UNIT 3

mods 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15

biological psychology

the scientific study of the links between biological (genetic, neural, hormonal) and psychological processes. (Some biological psychologists call themselves behavioral neuroscientists, neuropsychologists, behavior geneticits, physiological pyshcologists or biopsychologists)

neuron

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

dendrites

a neuron’s bushy, branching extrusionsthat receives messages and conduct impluses toward the cell body

axon

the neuron extension that passes messages through its branches to other neurons or to muscls or glands

myelin sheath

a fatty tissue layer segemtally encasing the axons of some neurons, enables vastly greater transmission speed as neauron impulses hop from on sausage-like node to the next

action potential

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

refractory period

a period of inactivity after a neuron has fired

threshold

the level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse

all-or-none response

a neauron’s reaction of either firing (with a full-strength response) or not firing

synapse

the junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the recieving neuron. The tiny gap at this junction is called the synaptic gap or synaptic clef

neurotransmitters

chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neuron. When released by the sending neuron, neurotransmitters travel across the synapse and bind to recptor sites on the recieving neuron, thereby influencing wether that neuron will generate a neural impulse

reuptake

a nearotransmitter’s reabsorption by the sending neuron

multiple sclerosis is a result of degeneration in the

axon

Juanita does not feel like getting out of bed, has lost her appetite , and feels tired for most of the day. which if the following neurotransmitters likely is in short supply for Juanita ?

serotonin

which neurotransmitters inhibits CNS activity in order to calm a person down during stressful times?

GABA

phrenology has been discredited, but which of following ideas has its origins in phrenology ?

brain function localization

which there is a negative charge inside an axon and a positive charge outside of it , the neutron is ___

said to have been resting potential

morphine elevates mood and eases pain, and is most similar to what?

endorphins

neurotransmitters cross the __ to carry information to the next neutron

synaptic gap

what neurotransmitters are most likely in undersupply is someone who is depressed

seretonin and norepinephrine

nervous system

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

central nervous system (CNS)

the brain and spinal chord

peripheral nervous system (PNS)

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

nerves

bundled axons that form neural “cables” connecting the central nervous system muscles, glands and sense organs

sensory (afferent) neurons

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

motor (efferent) neurons

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

interneurons

neurons within the brain and spinal cord that communicate internally and intervene between the sensoy inputs and motor outputs

somatic nervous system

the division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body’s skeletal muscles. Also called the skeletal nervous system

autonomic nervous system (ANS)

the division of the autonomic nenervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy in stressful situations

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

endocrine system

the body’s “slow” chemical communication system; a set of glands that secrete hormones into the blood stream

hormones

chemical messengers that are manufactured by the endocrine glands travel through the bloodstream and affect other issues

adernal glands

a pair of endocrine glands that sit just above the kidneys and secrete hormones (epinephrine and norepinephrine) that help arouse the body in time of stress

pituitary gland

the endocrine system;s most influential gland. Under the influence of the hypothalamus, the pituitary regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands

Which of the following carries the information necessary to activate withdrawl of the hand from a hot object?

motor neuron

hormones are _____ released into the ________

chemical messengers; bloodstream

which division of the nervous system produces the startle response?

sympathetic

which of the following endocrine glands may explain unusually tall height in a 12-year old?

pituitary

which of the following communicates with the pituitary which in turn controls the endocrine system?

hypothalamus

which branch of the nervous system calms a person?

parasympathetic

epinephrine and norepinephrine increase energy and are released by the

adrenal glands

interneurons are said to

transmit and process information within the brain and spinal chord

lesion

tissue destruction. A brain lesion is a naturally or experimentally caused destruction of brain tissue.

electroencephalogram (EEG)

an amplified recording recording of the waves of electrical activity sweeping across the brain’s surface. These waves are measured by electrodes placed on the scalp.

CT (computed tomography) scan

a series of x-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by computer into a composite representation of a slice of the brains structure (AKA a cat scan)

PET (positron emission tomography) scan

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

MRI (magnetic response imaging)

a technique that uses magnetic fields and radio-waves to produce computer-generated images of soft tissue. MRI scans shows brain anatomy

fMRI (functional MRI)

a technique for revealing bloodflow, and therefore brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans. fMRI scans shows brain function as well as its structure

brain stem

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

the base of the brain stem; controls heartbeat and breathing

thalamus

the brain’s sensory control center, located on the top of the brainstem; it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and the medulla

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 includes processing sesnory imput, coordinating movement output and balance and enabling nonverbal learning and memory

limbic system

nueral system (including the hippocampus, amygdala and hypo thalamus) located below the cerebal hemisphere, associated with emotions and drives

amygdala

two limba-bean-sized neural clusters in the limbic system, linked to emotion

hypothalamus

a neural structure lying below the thalamus; it directs sevaral matinence activities, helps govern the endocrine system via the pitutary gland, and is linked to emotion and reward

Computer-enhanced X-rays used to create brain images are known as

computed tomography scans

What part of the brain triggers the release of adrenaline to boost heart rate when you’re afraid?

hypothalamus

A gymnast falls and hits her head on the floor. She attempts to continue practicing, but has trouble maintaining balance. What part of her brain has probably been affected?

cerebellum

Which of the following scanning techniques measures glucose consumption as an indicator of brain activity?

PET

Which of the following is sometimes referred to as the brain’s train hub, because it directs incoming sensory messages (with the exception of smell) to their proper places in the brain?

thalamus

Which of the following brain areas is responsible for regulating thirst?

hypothalamus

The hypothalamus is a(n) center for the brain.

reward center

Which of the following’s primary function is processing memories?

hippocampus

cerebral cortex

the intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering the cerebral hemisphere; the body’s ultimate control and information processing center

glial cells

cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons; they may also play a role in learning and thinking

frontal lobes

portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behinf 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

occipital lobes

portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head; includes areas that recieve information from the visual fields

temporal lobes

portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears; includes the auditory areas, each receiving information primarily from the opposite ear

motor cortex

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

somatosensory cortex

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

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

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 nuerons

damage to white of the following could interfere with the ability to plan for the future?

frontal lobe

in general damage to ______ disrupts speaking, while damage to _______ disrupts understanding of language

Broca’s area; Wernicke’s area

stimulaion at a point on which of the following may cause a person to report being touched on the kneww?

somatosensory

george can move his hand to sign a document because of the ________ located in the _______ lobe of the brain, allowa him to activate the proper muscles

motor cortex; frontal

The most noticeable difference between human brains and other mammalian brains is the size of the

association area

cognitive neural prosthetics are placed in the brain to help control parts of the

motor cortex

corpus collosum

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 cuting the fibers (mainly those of the corpus collosum) connecting them

consciousness

our awareness of ourselvess and our environment

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 track

A split-brain patient has a picture of a dog flashed to his right hemisphere and a cat to his left hemisphere. He will be able to identify the

cat using his right hand

You are aware that a dog is viciously barking at you, but you are not aware of the type of dog. Later, you are able to describe the type and color of the dog. This ability to process information without conscious awareness best exemplifies which of the following?

dual processing

Which of the following is most likely to be a function of

the left hemisphere?

speech

the dual-processing model refers to which of the

following ideas?

Incoming information is processed by both conscious

and unconscious tracks.

behavior genetics

the study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior

environment

every external influence, from prenatal nutrition to the people and things around us

chromosomes

threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain genes

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)

a complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes us the chromosomes

genes

the biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosomes segments of DNA capable of synthesizing proteins

genome

the complete instructions for making an organism, consisting of all the genetic material in that organisms chromosomes

identical twins (monozyngotic twins)

twins who develop from a single fertilized egg that splits into two, creating two genetically indentical organisms

fraternal twins (dizyhotic 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