Unit 1B Final

Nervous system

The body's speedy electrochemical communication network, consisting of all nerve cells from the peripheral nervous system and central nervous system.

Peripheral nervous system (PNS)

The sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system to the rest of the body.

Somatic nervous system

Controls voluntary movements and is heavily involved with sensory and motor neurons.

Autonomic nervous system

Controls glands and internal organ muscles; self-regulating.

Sympathetic nervous system

Division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy for action.

Parasympathetic nervous system

Division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body and conserves energy.

Central nervous system (CNS)

Consists of the brain and spinal cord.

Cerebral Cortex

The outermost layer of the brain that contains billions of nerve cells and synaptic connections.

Frontal lobe

Part of the cerebral cortex involved in speaking, muscle movement, planning, problem-solving and critical thinking.

Parietal lobe

Middle section of the cerebral cortex that contains the somatosensory cortex, controlling sensation.

Occipital lobe

Part of the brain responsible for processing visual information.

Temporal lobe

Region of the brain associated with hearing and spoken language.

Brain Stem

Connects the spinal cord and the brain, controlling basic life functions.

Thalamus

Sensory control center located atop the brain stem.

Cerebellum

Responsible for voluntary functions, movement coordination, and balance; known as the 'little brain'.

Reticular formation

A neuron network that relays sensory stimuli to other parts of the brain.

Limbic system

A lower brain system that includes the amygdala, hypothalamus, and hippocampus, regulating emotions and memories.

Amygdala

Part of the limbic system that processes emotions like fear and anger.

Hypothalamus

Controls bodily functions and maintenance including hunger, thirst, and temperature.

Hippocampus

Involved in processing conscious and explicit memories.

Spinal cord

Acts as a two-way communication highway between the brain and the body.

Hormones

Chemical messengers secreted by glands in the endocrine system that affect various functions in the body.

Pituitary gland

Known as the 'master gland,' it releases various hormones and regulates other glands.

Adrenal glands

Sit atop the kidneys and release hormones that help the body respond to stress.

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

An amplified recording of waves of electrical activity in the brain.

Magnetoencephalography (MEG)

A brain imaging technique measuring magnetic fields from brain electrical activity.

Computed Tomography Scan (CT Scan)

X-ray photographs taken from different angles to create a slice representation of the brain.

Positron Emission Tomography (PET Scan)

A visual display of brain activity that detects radioactive glucose during a task.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce images of soft tissue in the brain.

Functional MRI (fMRI)

Reveals blood flow and brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans.

Circadian rhythm

The internal biological clock that regulates sleep cycles over a 24-hour period.

REM Sleep

A recurring sleep stage where vivid dreams occur and muscles relax.

Sleep deprivation

The effects and consequences of not getting enough sleep, including decreased focus and risk of depression.

Insomnia

Recurring problems in falling or staying asleep.

Narcolepsy

A sleep disorder characterized by uncontrollable sleep attacks, often entering REM sleep.

Sleep apnea

Characterized by temporary cessation of breathing during sleep.

Night terrors

High arousal and terrified appearance during sleep, seldom remembered.

Freud’s Wish-Fulfillment Theory

The idea that dreams provide a psychic safety valve for expressing unacceptable feelings.

Information-Processing Theory

Suggests dreams help sort out the day’s events and consolidate memories.

Activation Synthesis Theory

Proposes that REM sleep triggers neural activity that our brain weaves into stories.

Cognitive Development Theory

Dream content reflects the dreamer's level of cognitive development.