unit 2 psych

Neuroscience

The scientific study of neurons and the nervous system.

Neuron(s)

The basic "building block" cell of the Nervous System. There are many types.

Dendrite(s)

The branch-like projections on Neurons that Receive Messages from other Neurons.

Soma

The Cell Body of a Neuron, which is composed of a Nucleus surrounded by cytoplasm enclosed in a membrane.

Axon(s)

The tail of a Neuron along which Electrical Signals are Carried, which is achieved by a brief change in the electric charge of the cell.

Axon Hillock(s)

The juncture between the Cell Body and the Axon.

Myelin (Sheath)

A fatty white substance wrapped around the axon that both protects the axon and increases the speed of the Action Potential.

Action Potential

The brief change in electrical charge that radiates down the axon.

Multiple Sclerosis

An autoimmune disease where the body attacks the Myelin Sheaths on neurons, which can lead to loss of strength, muscle control, and coordination.

Terminal Button(s)

Knobs at the end of each axon from which neurotransmitters are released into the synapse.

Synapse

Where one neuron's terminal buttons meet another neuron's dendrites to exchange information through neurotransmitters.

Presynaptic

The ___________________ Neuron is the one that comes Before the synapse, and releases the neurotransmitters.

Postsynaptic

The ___________________ Neuron is the one that comes After the synapse, and Receives Signals at its Dendrites.

Neural Chain

A term used to describe the web of interconnections between Neurons.

Depolarization

The first step towards conducting a signal along a Neuron where Na+ Ions rush Into the cell and K+ ions temporarily rush Out of the cell, leaving more positive charges on the inside.

Firing Threshold

The point at which enough positive charges have built up inside the Neuron that an Action Potential will be produced.

Refractory (Period)

The brief period after a Neuron Fires during which it Cannot fire again.

Resting Potential

The electrical state of the cell when not in use, sitting at -70mV.

Vesicle(s)

The sub-cellular structures that Release Neurotransmitters when stimulated with an Action Potential.

Reuptake

The process by which chemicals are released by the Synaptic Cleft and Re-enter the original Neuron to be used again.

Afferent (Neurons)

Neurons which carry sensory information to the Central Nervous System.

Interneuron(s)

Neurons which make up the brain and spinal chord.

Efferent (Neurons)

Neurons which transmit motor messages from the Central Nervous System to muscles and glands.

Reflex Arc

A term to describe the process by which sensory signals are sent directly to the Spinal Chord and then to motor neurons before the brain is ever engaged, allowing for Faster Reaction Times.

Glial (Cells)

Support cells in the brain that far outnumber Neurons. They act to provide Nutrients and Myelin, as well as function as Immune cells in the brain.

(Genetic) Predisposition

An inclination towards some characteristic that could be the result of Genetics or the Environment.

Epigenetic(s)

The phenomenon where your environment influences which genes are biologically expressed.

Genotype

Which combination of genes are physically in your DNA.

Phenotype

The traits that are actually expressed as a result of Environmental and Genotypic conditions.

Lesion(ing)

A brain research method where a part of the brain is Surgically Removed.

Phineas Gage

A 19th century railroad worker who had part of his Frontal/Prefrontal cortex removed by a Projectile Tamping Iron. He survived and provided unique insight into the Specificity of the brain.

Contralateralization

The term used to describe how each side of the brain controls the opposite side of the body.

Specificity

The term used to describe how certain areas of the brain are designed for certain tasks/events.

Hemispherectomy

The surgical procedure by which one hemisphere of the brain is removed, usually to combat life threatening disorders such as epilepsy.

Frontal (Lobe)

The Cerebral Lobe that plays roles in speaking and muscular activity, located towards the Front of the head.

Prefrontal Cortex

The brain area that acts as the executive of the brain, carrying out Planning, Decision Making, Judgement, and Self-Control. It's located towards the Front of the Frontal Lobe.

Motor Cortex

The part of the brain responsible for every Voluntary Movement and located along the Border of the Parietal Lobe.

Somatosensory Cortex

The part of the brain that registers all Touch Sensations and is located along the Border of the Frontal Lobe.

Broca's Area

The brain area responsible for Creating Expressive Speech located in the Frontal Lobe.

Parietal (Lobe)

The large Lobe on the Top/Crown of the head that houses the Somatosensory Cortex.

Occipital (Lobe)

The Lobe to the Rear of the Cortex that houses the Primary Visual Cortex.

Primary Visual Cortex

The brain area that is responsible for taking Visual Sensory Input and interpreting it. It's located in the very Rear of the head.

Temporal (Lobe)

The Lobe located to the Sides of the head, just above the ears, that houses the Auditory Cortex.

Auditory Cortex

The brain area responsible for taking Auditory Input and interpreting it. It's located in the Temporal Lobe.

Wernicke's Area

The brain area responsible, at least in part, for Language Comprehension, located in the Temporal Lobe.

Cortex

The wrinkled, convoluted shell of the brain that is divided into four lobes.

MRI

A Brain Scan technique that shows extreme Structural Detail. AKA Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

PET (Scan)

A Brain Scan technique that indicates Levels of Activity in general locations by using a tracer shot of Radioactive Glucose.

fMRI

A Brain Scan technique that shows extreme structure AND functional detail by measuring changes in oxygenation. "F" stands for Functional

EEG

A Brain Scan technique that shows Brain Wave activity. It does not show Location very clearly, but is used extensively in Sleep Studies.

CT (Scan)

A Brain Scan technique that uses a 3D X-Ray machine to show Structure for Injuries. It can be used on other body parts as well.

Cerebellum

The brain structure involved in any Coordinated Sequence of Movements and is one Center of Balance. It's located at the brain stem below the Occipital Lobe.

Limbic System

The group of brain structures that are mostly responsible for Emotion and Motivation.

Hippocampus

The part of the Limbic System that is responsible for the Formation of New Memories and Spatial Navigation.

Amygdala

The part of the Limbic System that is heavily involved in Primitive Emotions like Anger, Fear, and Aggression and well as Sex Drive. It is also viewed to determine the Emotional Relevance of any incoming stimuli.

Hypothalamus

The part of the Limbic System that regulates Appetite, Thirst, Sex Drive, Sleep/Wake Cycle, Body Temperature, and the Fight or Flight Response. It also directs the Pituitary Gland in controlling the Endocrine System.

Pituitary Gland

The brain area considered to be the Master Gland that directs the endocrine system. It also secretes HGH and Oxytocin.

Pons

The jutting area on the Upper Spinal Chord that may be responsible for Dreams, but also plays a role in maintaining some vital functions.

Medulla

A band of nerve fibers below the Pons that controls Autonomic Functions like Heart Rate, Blood Pressure, and Swallowing. This

Corpus Callosum

A large bundle of fibers connecting the right and left hemispheres.

Thalamus

An egg shaped structure in the Center of the brain that takes in All Sensory Information (Except Smell), and reroutes it to it's corresponding cortex.

Reticular Formation

The Brain Stem Structure that Alerts the Brain to Incoming Signals so that the Brain is ready to react quicker. (AKA RAS)

Pineal (Gland)

A Gland located in the Inner Central Brain that secretes Melatonin to induce sleep.

Melatonin

A hormone that induces Sleep and is secreted by the Pineal Gland.

Thyroid (Gland)

A Gland located in the Neck that secretes Thyroxine and regulates Growth and Metabolism.

Thyroxine

A hormone that increases Metabolism and thus induces Growth. It is secreted by the Thyroid.

Adrenal(s)

Glands that are located above the Kidneys that secrete Adrenaline/Epinephrine.

Epinephrine

A hormone (and also a Neurotransmitter!) that is secreted by the Adrenals which induces the Fight or Flight response.

Pancreas

A Gland/Organ located in the Central Abdomen that secretes Insulin.

Insulin

A Hormone that promotes the absorption of Glucose into cells and is secreted by the Pancreas.

Testes

Male Reproductive Glands that secrete Androgens such as Testosterone.

Ovaries

Female Reproductive Glands that secrete Estrogen.

Hormones(s)

Chemical messengers carried throughout the Blood that are the primary communicators of the Endocrine System. They take longer to get to where they are going, but Last Longer.

Neurotransmitter(s)

Chemical messengers of the Nervous System that carry signals Almost Instantly in the synapses between Neurons.

Central (Nervous System)

The part of the Nervous System that is directly in the center of the body and consisting of the Brain and Spinal Chord that controls your survival.

Peripheral (Nervous System)

The part of the Nervous System that consists of all of the nerve cells that are Not part of the Central Nervous System.

Autonomic (System)

The division of the Peripheral Nervous System which controls things that happen Sub-Consciously (Hormone Secretion, Blood Pressure, etc.)

Somatic (System)

The division of the Peripheral Nervous System which controls Voluntary Movements.

Sympathetic (System)

The division of the Autonomic System which controls the Fight or Flight response.

Parasympathetic (System)

The division of the Autonomic System which is the Opponent Process to the Sympathetic System and works to return the body to a calm state.

Glutamate

The primary Excitatory neurotransmitter in the Brain.

Glutamate

Too Much _______________ activity can result in Seizure Disorders. It may also play a role in Bipolar degenerative disorders of CNS.

GABA

The primary Inhibitory neurotransmitter in the Brain (AKA Gamma Aminobutyric Acid).

GABA

Low Levels of ___________ are linked with Anxiety and Seizure Disorders.

Substance P

High Levels of this neurotransmitter that Sends Pain Messages may be linked with Fibromyalgia and other pain disorders.

Endorphin(s)

Neurotransmitters which Alleviate Pain

Epinephrine

A neurotransmitter involved in Alertness and Arousal (Fight or Flight). In low levels it may be linked to Depression.

Acetylcholine

A neurotransmitter involved in Voluntary Muscle Movements and Memory

Acetylcholine

Alzheimer's is linked with a loss of neurons that produce __________________.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter that is involved in regulating Appetite, Sleep, and Mood. Low levels linked with Depression and Anxiety.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter involved in regulating Pleasure, Muscular Control, Learning, and Attention.

Dopamine

Excess ______________ is linked to Schizophrenia while low levels are linked to Parkinson's Disease.

Agonist(s)

Drugs that Enhance or Amplify the action of a Neurotransmitter.

Antagonist(s)

Drugs that Inhibit/Impede the action of a Neurotransmitter.

F(alse)

True/False: Neurons can Half-Fire and send only a half of a signal.

F(alse)

True/False: A Neuron's Action Potential gets weaker as the person ages.

Mirror (Neurons)

Neurons that fire in your brain when you see something as if you too were doing that something. This could be highly liked to human behaviors of Empathy, Language, and Imitation.

Excitatory

An ________________ chemical Stimulates the firing of messages within the Brain.

Inhibitory

An ________________ chemical Slows transmission of Neural Messages.

Association (Cortex)

A part of the Brain that could make up 3/4 of the Cortex that is responsible for Linking Relevance and meaning to sensory input.