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AP Psych- Brain Unit

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the bushy branching extensions of a neuron that receives messages and conduct impulses toward the cell body (class demonstration where everybody stood in a line, one person had hairspray, etc.
two extensions of a neuron ending in branching terminal fibers though which messages pass to other neurons to muscles/ glands
a layer of fatty tissue segmentally encasing the fibers of neurons, helps speed impulses
a neural impulse- a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon. generated by movement of a positively charged atoms (class experiment where we all stood in a line and people were assigned different parts of the axon... etc.)
junction between axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron
a resting pause
the level of stimulation required to trigger neuron impulses
same as excitatory or inhibitory signals
a neuron doesn't "kind of" fire, it fires
chemical messengers that traverse the synaptic gaps between neurons. when released by the neuron, they travel across the synapse and bind the receptor sites
excite by mimicking neurotransmitters and stopping reuptake
inhibit by blocking receptors
terminal button holds onto chemical to make sure that too much doesn't go through
the electrical cables that bundled axons connect to the CNS with muscles, glands, and sense organs (part of the PNS)
neurons that carry incoming information from the sense receptors to the CNS
CNS neurons that internally communicate and intervene between sensory inputs and motor outputs
neurons that carry outgoing information from the CNS to muslces and glands
the sensory and motor neurons that connect the CNS to the rest of the body
the division of PNS that controls the body's skeletal muscles (also called the skeletal nervous system)
part of PNS that controls glands and the muscles of the internal organs (like the heart)
division of automatic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy in stressful situations
the division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy
the brain and spinal cord
automatic response to sensory stimulus (for example, when we touch fire, we pull away BEFORE we realize that we're in pain)
interconnected neural cells
the oldest part and central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull
the base of the brainstem (controls heartbeat and breathing)
a nerve network in the brainstem that plays an important role in controlling arousal (green playdo)
the brains sensory switchboard that directs messages to sensory receiving areas in cortex
the "little brain" attached to the rear of the brainstem. processes sensory imput and coordinates movement and balance
assiciated with emotions (fear and aggression) and drives (hunger, thirst, and sex)
related to making NEW memories
related to emotions such as aggression and fear
area known as dream center and sleep wake cycle
tissue destruction (naturally or experimentally)
an amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity that sweep across our brains surface
an x-ray of the brain
a visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task
uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images that distinguish among different types of soft tissue
reveals blood flow and brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans (shows the function)
intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells that cover the cerebral hemispheres (bodys ultimate control and information processing center)
portion of the cerebral cortex lying below the forehead, involved in speech , muscle movement, and planning judgements
cells in nervous system that support , nourish, and protect neurons
at the top of the head and towards the rear; receives sensory input for touch and body position
at the back of the head; includes all visual areas which receive visual information from opposite visual fields
right above ears; includes auditory information primarily from opposite ears
a neural structure lying below the thalamus, directs several maintenance activities (like eating, drinking, etc.)
an area at the rear of the frontal lobes that control voluntary movement
area at the front of parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations
not involved in primary motor/sensory functions, involved in mental functions like learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking
impairment of language
controls language-area in frontal lobe, directs muscle movement involved in speech
controls language reception (in teh left temporal lobe)
large band of neural fibers connecting two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them
right handed people are controlled by the opposite lateral side of the brain for motor control
chemical messengers, mostly those manufactured by the endocrine glands
a pair of endocrine glands above the kidneys (helps arouse body in times of stress)
most influential gland, located in core of the brain; it releases hormones (ex. triggers sex glands to release sex hormones)
the bodys slow chemical communication system
chemical that enables muscle action, learning MEMORY, aggression
chemical released with attention, learning, motion, emotion, REWARDS
chemical involved in mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal
moderates neuron firing, involved in movement and regulation of anxiety
control pain and pleasure (released when exercise)
the main excitatory transmitter involved in schizophrenia
another word for hemispheric specialization
hemisphere of brain that specializes in visual-spatial processing and quick thinking (abstract)
hemisphere of brain that specializes in speaking, calculating, logic, language processing (concrete)
brain's capacity for modification after damage

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