General Psych Ch 2. - Neuroscience and Behavior

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering terms, definitions, brain regions, neurotransmitters, and key historical researchers from Neuroscience and Behavior (Chapter 2).

Biological Psychology

The scientific study of the biological bases of behavior and mental processes.

synaptic transmission

The process by which signals are transmitted between neurons through synapses, involving the release and binding of neurotransmitters.

Neuroscience

The scientific study of the nervous system, especially the brain.

Neuron

A highly specialized cell that communicates information in electrical and chemical form; a nerve cell.

Sensory Neuron

A type of neuron (afferent) that conveys information to the brain from specialized receptor cells in sense organs and internal organs.

Motor Neuron

A type of neuron (efferent) that signals muscles and glands to relax or contract.

Interneuron

A type of neuron that communicates information between neurons.

Cell Body

The part of the neuron containing structures that process nutrients, as well as the nucleus and chromosomes; also called the soma.

synaptic vesicles

Small membrane-bound structures that contain neurotransmitters and release them into the synaptic cleft during neurotransmission.

Dendrites

Branchlike structures of a neuron that receive information from other neurons.

Axon

A long structure of a neuron that sends information to other neurons.

Glial Cells

Cells that provide structural and functional support for neurons throughout the nervous system.

Oligodendrocytes

Glial cells that form the myelin sheath wrapped around the axons of some neurons in the brain.

Microglia

Glial cells that perform the brain's clean-up work and act as part of the immune response.

Astrocytes

The most common type of glial cells, which provide structural support and nutrient provision to neurons.

Myelin Sheath

A white fatty covering wrapped around the axons of some, but not all, neurons in the brain.

hormones

Chemical messengers in the body that regulate various physiological processes.

Action Potential

A brief electrical impulse produced by the movement of electrically charged particles (ions) across the axon membrane that transmits information along the axon.

Resting Potential

The state in which a neuron is prepared to activate and communicate its message if it receives sufficient stimulation.

Stimulus Threshold

The minimum level of stimulation required to activate a particular neuron.

nerves

Bundle of fibers that transmit signals between the brain, spinal cord, and other parts of the body.

Synapse

The communication point and junction between two adjoining neurons.

cerebral hemispheres

The two halves of the brain, each responsible for different functions such as sensory processing, motor control, and cognitive abilities.

Synaptic Gap

The tiny space separating the presynaptic neuron from the postsynaptic neuron.

Axon Terminals

Small branches at the end of the axon containing synaptic vesicles holding neurotransmitters.

Reuptake

The process by which neurotransmitter molecules are reabsorbed and recycled by the sending neuron.

Acetylcholine

A neurotransmitter whose primary roles include learning, memory, and muscle contractions.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter involved in movement, thought processes, and rewarding sensations.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter involved in emotional states, sleep, and sensory perception.

Norepinephrine

A neurotransmitter involved in physical arousal, learning, memory, and regulation of sleep.

Glutamate

A primary neurotransmitter that communicates excitatory messages to postsynaptic neurons.

GABA

Gamma-aminobutyric acid; a primary neurotransmitter that communicates inhibitory messages to postsynaptic neurons.

Endorphins

Neurotransmitters involved in pain perception and positive emotions.

Nervous System

The primary intercommunication network of the body, composed of up to $1 \times 10^{12}$ linked neurons.

Central Nervous System

The division of the nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord, central to all behavior and mental processes.

Peripheral Nervous System

The division of the nervous system comprising all nerves outside the central nervous system extending to the outermost body borders.

Somatic Nervous System

A subdivision of the peripheral nervous system that communicates sensory information to the CNS and carries voluntary motor messages from the CNS to muscles.

Autonomic Nervous System

A subdivision of the peripheral nervous system that functions automatically to regulate involuntary body functions.

Sympathetic Nervous System

The branch of the autonomic nervous system that produces the fight-or-flight response by expending energy.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

The branch of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body and conserves energy in rest-and-digest mode.

Endocrine System

A system of glands located throughout the body that uses chemical messengers called hormones transmitted through the bloodstream.

Pituitary Gland

An endocrine gland regulated by the hypothalamus that secretes growth hormone, prolactin, and oxytocin.

Oxytocin

A hormone involved in reproduction, social motivation, and social behavior.

Adrenal Glands

Glands that produce epinephrine and norepinephrine in response to stress and play a key role in fight-or-flight responses.

Functional Plasticity

The brain's ability to shift functions from damaged to undamaged brain areas.

Structural Plasticity

The brain's ability to change its physical structure in response to learning, active practice, or environmental influences.

Neurogenesis

The development of new neurons that are incorporated into existing neural networks, occurring primarily in the hippocampus and olfactory bulb.

Electroencephalography (EEG)

A technique that measures brain activity and electrical charge abnormalities, commonly used in diagnosing epilepsy or sleep disorders.

Positron-Emission Tomography (PET) Scan

A functional brain-imaging technique that provides color-coded images of brain activity by tracking radioactively tagged compounds such as glucose.

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)

An imaging technique that measures changes in brain blood flow and oxygen levels to track specific brain activities.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

A noninvasive structural imaging technique using magnetic fields and electromagnetic signals to produce detailed images of body tissues and brain structure.

Diffusion MRI (dMRI)

An imaging technique that maps neural connections in the brain by tracking the movement of water molecules along myelinated axons.

Brainstem

The base region of the brain made up of the hindbrain and the midbrain.

Hindbrain

A region at the base of the brain connecting the spinal cord to the rest of the brain, containing the medulla, pons, and cerebellum.

Medulla

A hindbrain structure that controls vital life functions such as breathing and circulation.

Pons

A hindbrain structure that connects the medulla to two sides of the cerebellum and helps coordinate movement on each side of the body.

Cerebellum

A large, two-sided hindbrain structure at the back of the brain responsible for muscle coordination, posture, and equilibrium.

Reticular Formation

A network of nerve fibers in the center of the medulla that regulates attention, arousal, and sleep.

Midbrain

An important relay station in the brainstem involved in processing auditory and visual sensory information.

Forebrain

The largest and most complex brain region (cerebrum), containing centers for complex behaviors and mental processes.

Limbic System

A group of forebrain structures surrounding the brainstem involved in emotion, motivation, learning, and memory.

Hippocampus

A forebrain structure embedded in the temporal lobe that plays a central role in learning, memory, and neurogenesis.

Thalamus

A forebrain structure that processes and integrates sensory information (except smell) and relays it to the cerebral cortex.

Hypothalamus

A small forebrain structure containing over $40$ neural pathways that regulates autonomic functions, links the brain to the endocrine system, and regulates hunger, thirst, sleep, and sexual behavior.

Amygdala

A cluster of neurons at the base of the temporal lobe involved in emotional responses like fear, anger, and disgust, as well as detecting threatening stimuli.

Cerebral Cortex

The wrinkled outer portion of the forebrain composed mainly of glial cells and neuron cell bodies.

Corpus Callosum

A thick band of axons connecting the left and right cerebral hemispheres, acting as a communication link between them.

Occipital Lobe

The area at the back of each cerebral hemisphere that serves as the primary receiving area for visual information.

Parietal Lobe

The area on each hemisphere located above the temporal lobe that processes body sensations such as touch, temperature, and pressure.

Temporal Lobe

The area on each hemisphere near the temples that serves as the primary receiving area for auditory information.

Frontal Lobe

The largest lobe of each cerebral hemisphere, involved in voluntary muscle movements, thinking, planning, and emotional control.

Cortical Localization

The principle that specific psychological or physiological functions are located or localized in distinct areas of the brain.

Aphasia

The partial or complete inability to articulate ideas or understand spoken or written language due to brain injury or damage.

Lateralization of Function

The principle that specific psychological or cognitive functions are processed primarily on one side of the brain.

Broca's Area

A region on the lower left frontal lobe involved in speech production.

Wernicke's Area

A region in the left temporal lobe involved in the comprehension of written or spoken language.

Pierre Paul Broca

French surgeon who provided evidence for cortical localization by showing that damage to the lower left frontal lobe affected speech production.

Karl Wernicke

German neurologist who discovered that damage to the left temporal lobe affected language comprehension.

Roger Sperry

Neuroscientist who conducted pioneering split-brain research on patients with severed corpus callosums to map hemispheric specialization.

Split-Brain Operation

A surgical procedure involving the cutting of the corpus callosum to stop or reduce recurring severe epileptic seizures.

neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers that transmit signals across synapses between neurons, influencing various functions in the brain and body.

pons

A structure in the brainstem that connects the medulla to the thalamus and is involved in regulating sleep, respiration, and relaying information between the cerebellum and cerebrum.