Biological Psychology

1. biological psychology

Definition: a branch of psychology concerned with the links between biology and behavior
Application: When something was wrong with Tommy's left hemispherical lobe, they immediately began to search for biological psychologists.

2. neuron

Definition: a nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system
Application: Neurons receive and send messages.

3. dendrites

Definition: the bushy, branching extensions of a neuron that receive messages and conduct impulses toward the cell
Application: The way the messages in my brain are transferred are through the dendrites.

4. axon

Definition: the extension of a neuron, ending in branching terminal fibers, through which messages pass to other neurons or to muscles or glands
Application: Messages are sent down my neuron's axon to go to the synaptic vesicles.

5. myelin sheath

Definition: a layer of fatty tissue segmentally encasing the fibers of many neurons; enables vastly greater transmission speed of neural impulses as the impulse hops from one node to the next
Application: The more one practices the more their axon is myelinated and the better they are at the thing they are practicing for.

6. endorphins

Defintion: "morphine within"- natural, opiatelike neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure
Application: People who get a "runner's high" are receiving lots of endorphins.

7. refractory period

Defintion: a resting period after orgasm, during which a man cannot achieve another orgasm
Application: One's organs need to reset.

8. threshold

Definition: the level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse
Application: When a neuron reaches threshold the message is sent down the axon to eventually continue on to another neuron.

9. all-or-none response

Definition: when a neuron will either reach threshold or withhold the information
Application: If the message is important enough to send it would be considered "all".

10. synapse

Definition: the junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron
Application: The synapse continues on the message to the next neuron's receptor site.

11. neurotransmitters

Definition: chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons. When released by the sending neuron, neurotransmitters travel across the synapse and bind to receptor site son the receiving neuron, thereby influencing whether that neuron will generate a neural impulse
Application: The messages being sent between the neurons are the neurotransmitters.

12. reuptake

Definition: a neurotransmitter's reabsorption by the sending neuron
Application: When the neuron contains the other neurons message.

13. action potential

Definition: a neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon
Application: An impulse made by the neuron.

14. agonist

Defintion: Mimics effects of a neurotransmitter or may block neurotransmitter's repute.
Application: Heroin, cocaine and meth are all agonists.

15. antagonist

Defintion: block a neurotransmitter's function
Application: Botox is an antagonist.

16. nervous system

Definition: the body's speedy, electrochemical communication network, consisting of all the nerve cells of the peripheral and central nervous systems
Application: The nervous system allows all of the cells nerve cells to communicate.

17. central nervous system (CNS)

Definition: the brain and spinal cord
Application: The CNS is the most important system in your body.

18. peripheral nervous system (PNS)

Definition: the sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system (CNS) to the rest of the body
Application: The PNS connects the CNS to the other parts of your body. The two systems are dependent of each other.

19. nerves

Definiton: bundled axons that form neural "cables" connecting the central nervous system with muscles, glands, and sense organs
Application: Nerves are how one senses.

20. sensory (afferent) neurons

Definition: neurons that carry incoming information from the sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord
Application: Sensory neurons contribute to the CNS.

21. motor (efferent) neurons

Definition: neurons that carry outgoing information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands
Application: Motor nuerons contribute to the PNS.

22. interneurons

Definiton: neurons within the brain and spinal cord that communicate internally and intervene between the sensory inputs and motor outputs
Application: The building blocks of the sensory and motor neurons.

23. somatic nervous system

Definition: the division of the PNS that controls the body's skeletal muscles
Application: The somatic nervous system is apart of the PNS and controls the body's skeletal muscles.

24. autonomic nervous system

Definition: the part of the PNS that controls glands and the muscles of the internal organs (such as the heart). Its sympathetic division arouses; its parasympathetic division calms.
Application: The autonomic nervous systems is able to calm and arouse your body in certain situations like falling asleep or fighting.

25. sympathetic nervous system

Defintion: the division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy in stressful situations
Applications: When you are being attacked your sympathetic nervous system makes sure there is extra blood flow to your heart.

26. parasympathetic nervous system

Defintion: the division for the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy
Application: The parasympathetic nervous system helps you call asleep,

27. reflex

Defintion: a simple, automatic response to a sensory stimulus, such as the knee-jerk response
Application: When the doctor hits your knee with a hammer he is checking your reflexes.

28. endocrine system

Definition: the body's "slow" chemical communication system; a set of glands to secrete hormones into the bloodstream.
Application: The endocrine system controls the hormones to the rest of your body.

29. hormones

Definition: chemical messengers hat are manufactured by the endocrine glands, travel through the bloodstream and affect other tissues
Application: Kids going through puberty have a hormone imbalance.

30. adrenal glands

Defintion: 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
Application: The adrenal glands are activated when one is being attacked by a shark.

31. pituitary gland

Defintion: the endocrine system's most influential gland. Under the influence of the hypothalamus, the pituitary regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands
Application: The pituitary gland produces hormones to help one grow.

32. lesion

Defintion: tissue destruction. A brain lesion is a naturally or experimentally caused destruction of brain tissue.
Application: Brain lesions destruct brain tissue.

33. electroencephalogram (EEG)

Defintion: an amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity that sweep across the brain's surface. These wave are measured by electrodes placed on the scalp
Application: An EEG shows electrical activity in the brain.

34. CT (computed tomography) scan

Defintion: show structural changes in the brain by computer and x-ray
Application: A CT scan shows the brains structure and can find problems in the brains structure.

35. PET (position emission tomography) scan

Definiton: a visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task
Application: A PET scan can show where certain actions are shown in the brain activity.

36. MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)

Defintion: a technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-genrated images of soft tissue. MRI scans show brain anatomy.
Application: An MRI has reveled a enlarged fluid- filled brain area in some patients who have schizophrenia.

37. fMRI (functional MRI)

Defintion: a technique for revealing blood flow and, therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans. fMRI scans so brain function
Application: An fMRI shows the brain functions in certain parts of the brain. If you are told to look a scene, the fMRI will show blood rushing to the back of the brain.

38. brainstem

Definition: the oldest part and central core for the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull; the brainstem is responsible for automatic survival functions
Application: The brainstem connects your brain to your spine.

39. medulla

Defintion: the base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing
Application: If someones medulla is damaged they will have trouble controlling their breathing.

40. thalamus

Defintion: the brain's sensory switchboard, 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
Application: The thalamus is the "pitstop" of the brain.

41. reticular formation

Defintion: a nerve network in the brainstem that plays an important role in controlling arousal
Application: RAS controls arousal and attention.

42. cerebellum

Defintion: the "little brain" at the rear of the brainstem; functions include processing sensory input and coordinating movement output and balance
Application: A ballerina has a very strong cerebellum because she needs to be able to balance.

43. limbic system

Defintion: neural system (including the hippocampus, amygdala and hypothalamus) located below the cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions and drives
Applications: The limbic system links emotions to basic motives.

44. amygdala

Definition: two lima bean-sized neural clusters in the limbic system; linked to emotion
Application: The amygdala controls anger and fear in people.

45. hypothalamus

Defintion: a neural structure lying below (hypo) the thalamus it directs several maintenance activities (eating, drinking, body temperature), helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked tot emotion and reward
Application: The hypothalamus controls the 4 F's.

46. cerebral cortex

Defintion: the intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering the cerebral hemispheres; the body ultimate control and information- processing center
Application: The cerebral cortex is split into four different lobes on each hemisphere.

47. glial cells (glia)

Definition: cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons
Application: Glial cells help hold neurons toughener and communicate with one another.

48. frontal lobes

Definition: portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgments
Applications: If ones frontal lobe is damaged they will have trouble talking and moving.

49. parietal lobes

Definition: portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head and toward the rear; receives sensory input for touch and body position
Application: The parietal lobes controls touch.

50. occipital lobes

Definiton: portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head; includes areas receive information from the visual fields
Application: The occipital lobes is the visual cortex. If you hit the back of your head you will see spots.

51. temporal lobes

Definition: portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears; includes the auditory areas, each receiving information primarily form the opposite ear
Application: Wernicke's area is in the temporal lobe and controls speech comprehension.

52. motor cortex

Definition: an area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements
Application: If your motor cortex is damaged you will not be able to move unless you watch yourself move.

53. somatosensory cortex

Defintion: area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations
Applications: The more sensitive the body region the larger the sensory cortex.

54. association areas

Defintion: 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
Application: Association areas are found in all four lobes.

55. plasticity

Definition: the brain's ability to change, especially during childhood, by reorganizing after damage or by building new pathways based on experience
Application: Children who get half of their brain removed can recover easily because they have very strong plasticity.

56. neurogenesis

Defintion: the formation of new neurons
Application: New discovery that neurons can recreate.

57. Paul Broca

Definition: French neurologist that did research on the "Broca's area" a region in the frontal lobe that was named after him
Application: The Broca's area is involved with articulated language.

58. Carl Wernicke

Defintion: German physician that is best known for his description of aphasias
Application: Known for Wernicke's area which deals with speech comprehension

59. corpus callosum

Definition: the large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres carrying messages between them
Application: The corpus callous connects the two hemispheres to allow messages to travel between and them and let your brain communicate fully.

60. split brain

Definition: a condition resulting from surgery that isolates the brain's two hemispheres by cutting the fibers (mainly those of the corpus callous) connecting them
Application: When the corpus callous is cut the two hemispheres can still function but they do not communicate with each other.

61. Michael Gazzaniga

Definition: Psychologist professor who is a leading researcher in cognitive neuroscience
Application: Did intense research on the split brain.

62. Roger Sperry

Definition: Neuropsychologist, won nobel peace prize
Application: Known or split brain research