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MRs. Maynard's AP Psychology Class- Chapter 2 Neuroscience and Behavior Flashcards

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8040670Biological PsychologyA branch of psychology concerned with the links between biology and behavior0
8040671NeuronA nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system1
8040672DendriteThe bushy, branching extensions of a neuron that receive messages and conduct impulses toward the cell body2
8040673AxonThe extension of a neuron, ending in branching terminal fibers, through which messages are sent to other neurons or to muscles or glands3
8040674Myelin SheathA layer of fatty tissue segmentally encasing the fibers of many neurons; enables a greater speed of neural impulses as the impulse hops from one node to the next4
8040675Action PotentialA neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon, and is generated by the movement of positively charged atoms in and out of channels in the axon's membrane5
8040676ThresholdThe level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse6
8040677SynapseThe junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron7
8042323Synaptic GapThe tiny gap at the junction between the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron8
8042324NeurotransmittersChemical messengers that transverse the synaptic gaps betwen neurons, after being released they travel across the synapse and bind receptor sites on the receiving neuron9
8042325AcetylcholineA neurotransmitter that among its fuctions, triggers muscle contraction10
8042326Endorphinsnatural, opiatelike neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure11
8042327Nervous SystemThe body's speedy electrochemical communication system, consisting of all the nerve cells of the peripheral and central nervous systems12
8042328Central Nervous SystemThe brain and spinal cord13
8042329Peripheral Nervous SystemThe sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system to the rest of the body14
8042330Nervesneural "cables" containing many axons, that connect the central nervous system with muscles, glands, and sense organs15
8042331Sensory NeuronsNeurons that carry incoming information from the sense receptors to the central nervous system16
8042332InterneuronsCentral nervous system neurons that internally communicate and intervene between the sensory imputs and motor outputs17
8042333Motor NeuronsThe neurons that carry outgoing information from the central nervous system to the muscles and glands18
8042334Somatic Nervous SystemThe division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body's skeletal muscles19
8042335Autonomic Nervous SystemThe part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organs20
8042336Sympathetic Nervous SystemThe divison of the autonomic nervous system that aroused the body, mobilizing its energy in stressful situations21
8042337Parasympathetic Nervous SystemThe division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy22
8042338ReflexA simple, automatic, inborn response to a sensory stimulus, such as the knee-jerk response23
8042339Neural NetworksInterconnected neural cells that, with experience can learn as feedback strengthens or inhibits connections that produce certain results24
8042340LesionTissue destruction25
8042341Electroencephalogram (EEG)An amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity that sweeps across the brain's surface, which are measured by electrodes placers on the scalp26
8042342CT(computed tomography) ScanA series of x-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by computer into a composite representation of a slice through the body (CAT Scan)27
8042343PET(positron emission tomography) ScanA visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task28
8042344MRI(magnetic resonance imaging)A technigue that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer generated images that distinguish among different types of soft tissue29
8042345BrainstemThe oldest part and central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells and enters the skull, and it is responsible for automatic survival functions30
8042346MedullaThe base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing31
8042347Reticular FormationA nerve network in the brainstem that plays and important role in controlling arousal32
8042348ThalamusThe brain's sensory switchboard, located on the top of the brainstem; it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla33
8042349CerebellumThe "little brain" attached to the rear of the brainstem; it helps coordinate voluntary movement and balance34
8042350Limbic SystemA doughnut-shapes system of neural structures at the bored of the brainstem and cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions like fear and aggress35
8042351Cerebral CortexThe intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells that covers the cerebral hemispheres; the body's ultimate control and information-processing center36
8042352Glial CellsCells in the nervous system that are not neurons but that support, nourish, and protect neurons37
8042353Frontal LobesThe portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead; involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgements38
8042354Parietal LobesThe portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head and toward the rear; includes the sensory cortex39
8042355Occipital LobesThe portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head; includes the visual areas, which receive visual information from the opposite visual field40
8042356Temporal LobesThe portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears; includes the auditory areas, each of which receives auditory information primarily from the opposite ear41
8042357Motor CortexAn area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements42
8042358Sensory CortexThe area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body sensations43
8042359Association AreasAreas of the cerebral cortex that are not involved in primary motor or sensory functions; rather, they are involved in higher mental functions such learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking44
8042360AphasiaImpairment of language, usually caused by left hemisphere damage either to Broca's area or to Wernicke's area45
8042361Broca's AreaAn area of the frontal lobe, usually in the left hemisphere, that directs the muscle movements involved in speech46
8042362Wernicke's AreaA brain area involved in language comprehension and expression; usually in the left temporal lobe47
8042363PlasticityThe brain's capacity for modification, as evident in brain reorganization following damage and in experiments on the effects of brain development48
8042364Corpus CallosumThe large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them49
8042365Split BrainA condition in which the two hemispheres of the brain are isolated by cutting the connected fibers between them50
8042366Endocrine SystemThe body's "slow" chemical communication system; a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream51
8042367HormonesChemical messengers, mostly those manufactured by the endocrine glands, that are produced in one tissue and affect another52
8042368Adrenal GlandsA pair of endocrine glands just above the kidneys; they secrete the hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine which help to arouse the body in times of stress53
8042369Pituitary GlandThe endocrine system's most influential gland; under the influence of the hypothalamus, it regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands54
8042370AmygdalaTwo almond-shaped neural clusters that are components of the limbic system and are linked to emotion55
8042371HypothalamusA neural structure lying below the thalamus; it directs several maintenance activities, helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion56

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