Psych Textbook Notes: Brain
Psychology 101 with Leyton at Rutgers University - New Brunswick/Piscataway
About this deck
By: Eunsol Lee
Textbook:
Cengage Advantage Books: Kagan and Segal's Psychology: An Introduction (with InfoTrac)
Created: 2010-10-31
Size: 75 flashcards
Views: 1010
Textbook:
Cengage Advantage Books: Kagan and Segal's Psychology: An Introduction (with InfoTrac)Created: 2010-10-31
Size: 75 flashcards
Views: 1010
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Neuron
The neural cell; the basic unit of the nervous system
Hormone
A biochemical that typically is released into the bloodstream to perform its function at locations distant from the brain, but that can also affect brain functioning itself.
Glia
Cells that perform a wide array of functions
- Regulating the biochemical environment of the brain
- Modulating neural transmission
- Aiding in the repair of neurons
Dendrites
The primary "receiving" parts of a neuron
Cell body
The part of a neuron that converts oxygen, sugars, and other nutrients into energy.
Receptor sites
Spots on the cell body of a neuron that, like the dendrites, can be stimulated by other neurons
Axon
The fibrous body of a neuron that carries the neural impulse to the terminal branches
Terminal branches
The parts of a neuron that send messages to other neurons or to muscles or glands
Myelin sheath
A whitish coating of fatty protective tissue that "insulates" the axons of neurons
Nodes
Constrictions of the myelin sheath of an axon that act as booster station for neural impulses
All-or-none principle
The general rule that a neuron either fires or doesn't
Synapse
The connecting point where a terminal branch of one neuron is only a microscopic distance from a dendrite or receptor site of another neuron
Neurotransmitters
Biochemicals released at neuron synapses that aid or inhibit neural transmission
Spinal Cord
The thick cable of neurons that mostly connect PNS neurons to the brain`
Central nervous system
The brain and the spinal cord
Peripheral nervous system
The network of neurons outside of the CNS
Interneuron
A CNS neuron that carries messages between neurons
Cerebral cortex
Among its many other functions, the part of the brain responsible for thinking, remember, and planning
Cerebrum
The large brain mass that is covered by the cerebral cortex
Plasticity
The power of the brain to reorganize and shift functions
Computerized tomography (CT)
A structural brain imaging method that uses X-rays to produce two-dimensional images
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
A structural brain imaging method that uses the magnetic properties of brain tissue to produce two- or three-dimensional images
Position emission tomography (PET)
A functional brain imaging method that uses the brain's metabolism of substances containing radioactive isotopes to produce ongoing brain images
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
A functional brain imaging method that uses the brain's natural metabolism of oxygen to produce ongoing brain images
Electroencephalography (EEG)
A method of measuring overall brain electrical activity using electrodes placed on the scalp
Quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG)
A method of assessing brain activity that uses a large array of electrodes in a skull cap to measure and localize minute electrical reactions of areas of the brain
Somatosensory cortex
The specialized area of the cerebral cortex responsible for analyzing and interpreting messages from the sense organs
Thalamus
The brain's relay station for messages to and from the body
Reticular activating system (RAS)
A network of neural cells in the brain stem that serves as a way station for messages from the sense organs
Motor cortex
The specialized strip on the cerebral cortex that controls body movements
Cerebellum
A brain structure involved in controlling balance and movement
Pons
The brain structure connecting the two hemispheres of the cerebellum
Limbic system
The set of interconnected structures and pathways in the brain involved with emotion and memory
Amygdala
The part of the limbic system that plays a role in intense positive or negative emotions
Hypothalamus
The portion of the limbic system that serves as a mediator between the brain and the body and helps control metabolism, sleep, hunger, thirst, body temperature, sexual behavior, and emotions.
Pituitary gland
The master endocrine glad, which secrets hormones controlling growth and sexual development at puberty and regulating other endocrine glands
Homeostasis
A state of equilibrium, or balance, in the physiological systems within the human body
Medulla
The structure in the brain stem that helps regulate breathing, heartbeat, blood pressure, and digestion
Autonomic nervous system (ANS)
The neural network connecting the central nervous system with glands and smooth muscles, involved in maintaining homeostasis
Endocrine glands
Glands that discharge hormones directly into the blood stream, bringing about a variety of physiological and psychological changes
Parasympathetic division of the ANS
A part of the nervous system made up of scattered ganglia near the glands or the muscles of organs. It helps maintain functions such as heartbeat and digestion
Sympathetic division of the ANS
Long chains of ganglia that extend down the sides of the spinal cord and activate glands and smooth muscles for "fight or flight"
Association cortex
Diverse areas of the cortex that contribute to self-awareness and the ability to think about the past and imagine the future
Frontal lobes
The front portions of the brain that play a key role in problem solving and planning
Hippocampus
The part of the brain that transfers information from short-term memory to long-term memory
Corpus callosum
The structure of the brain that connects the right and left hemispheres of the cerebrum and enables these hemispheres to interact
Acetylcholine
A neurotransmitter involved in motor activity and numerous CNS functions
Glutamate
An abundant neurotransmitter known to play a primary role in learning and memory
Norepinephrine
A neurotransmitter involved in arousal and depression
Dopamine
An abundant neurotransmitter involved in goal-related motor behaviors and various mental and behavioral disorders, including schizophrenia
Serotonin
A neurotransmitter involved in various mental and behavioral disorders, including depression
Peptides
Essential biochemicals that may function like neurotransmitters or hormones
Corticotrophin-release factors (CRF)
A neuropeptide secreted by the hypothalamus
Cortisol
The hormone secreted by the adrenal gland during emotional upset or in response to pain
Endorphins
Neuropeptides that serve as natural painkillers
Within a neuron, an impulse travels from
Dendrites to Terminal branches
The principal function of the myelin sheath is to
Increase the speed of the neural impulses
The all-or-none principle is that
If a neuron fires at all, it fires as hard as it can
The part of the brain that does most of our remembering, thinking, and planning is the
Cerebral Cortex
The spinal cord is part of the
Central Nervous System
The brain imaging method that provides ongoing images of brain activity and is the least invasive is
Functional magnetic Resonance imaging (fMRI)
The major relay station for sensory messages passed from the body to the cortex is
The thalamus
A sleeping animal can be awakened immediately by electrical stimulation applied to the
Reticular activating system
The brain structure that coordinates the finely regulated muscular movements of a musician is
The cerebellum
An adult whose hippocampus has been damaged might have trouble
Remembering anew telephone number
As a child develops into an adult,
the number of synapses decreases
The two hemispheres of the cerebrum communicate through
The corpus callosum
The left hemisphere is more skilled at
Interpreting speech and language
The part of the brain chiefly responsible for emotion is
The limbic system
The master gland is
The pituitary gland
Homeostasis refers to
Biochemical balance within the body
Coordination of vital bodily processes, such as breathing, heartbeat, and digestion takes places in
The medulla
The part of the nervous system that plays its most important role during periods of quiet when there is no threat or need for unusual action is the
Parasympathetic division
The parasympathetic and sympathetic division are part of
The autonomic nervous system
Acetylchline, glutamate, norepinephrine, and dopamine are all
Neurotransmitters
About this deck
By: Eunsol Lee
Textbook: Cengage Advantage Books: Kagan and Segal's Psychology: An Introduction (with InfoTrac)
Created: 2010-10-31
Size: 75 flashcards
Views: 1010
Textbook:
Cengage Advantage Books: Kagan and Segal's Psychology: An Introduction (with InfoTrac)Created: 2010-10-31
Size: 75 flashcards
Views: 1010
About StudyBlue
STUDYBLUE makes things that make you better at school.
Things like online flashcards with photos and audio.
Things like personalized quizzes and friendly reminders about when (and what) to study next.
Think of it as a digital backpack™: access to all of your study materials online and on your phone.
STUDYBLUE exists to make studying efficient and effective for every student, for free. Join us.
“I have used this website for three exams, and I see a huge difference in my test results.”
Naj
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