrain structure that is part of the limbic system and is involved in learning and forming new memories

76
Q

Thalamus

A

A forebrain structure that processes sensory information for all senses. except smell, and relays it to the cerebral cortex

77
Q

Hypothalamus

A

A peanut-sized forebrain structure that is part of the limbic system and regulates behaviors related to survival, such as eating, drinking, and sexual activity

78
Q

Amygdala

A

An almond-shaped forebrain structure that is part of the limbic system and is involved in emotion and memory

79
Q

Lateralization of Function

A

The notion that specific psychological or cognitive functions are processed primarily on one side of the brain

80
Q

Aphasia

A

The partial or complete inability to articulate ideas or understand spoken or written language because of brain injury or damage

81
Q

Split-Brain Operation

A

A surgical procedure that involves cutting the corpus callosum

82
Q

(Pierre Paul) Broca

A

French surgeon and neuroanatomist who in 1861 discovered an area on the lower left frontal lobe of the cerebral cortex that, when damaged, produces speech disturbances but no loss of comprehension

83
Q

(Karl) Wernicke

A

German neurologist who in 1874 discovered an area on the left temporal lobe of the cerebral cortex that , when damaged, produces meaningless or nonsensical speech and difficulties in verbal or written comprehension

84
Q

(Roger) Sperry

A

American psychologist who received the Nobel Prize in 1981 for his pioneering research on brain specialization in split-brain patients

Neuroscience (1 decks)

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