Biology

This set of flashcards covers key terms and concepts from biology and behavior, including definitions of important terms related to neuroscience, neural communication, the nervous system, and brain structures.

Neuroscience

The study of the brain and other parts of the nervous system.

Biological Psychology

The branch of psychology that focuses on how the brain and other biological systems influence human behavior.

Neurons

Specialized cells of the nervous system that communicate with each other through electrical and chemical signals.

Sensory Neurons

Neurons that receive information from the sensory systems and send it to the brain for further processing.

Motor Neurons

Neurons that transmit information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands.

Interneurons

Neurons located in the brain or spinal cord that act as connectors.

Dendrites

Parts of a neuron that receive information from other neurons.

Axon

Sends messages to other neurons.

Myelin Sheath

Fatty insulation that speeds up transmission of neural signals.

Glial Cells

Cells that support and protect neurons throughout the brain.

Action Potential

The release, or firing, of an electrical impulse that travels through the axon.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers that travel across synapses from one neuron to the next.

Acetylcholine

A neurotransmitter that relays messages from neurons to muscles, enabling movement.

Glutamate

An excitatory neurotransmitter.

GABA

An inhibitory neurotransmitter.

Norepinephrine

A neurotransmitter that helps the body prepare for stressful situations, enhancing attention, arousal, and sleep.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter that helps control appetite, aggression, and mood, and regulates sleep and breathing.

Endorphins

Naturally produced opioids that are released in response to pain.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter involved in the body's reward system, attention, and learning through reinforcement.

Agonists

Substances that increase the normal activity of a neurotransmitter.

Antagonists

Substances that reduce the activity of a neurotransmitter.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

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

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

The part of the nervous system that includes all the nerves outside of the CNS.

Somatic Nervous System

The part of the PNS that controls voluntary movements.

Autonomic Nervous System

The part of the PNS that controls involuntary actions.

Sympathetic Nervous System

The division of the autonomic nervous system that prepares the body for 'fight or flight' responses.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

The division of the autonomic nervous system that controls 'rest and digest' responses.

Neuroplasticity

The brain's ability to heal, grow new connections, and reorganize to adapt to new environments.

Cerebrum

The largest part of the brain, consisting of two distinct hemispheres.

Lateralization

The tendency for the left and right hemispheres to excel in certain activities.

Broca's Area

A region of the cortex that is critical for speech production.

Wernicke's Area

A region of the cortex that plays a critical role in language comprehension.

Cerebral Cortex

The outermost layer of the cerebrum responsible for higher mental functions.

Limbic System

A collection of structures that regulates emotions and basic drives.

Hippocampus

The part of the brain involved in processing and forming new memories.

Amygdala

A brain structure that processes aggression and basic emotions such as fear.

Thalamus

The brain structure that processes and relays sensory information.

Hypothalamus

The part of the brain that maintains internal balance and regulates various functions.

Medulla

The brain structure that oversees vital functions such as breathing, digestion, and heart rate.

Cerebellum

The part of the brain responsible for muscle coordination and balance.