Physiological psych exam 2

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Composed of the brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Includes somatic (sensory and motor input) and autonomic (non-voluntary) systems.

Sympathetic Nervous System

Part of the autonomic nervous system that triggers the 'fight or flight' response, primarily using norepinephrine.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Part of the autonomic nervous system that promotes 'rest and digest' functions, primarily using acetylcholine.

Grey Matter

The central part of the spinal cord, consisting of neuronal cell bodies.

White Matter

Contains myelinated axons which carry information from grey matter to other areas.

Ventral

Refers to the front or towards the stomach.

Dorsal

Refers to the back or towards the butt.

Hindbrain

Contains pons, medulla, and cerebellum, responsible for vital functions and balance.

Cerebral Cortex

Divided into left and right hemispheres, responsible for complex brain functions including thought and action.

Frontal Lobe

Controls planning, impulse regulation, emotional regulation, and fine motor movements.

Occipital Lobe

The area of the brain that controls vision and processes all visual input.

Parietal Lobe

Responsible for sensation and contains the primary somatosensory cortex.

Temporal Lobe

Handles auditory functions, including sound, hearing, and language.

Prefrontal Cortex

Involved in decision-making, planning, and emotional regulation.

Elastic vs. Rigid Response

Elastic responses are adaptable while rigid responses are fixed.

Lateral Inhibition

The reduction of activity in one neuron by neighboring neurons to enhance perception of edges.

Trichromatic Theory

Explains color perception based on the response rates of three types of cones sensitive to different wavelengths.

Opponent Process Theory

Suggests that color perception occurs through opposing pairs (e.g., red-green, blue-yellow).

Parvocellular Neurons

Neurons with a 1 to 1 connection ratio of cones to ganglion cells, sensitive to color and detail.

Magnocellular Neurons

Neurons distributed throughout the retina, sensitive to motion and patterns with larger visual fields.

Place Theory

States that different areas along the basilar membrane respond to different sound frequencies.

Frequency Theory

States that the basilar membrane vibrates in synchrony with sound waves, affecting action potentials.

Auditory Cortex (Area A1)

The primary auditory processing area located in the superior temporal cortex.

Middle Ear Deafness

Occurs when the bones of the middle ear fail to amplify sound effectively.

Inner Ear Deafness

Results from damage in the cochlea or auditory nerve, potentially fixed by cochlear implants.

Somatosensory Receptors

Specialized receptors in the skin that respond to various touch and pain sensations.

Pain Sensation

Begins at bare nerve endings and is transmitted through unmyelinated axons.

Opiates

Substances that bind to receptors in the spinal cord and brain, reducing pain perception.