Untitled Flashcards Set

action potential

Electrical signal that moves down the neuron’s axon.

adrenal gland

Sits atop our kidneys and secretes hormones involved in the stress response.

agonist

Drug that mimics or strengthens the effects of a neurotransmitter.

all-or-none

Phenomenon that incoming signal from another neuron is either sufficient or insufficient to reach the threshold of excitation.

allele

Specific version of a gene.

amygdala

Structure in the limbic system involved in our experience of emotion and tying emotional meaning to our memories.

antagonist

Drug that blocks or impedes the normal activity of a given neurotransmitter.

auditory cortex

Strip of cortex in the temporal lobe that is responsible for processing auditory information.

autonomic nervous system

Controls our internal organs and glands.

axon

Major extension of the soma.

biological perspective

View that psychological disorders like depression and schizophrenia are associated with imbalances in one or more neurotransmitter systems.

Broca’s area

Region in the left hemisphere that is essential for language production.

central nervous system (CNS)

Brain and spinal cord.

cerebellum

Hindbrain structure that controls balance, coordination, movement, and motor skills, and is important in processing some types of memory.

cerebral cortex

Surface of the brain associated with our highest mental capabilities.

chromosome

Long strand of genetic information.

computerized tomography (CT) scan

Imaging technique in which a computer coordinates and integrates multiple x-rays of a given area.

corpus callosum

Thick band of neural fibers connecting the brain’s two hemispheres.

dendrite

Branch-like extension of the soma that receives incoming signals from other neurons.

deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)

Helix-shaped molecule made of nucleotide base pairs.

diabetes

Disease related to insufficient insulin production.

dominant allele

Allele whose phenotype will be expressed in an individual that possesses that allele.

electroencephalography (EEG)

Recording the electrical activity of the brain via electrodes on the scalp.

endocrine system

Series of glands that produce chemical substances known as hormones.

epigenetics

Study of gene-environment interactions, such as how the same genotype leads to different phenotypes.

fight or flight response

Activation of the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system, allowing access to energy reserves and heightened sensory capacity.

forebrain

Largest part of the brain, containing the cerebral cortex, thalamus, and limbic system, among other structures.

fraternal twins

Twins who develop from two different eggs fertilized by different sperm.

frontal lobe

Part of the cerebral cortex involved in reasoning, motor control, emotion, and language.

functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)

MRI that shows changes in metabolic activity over time.

gene

Sequence of DNA that controls or partially controls physical characteristics.

genetic environmental correlation

View of gene-environment interaction that asserts our genes affect our environment, and our environment influences the expression of our genes.

genotype

Genetic makeup of an individual.

glial cell

Nervous system cell that provides support to neurons.

gonad

Secretes sexual hormones, important for reproduction and mediating sexual motivation.

gyrus

Bump or ridge on the cerebral cortex.

hemisphere

Left or right half of the brain.

heterozygous

Consisting of two different alleles.

hindbrain

Division of the brain containing the medulla, pons, and cerebellum.

hippocampus

Structure in the temporal lobe associated with learning and memory.

homeostasis

State of equilibrium, where biological conditions are maintained at optimal levels.

homozygous

Consisting of two identical alleles.

hormone

Chemical messenger released by endocrine glands.

hypothalamus

Forebrain structure that regulates sexual motivation and behavior, among other processes.

identical twins

Twins that develop from the same sperm and egg.

lateralization

Concept that each hemisphere of the brain is associated with specialized functions.

limbic system

Collection of structures involved in processing emotion and memory.

longitudinal fissure

Deep groove in the brain’s cortex.

magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Magnetic fields used to produce a picture of the tissue being imaged.

medulla

Hindbrain structure that controls automated processes like breathing and blood pressure.

membrane potential

Difference in charge across the neuronal membrane.

midbrain

Division of the brain located between the forebrain and the hindbrain.

motor cortex

Strip of cortex involved in planning and coordinating movement.

mutation

Sudden, permanent change in a gene.

myelin sheath

Fatty substance that insulates axons.

nervous system

Made up of billions of neurons; controls thoughts, responses, and movements.

neuron

Cells in the nervous system that act as interconnected information processors.

neuroplasticity

Nervous system's ability to change.

neurotransmitter

Chemical messenger of the nervous system.

Nodes of Ranvier

Open spaces in the myelin sheath that encases the axon.

occipital lobe

Part of the cerebral cortex associated with visual processing.

pancreas

Secretes hormones that regulate blood sugar.

parasympathetic nervous system

Associated with routine, day-to-day operations of the body.

parietal lobe

Part of the cerebral cortex involved in processing sensory information.

peripheral nervous system (PNS)

Connects the CNS to the muscles, organs, and senses in the periphery.

phenotype

Individual’s inheritable physical characteristics.

pituitary gland

Secretes key hormones regulating fluid levels and directs the activity of other glands.

polygenic

Multiple genes affecting a given trait.

pons

Hindbrain structure that connects the brain and spinal cord.

positron emission tomography (PET) scan

Involves injecting individuals with a mildly radioactive substance to monitor brain activity.

prefrontal cortex

Area in the frontal lobe responsible for higher-level cognitive functioning.

psychotropic medication

Drugs that treat psychiatric symptoms by restoring neurotransmitter balance.

range of reaction

Asserts genes set boundaries that interact with the environment to determine outcomes.

receptor

Protein on the cell surface where neurotransmitters attach.

recessive allele

Allele whose phenotype will be expressed only if homozygous.

resting potential

State of readiness of a neuron membrane’s potential.

reticular formation

Midbrain structure important in regulating the sleep/wake cycle and arousal.

reuptake

Neurotransmitter is pumped back into the neuron that released it.

semipermeable membrane

Cell membrane that allows certain molecules to pass through.

soma

Cell body.

somatic nervous system

Relays sensory and motor information to and from the CNS.

somatosensory cortex

Essential for processing sensory information from the body.

substantia nigra

Midbrain structure where dopamine is produced, involved in control of movement.

sulcus

Depressions or grooves in the cerebral cortex.

sympathetic nervous system

Involved in stress-related activities and functions.

synaptic cleft

Small gap between two neurons where communication occurs.

synaptic vesicle

Storage site for neurotransmitters.

temporal lobe

Part of cerebral cortex associated with hearing, memory, and language.

terminal button

Axon terminal containing synaptic vesicles.

thalamus

Sensory relay for the brain.

theory of evolution by natural selection

States that organisms better suited for their environments will survive.

threshold of excitation

Level of charge in the membrane that causes the neuron to become active.

thyroid

Secretes hormones that regulate growth, metabolism, and appetite.

ventral tegmental area (VTA)

Midbrain structure where dopamine is produced; associated with mood and addiction.

Wernicke’s area

Important for speech comprehension.