Biopsychology and Neuroscience - Vocabulary Flashcards

A vocabulary study set covering biopsychology concepts, genetics, brain structure and function, neurotransmission, brain imaging, autonomic and endocrine systems.

Biopsychology

The study of the biological bases of behavior, including genetics, nervous system structure/function, and interactions with the endocrine system.

Genetics

The study of how inherited genes influence physiological and psychological traits.

Nervous system

The network of neurons and glia that processes and transmits information in the body.

Endocrine system

Glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream to regulate body functions and interact with the nervous system.

Human genetics

Study of how genes influence behavior, thoughts, and reactions, and patterns of inheritance.

Theory of evolution by natural selection

Darwin's idea that organisms better suited for their environment survive and reproduce, passing on advantageous traits.

Adaptation

Traits that increase survival and reproductive success.

Sickle cell anemia

Genetic condition with crescent-shaped red blood cells; carriers can have malaria resistance.

Heterozygous advantage

Having one copy of a gene can confer a protective advantage in certain environments.

Chromosome

Long strand of genetic information; humans have 23 pairs.

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid; helix-shaped molecule of nucleotide base pairs that make up genes.

Gene

DNA sequence that controls or partially controls a physical characteristic.

Allele

A different version of a gene.

Genotype

An individual's genetic makeup based on inherited material.

Phenotype

Observable characteristics of an individual.

Dominant allele

An allele whose trait is expressed in the phenotype with at least one copy.

Recessive allele

An allele expressed in the phenotype only when two copies are present.

Homozygous

Having two identical alleles for a gene.

Heterozygous

Having two different alleles for a gene.

Polygenic trait

Trait controlled by more than one gene.

Punnett square

Tool used to predict offspring genotypes/phenotypes from parental alleles.

PKU

Phenylketonuria; a metabolic disorder caused by recessive alleles.

Mutation

Sudden, permanent change in a gene; can be harmful or beneficial.

Gene–environment interactions

Genes and environment interact to shape traits; not deterministic.

Range of reaction

Genes set bounds within which the environment determines actual expression.

Genetic–environmental correlation

Genes influence the environment, and the environment influences gene expression.

Epigenetics

Study of how gene expression is modified by the environment without changing DNA.

Neuron

The basic unit of the nervous system that conducts electrochemical signals.

Glial cell

Support cells for neurons that insulate, nourish, and remove waste; outnumber neurons 10 to 1.

Myelin sheath

Fatty insulation around axons that speeds neural transmission.

Synapse

The gap between the terminal button of one neuron and the dendrite of another.

Terminal button

End of an axon where neurotransmitters are stored in vesicles.

Dendrite

Neuron branch that receives signals from other neurons.

Axon

Long projection that conducts electrical signals away from the neuron’s cell body.

Membrane potential

Electrical potential difference across a neuron's membrane.

Resting potential

-70 mV; neuron is polarized and ready to fire.

Depolarization

Membrane potential becomes less negative, increasing likelihood of firing.

Hyperpolarization

Membrane potential becomes more negative, decreasing likelihood of firing.

Threshold of excitation

Membrane potential level required to trigger an action potential.

Action potential

An all-or-none electrical signal that travels along the axon.

All-or-none principle

A neuron fires completely if threshold is reached, otherwise not at all.

Reuptake

Process of neurotransmitters being reabsorbed into the presynaptic neuron.

Neurotransmitter

Chemical messenger that transmits signals across the synapse.

Acetylcholine

Neurotransmitter involved in muscle action and memory.

Dopamine

Neurotransmitter involved in mood, sleep, learning, and reward.

Norepinephrine

Neurotransmitter involved in heart function, alertness, and arousal.

Serotonin

Neurotransmitter involved in mood and sleep.

Beta-endorphin

Neuropeptide involved in pain relief and pleasure.

Psychotropic medication

Drugs that treat psychiatric symptoms by balancing neurotransmitter systems.

Agonist

Drug that mimics or enhances a neurotransmitter’s effect.

Antagonist

Drug that blocks or decreases a neurotransmitter’s effect.

Central nervous system

Brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral nervous system

Nerves to and from the CNS.

Somatic nervous system

Relays sensory and motor information to/from the CNS; voluntary control.

Autonomic nervous system

Controls internal organs and glands; divided into sympathetic and parasympathetic.

Sympathetic nervous system

Activates energy-expending responses; fight-or-flight.

Parasympathetic nervous system

Conserves energy; rest-and-digest.

Homeostasis

Maintenance of a stable internal environment.

Brain

Mass of neurons and glia; bilateral and functionally connected across lobes.

Spinal cord

Delivers messages to and from the brain; contains reflex pathways.

Cerebral cortex

Outer brain layer responsible for higher mental processes; divided into lobes.

Frontal lobe

Involved in executive functions, motor control, emotion, and language.

Motor cortex

Region of the frontal lobe controlling voluntary movements.

Prefrontal cortex

Area involved in planning, decision-making, and complex cognition.

Broca's area

Brain region in the left hemisphere essential for speech production.

Phineas Gage

Case showing frontal lobe damage altering personality and behavior.

Parietal lobe

Involved in processing sensory and perceptual information; contains somatosensory cortex.

Somatosensory cortex

Area in the parietal lobe processing touch, temperature, and pain.

Temporal lobe

Involved in hearing, memory, emotion; contains auditory cortex and Wernicke's area.

Auditory cortex

Cortical area for processing sound.

Wernicke's area

Language comprehension region in the temporal lobe.

Occipital lobe

Visual processing region containing the primary visual cortex.

Thalamus

Sensory relay station directing most senses to cortical areas.

Limbic system

Emotion and memory circuitry, including amygdala, hippocampus, and hypothalamus.

Amygdala

Emotion processing and fear response.

Hippocampus

Learning and memory, especially spatial memory.

Hypothalamus

Regulates homeostasis and controls the pituitary gland.

Pituitary gland

Master gland that regulates secretion of other glands.

Midbrain

Part of the brain between forebrain and hindbrain; contains key structures.

Reticular formation

Regulates sleep-wake cycle, arousal, and motor activity.

Substantia nigra

Dopamine-producing area involved in movement; impacted in Parkinson's.

Ventral tegmental area (VTA)

Dopamine-producing area linked to mood, reward, and addiction.

Parkinson's disease

Neurodegenerative disorder involving dopaminergic neurons in SN and VTA.

Hindbrain

Lower brain region including medulla, pons, and cerebellum.

Medulla

Regulates autonomic functions like breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.

Pons

Connects brain and spinal cord; involved in sleep regulation.

Cerebellum

Coordinates balance, movement, and motor learning.

Brain stem

Central trunk of the brain, including medulla, pons, and midbrain.

CT scan

Computed tomography; uses X-rays to image brain structure.

PET scan

Positron emission tomography; measures brain activity via radioactive tracer.

MRI

Magnetic resonance imaging; uses magnetic fields to image tissues.

fMRI

Functional MRI; measures brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow.

EEG

Electroencephalography; records electrical activity of the brain via scalp electrodes.

Thyroid

Gland that secretes thyroxine, regulating growth, metabolism, and appetite.

Adrenal gland

Glands secreting hormones involved in the stress response.

Gonad

Gland secreting sex hormones important for reproduction and sexual motivation.

Pancreas

Gland that secretes hormones regulating blood sugar.

Hypothalamus–pituitary axis

Hypothalamus controls pituitary, linking nervous and endocrine systems.