Psych 1 - Biopsychology

nervous system

the body's speedy, electrochemical communication network, consisting of all the nerve cells of the peripheral and central nervous systems

central nervous system

consists of the brain and spinal cord

peripheral nervous system

the sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system to the rest of the body

sensory neurons

neurons that carry incoming information from the sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord

motor neurons

neurons that carry outgoing information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands

somatic nervous system

A subdivision of the peripheral nervous system. Enables voluntary actions to be undertaken due to its control of skeletal muscles

autonomic nervous system

A subdivision of the peripheral nervous system. Controls involuntary activity of visceral muscles and internal organs and glands.

sympathetic nervous system

the division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy in stressful situations. Fight or flight

parasympathetic nervous system

the division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy

neuron

a nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system

dendrites

Branchlike parts of a neuron that are specialized to receive information.

cell body (soma)

contains the nucleus and other parts of the cell needed to sustain its life

axon

A threadlike extension of a neuron that carries nerve impulses away from the cell body.

myelin sheath

covers the axon of some neurons and helps speed neural impulses

axon terminal buttons

The endpoint of a neuron where neurotransmitters are stored

neurotransmitters

chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons

synapse

the junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron

action potential

a neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon

resting potential

the state of the neuron when not firing a neural impulse

refractory period

the time following an action potential during which a new action potential cannot be initiated

acetylcholine (ACh)

A neurotransmitter that enables learning and memory and also triggers muscle contraction

dopamine

influences movement, learning, attention, and emotion

receptor sites

holes in the surface of the dendrites or certain cells of the muscles and glands, which are shaped to fit only certain neurotransmitters

endorphins

natural, opiate-like neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure

serotonin

A neurotransmitter that affects hunger, sleep, arousal, and mood.

Biopsychology

how the body and brain enable emotions, memories, and sensory experiences

brain

The mass of nerve tissue that is the main control center of the nervous system

spinal cord

Nerves that run up and down the length of the back and transmit most messages between the body and brain

all-or-none principle

Refers to the fact that the action potential in the axon occurs either full-blown or not at all.

nature

the influence of our inherited characteristics on our personality, physical growth, intellectual growth, and social interactions

nurture

the influence of the environment on personality, physical growth, intellectual growth, and social interactions

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.

twin studies

a common method of investigating whether nature or nurture affects behavior

CT scan

a series of x-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by computer into a composite representation of a slice through the body

PET scan

a visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task

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

fMRI (functional MRI)

A technique for revealing bloodflow and, therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans. fMRI scans show brain function.

presynaptic neuron

neuron that sends the signal

postsynaptic neuron

neuron that receives the signal

Brainstem

the oldest part and central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull; the brainstem is responsible for automatic survival functions

medulla

controls heartbeat and breathing

Reticular Activating System (RAS)

brain area that plays a key role in alertness and awakeness

Cerebellum

the "little brain" at the rear of the brainstem; functions include processing sensory input and coordinating movement output and balance

Thalamus

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

Limbic system

neural system (including the hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus) located below the cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions and drives.

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.

Hippocampus

A neural center located in the limbic system that helps process explicit memories for storage.

Amygdala

A limbic system structure involved in memory and emotion, particularly fear and aggression.

Cerebrum

Area of the brain responsible for all voluntary activities of the body

corpus callosum

the large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them

Motor cortex (frontal lobe)

an area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements

Broca's area

Controls language expression - an area of the frontal lobe, usually in the left hemisphere, that directs the muscle movements involved in speech.

parietal lobe

receives sensory input for touch and body position

somatosensory cortex

area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations

occipital lobe

A region of the cerebral cortex that processes visual information

temporal lobe

A region of the cerebral cortex responsible for hearing and language.

auditory cortex

the area of the temporal lobe responsible for processing sound information

Wernicke's area

controls language reception - a brain area involved in language comprehension and expression; usually in the left temporal lobe