2A Vocab

Biological psychology

Branch of psychology that studies how the body influences behavior and mental processes

Dendrites

extension of a neuron's cell body that receives chemical and electrical signals from other neurons

Cell body (soma)

contains the nucleus

Axon

a long, thin cable-like projection of a neuron that carries electrical and chemical signals away from the cell body to other neurons, muscles, or glands

Myelin sheaths

A protective, layer of fatty coating around the axon that acts as an electrical insulator.

Terminal Branches

at the very end of an axon and sends messages to other neurons.

Action potential

a brief, electrical charge that travels down a neuron's axon to send a message to other neurons

Refractory Period

the brief reset after a neuron fires when it can't fire again

Resting potential

the electrical charge of a neuron when it is inactive and not sending a signal

Threshold

the boundary level or minimum intensity required for a stimulus to be detected or for a neural response to occur

Synapse

the tiny gap between two neurons where they communicate with each other

Neurotransmitters

chemical messengers that carry signals across the synaptic gap from one nerve cell to another, a muscle, or a gland

reuptake

the process by which neurotransmitters are taken back into the synaptic vesicles of a neuron after they have performed their function of transmitting a neural impulse.

Agonist

a substance or drug that mimics or enhances the effect of a neurotransmitter in the brain

Antagonist

a chemical or drug that blocks or decreases the effect of a neurotransmitter in the brain

Lesion

the destruction, injury, or damage of brain tissue

electroencephalogram (EEG)

a test that measures and records the electrical activity of the brain using electrodes placed on the scalp

computed tomography (CT)

a medical imaging technique that uses X-rays from many different angles and a computer to build detailed, 3D pictures of brain and body structure

positron emission tomography (PET)

a brain-imaging method that measures brain activity and function by tracking where radioactive glucose goes while the brain works

magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

a brain-scanning technique that uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed, computer-generated pictures of soft brain tissues and anatomy

fMRI

a brain-scanning technique that measures brain activity by tracking changes in blood flow and oxygen levels

Medulla

the part of the brainstem at the very base of the brain that controls heartbeat

Thalamus

the brain's main sensory relay station is situated at the top of the brainstem

pons

serves as a message center, sleep and dreaming

Reticular Formation

nerve network that travels through brainstem and thalamus, is your brains ON switch for arousal, alertness, and wakefulness

cerebellum

in the back and base of the brain, controls balance, coordination, movement, motor skills, and nonverbal learning/memory

Amygdala

2 bean sized neural clusters, linked to aggression and fear

Brainstem

where the spinal cord meets the brain, responsible for automatic survival functions

Limbic system

neutral system located below the central hemispheres, associated with emotions and drives

Hippocampus

towards the middle of the brain, turns short term memories into long term memories

Hypothalamus

below and in front t of the thalamus, regulates body temp, thirst, hunger, sleeping, sexual activity, and emotion

nucleus accumbens

the brain's pleasure and reward center, playing a central role in motivation, desire, and addiction.

cerebral cortex

control and information processing center, comes in a pair

frontal lobes

part of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead that control speaking, muscle movements, and higher-level thinking like making plans and judgments

broca’s area

controls speech expression, left frontal lobe

Phineas Gage

a railroad worker who survived a freak accident where an iron rod blasted completely through his frontal lobe

executive functioning

cognitive skills that help people plan, multitask, and interact with others

Parietal lobes

the section of the cerebral cortex at the top and upper back of the head that processes body sensations and spatial awareness

temporal lobes

located near your temples, it processes auditory information and encoding memory

wernicke’s area

a region in the brain responsible for language comprehension and reception

Occipital lobes

the region at the very back of the cerebral cortex responsible for processing and interpreting visual information received from the eyes

corpus callosum

the thick band of neural fibers and nerve axons that connects the left and right cerebral hemispheres of the brain, allowing them to share information and coordinate thoughts, movements, and senses

Central nervous system

contains your brain and spinal cord, receives, integrates, and interprets incoming sensory information and sends out motor commands.

peripheral nervous system

the network of nerves that branches out from your brain and spinal cord to reach the rest of your body

somatic nervous system

the part of your peripheral nervous system that lets you control your voluntary muscles and process information from your five senses.

autonomic nervous system

the part of your nervous system that controls the automatic, unconscious functions of your body, like heartbeats and breathing

endocrine system

the body's slow, chemical communication network that works alongside the nervous system to regulate behavior, mood, growth, and internal balance

Adrenal glands

two small organs that make vital hormones that control your metabolism and your body's reaction to stress

pituitary gland

sits at the base of the brain and links the nervous system to the endocrine system, regulating stress, growth, and behaviors tied to emotions and reproduction

reflex arc

a fast, automatic neural pathway in the spinal cord that lets the body react to danger without waiting for the brain

multiple sclerosis

a chronic autoimmune disorder in which the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the myelin sheath

myasthenia gravis

a chronic neuromuscular disease that causes weakness in the voluntary muscles

split brain theory

occurs when the corpus callosum is surgically severed to stop severe epileptic seizures

seizures

a sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbance in the brain that temporarily changes how a person behaves, moves, thinks, or feels

callosotomy

a surgical procedure that cuts the corpus callosum to stop severe, uncontrollable epileptic seizures from spreading between the two sides

michael gazzaniga

cognitive neuroscientist best known for pioneering split-brain research and demonstrating hemispheric specialization

roger sperry

pioneer in neuropsychology and cognitive neuroscience

brain plasticity

the brain's ability to reorganize, change its structure, and modify its functions across the lifespan in response to experience, learning, or injury