Studied by 0 peoplesympatheic
a branch of the ANS that is dominant during times of high emotional or physical arousal (flight or flight)
parasympathetic
the division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy (rest and digest)
sympathetic vs parasympathetic
"fight-or-flight" vs "rest-and-digest"
neuroscience
scientific study of the neural structures, behavior, and learning
neurons
a nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system, recieves and sends messages within the system
cell body/soma
the part of a neuron that coordinates information-processing tasks and keeps the cell alive. (the cell's life support center.)
dentrites
a neuron's bushy, branching extensions that receive messages from other cells and conduct impulses toward the cell body
axon
passes messages away from the cell body to other neurons, muscles, or glands
neural impulse
electrical signal traveling down the axon
myelin sheath
covers the axon of some neurons and helps speed neural impulses
terminal branches of axon/axon terminal
Branched endings of an axon that form junctions with other cells and transmit messages to other neurons
degrades/wears down
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) __________ the myelin sheath
cell body, dendrites, axon, mylelin sheath, neural impulse, and axon terminal.
Name all of the parts of a neurons (in order)
afferent (sensory) neurons
carry messages from the senses to the spinal cord and brain
inter-spinal cord neurons
found in the spinal cord, relays signals between afferent (sensory) neurons, and efferent (motor) neurons
efferent (motor) neurons
a neuron that carries messages from the peripheral nervous system and spinal cord to the muscles of the body
neuron impulse
an electrical signal traveling down the axon
agonist
a molecule that increases a neurotransmitter's action
antagonist (psychology)
inhibits neurotransmition; a chemical/drug that binds to receptors in the brain and prevents an agonist from having a reaction.
agonist vs antagonist
a molecule that allowes/increases a neurotransmitter's action vs one that blocks/decreases a neurotransmitter's action
broca's area
a part of the brain that controls language expression - an area, usually in the left frontal lobe, that directs the muscle movements involved in speech.
wernicke's area
controls language reception - a brain area involved in language comprehension and expression; usually in the left temporal lobe
broca's vs. wernicke's area
makes words vs. comprehends words
medulla
the base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing
pons
the part of the brainstem that links the medulla oblongata and the thalamus; relays information from the cerebellum to the rest of the brain
amygdala
two lima bean-sized neural clusters in the limbic system; linked to emotion.
split brain research
twin studies
a method of testing the nature vs nurture debate; where researchers assess hereditary influence by comparing the resemblance of identical twins and fraternal twins with respect to a trait
fMRI (functional MRI) scans
a combo of the PET scan + MRI but even clearer; gives us the best picture of the brain structure while showing which areas are actively receiving oxygen which helps us determine function; measures function + structure.
PET Scans (Positron Emission Tomography Scan)
records biochemical changes/activity in the brain as the person looks at photos/completes tasks by detecting radioactive material which has been injected or inhaled. best way for us to see activity in the brain.
fMRI Scans vs PET Scans
one scan is a combination of the other scan and an MRI but clearer than both, while the other scan is the best way to see brain activity.
endocrine system
the body's "slow" chemical communication system; a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream
pituitary gland
the endocrine system's most influential gland. controlled by the hypothalamus, the gland regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands; the "master gland"
hypothalamus
a neural structure that lies below the thalamus; controls the pituitary gland
thyroid gland
produces hormones that regulate metabolism, body temp., and bone growth
parathyroid
in the neck; controls the level of calcium in your blood and regulates bone growth
adrenal glands
inner part, called the medulla, helps trigger the "fight-or-flight" response
pancreas
regulates the level of sugar in the blood (insulin and glucagon)
ovary
a female reproductive structure that encloses/protects ovules and secretes female sex hormones
testis
male reproductive organ that produces sperm and hormones
frontal lobe
the lobe at the front of the brain associated with movement, speech, impulsive behavior, and complex though
occipital lobe
a region of the brain that processes visual information
pariental lobe
located on the top of the cortex/head, it processes sensory information like touch and pain
temporal lobe
located above the ear, its where auditory processing occurs
hippocampus
a neural center located in the limbic system; helps process explicit memories for storage
synapse (synaptic gap)
the gap between neurons where drugs interact with our nervous system
corpus callosum
a broad band of nerve fibers joining the two hemispheres of the brain.
left brain hemisphere
controls speech and language,math, analytical skills, and logic
right brain hemisphere
controls spatial abilities, creativity, and artistic thought,
examples of neurotransmitters
dopamine, seratonin, endorphines, epinephrine, acetylcholine, and norepinephrine
dopamine
a neurotransmitter that influences motivation, emotion, feelings of reward, and fine motor movement
seratonin
a neurotransmitter that influences mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal
endorphines
a natural pain killer; a neurotransmitter that alleviates pain
epinephrine
a neurotransmitter that affects arousal and alterness
acetylcholine
a neurotransmitter that affects thinking, memory, and movement.
norepinephrine
plays an important role in your body's "fight-or-flight" response; a neurotransmitter that can increase and maintain blood pressure (as a type of medication for serious health situations)
seratonin; epinephrine
depression means you have too little _________ & __________
dopamine
something addictive may activate release of ________
acetylcoline (AcH)
alzheimer's is too little ____________
dopamine
schizophrenia is too much ________
dopamine
parkinson's is too little ________
Twin Studies
the best way to prove whether something is due to nature or nurture
No (20-30% compared to the normal 10%)
Is it highly likely to get diagnosed with depression just because it runs in your family?
Yes
Can aggression be attributed to evolutionarily adaptation/biology?
Progesterone
A hormone produced by the ovaries which acts with estrogen to bring about the menstral cycle.
Testosterone
"the" male sex hormone; both males and females have it, but the additional amount of it in males stimulates the growth of the male sex organs in the fetus and the development of the male sex characteristics during puberty
Estrogen
"the" female sex hormone that signals certain physical changes at puberty and controls the maturation of eggs
Oxytocin
a hormone released by the posterior pituitary that stimulates uterine contractions during childbirth and milk ejection during breastfeeding.
Cortisol
stress hormone released by the adrenal cortex
Potassium
An electrolyte regulated by the kidney; Lack of it causes neurons to fire less frequently because positively charged ions like it cause the neurons to fire.
Thamalus
receives messages from all the sensory receptors throughtout the body and then relays the information to the cerebral cortex for further processing
Edward Thorndike
behaviorism; Law of Effect (relationship between behavior and consequence)
Sigmund Freud
Austrian physician whose work focused on the unconscious causes of behavior and personality formation; founded psychoanalysis.
Micheal Gazzaniga
Conducted the "HE-ART" experiments with split brain patients
Note
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