psych chapter 2

Central nervous system

The primary control center consisting of the brain and spinal cord, responsible for processing sensory data and coordinating bodily activities.

Peripheral nervous system

Contains both somatic and autonomic, consists of all nerves outside the brain and spinal cord that carry information between the central nervous system and the rest of the body

Dendrites

Branch like extensions of a neuron that receive signals from other neurons and carry those signals toward the cell body

Cell body

Part of neuron that contains the nucleus and keeps the neuron alive by maintaining its normal function

Axon

Extension of neuron that carries electrical signals away from the the cell body toward other neurons, muscles, or glands

Axon terminals

Small endings at the end of neurons axon that release neurotransmitters to send signals to other cell

Synapse

Tiny junction between two neurons where they communicate with each other

Neurotransmitters

chemical messengers that carry signals from one neuron to another

Ions

Atoms or molecules that have an electrical charge because they have gained or lost electrons

Action potential

Brief electrical signal that travels down a neurons axon to transmit information

Myelin sheath

Fatty layer that covers and insulates a neurons axon, helping electrical signals travel faster

Presynaptic neuron

Neuron that sends message by releasing neurotransmitters into the synapse

Postsynaptic neuron

Neuron that receives the message from another neuron through transmitters

Receptors

Proteins on a cell that receive neurotransmitters and respond to their signals

Excitatory signals

Signals that make neurons more likely to fire an action potential

Inhibitory signals

Signals that make a neurons less likely to fire an action potential

Acetylcholine

Helps with muscle movement, learning, and memory

Norepinephrine

neurotransmitter that helps you stay alert, awake, and focused

Serotonin

Neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood, sleep, appetitie

Dopamine

Neurotransmitter that helps with motivation, reward, pleasure, and movement

GABA

Brains main inhibitor neurotransmitter. It slows down brain activity and calms neurons

Glutamate

Brains main excitatory neurotransmitter. Increases brain activity and helps with learning and memory

Endorphins

Natural chemicals produced by body that reduce pain and help you feel good

Phrenology

A false theory that personality and abilities can be determined by the shape and bumps of the skull

Electroencephalograph (EEG)

A tool that records the brains electrical activity using electrodes on the scalp

fMRI

A brain scanning technique that estimates brain activity by measuring changes in blood flow and oxygen levels

Medulla

A hindbrain structure that controls vital functions like breathing and heart rate

Pons

Part of hindbrain that helps regulate sleep and arousal and helps control breathing

Cerebellum

A hindbrain structure responsible for balance, coordination, and smooth movement

Midbrain

A brain region involved in movement, attention, and responses to sensory information

Thalamus

Part of forebrain that relays most sensory information to the cerebral cortex

Hypothalamus

Part of forebrain that regulates hunger, thirst, body temperature, and hormones

Hippocampus

Part of forebrain that helps form new memories and learn new information

Amygdala

Part of forebrain that helps process emotions, especially fear and anger

Cerebral cortex

Outer layer of brain responsible for higher level functions like thinking, memory, and voluntary movement

Left hemisphere

Left half of brain, often more involved in speech and language

Right hemisphere

Right half of brain, often involved in spatial awareness and visual processing

Corpus callosum

A bundle of nerve fibers that connect the brains left and right hemisphere so they can communicate

Occipital lobe

The region at the back of the brain primarily responsible for processing visual information, such as shape, color, and motion.

Parietal lobe

Part of brain that processes touch and other body sensations and helps with spatial awareness

Temporal lobe

Part of brain that helps process hearing, language, and memory

Frontal lobe

Part of brain that helps with decision making, planning, problem solving, and voluntary movement

Prefrontal cortex

Part of frontal lobe that focuses on planning ahead, judgement, and impulse control

Phineas Gage

A railroad worker who suffered damage to his frontal lobe, providing evidence that the brains frontal region are important for personality, judgement, and behavior

Somatic nervous system

The part of PNS responsible for voluntary movement and carrying sensory information

Sympathetic nervous system

Part of autonomic nervous system that activates body’s flight or fight response

Parasympathetic nervous system

The part of autonomic nervous system that calm the body and supports rest and digestion

Endocrine system

A system of glands that release hormones into the bloodstream to regulate body functions

Hormones

Chemical messengers that travel through the bloodstream to regulate body functions