Biological Psychology: Anatomy and Research Methods

These flashcards focus on key vocabulary and terms related to the anatomy and research methods in biological psychology.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The part of the nervous system that includes the brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Connects the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body.

Somatic Nervous System

Controls voluntary muscles and conveys sensory information to the CNS.

Autonomic Nervous System

Controls involuntary muscles such as the heart and intestines.

Sympathetic Nervous System

Prepares the body for rigorous activity, often referred to as the 'fight or flight' response.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Facilitates vegetative and nonemergency responses, dominant during relaxed states.

Dorsal

Toward the back, away from the ventral side.

Ventral

Toward the stomach, away from the dorsal side.

Anterior

Toward the front end of the body.

Posterior

Toward the rear end of the body.

Superior

Above another part.

Inferior

Below another part.

Medial

Toward the midline of the body.

Lateral

Toward the side, away from the midline.

Proximal

Located close to the point of origin or attachment.

Distal

Located more distant from the point of origin or attachment.

Neuron

A nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system.

Axon

Long, thin structure that transmits signals away from the neuron.

Dendrite

Branch-like structures that receive signals from other neurons.

Neurotransmitter

Chemicals that transmit signals across a synapse from one neuron to another.

Ablation

Removal of a brain area.

Lesion

Damage to a brain area, often done for research.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

Technique that uses magnetic fields to temporarily deactivate neurons.

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

Records electrical activity produced by the brain.

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)

A method that uses blood flow to measure brain activity.

Thalamus

A relay station for sensory information going to the cortex.

Hypothalamus

Regulates hormones and motivated behaviors such as hunger and thirst.

Cerebellum

Part of the hindbrain that helps regulate motor movement and coordination.

Limbic System

A group of structures associated with emotions and memory.

Corpus Callosum

The bundle of axons that connect the two cerebral hemispheres.

Cerebral Cortex

The outer layer of the brain, involved in complex functions such as thought and action.

Prefrontal Cortex

Responsible for higher functions such as planning and abstract thinking.

Neuroplasticity

The brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new connections.