Studied by 8 people
biological psychology
the scientific study of the links between biological and psychological processes
threshold
the level of stimulation required to trigger a neural response
all-or-none response
a neuron's reaction of either firing (with a full-strength response) or not firing.
agonist
a molecule that, by binding to a receptor site, stimulates a response
central nervous system
brain and spinal cord
peripheral nervous system
the sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system to the rest of the body
sympathetic nervous system
the division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy in stressful situations
endocrine system
the body's "slow" chemical communication system; a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream
adrenal glands
a pair of endocrine glands that sit just above the kidneys and secrete hormones (epinephrine and norepinephrine) that help arouse the body in times of stress.
Position Emission Tomography (PET)
a visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task
fMRI (functional MRI)
A technique for revealing bloodflow and, therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans. fMRI scans show brain function as well as its structure
reticular formation
a nerve network that travels through the brainstem and thalamus and plays an important role in controlling arousal
cerebellum
the "little brain" at the rear of the brainstem; functions include processing sensory input and coordinating movement output and balance
Amygdala
two lima bean-sized neural clusters in the limbic system; linked to emotion.
frontal lobes
the portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead; involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgments
parietal lobes
portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head and toward the rear; receives sensory input for touch and body position
motor cortex
an area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements
axon
the neuron extension that passes messages through its branches to other neurons or to muscles or glands
somatosensory cortex
area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations
plasticity
the brain's ability to change, especially during childhood, by reorganizing after damage or by building new pathways based on experience
neurogenesis
the formation of new neurons
consciousness
our awareness of ourselves and our environment
environment
every external influence, from prenatal nutrition to the people and things around us
genes
the biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosomes; a segment of DNA capable of synthesizing a protein
genome
the complete instructions for making an organism, consisting of all the genetic material in that organism's chromosomes
natural selection
the principle that, among the range of inherited trait variations, those contributing to reproduction and survival will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations
mutation
a random error in gene replication that leads to a change
refractory period
a period of inactivity after a neuron has fired
motor (efferent) neurons
neurons that carry outgoing information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands
limbic system
neural system (including the hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus) located below the cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions and drives.
temporal lobes
The portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears; includes the auditory areas, each of which receives auditory info primarily from the opposite end.
behavior genetics
the study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)
A complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes.
Neurotransmitters
chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons. When released by the sending neuron, they travel across the synapse and bind to receptor sites on the receiving neuron, thereby influencing whether that neuron will generate a neural impulse
reuptake
a neurotransmitter's reabsorption by the sending neuron
synapse
the junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron. The tiny gap at this junction is called the synaptic gap or synaptic cleft
endorphins
"morphine within"--natural, opiatelike neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure.
antagonist
a molecule that, by binding to a receptor site, inhibits or blocks a response
nervous system
the body's speedy, electrochemical communication network, consisting of all the nerve cells of the peripheral and central nervous systems
nerves
bundled axons that form neural "cables" connecting the central nervous system with muscles, glands, and sense organs
sensory (affrent) neurons
neurons that carry incoming information from the sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord
interneurons
neurons within the brain and spinal cord that communicate internally and intervene between the sensory inputs and motor outputs
somatic nervous system
the division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body's skeletal muscles
autonomic nervous system
the part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organs (such as the heart). Its sympathetic division arouses; its parasympathetic division calms.
parasympathetic nervous system
the division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy
reflex
a simple, automatic response to a sensory stimulus, such as the knee-jerk response
hormones
chemical messengers that are manufactured by the endocrine glands, travel through the bloodstream, and affect other tissues
pituitary gland
The endocrine system's most influential gland. Under the influence of the hypothalamus, the pituitary regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands.
lesion
tissue destruction. A brain lesion is a naturally or experimentally caused destruction of brain tissue
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
An amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity that sweep across the brain's surface. These waves are measured by electrodes placed on the scalp.
computorized tomogtaphy ct scan
a series of x-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by computer into a composite representation of a slice of a brain's structure (also called a CAT scan)
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
a technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images that distinguish among different types of soft tissue; allows us to see structures within the brain
brainstem
the oldest part and central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull;
responsible for automatic survival functions
medulla
the base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing
thalamus
the brain's sensory control center, located on top of the brainstem; it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla
Hypothalamus
A neural structure lying below the thalamus; it directs several maintenance activities (eating, drinking, body temperature), helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion and reward.
cerebral cortex
The intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering the cerebral hemispheres; the body's ultimate control and information-processing center.
glial cells (glia)
cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons; they may also play a role in learning and thinking
neuron
a nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system
Dendrites
a neuron's bushy, branching extensions that receive messages and conduct impulses toward the cell body
occipital lobes
portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head; includes areas that receive information from the visual fields
action potential
a neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon
association areas
areas of the cerebral cortex that are not involved in primary motor or sensory functions; rather, they are involved in higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking
corpus callosum
the large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them
split brain
a condition resulting from surgery that isolates the brain's two hemispheres by cutting the fibers (mainly those of the corpus callosum) connecting them
cognitive neuroscience
the interdisciplinary study of the brain activity linked with cognition (including perception, thinking, memory, and language)
dual processing
the principle that information is often simultaneously processed on separate conscious and unconscious tracks
chromosome
threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes
identical twins (monozygotic twins)
twins who develop from a single fertilized egg that splits in two, creating two genetically identical organisms
fraternal twins (dizygotic twins)
twins who develop from separate fertilized eggs. They are genetically no closer than brothers and sisters, but they share a fetal environment.
molecular genetics
the subfield of biology that studies the molecular structure and function of genes
heritability
The proportion of variation among individuals that we can attribute to genes. This may vary, depending on the range of populations and environments studied.
interaction
the interplay that occurs when the effect of one factor (such as environment) depends on another factor (such as heredity)
evolutionary psychology
the study of the evolution of behavior and the mind, using principles of natural selection
epigenetics
the study of environmental influences on gene expression that occur without a DNA change
myelin sheath
a fatty tissue layer segmentally encasing the axons of some neurons; enables vastly greater transmission speed as neural impulses hop from one node to the next
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