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AP Psychology Biology of Psychology Flashcards

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7922731898Acetylcholine (ach)A neurotransmitter that enables learning and memory and also triggers muscle contraction.0
7922731899Action 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.1
7922731900Adrenal 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.2
7922731901AgonistExcite neurons by mimicking natural neurotransmitters or blocking their reuptake to keep more of them in your system. (pretends to be something else)3
7922731902AmygdalaTwo lima bean-sized neural clusters that are components of the limbic system and are linked to fear and aggression.4
7922731903AntagonistInhibit neural impulses by blocking receptor sites or diminishing their release.5
7922731904AphasiaImpairment of language, usually caused by left hemisphere damage either to Broca's area (impairing speaking) or to Wernicke's area (impairing understanding).6
7922731905Autonomic 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.7
7922731906AxonThe extension of a neuron, ending in branching terminal fibers, through which messages pass to other neurons of to muscles or glands.8
7922731907BrainstemThe 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.9
7922731908Central nervous system (CNS)The brain and spinal cord.10
7922731909CerebellumThe "little brain" attached to the rear of the brain-stem; its functions include processing sensory input and coordinating movement output and balance.11
7922731910Corpus callosumThe large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them.12
7922731911DendritesThe bushy, branching extensions of a neuron that receive messages and conduct impulses toward the cell body.13
7922731912Electroencephalogram (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
7922731913Endocrine systemThe body's 'slow" chemical communication system:set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream.15
7922731914Endorphins"Morphine within"-natural, opiatelike neurotransmitters linked to plain control and to pleasure.16
7922731915HormonesChemical messengers, mostly those manufactured by the endocrine glands, that are produced in one tissue and effect another.17
7922731916HypothalamusA 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.18
7922731917InterneuronsCentral nervous system neurons that internally communicate and intervene between the sensory inputs and motor outputs.19
7922731918LesioningTissue destruction, a naturally or experimentally caused destruction of brain tissue.20
7922731919Limbic 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.21
7922731920(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.22
7922731921MedullaThe base of the brain-stem: controls heartbeat and breathing.23
7922731922fMRI-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.24
7922731923Myelin 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.25
7922731924NeuronA nerve cell: the basic building block of the nervous system26
7922731925NeurotransmittersChemical 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.27
7922731926Parasympathetic nervous systemThe division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy.28
7922731927Peripheral nervous system (PNS)The sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system (CNS) to the rest of the body.29
7922731928Pituitary glandThe endocrine system's most influential gland. Under the influence of the hypothalamus, the pituitary regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands. Master gland30
7922731929PlasticityThe brain's capacity for modification, s evidence in brain reorganization following damage (especially in children) and in experiments on the effects of experiments on brain development.31
7922731930(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.32
7922731931Resting potentialNeuron is in its normal, resting state. Ions within the cell give the axon a small negative charge, fluid outside is positive charged.33
7922731932Reticular FormationA nerve network in the brain-stem that plays an important role in controlling arousal.34
7922731933Somatic nervous systemThe division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body's skeletal muscles. Also called the skeletal nervous system.35
7922731934Sympathetic nervous systemThe division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy in stressful situations.36
7922731935SynapseThe junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron.37
7922731936Synapse cleftThe gap at the junction of the synapse.38
7922731937Terminal buttonsEnlarged area at the end of the axon; contains the synaptic vesicle.39
7922731938ThalamusThe 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.40
7922731939ThresholdThe level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse.41
7922731940Motor NeuronsEfferent Neurons; a nerve cell forming part of a pathway along which impulses pass from the brain or spinal cord to a muscle or gland.42
7922731941Broca's Areapart of the brain that is responsible for speech production43
7922731942Wernicke's areapart of the brain that is responsible for understanding spoken language44
7922731943split brain patientsCorpus Collosum is severed, two hemispheres of the brain don't communicate45
7922731944Afferent NeuronsSensory Neurons; carry nerve impulses from sensory receptors or sense organs toward the central nervous system.46
7922731945Efferent neuronsMotor Neurons that send impulses from the central nervous system to your limbs and organs47
7922731946neuron firing orderdendrite--soma---axon--terminal bulb48
7922731947occipital lobeThe occiptial lobe is important to being able to correctly understand what your eyes are seeing.49
7922731948temporal lobemainly revolves around hearing and selective listening.50
7922731949frontal lobedecision making51
7922731950parietal lobeprocesses sensory information52
7922731951absolute refractory periodthe period immediately following the firing of a nerve fiber when it cannot be stimulated no matter how great a stimulus is applied53
7922731952all or none principlestates that the strength of a response of a neuron or muscle fiber is not dependent upon the strength of the stimulus. If a stimulus is above a certain threshold, a neuron or muscle fiber will fire.54

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