Mastering the World of Psychology- Chapter 2

electroencephalogram (EEG)

a record of brainwave activity made by a machine called the electroencephalograph

microelectrode

a small wire used to monitor the electrical activity within a single neuron

CT Scan (computerized axial tomography)

a brain-scanning technique that used a rotating, computerized X-ray tube to produce cross-sectional images of the structures of the brain

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)

a diagnostic scanning technique that produces high-resolution images of the structures of the brain

PET scan (positron-emission tomography)

a brain-imaging technique that reveals activity in various parts of the brain based on patterns of blood flow, oxygen use, and glucose consumption.

functional MRI (fMRI)

a brain-imaging technique that reveals both brain structure and brain activity more precisely and rapidly than PET

neuron

a specialized cell that conducts impulses through the nervous system

neurotransmitters

specialized chemicals that facilitate or inhibit the transmission of impulses from one neuron to the next

cell body

the part of the neuron that contains the nucleus and carries out the metabolic functions of the neuron

dendrites

in a neuron the branch-like extensions of the cell body that receive signals from other neurons

axon

the slender, tail-like extension of the neuron that transmits signals to the dendrites or cell body of other neurons and to muscles, glands, and other parts of the body

axon terminal

bulbous end of the axon where signals move from the axon of one neuron to the dendrites or cell body of another

glial cells

specialized cells in the brain and spinal cord that support neurons remove waste products such as dead neurons, and perform other manufacturing, nourishing, and cleanup tasks

synapse

the junction where the axon terminal of a sending neuron communicates with a receiving neuron across the synaptic cleft

resting potential

the slight negative electrical potential of the axon membrane of a neuron at rest about -70 millivolts

action potential

the sudden reversal of the resting potential which indicates the firing of a neuron

myelin sheath

the white fatty coating wrapped around some axons that acts as insulation and enables impulses to travel much faster

receptors

protein molecules on the surfaces of dendrites and cell bodies that have distinctive shapes and will interact only with specific neurotransmitters

reuptake

the process by which neurotransmitters are taken from the synaptic cleft back into the axon terminal for later use, thus terminating their excitatory or inhibitory effect on the receiving neuron

peripheral nervous system (PNS)

the nervous system comprising the brain and the spinal cord Two parts: somatic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system

central nervous system (CNS)

the part of the nervous system comprising the brain and spinal cord

sympathetic nervous system

the division of the autonomic nervous system that mobilizes the body's resources during stress and emergencies, preparing the body for action (fight or flight)

parasympathetic nervous system

the division of the autonomic nervous system that brings the heightened bodily responses back to normal following an emergency

spinal cord

the extension of the brain from the base of the brain through the neck and spinal column that transmits messages between the brain and the peripheral nervous system

hindbrain

a link between the spinal cord and the brain that contains structures that regulate physiological functions, including heart rate, respiration, and blood pressure

brainstem

the structure that begins at the point where the spinal cord enlarges as it enters the brain and handles functions critical to physical survival. It includes the medulla, the reticular formation, and the pons

medulla

the part of the brainstem that controls heartbeat, blood pressure, breathing, coughing, and swallowing

pons

the bridge like structure that connects the medulla and the cerebellum

reticular formation

a structure in the brainstem that plays a crucial role in arousal and attention and that screens sensory messages entering the brain

cerebellum

the brain structure that helps the body execute smooth, skilled movements and regulates muscle tone and posture

midbrain

area that contains structures linking the physiological functions of the hindbrain to the cognitive functions of the forebrain

substantia nigra

the structure in the midbrain that controls unconscious motor movements

forebrain

the largest part of the brain here cognitive functions as well as many of the motor functions of the brain are carried out

thalamus

the structure located about the brainstem that acts as a relay station for information flowing into or out of the forebrain

hypothalamus

a small but influential brain structure that regulates hunger, thirst, sexual behavior, internal body temperature, other body functions, and a wide variety of emotional behaviors

limbic system

a group of structures in the brain including the amygdala and hippocampus, that are collectively involved in emotional expression, memory, and motivation

amygdala

a structure in the limbic system that plays an important role in emotion, particularly in response to unpleasant or punishing stimuli

hippocampus

a structure in the limbic system that plays a central role in the storing of new memories, the response to new or unexpected stimuli, and navigational ability

cerebrum

the largest structure of the human brain, consisting of the two cerebral hemispheres connected by the corpus callosum and covered by the cerebral cortex

cerebral hemispheres

the right and left halves of the cerebrum covered by the cerebral cortex and connected by the corpus callosum; they control movement and feeling on the opposing sides of the body

corpus callosum

the thick band of nerve fibers that connects the two cerebral hemispheres and makes possible the cerebral hemispheres and makes possible the transfer of information and the synchronization of activity between the hemispheres

cerebral cortex

the gray, convoluted covering of the cerebral hemispheres that is responsible for the higher mental processes of language, memory, and thinking

association areas

areas of the cerebral cortex that house memories and are involved in thought, perception, and language

lateralization

the specialization of one of the cerebral hemispheres to handle a particular function

left hemisphere

the hemisphere that controls the right side of the body, coordinates complex movements, and, in most people, handles most of the language functions

right hemisphere

the hemisphere that controls the left side of the body and, in most people, is specialized for visual-spatial perception

split-brain operation

a surgical procedure, performed to treat severe cases of epilepsy, in which the corpus callosum in cut, separating the cerebral hemispheres

frontal lobes

the largest of the brain's lobes, which contain the motor cortex, Broca's area, and the frontal association areas

prefrontal cortex

the part of the frontal lobes directly behind the forehead that controls executive processing, the coordination of multiple brain activities in pursuit of cognitive goals

motor cortex

the strip of tissue at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary body movement and participates in learning and cognitive events

Broca's area

the area in the frontal lobe, usually in the left hemisphere, that controls the production of speech sounds

Broca's aphasia

an impairment in the physical ability to produce speech sounds or in extreme cases an inability to speak to all' caused by damage to the Broca's area

aphasia

a loss or impairment of the ability to use or understand language, resulting from damage to the brain

parietal lobes

the lobes that contain the somatosensory cortex (where touch, pressure, temperature, and pain register) and other areas that are responsible for body awareness and spatial orientation

somatosensory cortex

the strip of tissue at the front of the parietal lobes where touch, pressure, temperature, and pain register in the cerebral cortex

occipital lobes

the lobes that are involved in the reception and interpretation of visual information; they contain the primary visual cortex

primary visual cortex

the area at the rear of the occipital lobes where vision registers in the cerebral cortex

temporal lobes

the lobes that are involved in the reception and interpretation of auditory information; they contain he primary auditory cortex, Wernicke's area, and the temporal association areas.

primary auditory cortex

the part of each temporal lobe where hearing registers in the cerebral cortex

Wernicke's area

the language area in the left temporal lobe involved in comprehending the spoken word and in formulating coherent speech and written language

Wernicke's aphasia

aphasia that results from damage to Wernicke's area and in which the person's speech is fluent and clearly articulated but does not make sense to listeners.

pruning

the process through which the developing brain eliminates unnecessary or redundant synapses

plasticity

the capacity of the brain to adapt to changes such as brain damage

stroke

an event in the cardiovascular system in which a blood clot or plug of fat blocs an artery and cuts off the blood supply to a particular area of the brain

endocrine system

a system of ductless glands in various parts of the body that manufacture hormones and secrete them into the bloodstream, thus affecting cells in other parts of the body

hormone

a chemical substance that is manufactured and released in one part of the body and affects other parts of the body

pituitary gland

the endocrine glad located in the brain that releases hormones that activate other endocrine glands as well as growth hormone; often called the "master gland"

pineal gland

the endocrine gland that secrets the hormone that controls the sleep/wakefulness cycle

thyroid gland

the endocrine gland that produces thyroxin and regulates metabolism

parathyroid glands

the endocrine glands that produce PTH, a hormone that helps the body absorb minerals from the diet

thymus gland

the endocrine gland that produces hormones that are essential to immune system functioning

pancreas

the endocrine gland responsible for regulating the amount of sugar in the bloodstream

adrenal glands

a pair of endocrine glands that release hormones that prepare the body for emergencies and stressful situations and also release corticoids and small amounts of the sex hormones

gonads

the ovaries in females and the testes in males; endocrine glands that produce sex hormones

genes

the segments of DNA that are located on the chromosomes and are the basic units for the transmission of all hereditary traits

chromosomes

rod-shaped structures in the nuclei of body cells, which contain all the genes and carry all the genetic information necessary to make a human being

genotype

an individuals genetic makeup

phenotype

an individual's actual characteristics

dominant-recessive pattern

a set of inheritance rules in which the presence of a single dominant gene causes a trait to be expressed but two genes must be present for the expression of recessive trait

polygenic inheritance

a pattern of inheritance in which many genes influence a trait

multifactorial inheritance

a pattern of inheritance in which a trait is influenced by both genes and environmental factors

behavioral genetics

a field of research that uses twin studies and adoption studies t investigate the relative effects of heredity and environment on behavior

Somatic nervous system

1.all the sensory nerves with transmit info from the sense receptors-eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and skin- to the CNS 2.consists of all the motor nerves, which relay messages from the CNs to all the skeletal....

autonomic nervous system

operates without any conscious control or awareness on your part. messages between the central nervous system and the glands, the cardiac (heart) muscle, and the smooth muscles (arteries and gastrointestinal system), which are not normally under voluntary control

What are the 2 parts of the autonomic nervous system?

1. sympathetic nervous system

2. parasympathetic nervous system

3 parts of the neuron

1.cell body

2.dendrites

3.axon