Biopsych

Dendrites

the 'listeners' of a neuron that receive information from another neuron

Dendrites (image)

Soma (cell body) (image)

Axon (image)

Myelin Sheath (image)

Axon Terminals (image)

Soma (cell body)

Contains the nucleus and important parts to keep the cell alive; doesn't really play a role in the communication process

Axon

tail-like structure down which the electrical charge travels

Myelin Sheath

Glial cells that have wrapped around the axon and protected/insulated it

Axon Terminals

branches at the end of the axon that contain the neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters

chemical messengers that cross the synapse between neurons

Synaptic Vesicles

Sacs in the tips of the axon terminals that contain the neurotransmitters

Synapse

The gap between neurons

Receptor Sites

Holes in the surface of a dendrite into which the neurotransmitters fit

All-or-None Principle

A neuron fires or doesn't; It doesn't partially fire

-55 mv

the threshold at which a neuron fires

-70 mv

charge of a neuron at resting potential

Reuptake

Neurotransmitters going back to the axon terminals that released them after the other neuron fires

+NA

ions that are outside the neuron when at resting potential and enter the neuron as it gets closer to firing

-K

ions that are inside the neuron when at resting potential

Schwann Cells

Glial Cells in the Peripheral Nervous System that for myelin sheath

Oligodendrocytes

Glial Cells in the Central Nervous System that form myelin sheath

Glial Cells

Nourishing cells that wrap around the axon to form myelin sheath

Acetylcholine

Neurotransmitter associated with muscle movement

Acetylcholine (low levels)

associated with Alzheimer's

Myasthenia Gravis

Autoimmune disease in which antibodies attack receptor sites for acetylcholine

Glutamate

Neurotransmitter that causes the neuron to fire and pass the message on; the major excitatory neurotransmitter

GABA

Major inhibitory neurotransmitter; Causes the neurons to be less likely to fire

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter that affects hunger,sleep, arousal, and mood.

Substance P

Neurotransmitter involved in transmitting pain messages in the brain

Dopamine

Neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and rewards

Dopamine (high levels)

Schizophrenia

Dopamine (low levels)

Parkinson's Disease

Epinephrine/Norepinephrine

fight-or-flight neurotransmitter

Adrenaline/Noradrenaline

fight-or-flight hormone

Endorphins

The body's natural painkillers

Oxytocin

Hormone released during social bonding, especially with mothers and newborn infants; The 'Cuddling Hormone'

Agonist

Drugs or chemicals that mimic or increase the effect or neurotransmitters

Antagonist

Drugs or chemicals that reduce or block the effect of neurtransmitters

Tabula Rasa

The idea that we are born with a 'blank slate' and learn through experience

Dualism

The idea that we have a physical brain and a non-physical mind

Monism

The idea that our mind is a product of our physical brain

Phrenology

The idea that the bumps on our brains determine our personalities and traits

Franz Joseph Gall

Founder of Phrenology

Localization of Function

the idea that various brain regions have particular functions

Nodes of Ranvier

gaps in the myelin sheath that charge the action potential

Empiricism

The idea that we learn everything from experience and aren't born with knowledge

Multiple Sclerosis

Disease in which the immune system eats away at the myelin sheath

Parkinson's disease

Associated with low levels of dopamine

Alzheimer's Disease

Associated with low levels of acetylcholine

Schizophrenia

Associated with high levels of dopamine

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Made up of the Brain and Spine

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

All the nerves and neurons that connect the body to the spine

Sensory Neurons

neurons that carry incoming information from the body to the brain and spinal cord

Afferent Neurons

Another name for sensory neurons

Motor Neurons

neurons that carry outgoing information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands

Efferent Neurons

Another name for Motor Neurons

Interneurons

Neurons in the brain and spinal cord

Somatic Nervous System

Subdivision of the PNS that controls voluntary activities

Autonomic Nervous System

Subdivision of the PNS that controls involuntary activities like breathing and heart beat

Sympathetic Nervous System

Subdivision of the Autonomic Nervous System that activates the 'fight-or-flight' response, getting the body to an aroused, alert state

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Subdivision of the Autonomic Nervous system that calms the body down after a stressful situation and gets back to normal functioning

Lesion Method

Observing the effects of damage to the brain

EEG

Method of studying the brain in which electrodes are put on the scalp to measure brain waves (no image of the brain)

CT Scan

Method of studying the brain that involves taking x-rays

MRI

Method of studying the brain that involves detailed cross-sectional images of the brain using magnetic waves

fMRI

Method of studying the brain that involves a cross-sectional image of the brain that shows changing levels of oxygen; shows where the brain is active

PET Scan

Method of studying the brain that involves tracing radioactive glucose in the brain to see where the brain is active

Split-Brain Studies

Severing the corpus callosum to help with epilepsy (seizures)

Lateralization

The idea that the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body and vice versa

Cerebrum

The big, wrinkly, outside part of the brain

Medulla

The initial swelling of the brain stem that controls vital functions like heartbeat and breathing

Pons

A brain structure on the brain stem that relays information from the cerebellum to the rest of the brain and plays a role in sleep and dreams

Reticular Formation

A nerve inside the brain stem that is responsible for ignoring unchanging information or alerting us to new information

Thalamus

The traffic officer; Relays information to the correct part of the brain

Limbic System

The structures tucked up inside the cerebrum including the hypothalamus, amygdala, and hippocampus

Hypothalamus

In charge of the 4 F's (fight, flight, feeding, fornication(sex))

Pituitary Gland

The Master Gland in charge of the rest of the endocrine system

Endocrine System

System of glands throughout the body that release hormones into the bloodstream

Cerebellum

Structure on the back of the brain stem that is responsible for coordinating muscle movements, balance, and learning procedural memories

Amygdala

Brain Structure located on the tips of the hippocampi involved in strong emotional responses like fear and anger

Hippocampus

Brain structure responsible for storing new memories

Corpus Callosum

Brain structure that connects the left and right hemispheres of the brain

Frontal Lobe

Lobe of the brain that's responsible for thinking, problem-solving, and moving

Parietal Lobe

Lobe of the brain that contains the sensory cortex, where sensations of touch are sent

Temporal Lobe

Lobe of the brain responsible for hearing and speech comprehension

Occipital Lobe

Lobe of the brain responsible for vision

Homunculus

Weird, gremlin-looking dude that represents the areas of the sensory/motor cortices

Broca's Area

Area of the left, frontal lobe responsible for the production of speech

Wernicke's Area

Area of the left temporal lobe responsible for comprehending speech of producing meaningful speech

Broca's Aphasia

Damage to the part of the brain that results in inability to produce any speech

Wernicke's Aphasia

Damage to the part of the brain that results in inability to understand speech or produce meaningful speech

Prefrontal Cortex

part of frontal lobe responsible for thinking, planning, and language

Neuroplasticity

The brain's ability to form new neural connections and adapt/change

Nature vs. Nurture

The debate between the impact of genetics and environment on behavior and the mind

Nature (nature v. nurture)

Genetic impact on behavior

Nurture (nature v. nurture)

Environmental influences on behavior

Heritability

How much a trait is due to genetics

myasthenia gravis

An autoimmune disorder in which the body attacks the receptor sites for acetylcholine