Untitled Flashcards Set

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Comprises the brain and spinal cord, processing information and coordinating activities.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Connects the CNS to the rest of the body; includes the somatic and autonomic nervous systems.

Somatic Nervous System

Controls voluntary movements and transmits sensory information.

Autonomic Nervous System

Regulates involuntary bodily functions, divided into sympathetic and parasympathetic systems.

Sympathetic Nervous System

Prepares the body for stress-related activities (fight or flight response).

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Conserves energy and restores the body to a calm state (rest and digest).

Cerebrum

Responsible for higher brain functions such as thought, action, and emotion.

Left Hemisphere

Associated with logical reasoning, analytical thinking, and language skills.

Right Hemisphere

Associated with creativity, intuition, and spatial abilities.

Cerebellum

Coordinates muscle movements and balance.

Brainstem

Controls basic life functions such as heartbeat and breathing, includes midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata.

Limbic System

Involved in emotion and memory, including structures like the amygdala and hippocampus.

Neurons

The basic building blocks of the nervous system that transmit information throughout the body.

Sensory Neurons

Relay sensory information to the CNS.

Motor Neurons

Transmit signals from the CNS to muscles or glands.

Interneurons

Connect neurons within the CNS.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers that transmit signals across synapses between neurons.

Dopamine

Involved in movement, emotion, and reward.

Serotonin

Regulates mood, appetite, and sleep.

Acetylcholine

Plays a role in learning and memory, as well as muscle movement.

Blood-Brain Barrier

A selective permeability barrier that protects the brain from harmful substances.

L-Dopa

A medication used to treat Parkinson’s disease, aiding in dopamine synthesis.

Agonist

A substance that activates a receptor to produce a biological response.

Antagonist

A substance that blocks or dampens a biological response.

GABA

A neurotransmitter that inhibits nerve transmission in the brain.

Glutamate

The most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain, important for memory.

Endorphins

Neurotransmitters that act as natural pain relievers and are involved in pleasure.

Case Study Design

In-depth study of an individual or small group, useful for rare phenomena.

Experimental Design

Involves manipulation of variables to establish cause-and-effect relationships.

Correlational Design

Examines relationships between two or more variables without manipulation.

Longitudinal Design

Studies the same subjects over a long period.

Cross-Sectional Design

Compares different groups at one point in time.

Sampling

The process of selecting individuals from a population to study.

Bias

Systematic errors that can affect the validity of research.

Beneficence

Obligation to minimize harm and maximize benefits.

Non-maleficence

Commitment to avoiding harm to participants.

Autonomy

Respecting the rights and dignity of individuals, including informed consent.

Justice

Fair distribution of benefits and burdens among participants.

Integrity

Commitment to honesty and transparency in professional interactions.

Medulla Oblongata

Regulates vital functions such as heartbeat and breathing.

Pons

Connects different parts of the brain, regulating sleep and arousal.

Hypothalamus

Regulates body temperature, hunger, and thirst; involved in emotional responses.

Hippocampus

Essential for memory formation and spatial navigation.

Amygdala

Processes emotions like fear and pleasure.

Cerebral Cortex

The outer layer of the brain responsible for higher cognitive functions.

Frontal Lobe

Involved in reasoning, planning, speech, movement, and emotions.

Parietal Lobe

Processes sensory information such as touch, temperature, and pain.

Temporal Lobe

Involved in auditory processing and memory.

Occipital Lobe

Responsible for visual processing.

Motor Cortex

Controls voluntary muscle movements.

Somatosensory Cortex

Processes sensory input from the body.

Broca's Area

Involved in language expression and speech production.

Wernicke's Area

Responsible for language comprehension.

REM Sleep

A sleep stage characterized by rapid eye movement and vivid dreaming.