AP Psych Chapter 2

Nervous System

A network fo cells that carries information to and from all parts of the body.

Neruoscience

A branch of the life sciences that deals with the structure and functioning of the brain and the neurons, nerves, and nervous tissue that form the nervous system.

Neruon

A specialized cell in the nervous system that recieves and send messages within that system.

Dentrites

Parts of the neuron that receives messages from other cells. Attached to the cell body, soma.

Soma

Cell body. Part of the cell that contain the nucleus responsible for maintaining the life of the neuron.

Axon

A tube-like fiber attached to the soma and carries electrical messages from the cell body (soma) to the terminal knobs.

Myelin

Fatty substance produced by certain gilial cells that coat the axons of neurons to insulate, protect, and speed up the neural impulse.

Action Potential

The release of the neural impulse, consisting of a reversal of the electrical charge within the axon.

Neurotransmitter

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

Synapse (synaptic gap)

microscopic fluid-filled space between the axon termina of one cell and he dendrites or surface of the next cell.   

Central nervous system (CNS)

part of the nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord.  

Neuroplasticity

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

Peripheral nervous system (PNS)

all nerves and neurons that are not continued in the brain and spinal cord but that run through the body itself. 

Autonomic nervous system (ANS)

division of the PNA consisting of nerves that control all of the involuntary muscles, organs, and glands. 

Sympathetic division (fight-or-flight system)

part of the ANS that is responsible for reacting to stressful events and bodily arousal.  

Parasympathetic division (eat-drink-and-rest systems)

part of the ANS that restores the body to normal functioning after arousing and is responsible for the day-to-day functioning of the organs and glands. 

Hormones

chemically released into the bloodstream by endocrine glands.  

Pituitary gland

gland located in the brain that secretes human growth hormone and influences all other hormone-secreting glands (also known as the master gland) 

Adrenal glands

endocrine glands located on top of each kidney that secrete over 30 different hormones to deal with stress, regulate salt intake, and provide a secondary source of sex hormones affecting the sexual changes that occur during adolescence. 

Lesioning

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.

Transcranial magnetic simulation (TMS)

magnetic pulses are applies to the cortex using special sopper wire coils that are positioned over the head. Stimulates neurons in the area of the cortex.

Electroencephalograph

Machine designed to record the electrical activity of the cortex below the skull.

Medulla

the first large swelling at the top of the spinal cord, forming the lower 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 that plays a part in sleep, dreaming, left-right body coordination, and arousal.

Reticular reformation (RF)

an area of neurons running through the middle of the medulla and the pons and slightly beyond that play a role in general arousal, alertness, and sleep.  

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.  

Thalamus

part of the limbic system located in the center of the brain, this structure relies sensory information from the lower part of the brain to the proper areas of the cortex and processes come sensory information before sending it to its proper area.  

Hypothalamus

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.  

Homeostasis

the tendency of the body to maintain a steady state 

Hippocampus

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

Amygdala

brain structure located near the hippocampus, responsible for rear responses and memory off fear.

Cortex

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

Occipital lobe

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

Parietal lobes

sections of the brain located at the top and back of each cerebral hemisphere containing the centers for touch, temperature, and body position.

Somatosensory cortex

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

Temporal lobes

areas of the cortex located along the side 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 is responsible for sending motor commands to the muscles of the somatic nervous system.

Association areas

areas within each lobe of the cortex responsible for the coordination and interpretation of information, as well as higher mental processing.