AP Psychology Chapter 2 Review Flashcards

736204630	Phrenology	theory that claimed bumps on the c=skull could reveal our mental abilities and our character traits	1
736204631	Action Potential	a neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon. (Potential for a neuron to fire again)	2
736204632	Sensory Neurons	carry messages from the body's tissues and sensory organs inward to the brain and spinal chord for processing. (Body to brain)	3
736204633	Motor neurons	Carry outgoing information from brain to spinal cord to the muscles and glands (brain to body)	4
736204634	Interneurons	information is processed by these in the brain between sensory and motor inputs/outputs	5
736204635	Dendrite Fibers	receive information and conduct it toward the cell body.	6
736204636	Myelin Sheath	Insulates the axons of some neurons and helps speed their impulses.	7
736204637	Neurontransmitters	chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons. They are like the grappling hooks thrown to scale a building.	8
736204638	Acetycholine	neurotransmitters that function in motor movement and muscle control; plays a role in memory/learning. Lack of it can lead to Alzheimer's	9
736204639	Dopamine	Functions in motor control and mental alertness (emotions)	10
736204640	Serotonin	Affects mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal. Lack of this leads to depression.	11
736204641	Norepinephrine	Helps control alertness and arousal. Also link to depression.	12
736204642	GABA	A major inhibitory neurotransmitters. Lack of is linked to seizures and insomnia.	13
736204643	Glutamate	Major excitatory neurotransmitter. Involved in memory, oversupply results in headaches.	14
736204644	Endorphins	Functions in pain control; involved in serious addictions. (Released in physical activities such as running, biking, soccer, etc.)	15
737035351	Agonist	Similar enough to neurotransmitters to mimic effects.	16
737035352	Antagonist	blocks a neurotransmitter's functions.	17
737035353	Sensory neurons	Neurons that carry incoming information from the sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord. Ex. your nerves in your fingers tell you when you touch a hot stove.	18
737035354	Motor Neruons	Neurons that carry outgoing information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands. Ex. your brain telling you to type.	19
737035355	Interneurons	Neurons within the brain and spinal cord that communicate internally and intervene between sensory and motor neurons. Almost as a mediator.	20
737035356	Somatic Nervous System	Division of the peripheral nervous system controls the body's skeletal muscles.	21
737035357	Autonomic Nervous System	Division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organs and the muscles of the internal organs (heart). Automatic control of body like a heartbeat or breathing in your sleep.	22
737035358	Neural Networks	Circuit of neurons making connections. These build when you learn something. They bond together and fire together.	23
737035359	Lesion	Tissue destruction. Done to remove tumors.	24
737035360	EEG	An amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity that sweeps across the brain surfaces. These waves are measured by electrodes placed on the scalp.	25
737035361	CAT Scan	Allows composite of numerous "single x-ray" images. Displays structures but not activity, and exposes body to bad radiation.	26
737035362	PET Scan	can see "activity" in the brain. Displays glucose levels like a weather map.	27
737035363	MRI	uses magnetic fields to measure/display information of the brain (structure not functions) Better detailed than CAT scan, often with color.	28
737035364	Medulla	The base of the brainstem, controls heartbeat and breathing.	29
737035365	Reticular Formation	A nerve network in the brainstem that plays an important role in controlling arousal (keeping us conscious).	30
737035366	Thalamus	The brains sensory switchboard, located on top of the brainstem; it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellu, and medulla. Receives sensory info, directs it to appropriate ares of the brian.	31
740669930	Cerebellum	the "little brain" at the rear of the brainstem; functions: coordination of movement output and balance.	32
740669933	Limbic System	Neural system of amygdala and hypothalamus. Located between the cerebral hemispheres, associated with emotions and drives.	33
740669935	Hypothalamus	A neural structure below the thalamus; governs endocrine system (hunger and thirst influences sexual arousals and biorhythms)	34
740669937	Cerebral Cortex	Ultimate control and information processing center. (Gray wrinkled mass).	35
740669939	Glial Cells	Provide nutrients for neurons	36
740669941	Sensory Cortex	Area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body and movement sensations.	37
740669943	Association Areas	Involved in higher mental functions rather than motor or sensory.	38
740669945	Aphasia	Impairment of language, usually caused by left hemishpere damage to Broca's or Wernicke's area.	39
740669947	Plasticity	Brain's ability to reorganize itself by building new pathways based on experience after damage.	40
740669949	Corpus Callosum	Band of neural fibers that connect two hemispheres and relays messages.	41
740669951	Endocrine system	"Slow" chemical communication system, secretes hormones into bloodstream.	42
740669952	Hormones	chemical messangers manufactured by endocrine gland.	43
740669954	Adrenal Glands	sit above kidneys, secret hormons that arouse body during stress.	44
740669956	Pituitary Gland	Regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands.	45