Unit 2 Vocab

Pituitary Gland

the main endocrine system gland, regulating growth and controlling other glands

Parietal Lobe

the portion of the cerebral cortex at the top of the head that receives sensory input

CT/CAT Scan

a 3D x-ray scan that compiles computer images, best for structure of brain slices.

Heritability

the extent to which a genetic trait is passed down through a population.

Frontal Lobe

the portion of the cerebral cortex behind the forehead, involved in executive functioning, speech production, and muscle movements.

Peripheral Nervous System

the subset of the nervous system consisting of sensory and motor neurons that connect all parts to the brain and spinal cord.

Manifest Content

Freud's term for the symbolic, remembered storyline of a dream.

Hypothalamus

brain structure involved in maintaining homeostasis (hunger, temperature, emotions, fight/flight, sex drive) and connected to the pituitary gland

Autonomic Nervous System

the part of the peripheral nervous system controlling internal organ muscles and glands. Can be broken into sympathetic and parasympathetic.

Plasticity

the brain's ability to change, especially during childhood.

Latent Content

Freud's term for the underlying meaning of a dream.

Motor Cortex

at the back of the frontal lobe, the area controlling voluntary muscle movements.

Broca’s Area

area of the frontal lobe controlling language and speech production.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

the division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body.

fMRI Scan

a brain scan that compares blood flow over time while the participant completes a cognitive task, showing function.

Epigenetics

the study of environmental influences on gene expression that occur without a DNA change.

REM-Rebound

the tendency for REM sleep to increase following REM sleep deprivation.

EEG Scan

a recording of electrical brain activity that detects waves during sleep.

Temporal Lobe

the portion of the cerebral cortex on the side of the head, including auditory processing

Reticular Formation / Activating System

a nerve network in the brainstem that controls arousal, alertness, and waking up.

Sympathetic Nervous System

the division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy.

Central Nervous System

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

Sensory Neurons

neurons that carry incoming information from body to brain (afferent).

Hormones

chemical messengers produced by endocrine glands that travel through the bloodstream.

Somatosensory Cortex

an area at the front of the parietal lobes that processes body touch sensations.

Aphasia

damage to a brain part that causes impairment of function, specifically to Broca's area (damaged production of speech) or Wernicke's area (damaged speech comprehension).

Interneurons

neurons in the brain and spinal cord that communicate between sensory and motor inputs.

Antagonist

a drug molecule that inhibits or blocks a neurotransmitter's action.

Amygdala

limbic system clusters linked to emotion; the emotional processing center.

Dendrite

the roots of a neuron; branching extensions that receive messages, conducting impulses toward the cell body.

Thalamus

the brain's sensory control center at the top of the brainstem.

Frontal Lobe

the portion of the cerebral cortex behind the forehead, involved in executive functioning, speech production, and muscle movements.

PET Scan

a brain scan technique including dye injections that shows the function of active brain areas.

Occipital Lobe

the portion of the cerebral cortex at the back of the head that processes visual information.

Axon

the trunk of the neuron that passes messages from dendrites to axon terminals.

MRI Scan

a brain scan technique using magnetic fields, showing structures of soft tissues.

Pons

the part of the brain stem controlling sleep.

Myelin Sheath

fatty tissue encasing the axons of some neurons, enabling faster transmission of nerve impulses.

Corpus Callosum

the large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres; can be severed to treat epilepsy.

Agonist

a drug molecule that increases a neurotransmitter's action.

Hormones

chemical messengers produced by endocrine glands that travel through the bloodstream.

Synapse/ Synaptic Cleft/Gap

the space between two neurons where neurotransmitters communicate.

Brainstem

the oldest and core part of the brain extending from the spinal cord that is responsible for automatic survival functions.

Hallucinogens

psychedelic drugs, such as LSD and marijuana, that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images.

Alpha Waves

 the relatively slow brain waves of a relaxed, awake state.

Depressant

drugs (such as alcohol, barbiturates, and opiates) that reduce neural activity and slow body functions.

Wernicke’s Area

a brain area involved in language comprehension.

Endorphins

natural painkiller neurotransmitters released during exercise.

All-or-Nothing Response

a neuron's reaction of either firing (with a full-strength response) or not firing at all.

NREM Sleep

non-rapid eye movement sleep.

Motor Neurons

neurons that carry outgoing information from brain to body (efferent).

REM

sleep that most commonly includes vivid dreams and rapid eye movements.

Glial Cells

nervous system support cells; support, nourish, and protect neurons.

Stimulants

drugs (such as caffeine, nicotine, and cocaine) that excite neural activity and speed up body functions.

Reuptake

 a neurotransmitter's reabsorption by the sending neuron.

Heredity

the genetic transfer of characteristics from parents to offspring.

Action Potential

a nerve impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon.