AP Psych Unit 2

Medulla Oblongata

Part of the hindbrain that controls breathing, heart rate, and reflexes.

Cerebellum

Behind the spinal chord and controls posture, balance, and voluntary movements.

Amygdala

Part of the limbic system that controls emotion, like fear.

Central Nervous System

Brain and spinal cord.

Hippocampus

Part of the limbic system involved in making memories.

Hypothalamus

Below the thalamus. Controls hunger, thirst, temperature, and sexual behavior.

Thalamus

Relay station for sensory information going to and from the cerebral cortex.

Frontal Lobe

Controls planning, organizing, initiating, self-monitoring, and responses.

Temporal Lobe

Processes language, memories, face and object recognition, perception, and auditory information.

Occipital Lobe

Processes visual information.

Parietal Lobe

Processes somatosensory information.

Somatosensory Cortex

Processes tactile information.

Motor Cortex

Controls voluntary movements.

Ventral Stream

Visual path from the occipital to temporal lobe that identifies the "what" of visuals.

Dorsal Stream

Visual Path from the occipital lobe to the parietal lobe that identifies the "where" of visuals.

Corpus Callosum

Connects the two hemispheres of the brain.

Wernicke's Area

On the left hemisphere. Comprehends language.

Broca's area

On the left hemisphere. Expresses language.

Midbrain

Topmost part of the brain stem that controls involuntary functions.

Pons

Part of the hindbrain that produces sleep and connects the cerebellum with the brainstem.

Pituitary Gland

Master gland to the endocrine system that secretes hormones to communicate to other glands.

Pineal Gland

Secretes melatonin.

Dendrite

Branchlike parts of a neuron that are specialized to receive information.

Axon

A threadlike extension of a neuron that carries nerve impulses away from the cell body.

Myelin Sheath

Covers the axon of neurons and helps speed neural impulses.

Axon Terminal

The endpoint of a neuron where neurotransmitters are stored.

Synaptic Vesicles

Tiny pouches or sacs in the axon terminals that contain chemicals called neurotransmitters.

Action Potential

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

Stimulus Threshold

Minimum level of stimulation required to activate a neuron.

Receptor Site

A site on the receiving neuron in which neurotransmitters dock.

Resting Potential

The state of the neuron when not firing a neural impulse.

Refractory Period

A period of inactivity after a neuron has fired.

Neurotransmitter

Chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons.

Agonist

A chemical that mimics the action of a neurotransmitter.

Antagonist

A chemical that opposes the action of a neurotransmitter.

Synaptic Gap

The tiny space between the axon terminal of one neuron and the dendrite of another neuron.

All-Or-None Response

A neuron's reaction of either firing or not firing.

Reuptake

A neurotransmitter's reabsorption by the sending neuron.

Neuroplasticity

The ability within the brain to constantly change both the structure and function of many cells in response to experience or trauma.

Dopamine

Influences movement, learning, attention, and emotion.

Acetylcholine (ACh)

Enables muscle action, learning, and memory.

Seratonin

Affects mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal.

Norepinephrine

Helps control alertness and arousal.

GABA

A major inhibitory neurotransmitter.

Endorphin

Chemical in the brain that plays a specialized role in pain reduction.

Sympathetic Nervous System

A set of nerves that prepares the body for action in challenging or threatening situations.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

A set of nerves that helps the body return to a normal resting state.

Glutamate

Primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. Plays a role in learning and memory.

Cortisol

Hormone that plays a role in the body’s stress response.

Melatonin

Hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle (circadian rhythm)