Unit 3 Biological Basis

Question 1

the scientific study of the links between biological and psychological processes

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

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

Answer 6

Action potential

Question 7

a period of inactivity after a neuron has fired

Answer 7

Refactory period

Question 8

the level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse

Answer 8

threshold

Question 9

a neuron’s reaction of either firing (with a full-strength response) or not firing.

Answer 9

all-or-none response

Question 10

the junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron

Answer 10

synapse

Question 11

Chemical messengers, across the synapse, bind with receptors on dendrites

Answer 11

neurotransmitters

Question 12

a neurotransmitter’s reabsorption by the sending neuron

Answer 12

reuptake

Question 13

“morphine within”–natural, opiatelike neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure.

Answer 13

endorphins

Question 14

a molecule that, by binding to a receptor site, stimulates a response

Answer 14

Agonist

Question 15

a molecule that, by binding to a receptor site, inhibits or blocks a response

Answer 15

antagonist

Question 16

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

Answer 16

nervous system

Question 17

brain and spinal cord

Answer 17

Central nervous system (CNS)

Question 18

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

Answer 18

Peripheral nervous system (PNS)

Question 19

bundled axons that form neural “cables” connecting the central nervous system with muscles, glands, and sense organs

Answer 19

Nerves

Question 20

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

Answer 20

Sensory (afferent) nuerons

Question 21

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

Answer 21

Motor (efferent) nuerons

Question 22

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

Answer 22

Internuerons

Question 23

the division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body’s skeletal muscles

Answer 23

Somatic nervous system

Question 24

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

Answer 24

autonomic nervous system

Question 25

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

Answer 25

sympathetic nervous system

Question 26

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

Answer 26

parasympathetic nervous system

Question 27

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

Answer 27

Reflex

Question 28

the body's "slow" chemical communication system; a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream

Answer 28

endocrine system

Question 29

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

Answer 29

Hormones

Question 30

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

Answer 30

Adernal glands

Question 31

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

Answer 31

Pituitary glands

Question 32

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

Answer 32

Leison

Question 33

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

Answer 33

Electroencephalogram (EGG)

Question 34

a series of X-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by computer into a composite representation of a slice through the body. Also called CAT scan.

Answer 34

CT (computed tomography) scan

Question 35

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

Answer 35

PET (position emission tomography) scan

Question 36

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

Answer 36

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)

Question 37

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

Answer 37

fMRI (functional MRI)

Question 38

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 38

Brainstem

Question 39

the base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing

Answer 39

Medulla

Question 40

the brain's sensory control center, 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 40

Thalamus

Question 41

a nerve network that travels through the brainstem and thalamus and plays an important role in controlling arousal

Answer 41

Reticular formation

Question 42

the "little brain" at the rear of the brainstem; functions include processing sensory input and coordinating movement output and balance

Answer 42

Cerebellum

Question 43

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

Answer 43

limbic system

Question 44

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

Answer 44

amygdala

Question 45

A neural structure lying below 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 45

Hypothalamus

Question 46

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

Answer 46

Cerebral cortex

Question 47

cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons

Answer 47

Gilal cells (glia)

Question 48

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

Answer 48

Frontol lobes

Question 49

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 49

parietal lobes

Question 50

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

Answer 50

occipital lobes

Question 51

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

Answer 51

temporal lobe

Question 52

an area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements

Answer 52

motor cortex

Question 53

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

Answer 53

Somatosensory cortex