Biological Psychology and Brain Anatomy Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and definitions from biological psychology, neural structures, nervous system divisions, and brain anatomy.

Biological Psychology

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

Neuroscience

The study of the nervous system, especially the brain.

Neurons

Cells that are highly specialized to receive and transmit electrochemical information from one part of the body to another.

Sensory Neurons

Neurons that convey information about the environment (such as light or sound) from specialized receptor cells in sense organs to the brain, and carry information from the skin and internal organs to the brain.

Motor Neuron

A type of neuron that communicates information to the muscles and glands of the body.

Interneuron

A type of neuron that communicates information between neurons; makes up the majority of neurons in the human nervous system.

Cell Body (Soma)

The part of the neuron containing structures that process nutrients, allow for electrical and chemical signals, and provide the energy the neuron needs to function.

Dendrites

The part of the neuron that receives chemical messages from other neurons.

Axon

The part of the neuron that carries information from the neuron to other neurons, glands, and muscles.

Myelin Sheath

A white, fatty covering formed by oligodendrocytes that is wrapped around the axons of some neurons in the brain.

Action Potential

A brief electrical impulse generated by a neuron's soma when the stimulus threshold is reached that transmits information along the axon.

Stimulus Threshold

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

Resting Potential

The state in which a neuron is prepared to activate and communicate its message if there is enough input to reach the stimulus threshold, maintaining a negative charge of about $-70\,\text{millivolts}$.

Polarized State

A condition where there is a difference in electrical charge between the inside and outside of the axon, characterized by a greater concentration of negative ions inside the neuron.

Synapse

The point of communication between two neurons.

Axon Terminals

Small branches located at the end of the axon.

Synaptic Transmission

The entire process of transmitting information at the synapse.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter involved in movement, attention, learning, and pleasurable or rewarding sensations.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The division of the nervous system consisting of the brain and the spinal cord, entirely protected by bone.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

The division of the nervous system that includes all the nerves lying outside the central nervous system.

Somatic Nervous System

The subdivision of the peripheral nervous system that receives sensory information from sensory receptors along sensory nerves to the CNS and sends motor signals out to the muscles.

Autonomic Nervous System

The subdivision of the peripheral nervous system that regulates automatic functions such as heartbeat, blood pressure, breathing, and digestion.

Sympathetic Nervous System

The branch of the autonomic nervous system that rapidly activates bodily systems to meet environmental demands, threats, or emergencies by promoting energy use.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

The branch of the autonomic nervous system that conserves and maintains physical resources, calming the body down after an emergency.

Endocrine System

The system of glands located throughout the body that secretes hormones into the bloodstream.

Hypothalamus

A structure located beneath the thalamus that serves as the link between the endocrine system and the nervous system, directly regulating hormone release by the pituitary gland, autonomic nervous system functions, and basic survival behaviors.

Pituitary Gland

A pea-sized gland located just under the brain that regulates the production of hormones by other glands in the endocrine system.

Hindbrain

A region at the base of the brain containing several structures (medulla, pons, and cerebellum) that regulate basic life functions.

Medulla

A hindbrain structure situated above the spinal cord that controls vital life functions such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure, as well as reflexes like swallowing, coughing, vomiting, and sneezing.

Pons

A mound of tissue representing the uppermost level of the hindbrain that connects the medulla to the cerebellum, helps coordinate movements on each side of the body, and regulates breathing.

Cerebellum

A large hindbrain structure responsible for muscle coordination, complex movement, balance, equilibrium, and learning habitual motor skills.

Reticular Formation

A network of nerve fibers located in the pons and medulla that helps regulate attention, arousal, and sleep; also called the reticular activating system.

Midbrain

An important relay station that processes sensory information and sends signals influencing complex processes like attention.

Thalamus

A rounded forebrain structure located within each cerebral hemisphere that processes and distributes sensory information (except smell) and motor signals to and from the cerebral cortex.

Amygdala

A brain structure located at the base of the temporal lobe involved in emotional responses, including fear and anger.

Occipital Lobe

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

Parietal Lobe

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

Temporal Lobe

An area near the temples on each cerebral hemisphere that serves as the primary receiving area for auditory information and contains the hippocampus and amygdala.

Frontal Lobe

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