Biopsychology Video Notes: Nervous System and Endocrine System (Vocabulary Flashcards)

75 vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the video notes.

Range of reactions

The range of phenotypic expression a genotype can produce across different environments, illustrating gene-environment interaction.

Environmental correlation

A concept in which environmental influences are related to an individual's genotype, shaping behavioral outcomes.

Epigenetics

Changes in gene expression caused by environmental factors that do not alter the DNA sequence.

Neuron

The basic cell of the nervous system that transmits electrical and chemical signals.

Glial cells (neuroglia)

Support cells for neurons that nourish, protect, and assist in communication.

Dendrite

A neuron branch that receives signals from other neurons.

Axon

A long fiber that carries signals away from the neuron's cell body to other neurons or muscles.

Synapse

The junction between neurons where signals are transmitted via neurotransmitters.

Terminal buttons

Endings of the axon that release neurotransmitters into the synapse.

Receptors

Proteins on neurons that bind neurotransmitters to initiate a response.

Myelin sheath

A fatty insulating layer around many axons that speeds neural signaling.

Neuronal membrane

The semipermeable lipid bilayer surrounding a neuron that regulates ion movement.

Soma (cell body)

The central part of a neuron containing the nucleus and command center for the cell.

Extracellular fluid

Fluid outside the neuron that surrounds its membrane.

Intracellular fluid

Fluid inside the neuron (cytoplasm) containing its internal environment.

Membrane potential

Electrical difference between the inside and outside of a neuron's membrane.

Resting potential

The baseline membrane potential when a neuron is not firing.

Threshold of excitation

The level of depolarization needed to trigger an action potential.

Action potential

A rapid change in electrical charge that travels along the axon, signaling a neuron to fire.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers released by neurons to transmit signals across synapses.

Psychotropic medications

Drugs that alter brain function by adjusting neurotransmitter systems.

Neuronal communication

The process by which neurons convey information through electrical impulses and chemical signals at synapses.

Ion influx

Movement of ions (e.g., Na+, Ca2+) into or out of the neuron during signaling.

Sodium ions (Na+)

Ions that enter a neuron during depolarization to initiate an action potential.

Potassium ions (K+)

Ions that exit the neuron during repolarization to restore resting potential.

Calcium ions (Ca2+)

Ions that trigger neurotransmitter release at the axon terminals.

Chloride ions (Cl-)

Ions that can contribute to inhibitory signaling in neurons.

Agonist

A substance that activates a receptor or enhances a neurotransmitter effect.

Antagonist

A substance that blocks or dampens a receptor's activity.

Central nervous system (CNS)

The brain and spinal cord, the body's main processing center.

Peripheral nervous system (PNS)

Nerves outside the CNS that connect it to the rest of the body.

Somatic nervous system

Subpart of the PNS that governs voluntary movements and sensory information.

Autonomic nervous system

Subpart of the PNS that regulates involuntary functions (internal organs and glands).

Sympathetic nervous system

Part of the autonomic system that arouses the body in stressful situations (fight-or-flight).

Parasympathetic nervous system

Part of the autonomic system that calms the body and promotes rest and digestion.

Homeostasis

Maintenance of a stable internal environment despite changes in the external environment.

Spinal cord

A neural pathway linking the brain with the body; also handles simple reflexes.

Cerebral cortex

Outermost brain layer responsible for higher cognitive functions; folds (gyri/sulci) increase surface area.

Corpus callosum

A bundle of nerve fibers connecting the two cerebral hemispheres, enabling communication.

Frontal lobe

Lobe associated with reasoning, planning, language, emotion, and motor control.

Parietal lobe

Lobe involved in touch, temperature, pain, and spatial orientation.

Temporal lobe

Lobe containing the auditory cortex; linked to hearing, memory, and emotion.

Occipital lobe

Lobe responsible for processing visual information.

Forebrain

The front part of the brain that includes the thalamus and limbic system.

Midbrain

Middle brain region housing structures like the reticular formation, substantia nigra, and VTA.

Hindbrain

Posterior brain region with the medulla, pons, and cerebellum.

Thalamus

Sensory relay structure directing information to cortical areas.

Limbic system

Emotion, memory, and motivation network, including the hippocampus and amygdala.

Hippocampus

Structure essential for forming new memories.

Amygdala

Involved in emotion processing, especially fear and arousal.

Hypothalamus

Regulates hunger, thirst, temperature, and hormone release via the pituitary.

Reticular formation

Brainstem network that regulates arousal and attention.

Substantia nigra

Dopaminergic midbrain region important for movement control.

Ventral tegmental area (VTA)

Midbrain dopamine pathway involved in reward and motivation.

Medulla

Brainstem structure controlling autonomic functions like breathing and heart rate.

Pons

Brainstem structure that relays signals and participates in sleep and arousal.

Cerebellum

Brain region involved in balance, coordination, and fine motor control.

CT (computed tomography)

Imaging method using X-rays to produce structural brain images.

PET (positron emission tomography)

Imaging method using radioactive tracers to measure metabolic activity.

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)

Imaging method using magnetic fields to produce detailed brain images.

fMRI (functional MRI)

MRI technique that measures brain activity by detecting blood flow changes.

EEG (electroencephalography)

Technique that records the brain's electrical activity via scalp electrodes.

Tracer

Substance used in imaging (e.g., PET) to monitor pathways or processes in the brain.

Brain imaging

Techniques used to visualize brain structure and function (CT, MRI, PET, EEG, etc.).

Endocrine system

Glands that release hormones into the bloodstream to regulate body functions.

Hormones

Chemical messengers released by glands that travel through the bloodstream.

Pituitary gland

Master gland that controls other glands and regulates growth through hormones.

Thyroid gland

Gland that regulates metabolism, appetite, and growth via thyroid hormones.

Adrenal glands

Glands that release epinephrine and norepinephrine in stress responses.

Pancreas

Gland regulating blood sugar by producing insulin and glucagon.

Gonads

Sex glands that secrete hormones essential for reproduction.

Hormone signaling vs neurotransmitter signaling

Endocrine hormones travel through the bloodstream to distant targets; neurotransmitters act across synapses with fast, localized effects.

Figure 3.30

Illustration showing hormones associated with endocrine glands and their functions.

Table 3.2

Table listing hormones and their specific physiological roles.

Endocrine glands and functions overview

Summary of how pituitary, thyroid, adrenal, pancreas, and gonads regulate biological processes through hormones.