PSYC 2

Question 1

The scientific study of the links between biological (genetic, neural, hormonal) and psychological processes. (Some biological psychologists call themselves behavioral neuroscientists, neuropsychologists, behavior geneticists, physiological psychologists, or biopsychologists.)

Answer 1

Biological Psychology

Question 2

A nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system.

Answer 2

Neuron

Question 3

A neuron’s bushy, branching extensions that receive messages and conduct impulses toward the cell body.

Answer 3

Dendrites

Question 4

The neuron extension that passes messages through its branches to other neurons or to muscles or glands.

Answer 4

Axon

Question 5

A fatty tissue layer segmentally encasing the axons of some neurons; enables vastly greater transmission speed as neural impulses hop from one node to the next.

Answer 5

Myelin Sheath

Question 6

Cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons; they may also play a role in learning and thinking.

Answer 6

Glial Cells (Glia)

Question 7

A neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon.

Answer 7

Action Potential

Question 8

The level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse.

Answer 8

Threshold

Question 9

The junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron. The tiny gap at this junction is called the synaptic gap or synaptic cleft.

Answer 9

Synapse

Question 10

Chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons. When released by the sending neuron, neurotransmitters travel across the synapse and bind to receptor sites on the receiving neuron, thereby influencing whether that neuron will generate a neural impulse.

Answer 10

Neurotransmitters

Question 11

“Morphine within” - natural, opiate-like neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure.

Answer 11

Endorphins

Question 12

The body’s speedy, electrochemical communication network, consisting f all the nerve cells of the peripheral and central nervous systems.

Answer 12

Nervous System

Question 13

The brain and spinal cord.

Answer 13

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Question 14

The sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system (CNS) to the rest of the body.

Answer 14

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Question 15

Bundled axons that form neural “cables” connecting the central nervous systems with muscles, glands, and sense organs.

Answer 15

Nerves

Question 16

Neurons that carry incoming information from the sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord.

Answer 16

Sensory (Afferent) Neurons

Question 17

Neurons that carry outgoing information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands.

Answer 17

Motor (Efferent) Neurons

Question 18

Neurons within the brain and spinal cord that communicate internally and intervene between the sensory inputs and motor outputs.

Answer 18

Interneurons

Question 19

The division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body’s skeletal muscles. Also called the skeletal nervous system.

Answer 19

Somatic Nervous System

Question 20

The part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and muscles of the internal organs (such as the heart). Its sympathetic division arouses; its parasympathetic division calms.

Answer 20

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

Question 21

The division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy in stressful situations.

Answer 21

Sympathetic Nervous System

Question 22

The division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy.

Answer 22

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Question 23

A simple, automatic response to a sensory stimulus, such as the knee-jerk response.

Answer 23

Reflex

Question 24

The body’s “slow” chemical communication system; a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream.

Answer 24

Endocrine System

Question 25

Chemical messengers that are manufactured by the endocrine glands, travel through the bloodstream, and affect other tissues.

Answer 25

Hormones

Question 26

A pair of endocrine glands that sit just above the kidneys and secrete hormones (epinephrine and norepinephrine) that help arouse the body in times of stress.

Answer 26

Adrenal Glands

Question 27

The endocrine system's most influential gland. Under the influence of the hypothalamus, the pituitary regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands.

Answer 27

Pituitary Gland

Question 28

Tissue destruction. A brain lesion is a naturally or experimentally caused destruction of brain tissue.

Answer 28

Lesion

Question 29

The oldest part and central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull; the brainstem is responsible for automatic survival functions.

Answer 29

Brainstem

Question 30

The base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing.

Answer 30

Medulla

Question 31

The brains sensory router, located on top of the brainstem; it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla.

Answer 31

Thalamus

Question 32

A nerve network that travels through the brainstem and plays an important role in controlling arousal.

Answer 32

Reticular Formation

Question 33

An amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity sweeping across the brain's surface. These waves are measured by electrodes placed on the scalp.

Answer 33

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

Question 34

A visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task.

Answer 34

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan

Question 35

A technique that uses magnetic fields and waves to produce computer-generated images of soft tissue. MRI scans show brain anatomy.

Answer 35

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Question 36

A technique for revealing bloodflow and, therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans. fMRI scans show brain function.

Answer 36

Functional MRI (fMRI)

Question 37

The "little brain" at the rear of the brainstem; functions include processing sensory input, coordinating movement output and balance, and enabling nonverbal learning and memory.

Answer 37

Cerebellum

Question 38

Neural system (including the hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus) located below the cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions and drives.

Answer 38

Limbic System

Question 39

Two lima-bean-sized neural clusters in the limbic system; linked to emotion.

Answer 39

Amygdala

Question 40

A neural structure lying below (hypo) the thalamus; it directs several maintenance activities (eating, drinking, body temperature), helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion and reward.

Answer 40

Hypothalamus

Question 41

The intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering the cerebral hemispheres; the body's ultimate control and information-processing center.

Answer 41

Cerebral Cortex

Question 42

Portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead; involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgments.

Answer 42

Frontal Lobes

Question 43

Portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head and toward the rear; receives sensory input for touch and body position.

Answer 43

Parietal Lobes

Question 44

Portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head; includes areas that receive information from the visual fields.

Answer 44

Occipital Lobes

Question 45

Portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears; includes the auditory areas, each receiving information primarily from the opposite ear.

Answer 45

Temporal Lobes

Question 46

An area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements.

Answer 46

Motor Cortex

Question 47

Area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations.

Answer 47

Sensory Cortex

Question 48

Areas of the cerebral cortex that are not involved in primary motor or sensory functions; rather, they are involved in higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking.

Answer 48

Association Areas

Question 49

The brain's ability to change, especially during childhood, be reorganizing after damage or by building new pathways based on experience.

Answer 49

Plasticity

Question 50

The formation of new neurons.

Answer 50

Neurogenesis

Question 51

The large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them.

Answer 51

Corpus Callosum

Question 52

A condition resulting from surgery that isolates the brain's two hemispheres by cutting the fibers (mainly those of the corpus callosum) connecting them.

Answer 52

Split Brain

Question 53

Every nongenetic influence, from prenatal nutrition to the people and things around us.

Answer 53

Environment

Question 54

The study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior.

Answer 54

Behavior Genetics

Question 55

Threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes.

Answer 55

Chromosomes

Question 56

A complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes.

Answer 56

Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)

Question 57

The biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosomes; segments of DNA capable of synthesizing proteins.

Answer 57

Genes

Question 58

Twins who develop from a single (monozygotic) fertilized egg that splits in two, creating two genetically identical organisms.

Answer 58

Identical Twins

Question 59

Twins who develop from separate (dizygotic) fertilized eggs. They are genetically no closer than ordinary brothers and sisters, but they share a fetal environment.

Answer 59

Fraternal Twins

Question 60

The interplay that occurs when the effect of one factor (such as environment) depends on another factor (such as heredity).

Answer 60

Interaction

Question 61

The study of environmental influences on gene expression that occur without a DNA change.

Answer 61

Epigenetics

Question 62

The study of the evolution of behavior and the mind, using principles of natural selection.

Answer 62

Evolutionary Psychology

Question 63

The principle that, among the range of inherited trait variations, those contributing to reproduction and survival will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations.

Answer 63

Natural Selection

Question 64

A random error in gene replication that leads to a change.

Answer 64

Mutation