Biological Psychology and Brain Structures Flashcards

A set of 30 vocabulary flashcards covering key biological psychology terms, neural communication concepts, and brain structures.

Neuroscience

A branch of the life sciences that deals with the structure and function of neurons, nerves, and nervous tissue.

Biological psychology

A branch of neuroscience that focuses on the biological bases of psychological processes, behavior, and learning.

Neuron

The basic cell that makes up the nervous system and that receives and sends messages within that system.

Dendrites

Branchlike structures of a neuron that receive messages from other neurons.

Soma

The cell body of the neuron responsible for maintaining the life of the cell.

Axon

A tubelike structure of a neuron that carries the neural message from the cell body to the axon terminals.

Glial cells

Cells that provide support for neurons to grow on and around, deliver nutrients, produce myelin, clean up waste products and dead neurons, influence information processing, and influence new neuron generation during prenatal development.

Myelin

A layer of fatty substances produced by certain glial cells that coat the axons of neurons to insulate, protect, and speed up the neural impulse.

Nerves

Bundles of axons coated in myelin that travel together through the body.

Resting potential

The state of the neuron when not firing a neural impulse.

Action potential

A state consisting of a reversal of the electrical charge within the axon that releases the neural impulse.

Synaptic vesicles

Saclike structures found inside the synaptic knob containing chemicals.

Neurotransmitter

A chemical found in the synaptic vesicles that, when released, has an effect on the next cell.

Synapse

Microscopic fluid-filled space between the axon terminal of one cell and the dendrites or soma of the next cell.

Receptor sites

Three-dimensional proteins on the surface of the dendrites or certain cells of the muscles and glands, which are shaped to fit only certain neurotransmitters.

Antagonists

Chemical substances that block or reduce a cell's response to the action of other chemicals or neurotransmitters.

Agonists

Chemical substances that mimic or enhance the effects of a neurotransmitter on the receptor sites of the next cell, increasing or decreasing the activity of that cell.

Reuptake

The process by which neurotransmitters are taken back into the synaptic vesicles.

Computed tomography (CT)

A brain-imaging method using computer-controlled X-rays of the brain.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

A brain-imaging method using radio waves and magnetic fields of the body to produce detailed images of the brain.

Positron emission tomography (PET)

A brain-imaging method in which a radioactive sugar is injected into the subject and a computer compiles a color-coded image of the activity of the brain.

Medulla

The first large swelling at the top of the spinal cord, forming the lowest part of the brain, which is responsible for life-sustaining functions such as breathing, swallowing, and heart rate.

Pons

The larger swelling above the medulla that connects the top of the brain to the bottom and plays a part in sleep, dreaming, left-right body coordination, and arousal.

Reticular formation (RF)

An area of neurons running through the middle of the medulla and the pons and slightly beyond that is responsible for general attention, alertness, and arousal.

Cerebellum

Part of the lower brain located behind the pons that controls and coordinates involuntary, rapid, fine motor movement and may have some cognitive functions.

Limbic system

A group of several brain structures located primarily under the cortex and involved in learning, emotion, memory, and motivation.

Thalamus

Part of the limbic system located in the center of the brain that relays sensory information from the lower part of the brain to the proper areas of the cortex.

Hypothalamus

A small structure in the brain located below the thalamus and directly above the pituitary gland, responsible for motivational behavior such as sleep, hunger, thirst, and sex.

Hippocampus

A curved structure located within each temporal lobe, responsible for the formation of long-term declarative memories.

Amygdala

A brain structure located near the hippocampus, responsible for fear responses and memory of fear.

Nervous System

An extensive network of specialized cells that carries information to and from all parts of the body

Axon terminals

Enlarged ends of axonal branches, specialized for communication with other cells

Neural Impulse

Generating a message within the neuron

Diffusion

The process of molecules moving from areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration.

Excitatory Synapse

A synapse at which a neurotransmitter causes the receiving cell to fire

Inhibitory Synapse

A synapse at which a neurotransmitter causes the receiving cell to stop firing.

Enzyme Degradation

The structure of a neurotransmitter is altered so it can no longer act on a receptor

Lesioning

The insertion of a thin, insulated electrode into the brain through which an electrical current is sent, destroying the brain cells at the tip of the wire.

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

Recording of the electrical activity of a large group of cortical neurons just below the skull, most often using scalp electrodes.

Magnetoencephalography (MEG)

Explore information processing differences in language disorders.

Functional MRI

an MRI based brain imaging method that allows for functional examination of the brain areas through changes in brain oxygenation

Olfactory Bulbs

Two bulblike projections of the brain located just above the sinus cavity and just below the frontal lobes that receive information from the olfactory receptor cells. (smell)

Cingulate Cortex

Part of the limbic system that plays a role in emotion and processing

The Cortex

Outermost covering of the brain consisting of densely packed neurons, responsible for higher thought processes and interpretation of sensory input.

cerebrum

Upper part of the brain consisting of two hemispheres and the structures that connects them

Cerebral hemispheres

Two sections of the cortex on the left and right sides of the brain

Corpus Callosum

The thick band of neurons that connects the right and left cerebral hemispheres

Occipital lobe

A section of the brain located at the rear and bottom of each cerebral hemispheres containing the primary visual centers of the brain

Parietal lobes

Section of the brain located at the top and back of each cerebral hemispheres containing the centers for touch, temperature, and body position

Somatosensory cortex

An area of the cortex at the front of the parietal lobes responsible for processing information from the skin and internal body receptors for touch, temperature and body position

Spatial Neglect

A condition produced most often by damage to the parietal lobe association areas of the right hemispheres, resulting in an inability to recognize objects or body parts in the left visual field.

Temporal Lobes

Areas of the cortex located along the sides of the brain, starting just behind the temples, containing the neurons responsible for the sense of hearing and meaningful speech

Frontal lobes

Areas of the brain located in the front and top, responsible for higher mental processes and decision making as well as the production of fluent speech

Motor Cortex

The rear section of the frontal lobe, responsible for sending motor commands to the muscles of the somatic nervous system.

Mirror Neurons

Neurons that fire when an animal or person performs an action and also when an animal or person observes that same action being performed by another.

Broca’s Area

An association area that is responsible for producing fluent, understandable speech

Broca’s aphasia

A condition resulting from damage to Broca’s area, causing the affected person to be unable to speak fluently, to mispronounce words, and to speak haltingly

Wernicke’s area

Responsible for understanding language

Wernicke’s aphasia

A condition resulting from damage to Wernicke’s area, causing the affected person to be unable to understand or produce meaningful language

Spinal Cord

Long bundle of neurons that carries messages between the body and the brain and is responsible for very fast, lifesaving reflexes

Afferent (sensory) neurons

Carry information from the senses to the CNS.

Efferent (motor) neurons

Carry messages from the CNS to the muscles of the body.

Interneurons

Located in the center of the spinal cord and receives information from the afferent neurons and send commands to the muscles through the efferent neurons.

Reflex arc

The connection of the afferent neurons to the interneurons to the efferent neurons, resulting in a reflex action

Neuroplasticity

Ability within the brain to constantly change both the structure and function of many cells in response to experience or trauma

Neurogenesis

Formation of new neurons that occurs primarily during prenatal development but may also occur at lesser levels in some brain areas during adulthood

Stem Cells

Special cells found in all the tissues of the body that are capable of becoming other cell types when those need to be replaced due to damage

Epigenetics

The interaction between genes and environmental factors influencing gene activity

Somatic nervous system

Nerves that carry information from the senses to the CNS, then to the voluntary muscles of the body

Automatic nervous system

Nerves that control all the involuntary muscles, organs, and glands.

Sympathetic division

Fight or flight system. responsible for reacting to stressful events and bodily arousal

Parasympathetic division

Eat-drink-and rest system, responsible for day-to-day functioning of organs and glands.

Endocrine glands

No ducts and secrete chemicals called hormones directly into the bloodstream

Pituitary gland

located in the brain, secretes human growth hormone and influences all other hormone secreting glands.

Oxytocin

A hormone released by the posterior pituitary gland that is involved in reproduction and parental behaviors

Pineal gland

Located near the base of the cerebrum and secretes melatonin

Thyroid gland

Found in the neck and regulates metabolism by secreting thyroxin

pancreas

Control levels of sugar in the blood by secreting insulin and glucagons

Gonads

Sex glands, including ovaries and testicles, that secrete hormones that regulate sexual development and reproduction

Adrenal glands

At the top of each kidney that secrete over 30 different hormones to deal with stress, regulate salt intake. and hormones affecting sexual changes that occur during adolescence.