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AP Psychology Biology of Psychology Flashcards

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7624246196Action potentialA neural impulse: a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon, The action potential is generated by the movement of positively changed atoms in and out of channels in the axon's membrane.0
7624246197Adrenal glandsA pair of endocrine glands just above the kidneys. The adrenals secrete the hormones epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine (noradrenaline), which help to arouse the body in times of stress.1
7624246198AmygdalaTwo lima bean-sized neural clusters that are components of the limbic system and are linked to emotion.2
7624246199AntagonistInhibit neural impulses by blocking receptor sites or diminishing their release.3
7624246201Autonomic nervous systemThe 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.4
7624246202AxonThe extension of a neuron, ending in branching terminal fibers, through which messages pass to other neurons of to muscles or glands.5
7624246203Biopsychology (biological psychology)A branch of psychology concerned with the links between biology and behavior. (some biological psychologists call themselves behavioral neuroscientists, neuropsychologists, behavior genetics, physiological psychologists, or bio-psychologists.)6
7624246204Behavioral geneticsThe study of the relative power and limits of genetic ad environmental influences on behavior.7
7624246205BrainstemThe oldest part and central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull: the brain-stem is responsible for automatic survival functions.8
7624246206Central nervous system (CNS)The brain and spinal cord.9
7624246207CerebellumThe "little brain" attached to the rear of the brain-stem; its functions include processing sensory input and coordinating movement output and balance.10
7624246208Cerebral cortexThe intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells that cover the cerebral hemispheres: the body's ultimate control and information-processing center.11
7624246209Corpus callosumThe large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them.12
7624246210DendritesThe bushy, branching extensions of a neuron that receive messages and conduct impulses toward the cell body.13
7624246211Electroencephalogram (EEG)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.14
7624246212Endocrine systemThe body's 'slow" chemical communication system:set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream.15
7624246213Endorphins"Morphine within"-natural, opiatelike neurotransmitters linked to plain control and to pleasure.16
7624246214ForebrainThe largest and most complex region of the brain, encompassing a variety of structures, including he thalamus, hypothalamus, limbic system, and cerebrum.17
7624246215Glial callCells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protects neurons.18
7624246216HindbrainIncludes the cerebellum and two structures found in the lower part of the brain-stem, the medulla and pons.19
7624246217HormonesChemical messengers, mostly those manufactured by the endocrine glands, that are produced in one tissue and effect another.20
7624246218HypothalamusA neural structure lying below (hypo) the thalamus: is directs several maintenance activities (eating,drinking,body temperature), helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion.21
7624246219InterneuronsCentral nervous system neurons that internally communicate and intervene between the sensory inputs and motor outputs.22
7624246220LesioningTissue destruction, a naturally or experimentally caused destruction of brain tissue.23
7624246221Limbic systemA doughnut-shaped system of neuronal structures at the border of the brain-stem and cerebral hemispheres: associated with emotions such as fear and aggression and dives such as those for food and sex. Includes the hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus.24
7624246222(MRI) Magnetic resonance imagingA technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images that distinguish among different types of soft tissues: allows us to see structures within the brain.25
7624246223MedullaThe base of the brain-stem: controls heartbeat and breathing.26
7624246224FMRI) Functional MRIA technique for revealing blood flow and, therefore, brain actity by comparing successive MRI scans. MRI scans show brain anatomy: FMRI scans show brain function.27
7624246225MidbrainThe segment of the brain-stem that lies between the hindbrian and forebrain.28
7624246226Myelin sheathA layer of fatty tissue segmentally encasing the fibers pf many neurons: enables vastly greater transmission speed of neural impulses as the impulse hops from one node to the next.29
7624246227NervesNeural "cables' containing many axons. These bundled axons, which are part of the peripheral nervous system, connect the central nervous system with muscles, glands, and sense organs.30
7624246228Neural networksInterconnected neural cells. With experience, networks can learn, as feedback strengthens or inhibits connections that produce certain results. Computer stimulation's or neural networks show analogous learning.31
7624246229NeuronA nerve cell: the basic building block of the nervous system32
7624246230NeurotransmittersChemical messengers that traverse 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 weather that neuron will generate a neural impulse.33
7624246231Parasympathetic nervous systemThe division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy.34
7624246232Peripheral nervous system (PNS)The sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system (CNS) to the rest of the body.35
7624246233Pituitary glandThe endocrine system's most influential gland. Under the influence of the hypothalamus, the pituitary regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands. Master gland36
7624246235(PET) Positron emission tomographyA visual display of the brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task.37
7624246236ReflexA simple, automatic, inborn response to a sensory stimulus, such as the knee-jerk response.38
7624246237Resting potentialNeuron is in its normal, resting state. Ions within the cell give the axon a small negative charge, fluid outside is positive charged.39
7624246238Reticular FormationA nerve network in the brain-stem that plays an important role in controlling arousal.40
7624246239Somatic nervous systemThe division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body's skeletal muscles. Also called the skeletal nervous system.41
7624246240sympathetic nervous systemThe division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy in stressful situations.42
7624246241SynapseThe junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron.43
7624246242Synapse cleftThe gap at the junction of the synapse.44
7624246243Terminal buttonsEnlarged area at the end of the axon; contains the synaptic vesicle.45
7624246244ThalamusThe brains sensory switchboard, located on the top of the brain-stem; it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla.46
7624246245ThresholdThe level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse.47
7624246246motor neuronsa nerve cell forming part of a pathway along which impulses pass from the brain or spinal cord to a muscle or gland.48
7624246247Broca's Areapart of the brain that is responsible for speech production49
7624246248wernicke's areapart of the brain that is responsible for understanding spoken language50
7624246249split brain patientscorpus collosum is severed, two hemispheres of the brain don't communicate as effectively51
7624246250afferent neuronscarries nerve impulses from sensory receptors or sense organs toward the central nervous system.52
7624246251efferent neuronsNeurons that send impulses from the central nervous system to your limbs and organs53
7624246252occipital lobeThe occiptial lobe is important to being able to correctly understand what your eyes are seeing.54
7624246253temporal lobemainly revolves around hearing and selective listening.55
7624246254parietal lobeprocesses sensory information56
7624246255absolute refractory periodthe period immediately following the firing of a nerve fiber when it cannot be stimulated no matter how great a stimulus is applied57
7624246260cell bodylife support center of the neuron58
7624246261synapsethe gap between two neurons were nuerotransmitters are released59
7624246262Fight or Flightactivated by the Sympathetic Nervous system. When a person is "aroused" pupils dilate, heart and breathing rates increase to prepare body for action60
7624246263Rest and Digestactivated by the Parasympathetic, calms the body61
7624246264Ponsthis structure connects the medulla to the cerebellum and releases chemicals for sleep and regulates brain activity during sleep62
7624246265Hippocampusstructure that helps forming long term memories and spatial memories63
7624246266Frontal LobeLobe chiefly associated with cognition, memory, personality, judgment, and problem solving64

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