Psych 201: Biopsychology

All key terms from the readings

Axon

Major extension of the soma ( cell body )

Dendrite

Branch-like extension of the soma ( cell body ) that receives incoming signals from other neurons.

glial cell

nervous system cell that provides physical and metabolic support to neurons, including neuronal insulation and communication, and nutrient and waste transport.

myelin sheath

fatty substance that insulates axon

neuron

cells in the nervous system that act as interconnected information processors, which are essential ofr all of the task of the nervous system.

neurotransmitter

chemical messenger of the nervous system

receptor

proton on the cell surface where neurotransmitters attach

semipermeable membrane

cell membrane that allows smaller molecules or molecules without an electrical charge to pass throug it, while stopping larger or highly charged molecules.

soma

cell body

synapse

small gap between two neurons where communication occurs

synaptic vesicle

storage site for neurotransmitters.

Action potential

electrical signal that moves down the neuron’s axon

agonist

drug that mimics or strengthens the effects of a neurotransmitter

all-or-none

phenomenon that incoming signal from another neuron is either sufficient or insufficient to reach the threshold of excitation ( the other neuron)

antagonist

drug that blocks or impedes the normal activity of a given neurotransmitter

biological perspective

view that psychological disorders like depression and schizophrenia are associated with imbalances in one or more neurotransmitter systems

depolarization

when a cell’s charge becomes more negative than its resting potential

hyperpolarization

when a cell’s charge becomes more negative than its resting potential

membrane potential

difference in charge across the neuronal membrane

psychotropic medication

drugs that treat psychiatric symptoms by restoring neurotransmitter balance

receptor

protein on the cell surface where neurotransmitters attach

resting potential

the state of readiness of a neuron membrane’s potential between signals

reuptake

neurotransmitter is pumped back into the neuron that released It

terminal button

axon terminal containing synaptic versicles

threshold of excitation

level of charge in the membrane that causes the neuron to become active

autonomic nervous system

controls our internal organs and glands

central nervous system

brain and spinal cord

fight or flight response

activation of the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system, allowing access to energy reserves and heightened sensory capacity so that we might fight off a given threat or run away to safety

homeostasis

state of equilibrium- biological conditions, such as body temps, are maintained at optimal levels.

parasympathetic nervous system

associated with routine, day-to-day operations of the body.

peripheral nervous system

connects the brain and spinal cord to the muscles, organs, and senses in the periphery of the body

somatic nervous system

relays sensory and motor information to and from the CNS ( central nervous system)

sympathetic nervous system

involved in stress-related activities and functions

Adrenal gland

sits atop our kidneys and secretes hormones involved in the stress response.

diabetes

disease relates to insufficient insulin production

endocrine system

series of glands that produce chemical substances known as hormones

gonad

secretes sexual hormones, which are important for successful reproduction, and mediate both sexual motivation and behavior

hormone

chemical messenger realesed by endocrine glands

pancreas

secretes hormones that regulate blood sugar

pituitary gland

secretes a number of key hormones, which regulate fluid levels in the body, and a number of messenger hormones, which direct the activity of other glands in the endocrine system

thyroid

secretes hormones that regulate growth, metabolism, and appetite

corpus callosum

thick band of neural fibers connecting the brain’s two hemispheres

gyrus ( plural: gyri)

bump or ridge on the cerebral cortex

Hemisphere

left or right half of the brain

lateralization

Concept that each hemisphere of the brain is associated with specialized functions

longitudinal fissure

deep groove in the brain’s cortex

sulcus ( plural: suici)

depressions or grooves in the cerebral cortex

auditory cortex

strip of cortex in the temporal lobe that is responsible for processing auditory information

Broca’s area

region in the left hemisphere that is essential for language production

cerebral cortex

surface of the brain that is associated with our highest mental capabilities

forebrain

largest part of the brain, containing the cerebral cortex, the thalamus, and the limbic system, among other structures

frontal lobe

part of the cerebral cortex involved in resigning, motor control, emotion, and language; contains meter cortex.

motor cortex

strip of cortex involved in planning and coordinating movement

occipital lobe

part of the cerebral cortex associated with visual processing; contains the primary visual cortex

parietal lobe

part of the cerebral Cortex involved in processing various sensory and perceptual information; contains the primary somatosensory cortex

prefrontal cortex

are in the frontal lobe responsible for higher-level cognitive functioning

somatosensory cortex

essential for processing sensory information from across the body, such as touch, temperature, and pain

temporal lobe

part of the cerebral cortex associated with hearing, memory, emotion, and some aspects of language; contains primary auditory cortex

Wernicke’s area

important for speech comprehension

amygdala

structure in the limbic system involved in our experience of emotion and trying emotional meaning to our memories

cerebellum

hindbrain structure that controls our balance, coordination, movement, and motor skills, and it is thought to be important in processing some types of memory

hindbrain

division of the Brain containing the medulla, pons, and cerebellum

hippocampus

structure in the temporal lobe associated with learning and memory

hypothalamus

forebrain structure that regulates sexual motivation and behavior and a number of homeostatic processes; serves as an interface between the nervous system and the endocrine system

limbic system

collection of structures involved in processing emotion and memory

medulla

hindbrain structures that controls automated processes like breathin, blood pressure, and heart rate

midbrain

division of the brain located between the bro brain and the hindbrain; contains the reticular formation

pons

hindbrain structure that connects the brain and spinal cord; involved in regulating brain activity during sleep

reticular formation

midbrain structure important in regulating the sleep/wake cycle, arousal, alertness, and motor activity

thalamus

sensory relay for the brain

ventral tegmental area ( VTA )

midbrain structure where dopamine is produced: associated with mood, reward, and addiction

computerized tomography scan ( CT scan )

imaging technique in which a computer coordinates and integrates multiple x-rays of a given area

electroencephalography ( EEG )

recording the electrical activity of the brain via electrodes on the scalp

functional magnetic resonance imaging ( fMRI )

magnetic fields used to produce a picture of the tissue being imaged

positron emission tomography scan ( PET scan )

involves injecting individuals with mild radioactive substance and monitoring changes in blood flow to different regions of the brain

adoption study

a behavior genetic research method that involves comparison of adopted children to their adoptive and biological parents

behavioral genetics

the empirical science of how genes and enviorments combine to generate behavior

heritability coefficient

an easily misinterpreted statistical construct that purports to measure the role of genetics in the explanation of differences among individuals

quantitative genetics

scientific and mathematical methods for inferring genetic and environmental processes based on the degree of genetic and environmental similarity among organisms

Twin studies

a behavior genetic research method that involves comparison of the similarity of identical ( monozygotic) and paternal (dizygotic) twins

allele

specific version of a gene

chromosome

long strand of genetic information

Deoxyribonucleic acid ( DNA)

double helix-shaped molecule made of nucleotide base pairs

dominant allele

allele whose phenotype will be expressed in an individual that possesses that allele

genetic environmental correlation

view of gene-environment interaction that asserts our genes affect our environment, and our environment influences the expression of our genes.

genotype

genetic makeup of an individual

heterozygous

consisting of two different alleles

homozygous

consisting of two identical alleles

mutation

sudden, permanent change in a gene

phenotype

individual’s inheritable physical characteristics

polygenic

multiple genes affecting a given trait

recessive allele

allele whose phenotype will be expressed only if an individual is homozygous for that allele

theory of evolution by natural selection

states that organisms that are better suited for their environments will survive and reproduce compared to those that are poorly suited for their environments.

Epigenome

a dynamic layer of information associated with DNA that differs between individuals and can be altered through various experiences and environments.

Epigenetics

study of gene-environments interactions, such as how the same genotype leads to different phenotypes

gene

sequence of DNA thats controls or partially controls physical characteristics

range of reaction

asserts our genes set the boundaries within which we can operate, and our environments interacts with the genes to determine where in that range we will fall.