Unit 3: Brain Anatomy and Physiology (AP PSYCHOLOGY)

Neuron

A nerve cell that transmits information throughout the body.

Dendrite

Part of a neuron that receives information.

Soma/Cell Body

Core part of a neuron that contains the nucleus and maintains the cell's life.

Axon

The part of a neuron that sends information away to other neurons.

Myelin Sheath

A covering over the axon that promotes electrical impulses.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers used between neurons to communicate impulses.

Action Potential

Electrical impulses that must exceed the threshold to continue down the axon.

Threshold

The amount of stimulation needed to trigger an impulse into the axon.

Reuptake

The process of neurotransmitters returning to the original neuron.

Agonist

A substance that excites and creates effects similar to neurotransmitters.

Antagonist

A substance that blocks or decreases the effects of neurotransmitters.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The brain and spinal cord, acting as a network of neurons for communication.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Connects to the CNS and includes sensory and motor neurons.

Somatic Nervous System

Part of the PNS responsible for voluntary movement.

Autonomic Nervous System

Part of the PNS that controls involuntary muscle movement.

Sympathetic Nervous System

The emergency system that triggers fight or flight responses.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

The system that shuts down the sympathetic system post-emergency.

Neural Networks

Clusters of connected neurons that learn and strengthen through experience.

Endocrine System

A network of glands that release hormones to control body functions.

Thalamus

The relay station that directs information to the proper processing area in the brain.

Limbic System

A set of brain structures involved in memory, emotions, and basic needs.

Hippocampus

Brain structure involved in learning and memory formation.

Cerebral Cortex

The outer layer of the brain responsible for higher order thinking.

Broca’s Area

A region in the left frontal lobe that controls speech production.

Wernicke’s Area

A region in the left temporal lobe responsible for language comprehension.

Aphasia

A condition that affects speech and language abilities.

Plasticity

The brain's ability to reorganize itself in response to injury or experience.

Split Brain Theory

A condition resulting from severing the corpus callosum, leading to independent brain hemisphere functions.

PET (Positron Emission Tomography)

A neuroimaging technique that uses radioactive sugar to trace brain function.

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

A technique that creates 'slices' of imagery using magnetic waves.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter associated with pleasure.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter that affects mood.

Endorphins

Neurotransmitters that promote feelings of euphoria.

Carl Wernicke

Identified the area of the brain responsible for language comprehension.

Paul Broca

A neuropsychologist known for discovering Broca's Area and its role in speech.

Charles Darwin

Introduced the concepts of evolution and natural selection influencing psychology.

Roger Sperry

Researcher known for the split-brain studies showing hemispheric specialization.

Michael Gazzaniga

Involved in split-brain research, highlighting the independent functions of brain hemispheres.