PSYCH > Week 3 + Chapter 4 > Flashcards

Week 3 + Chapter 4 Flashcards

Biology and the Brain (73 cards)

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1
Q

Dualism

A

The idea that our mind is somehow separate from our physical being.

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2
Q

Biological Psychology or behavioral neuroscience

A

The scientific study of the reciprocal connection between the structure and activity of the nervous system and behavior and mental processes.

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3
Q

Amygdala

A

Part of the limbic system associated with emotional processing

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4
Q

Hippocampus

A

Part of the limbic system associated with storing memories

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5
Q

Hypothalamus

A

Small area of the brain that regulated emotional behaviors and basic biological needs

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6
Q

Spinal Cord

A

Column of nerves that transmit information between the brain and the peripheral nervous system

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7
Q

Somatic Nervous System

A

Network linking spinal cord with the body and sense organs

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8
Q

Autonomic Nervous System

A

The collection or axons that carry information to and from internal organs and glands

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9
Q

Sympathetic Nervous System

A

Division of the autonomic nervous system that coordinates arousal

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10
Q

Parasympathetic Nervous System

A

Part of the autonomic nervous system that quiets the body and conserves energy

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11
Q

Cerebral Cortex

A

Thin outer covering of the brain in which high-level processes take place

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12
Q

Corpus Callosum

A

The thick bundle of fibers that connects the two cerebral hemispheres

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13
Q

Reticular Formation

A

Collection of cells and fibers in the hindbrain and midbrain involved in arousal and attention

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14
Q

Axons

A

Fiber that carries information away from the cell body of a neuron

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15
Q

Dendrites

A

Neurons that receive incoming messages

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16
Q

Medulla

A

Structure that connects the brain with the spinal cord and control vital life functions

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17
Q

Cerebellum

A

Structure in the hindbrain involved in controlling coordination and balance

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18
Q

Thalamus

A

Brian structure that relays sensory information to the cerebral cortex

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19
Q

Pituitary Gland

A

Master gland of the endocrine system that controls the actions of all other glands

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20
Q

Frontal Lobe

A

Areas of the cortex associated with movement, the sense of self, and higher mental function

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21
Q

Temporal Lobe

A

Areas of the cortex that include the sites in which hearing registers

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22
Q

Parietal Lobe

A

Areas of the cortex in which bodily sensations register

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23
Q

Occipital Lobe

A

Cortical area at the back of the brain that plays a role in visual processing

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24
Q

Acetycholine

A

Neurotransmitter related to muscle movement and heart rate

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25
Neurotransmitter
Chemical that moves information from one nervous-system cell to another
26
Action potential
A brief change in a neuron's electrical charge
27
All-or-none principle
neurons fire action potentials all the way down the axon or not at all
28
Receptors
Areas on the surface of a neuron and other cells that is sensitive to neurotransmitters and hormones
29
Association Cortex
Part of the cortex involved in integrating information from its motor-sensory area
30
Synapse
Microscopic space over which messages pass between two neurons
31
Electroencephalograph
Device that records electrical activity in the brain
32
Endocrine system
Network of glands that release hormones into the bloodstream.
33
Endorphins
chemicals the body produces that have painkilling and pleasure effects.
34
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)
technique that records activity levels in various areas of the brain
35
Glial Cells
Components of the nervous system that provide various types of support for neurons
36
Hormone
Chemical released by the endocrine glands
37
Limbic System
Set of brain structures that play important roles in regulating emotion and memory
38
Midbrain
brain structure that connects the hindbrain to the forebrain
39
Motor Cortex
Region of the frontal lobes involved in regulating body movement
40
Motor Neurons
Cells in the nervous system that transmit commands from the central nervous system to the muscles
41
Neurons
Cell in the nervous system that transmit information
42
Pet Scan
High-resolution imaging technique that captures brain activity by attaching radioactive particles to glucose molecules
43
Sensory Neurons
cells that transmit information from sense organs to the central nervous system
44
Myelin Sheath
improves the conduction speed of electrical impulses along the axon, but require additional space and energy.
45
Nodes of Ranvier
Specialized regions in the axonal membrane that are not insulated by myelin.
46
Action Potential
a rapid sequence of changes in the voltage across a membrane 3 Stages: - Depolarization - Repolarization - Refractory period
47
Resting Potential
The difference in charge across the membrane when a neuron is not firing.
48
Synaptic Cleft
A point of communication between two neurons.
49
Agonist
A drug or substance that binds to a receptor inside a cell or on its surface and causes the same action as the substance that normally binds to the receptor A substance (like a drug or neurotransmitter) that binds to a receptor and activates it, producing a biological response. Morphine is an agonist at opioid receptors → it mimics endorphins and reduces pain. Serotonin is a natural agonist at serotonin receptors.
50
Antagonist
is a molecule that binds to a target and prevents other molecules from binding A substance that binds to a receptor but blocks or inhibits its activity — it prevents the normal effect of the neurotransmitter or agonist.
51
Basal Ganglia
A collection of subcortical structures that participate in the control of movement.
52
Brainstem
the part of the brain containing the midbrain, pons, and medulla
53
Central Nervous System
The brain and spinal cord (a long cylinder of neural tissue extending from the medulla of the brain down to the middle of the back).
54
Cingulate Cortex
A subcortical structure above the corpus collosum. Its anterior (forward) segment participates in decision making and emotion, and its posterior (rear) segment participates in memory and visual processing.
55
Executive Function
higher level cognitive processes of planning, decision making, problem solving, action sequencing, task assignment and organization, effortful and persistent goal pursuit, inhibition of competing impulses, flexibility in goal selection, and goal-conflict resolution.
56
Glia
nervous system cells that perform a variety of support functions, including formation of the blood-brain barrier and myelin. Some provide a structural matrix for neurons ; hold neurons in place and from myelin on some axons. Some are mobile and clean up debris from damaged neurons
57
GABA
Primary Inhibitory neurotransmitter: - slows down your brain by blocking specific signals in your central nervous system (your brain and spinal cord). - known for producing a calming effect.
58
glutamate
primary excitatory neurotransmitter
59
serotonin
Mood, Impulsiveness, hunger sleep Involved with regulating sleep, appetite, mood, and aggression (which is why all these things are intertwined) Inhibitory
60
dopamine
Reward and Motivation, voluntary movement Involved with systems that govern movement, planning and rewards Drugs that produce addiction usually stimulate increased activity in dopamine circuits.
61
epinephrine
Helps maintain heart function and blood pressure
62
norepinephrine
Leads to arousal and vigilance Abnormalities in norepinephrine lead conditions such as bipolar disease and PTSD
63
Epinephrine and Norepinephrine
Both are Stress and ''fight or flight'' response
64
HPA-axis
HPA stands for: Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Adrenal Axis It’s a neuroendocrine system — meaning it connects your nervous system (brain) with your endocrine system (hormones) to regulate stress responses, mood, digestion, immune function, and more.
65
neurogenesis
The generation of new neurons New neurons are continuously generated by stem cells in two regions of the adult mammal brain; the hippocampus and the olfactory bulb
66
neuroplasticity
The ability of neurons to change in structure and function throughout the life span
67
nucleus accumbens
a subcortical structure that participates in reward and addiction
68
Orbitofrontal lobe
A part of the prefrontal cortex located right behind the eyes that participates in impulse control; plays a role in out emotional lives.
69
Peripheral Nervous system
The nerves exiting the CNS that carry sensory and motor information to and from the rest of the body. As soon as nerve branches outward from the CNS is it part of the PNS.
70
Reuptake
A process in which molecules of neurotransmitters in the synaptic gap are returned to the axon terminal from which they were released.
71
Excitatory neurotransmitters
Cause the neuron to fire (e.g. noradrenaline) - cause depolarization by opening ligand-gated sodium or calcium channels
72
Inhibitory Neurotransmitters
Block or prevent the chemical message from being passed along any farther. e.g. GABA - cause hyperpolarization by opening ligand-gated potassium or chlorine channels
73

PSYCH (11 decks)

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