Intro to Psychology Chapter 2

What is neuroplasticity?

The brain’s ability to change by reorganizing after damage or building new pathways based on experience.

What is a neuron?

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

What does the cell body of a neuron do?

It contains the nucleus and is the cell's life-support center.

What are dendrites?

Extensions of a neuron that receive messages and conduct impulses toward the cell body.

What is an axon?

The neuron extension that sends messages to other neurons or muscles.

What is an action potential?

A nerve impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon.

What are glial cells (glia)?

Cells that support, nourish, and protect neurons; they also play a role in learning and memory.

What is a synapse?

The junction between the axon tip of one neuron and the dendrite of another.

What is the synaptic gap (synaptic cleft)?

The tiny space between the sending and receiving neurons at the synapse.

What triggers an action potential?

When excitatory signals exceed inhibitory signals by a threshold.

What is the refractory period?

A brief resting pause after a neuron fires.

What is the all-or-none response?

A neuron either fires or it doesn’t; there is no in-between.

What are neurotransmitters?

Chemicals that cross the synaptic gap to carry messages to other neurons or muscles.

What is reuptake?

The reabsorption of neurotransmitters by the sending neuron.

What are endorphins?

The brain’s natural opiates that reduce pain and boost pleasure.

What are opiates?

Drugs like heroin and morphine that reduce neural activity and pain.

What makes up the nervous system?

The central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS).

What is the central nervous system (CNS)?

The brain and spinal cord.

What is the peripheral nervous system (PNS)?

Sensory and motor neurons connecting the CNS to the rest of the body.

What are sensory neurons?

Neurons that carry information from the body to the brain.

What are motor neurons?

Neurons that carry instructions from the brain to the muscles.

What are interneurons?

Neurons within the brain and spinal cord that process information.

What is the somatic nervous system?

The part of the PNS that controls skeletal muscles.

What is the autonomic nervous system (ANS)?

The part of the PNS that controls glands and internal organs.

What does the sympathetic nervous system do?

Arouses the body in stressful situations ("fight or flight").

What does the parasympathetic nervous system do?

Calms the body and conserves energy.

What does the spinal cord do?

Connects the brain and PNS and controls reflexes.

What is the endocrine system?

The body’s slow chemical communication system using hormones.

What are hormones?

Chemical messengers released into the bloodstream by glands.

What do adrenal glands do?

Release adrenaline and noradrenaline during stress.

What is the pituitary gland?

The master gland controlled by the hypothalamus that regulates growth and other glands.

What is an EEG?

A test that detects electrical activity in the brain using electrodes.

What is a PET scan?

Shows brain activity by tracking glucose use.

What is an MRI?

Produces images of soft brain tissue using magnetic fields and radio waves.

What is an fMRI?

Shows brain activity by measuring blood flow.

What does the brainstem do?

Controls automatic survival functions.

What does the medulla control?

Heartbeat and breathing.

What does the pons do?

Helps coordinate movement and sleep.

What does the thalamus do?

Directs sensory messages to the cortex and replies to the cerebellum and medulla.

What is the reticular formation?

A nerve network that filters stimuli and controls arousal.

What does the cerebellum do? Coordinates movement, balance, and nonverbal learning.

What is the limbic system?

A system involved in emotion and drives; includes the amygdala, hypothalamus, and hippocampus.

What does the amygdala do?

Processes emotions like fear and aggression.

What does the hypothalamus do?

Regulates body maintenance and governs the endocrine system.

What does the hippocampus do?

Helps form new conscious memories.

What is the cerebral cortex?

The brain’s outer layer involved in complex thinking.

What does the motor cortex do?

Controls voluntary movements.

What does the somatosensory cortex do?

Processes touch and body sensations.

Where is the visual cortex located?

In the occipital lobes at the rear of the brain.

Where is the auditory cortex located?

In the temporal lobes above the ears.

What are association areas?

Regions of the cortex involved in higher mental functions like learning and thinking.

What is neurogenesis?

The formation of new neurons.

What is the corpus callosum?

A band of fibers connecting the brain’s two hemispheres.

What is split-brain?

A condition where the corpus callosum is severed, isolating the hemispheres.

What is biological psychology?

The study of the links between biological and psychological processes.

What is cognitive neuroscience?

The study of brain activity linked with thinking, memory, and language.

What is consciousness?

Awareness of ourselves and our environment.

What is sequential processing?

Processing one aspect at a time; useful for new or difficult tasks.

What is parallel processing?

Processing many aspects simultaneously; the brain’s default.

What is selective inattention?

Failure to see visible objects when our attention is directed elsewhere.

What is circadian rhythm?

The body’s natural 24-hour cycle.

What is REM sleep?

A sleep stage with vivid dreams and active brain waves.

What are alpha waves?

Brain waves of a relaxed, awake state.

What are delta waves?

Large, slow waves of deep sleep (NREM-3).

What is paradoxical sleep?

REM sleep, where the body is internally active but externally calm.

What does the SCN do?

Controls the release of melatonin, regulating sleep-wake cycles.

Why do we sleep?

To protect, restore, strengthen memories, boost creativity, and promote growth.

What are effects of sleep deprivation?

Impaired focus, mood issues, weakened immune system, and weight gain.

What are dreams?

Sequences of images and emotions that occur mainly during REM sleep.

Why do we dream (theories)?

Wish fulfillment, memory processing, neural development, and making sense of random activity.