Psychology 14th Edition by David Myers - Chapter 2 Vocabulary Study Guide

Phrenology

a pseudoscience in which people's characteristics or intelligence is predicted through bumps on the interior of the skull

localization of function

different parts of the brain perform and specialize in different functions

biological psychology

the use of advanced technology to link psychological and physiological processes

biopsychosocial systems

we are large biological systems working together to perform many actions

neuroplasticity

the idea that our actions and experiences shape the development and growth of our brain

cultural neuroscience

the study of how different cultural traditions, beliefs, and rituals create distinct behaviors and brain activation patterns

neurons

cell body and branching fibers that transmit information electrochemically

dendrite

a fiberous part of a neuron that recieves information. It conducts ions towards the cell body. Dendrites listen

axon

a tubular part of the neuron that sends information to other neurons, muscles, or glands. Axons speak

myelin sheath

a layer of fatty tissue that insulates axons allowing for faster signal speed.

glial cells

a network of nerve cells which serve to support the neurons by providing nutrients to build and repair myelin, guiding neural routes, mop up extra ions and neurotransmitters.

neural impulse

action potential, a brief electrical charge of ions that travel down the neuron through the axon.

excitatory neural signals

speed up the flow of ions through the neuron

inhibitory neural signals

slow down the flow of ions through the neuron

refractory period

the short pause where neurons perform no actions between firing

synapse

the small gap between one neurons dendrite and anothers axon

neurotransmitter

a chemical which flows out of an axon and into a dendrite in the synapse. This triggers the dendrite to open and allow ions to flow through

reuptake

extra neurotransmitters drift away, get broken down by enzymes, or are reabsorbed by the sending axon

Acetylcholine (ACh)

enables muscle action, learning, and memory

Dopamine

influences movement, learning, attention, and emotion

Serotonin

affects mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal

Norepinephrine

helps control alertness and arousal

GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)

major inhibitory neutrotransmitter

Glutamate

major excitatory neurtransmitter. involved in learning and memory

Endorphins

influence perception of pain and pleasure

Agonist

increases neurotransmitter's actions, increases some production and release of neurotransmitters or blocks reuptake

antagonist

decrease neurotransmitter's action by blocking production or release. Also occupies the receptor of the normal neurotransmitter

Botulin

a poison that blocks ACh causing paralysis

nervous system

made up of neurotransmitting neurons which communicate commands and information through the body

Central Nervous System (CNS)

made up of brain and spinal cord. All bodily decisions are performed here

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

gathering information and transmitting CNS decisions to body parts

Sensory Neurons

carry messages from body tissue and sensory receptors inwards. Afferent

Motor Neurons

carry instructions from the CNS outward to muscles and glands. Efferent

Interneurons

moves information between the input and output neurons

Somatic Nervous System (SNS)

voluntary control of skeletal muscles

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

controls glands and internal organs

Sympathetic Nervous System

part of the ANS, arouses and expends energy to respond to stress.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

part of the ANS, conserves energy, and calms the response to stress

neural networks

clusters of neurons working together in order to be as efficient as possible

spinal cord

connects the PNS and the CNS. Governs reflexes

Endocrine System

glands and fat tissue that secrete hormones

Hormones

chemical signals that travel through the blood

hypothalamus

controls the endocrine system through the master glands

pituitary gland

controls the release of hormones that cause physical development. Also controls other glands

adrenal gland

release epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine (noradrenaline). Governs the fight/flight response

Optogenetics

a technique which allows neuroscientists to control the activity of individual neurons

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

amplified readout of neurons fired in waves. Reads the electrical wave caused by a stimulus in the brain

Magnetoencephalography (MEG)

reads the electromagnetic field produced by the brain. Speed and strength of the field allow researchers to analyze how some tasks influence brain activity

Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

depicts brain activity by showing consumption of Glucose

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

brain put in strong magnetic field, the field aligns with the atoms of the brain, the atoms become disorientated by brain waves, and when the atom returns to normal energy is released which is read by the MRI.

Ventricles

regions within the brain that are filled with fluid. Often found in schizophrenia patients

functional MRI (fMRI)

brain is scanned repeatedly while it is active which reveals blood flow to particular areas of the brain.

functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS)

uses infrared light shining on blood molecules to see brain activity

vertebrate brain division

hindbrain, midbrain, and forebrain

hindbrain

contains brainstem structures for essential survival functions

midbrain

atop brainstem, connects the hindbrain with the forebrain, also controls some movement and transmits info enabling sight and hearing.

forebrain

manages complex cognitive activities, sensory and associative functions, and voluntary motor activities.

Cerebellum

enables nonverbal learning and coordinates voluntary movement

Medulla

base of brainstem. Controls heartbeat and breathing

Pons

coordinates movement and controls sleep

thalamus

routes all sensory inputs except smell to other parts of the brain

reticular formation

nerve network extending from spinal cord through thalamus. Filters info and influences arousal.

limbic system

associated with emotions and drives. Contains amygdala, hypothalamus, and the hippocampus

amygdala

enables aggression and fear

hypothalamus

influence hunger, thirst, body temp, and sexual behavior. Secretes hormones to trigger endocrine system.

reward center

part of the brain stimulated producing a "pleasurable" effect. Moreso desire than pleasure

hippocampus

process conscious, explicit memories

cerebrum

enables percieving, thinking, and speaking. Comes in hemispheres. Lobes separated by fissures. (frontal, parietal, temperal, occipital).

cerebral cortex

thin layer of neural cells that control precision movement

somatosensory cortex

part of parietal lobes recieving sensory info from skin

association area

an area of the brain associated with specific functions

What is Brain Damage?

A severing of the spinal cord neurons or areal damage of the brain impairing specific functions

constraint induced therapy

physically restrain/disable a specific body part in order to improve the function of the opposite

neurogenesis

the production of new neurons to repair brain damage

lateralization

left and right hemispheres of the brain serve different functions