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Intro To Psychology > Section 2 > Flashcards

Section 2 Flashcards

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1
Q

What is a neuron?

A

A cell that receives signals, processes these signals, and sends new signals to muscles or organs; the basic unit of the nervous system

Neurons are essential for communication within the nervous system.

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2
Q

What is the function of dendrites?

A

Receive signals from other neurons

Dendrites are tree-like structures that increase the surface area for receiving signals.

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3
Q

What does the cell body of a neuron contain?

A

The nucleus that regulates function

The cell body is essential for maintaining the health and function of the neuron.

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4
Q

What are terminal buttons?

A

Release chemicals into the space between neurons when activated

Terminal buttons are critical for neurotransmission.

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5
Q

What is the role of the cell membrane in a neuron?

A

Protects the neuron

The cell membrane controls the movement of substances in and out of the neuron.

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6
Q

What is the myelin sheath?

A

A fatty layer that covers/protects the axon

Myelin sheath helps increase the speed of signal transmission along the axon.

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7
Q

What is the axon?

A

A long cable-like structure that conveys signals to other neurons, muscles, or bodily organs

Axons can vary in length and are crucial for communication.

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8
Q

Define synapse.

A

The place between two neurons including the sending and receiving portions and the space between them

Synapses are vital for neuronal communication.

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9
Q

What is the synaptic cleft?

A

The gap between the axon of one neuron and the membrane of another, across which communication occurs

The synaptic cleft is where neurotransmitters are released.

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10
Q

What are the three parts to the Synapse ?

A

The portion of the Axon that sends the message
The portion of receiving neuron that receives message
The space between the axon and receiving neurons

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11
Q

What are neurotransmitters?

A

Chemicals that carry a signal from the terminal button of one neuron to the dendrite or cell body of another neuron.

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12
Q

What is acetylcholine’s role?

A

Muscle contraction, memory, and arousal.

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13
Q

What does dopamine influence?

A

Motivation, reward, movement, thoughts, and learning.

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14
Q

What is the function of norepinephrine?

A

Dreaming and attention.

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15
Q

What is glutamate known for?

A

It is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter involved in learning and memory.

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16
Q

What does endorphin modulate?

A

Pain perception.

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17
Q

What is serotonin’s primary role?

A

It is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter regulating mood and sleep.

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18
Q

What is the function of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)?

A

It inhibits sending neurons.

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19
Q

What do endocannabinoids affect?

A

Memory, attention, emotion, movement control, and appetite.

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20
Q

What is reuptake?

A

Reabsorption of neurotransmitters.

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21
Q

What are receptors?

A

Sites on a dendrite or cell body where a neurotransmitter molecule attaches.

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22
Q

What is excitatory input?

A

Making a neuron more likely to have an impulse.

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23
Q

What is inhibitory input?

A

Making a neuron less likely to have an impulse.

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24
Q

What are glial cells?

A

Cells that help neurons form synapses and connections during brain development.

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25
How do glial cells support neurons?
They cushion neurons, clean up dead remains, dispose of excess neurotransmitters, and provide nutrients.
26
How do glial cells communicate?
By passing chemicals directly through their walls.
27
What are the two main parts of the Nervous System?
The two main parts are the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) and the Central Nervous System (CNS).
28
What does the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) do?
The PNS affects the organs of the body and receives information from them.
29
What are the two parts of the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)?
The two parts are the Automatic Nervous System and the Somatic Nervous System.
30
What does the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) control?
The ANS controls smooth muscles in the body, some glandular functions, and many self-regulating activities such as digestion and circulation.
31
What is the function of the Somatic Nervous System (SNS)?
The SNS allows us to function in the world, including conveying information from sensory organs to the brain and triggering muscles and glands.
32
What does the Parasympathetic Nervous System do?
The Parasympathetic Nervous System helps calm down muscles and directs oxygen back to slower processes like digestion (rest & digest).
33
What is the largest conduit for information going to and from the brain?
The largest conduit is the spinal cord.
34
What are the two main functions of the spinal cord?
The spinal cord has two main functions: it sends brain commands to the body (front) and registers information from the sense of touch to the brain (back).
35
What does the Sympathetic system do ?
Fight or Flight, used in emergencies, when triggered more oxygen flow into muscle, vision improves
36
How many lobes is the brain divided into?
The brain is divided into four lobes.
37
What are the four lobes of the brain?
Occipital, Temporal, Parietal, and Frontal.
38
Where is the Occipital lobe located?
At the back of the brain.
39
Where is the Temporal lobe located?
Below the temples, in front of the ears.
40
Where is the Parietal lobe located?
In the upper rear portion of the brain, above the Occipital lobe.
41
What is the Corpus Callosum?
A large bundle of axons that connects the two halves of the brain.
42
What is the Cerebral Cortex?
The convoluted pinkish-grey outer layer of the brain where mental processes arise.
43
What are Sulci?
Creases in the cerebral cortex.
44
What are Gyri?
Bumps between sulci in the cerebral cortex.
45
What does the Occipital lobe process?
Signals from the eyes related to shape, color, and motion. ## Footnote Damage to the lobe impairs vision.
46
What does the Temporal lobe process?
Sound and new information to memory, as well as strong visual memories and language comprehension. ## Footnote Located in front of the ears.
47
What is the role of the frontal lobes?
The frontal lobes are involved in planning, memory search, motor control, speech, reasoning, and emotions.
48
What does the motor strip do?
The motor strip, or primary motor cortex, is composed of gyri that control fine movements, organized by body part.
49
What is a split-brain patient?
A split-brain patient is a person whose corpus callosum has been severed for medical reasons.
50
What is the function of the thalamus?
The thalamus relays impulses and sensory information to and from the cortex, and controls sleep and attention.
51
What happens if the thalamus is badly damaged?
If the thalamus is badly damaged, the patient may die despite medical intervention.
52
What is the role of the hypothalamus?
The hypothalamus plays a central role in controlling eating, drinking, body temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, and hormonal behavior.
53
What is the function of the hippocampus?
The hippocampus is a subcortical structure that allows new information to be stored in the memory bank.
54
What does the amygdala do?
The amygdala is involved in fear and other strong emotions such as anger.
55
What is the limbic system?
The limbic system is a set of brain areas, including the hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus, involved in emotion, learning, and memory.
56
What are the Parietal Lobes?
The Parietal Lobes are located at the top rear of the brain.
57
What functions are the Parietal Lobes involved in?
The Parietal Lobes are involved in attention, arithmetic, touch, and registration of spatial location.
58
What is the brainstem?
A set & structure at the base of the brain that leads information into and receives information from the spinal cord.
59
What is the medulla?
The lowest part of the lower brainstem, which plays a central role in automatic control, breathing, swallowing, and blood circulation.
60
What is reticular formation?
An activating system that helps keep you awake and receives input from the hypothalamus to produce nervous system reactions.
61
What is the reticular activating system?
One of the two main parts of the reticular formation.
62
What is the pons?
A bridge between the medulla and midbrain, also connecting the upper parts of the brain to the cerebellum.
63
What is the cerebellum?
A large structure at the base of the brain concerned with physical coordination, estimation of time, and paying attention.
64
What is the brainstem?
A set & structure at the base of the brain that leads information into and receives information from the spinal cord.
65
What is the medulla?
The lowest part of the lower brainstem, which plays a central role in automatic control, breathing, swallowing, and blood circulation.
66
What is reticular formation?
An activating system that helps keep you awake and receives input from the hypothalamus to produce nervous system reactions.
67
What is the reticular activating system?
One of the two main parts of the reticular formation.
68
What is the pons?
A bridge between the medulla and midbrain, also connecting the upper parts of the brain to the cerebellum.
69
What is the cerebellum?
A large structure at the base of the brain concerned with physical coordination, estimation of time, and paying attention.
70
What are hormones?
Hormones are produced by glands in the endocrine system and can act as neurotransmitter substances.
71
What is the pituitary gland known as?
The pituitary gland is known as the 'master gland' because its hormones control all other glands.
72
What does the thyroid gland control?
The thyroid gland controls the metabolic rate of cells and regulates growth and metabolism.
73
What is the role of the pancreas?
The pancreas plays an essential role in digestion and the regulation of blood sugar.
74
What are hormones?
Hormones are produced by glands in the endocrine system and can act as neurotransmitter substances.
75
What is the pituitary gland known as?
The pituitary gland is known as the 'master gland' because its hormones control all other glands.
76
What does the thyroid gland control?
The thyroid gland controls the metabolic rate of cells and regulates growth and metabolism.
77
What is the role of the pancreas?
The pancreas plays an essential role in digestion and the regulation of blood sugar.
78
What is sensation?
Sensation is the process of receiving data about the world through the senses.
79
What are the two types of processing in sensation?
Bottom-Up and Top-Down processing.
80
What is Bottom-Up processing?
Bottom-Up processing is triggered by physical energy striking receptor cells.
81
What is Top-Down processing?
Top-Down processing is guided by knowledge, expectation, or belief.
82
What is the primary means to receive data about the world?
Sight, which makes up the largest portion of brain operation.
83
How does vision work?
Specialized receptor cells at the back of the eyes send neural signals to the brain.
84
Where does processing occur for vision?
Processing occurs in the eyes and subcortical structures before the cerebral cortex.
85
What initiates auditory sensation?
Auditory sensation begins when sound waves strike the ear.
86
What are the inner ear structures involved in balance?
The inner ear contains three loops called semicircular canals.
87
What movements do the semicircular canals detect?
They detect up-down, side-side, and tilting movements.
88
What is the 'Lock and Key' theory in smell?
The 'Lock and Key' theory states that olfactory receptors only allow certain molecules to fit.
89
What is the connection between smell and taste?
Smell and taste are often referred to as the 'chemical senses.'
90
How often are taste receptor cells replaced?
Taste receptor cells are replaced approximately every 10 days.
91
What does somesthetic sense include?
Somesthetic sense includes touch, pain, temperature sensitivity, and vestibular sense.
92
What are the two phases of perceiving through vision?
1. Organization into coherent units: objects are organized into shapes. 2. Identifying what you see: recognizing specific objects like a book instead of a bed.
93
What is a threshold in perception?
The point at which stimuli activate receptor cells strongly enough to be sensed.
94
What is the absolute threshold?
The magnitude of a stimulus needed, on average, for an observer to detect it half the time it is present.
95
What does pitch refer to?
How high or low a sound seems.
96
What is the Cocktail Party Phenomenon?
The ability to focus on a single conversation in a noisy environment, suddenly hearing your name mentioned.
97
What is dichotic listening?
An effect that occurs when a person hears different stimuli in each ear and must focus on one set while ignoring the other.

Intro To Psychology (6 decks)

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