AP Pysch Bio Review Flashcards

5281673318	Neuron	A nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system.	0
5281673319	Dendrite	Part of a neuron that bring information INTO the cell. The receiving end of the neuron.	1
5281673320	Axon	Part of a neuron that sends information OUT of the cell. This is the "talking" end of the neuron.	2
5281673321	Myelin Sheath	A fatty, insulating membrane surrounding the axon in some neurons. Makes the information "faster" (and disintegrates with old age).	3
5281673322	Neurotransmitter	Chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons.	4
5281673323	Synapse	The space between neurons (axons and dendrites).	5
5281673324	Threshold	The level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse (why a neuron firing is all or nothing).	6
5281673325	Action Potential	A neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon.	7
5281673326	All or None Potential	If a threshold is reached, a neuron fires. There is no halfway, a neuron fires or it doesn't.	8
5281673327	Excitatory Neurotransmitter	Causes a neuron to fire . Leads to changes that generate a new action potential in the post synaptic neuron (ex. glutamate).	9
5281673328	Inhibitory Neurotransmitter	Prevents or reduces the ability of a neuron to fire.	10
5281673329	Acetylcholine	A neurotransmitter that enables learning and memory and also triggers MUSCLE CONTRACTION.	11
5281673330	Dopamine	A neurotransmitter associated with movement, attention and learning and the brain's pleasure and reward system. (Ex. too much makes you schizophrenic).	12
5281673331	Endorphins	Chemical substances in the nervous system that reduce the perception of pain (our body'd natural version of morphine).	13
5281673332	Serotonin	A neurotransmitter that regulates MOOD, appetite, sleep, muscle contraction, and some cognitive functions including memory and learning (ex. too little and you're depressed).	14
5281673336	Afferent Neurons	______ Neurons (SENSORY). Nerve cells that take information from the rest of the body (peripheral) to the brain (central).	15
5281673337	Efferent Neurons	______ Neurons (MOTOR). Neurons that take information from the brain (central) to the rest of the body (peripheral).	16
5281673338	Central Nervous System	Composed of the brain and the spinal cord.	17
5281673339	Peripheral Nervous System	The nervous system outside the brain and spinal cord.	18
5281673340	Somatic Nervous System	The part of the nervous system that contols voluntary movement.	19
5281673341	Sympathetic Nervous System	Activates/Exerts energy (Ex. speeds up heart rate, ups blood pressure).	20
5281673342	Parasympathetic	Calms you down, especially after a fight or flight response (Ex. lowers blood pressure, digests food).	21
5281673344	EEG	Uses electrodes attached to your scalp that detects electrical impulses our brain neurons use to communicate.	22
5281673345	CT Scan	CAT scan. Computerized Axial Tomography. E-ray + computer creates cross-sectional images of the body.	23
5281673346	MRI	Magnetic Resonance Imaging. A magnetic field aligns the spinning atoms of the brain, radio waves disorient atoms, and the soft tissue is mapped when they move back into place.	24
5281673347	PET Scan	Positron Emission Tomography. Detects "food for thought", or GLUCOSE CONSUMPTION. Radioactive glucose is injected and usage is tracked.	25
5281673348	Hindbrain	The posterior portion of the brain including cerebellum and brainstem (Oldest portion of the brain shared with reptiles).	26
5281673349	Medulla	Base of brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing.	27
5281673350	Pons	A hindbrain structure that connects the medulla to the two sides of the cerebellum; helps coordinate and integrate movements on each side of the body.	28
5281673351	Cerebellum	A large structure of the hindbrain that controls fine motor skills. Posture/Balance.	29
5281673352	Reticular Formation	controls general body arousal and the ability to focus. (Automatic Functions).	30
5281673353	Thalamus	A relay station to high brain areas. A structure in the forebrain through which all sensory information (except smell) must pass to get to the cerebral cortex.	31
5281673354	Hypothalamus	Pleasure Center (Ex. hunger, thirst, body temperature, sexual behavior). Also controls the pituitary gland.	32
5281673355	Amygdala	A limbic system structure involved in memory and emotion, particularly fear and aggression.	33
5281673356	Hippocampus	A part of the limbic system that processes memory, turning STM into LTM.	34
5281673357	Limbic System	Doughnut-shaped neural system (including the hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus) located below the cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions and drives.	35
5281673358	Cerebral Cortex	C_______ C_______.The part of the brain where information processing takes place. Divided into four lobes.	36
5281673359	Left Hemisphere	The hemisphere associated with: rational, logic, thought, speech, and words.	37
5281673360	Right Hemisphere	The hemisphere associated with: images, emotions, intuitions, drawing, and inferences.	38
5281673361	Corpus Callosum	The section between the hemispheres that links them (can be cut for epilepsy).	39
5281673362	Broca's Area	_______ Area. In the Frontal Lobe, deals with the motor functions of speech (incorrect pronunciations, inability to speak, etc.)	40
5281673363	Wernicke's Area	________ Area. In the Temporal Lobe, deals with meaningful language (correct pronunciations, sentences that make no sense, etc.).	41
5281673364	Parietal Lobe	Deals with senses and perception. A region of the cerebral cortex whose functions include processing information about touch.	42
5281673365	Sensory Cortex	Area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations.	43
5281673366	Motor Cortex	An area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements.	44
5281673367	Occipital Lobe	A region of the cerebral cortex that processes visual information.	45
5281673368	Temporal Lobe	An area on each hemisphere of the cerebral cortex near the temples that is the primary receiving area for auditory information.	46
5281673369	Brain Plasticity	The capacity for the brain to alter its structure and function (Ex. take over for damaged regions).	47
5281673370	Endocrine System	A system of glands that secrete hormones that regulate processes such as growth, reproduction, and nutrient use (metabolism) by body cells.	48
5281673371	Adrenal Gland	A pair of endocrine glands that sit just above the kidneys and secrete hormones (epinephrine and norepinephrine) that help arouse the body in times of stress.	49
5281673372	Pituitary Gland	The endocrine system's most influential gland. Under the influence of the hypothalamus, the pituitary regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands.	50
5281673373	Norepinerphrine	...	51