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Myers' AP Psychology 2nd Edition (Unit 3) Flashcards

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6670686829Biological Psychologya branch of psychology that studies the links between biological (including neuroscience and behavior genetics) and psychological processes0
6670686830NeuronsA nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system.1
6670686831DendritesA neuron's bushy, branching extensions that receive messages and conduct impulses toward the cell body.2
6670686832AxonA long, thin fiber that transmits signals away from the neuron cell body to other neurons, or to muscles or glands.3
6670686833Myelin SheathA layer of fatty tissue segmentally encasing the fibers of many neurons; enables vastly greater transmission speed of neural impulses as the impulse hops from one node to the next.4
6670686834Action PotentialA neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon.5
6670686835Refractory Perioda period of inactivity after a neuron has fired6
6670686836ThresholdThe level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse7
6670686837All-or-None Responsea neuron's reaction of either firing (with a full-strength response) or not firing.8
6670686838SynapseThe junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron. The tiny gap at this junction is called the synaptic gap or cleft.9
6670686839NeurotransmittersChemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons.10
6670686840Reuptakea neurotransmitter's reabsorption by the sending neuron11
6670686841Endorphins"morphine within"--natural, opiate like neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure.12
6670686842Agonista molecule that, by binding to a receptor site, stimulates a response13
6670686843Antagonista molecule that, by binding to a receptor site, inhibits or blocks a response14
6670686844Nervous Systemthe body's speedy, electrochemical communication network, consisting of all the nerve cells of the peripheral and central nervous systems.15
6670686845Central Nervous System (CNS)The brain and spinal cord16
6670686846Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)the sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system to the rest of the body17
6670686847NervesBundled axons that form neural "cables" connecting the central nervous system with muscles, glands, and sense organs.18
6670686848Sensory (afferent) neuronsNeurons that carry incoming information from he sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord19
6670686849Motor (efferent) neuronsNeurons that carry outgoing information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands20
6670686850InterneuronsNeurons within the brain and spinal cord that communicate internally and intervene between the sensory inputs and motor outputs.21
6670686851Somatic Nervous Systemthe division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body's skeletal muscles22
6670686852Autonomic 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.23
6670686853Sympathetic Nervous SystemThe division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy in stressful situations.24
6670686854Parasympathetic Nervous Systemthe division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy25
6670686855ReflexesA simple, automatic, inborn response to a sensory stimulus, such as the knee-jerk response.26
6670686856Adrenal GlandsA pair of endocrine glands that sit just above the kidneys and secrete hormones that help arouse the body in times of stress.27
6670686857Pituitary GlandsThe endocrine system's most influential gland. Under the influence of the hypothalamus, the pituitary regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands.28
6670686858Electroencephalogram (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.29
6670686859CT (computed tomography) scanA series of X-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by computer into a composite representation of a slice of the brain's structure30
6670686860PET (positron emission tomography)a visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task31
6670686861MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)a technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer generated images of soft tissue. show brain anatomy32
6670686862fMRI (functional MRI)a technique for revealing blood flow and therefore brain activity by comparing successive scans. scans show brain function33
6670686863BrainstemThe 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.34
6670686864MedullaBase of brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing35
6670686865ThalamusThe brain's sensory switchboard, 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.36
6670686866Reticular FormationA nerve network in the brainstem that plays an important role in controlling arousal.37
6670686867CerebellumThe "little brain" at the rear of the brainstem; functions include processing sensory input coordinating movement output and balance, and enabling nonverbal learning and memory38
6670686868Limbic SystemNeural system (including the hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus) located below the cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions and drives.39
6670686869AmygdalaA limbic system structure involved in memory and emotion, particularly fear and aggression.40
6670686870HypothalamusA 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.41
6670686871Cerebral CortexThe intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering the cerebral hemispheres; the body's ultimate control and information-processing center.42
6670686872Glial CellsCells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons.43
6670686873Frontal Lobesportion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead; involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgements.44
6670686874Parietal Lobesportion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head and toward the rear; receives sensory input for touch and body position.45
6670686875Occipital 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 field46
6670686876Temporal Lobesportion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears; includes the auditory areas, each receiving information primarily from the opposite ear.47
6670686877Motor Cortexan area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements48
6670686878Somatosensory Cortexarea at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations.49
6670686879Association Areasareas of the cerebral cortex that are not involved in primary motor or sensory functions; rather, they are involved in higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking50
6670686880Plasticitythe brain's ability to change, especially during childhood, by reorganizing after damage or by building new pathways based on experience.51
6670686881Neurogenesisthe formation of new neurons52
6670686882Corpus CallosumThe large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them.53
6670686883Split Braina condition in which the two brain hemispheres are isolated by cutting the corpus callosum54
6670686884Consciousnessour awareness of ourselves and our environment55
6670686885Cognitive Neurosciencethe interdisciplinary study of the brain activity linked with cognition (including perception, thinking, memory, and language)56
6670686886Dual Processingthe principle that information is often simultaneously processed on separate conscious and unconscious tracks.57
6670686887Behavior Geneticsthe study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior58
6670686888EnvironmentEvery non genetic influence, from prenatal nutrition to the people and things around us.59
6670686889ChromosomesA threadlike, gene-carrying structure found in the nucleus. Each chromosome consists of one very long DNA molecule and associated proteins.60
6670686890DNAA complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes.61
6670686891GenesThe biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosomes; segments of DNA capable of synthesizing a protein.62
6670686892GenomeAll the genetic information in an organism; all of an organism's chromosomes.63
6670686893Identical Twinstwins who develop from a single fertilized egg that splits in two, creating two genetically identical organisms64
6670686894Fraternal Twinstwins who develop from separate fertilized eggs. They are genetically no closer than brothers and sisters, but they share a fetal environment.65
6670686895Molecular Geneticsthe subfield of biology that studies the molecular structure and function of genes66
6670686896HeritabilityThe proportion of variation among individuals that we can attribute to genes. The heritability of a trait may vary, depending on the range of populations and environments studied.67
6670686897Interactionthe interplay that occurs when the effect of one factor (such as environment) depends on another factor (such as heredity).68
6670686898Epigeneticsthe study of influences on gene expression that occur without a DNA change69
6670686899Evolutionary Psychologythe study of the evolution of behavior and the mind, using principles of natural selection.70
6670686900Natural SelectionThe principle that, among the range of inherited trait variations, those contributing to reproduction and survival will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations.71
6670686901MutationsA random error in gene replication that leads to a change72

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