exam 2 flash cards

ch 2,3,13

Neuroscience

The study of the nervous system and brain.

Biological Psychology

The scientific study of the biological basis of behavior and mental processes.

Neuron

Basic cell that receives stimulation and transmits information throughout the body.

Dendrites

Receive incoming signals from other neurons.

Soma/Cell Body

Contains the nucleus housing the cell’s genetic material.

Axon

Carries information down the neuron; a long, thin fiber.

Myelin Sheath

Fatty tissue encasing the axon, protecting it and speeding up transmission.

Terminal Buttons/Axon Terminals

Contain chemicals that facilitate communication between neurons.

Neurotransmitters

Chemicals enabling neuronal communication.

Excitatory

In response to a neuron, it can 'fire' by passing signals along.

Inhibitory

Holds the fire by not passing the signal along to the next neuron.

Synapse

Space in between the neurons terminal button next to dendrites.

Presynaptic neuron

Neuron that delivers the signal to the synapse.

Postsynaptic neuron

Neuron that receives the signal from the synapse.

Vesicles

Terminal buttons that contain small fluid filled sacs with neurotransmitters.

Action Potential

A brief electrical charge traveling down the neuron.

All-or-Nothing Law

An electrical impulse must surpass a threshold to fire.

Ions

Electrically charged atoms in the neuron’s fluid.

Resting Potential

Neurons maintain a negatively charged interior relative to the outside.

Depolarization

Occurs when positive ions enter the neuron, reducing negativity.

Refractory Period

The recovery phase during which a neuron cannot fire again immediately.

Central Nervous System

Comprises the brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral Nervous System

Encompasses nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord.

Sensory Neurons

Carry information to the CNS from sensory organs.

Motor Neurons

Transmit information away from the CNS to muscles and glands.

Interneurons

Enable communication between sensory and motor neurons.

Glial Cells

Supportive cells in the CNS, facilitating neuron maintenance.

Blood-Brain Barrier

A selective barrier preventing certain substances from entering the brain.

Reflex

Automatic, rapid neuromuscular reactions to specific stimuli.

Endocrine System

Secondary and slower communication style in the body that involves hormones.

Hormones

Chemical messengers secreted by the glands into the bloodstream.

Hypothalamus

Ultimate director of glandular activity.

Pituitary Gland

Master gland, releases hormones to influence all other glands.

Pineal Gland

Plays an important role in the sleep-wake cycle.

Thyroid Gland

Controls metabolism and energy levels.

Adrenal Gland

Plays a role in the stress response.

Gonads

Glands involved in sexual development.

Computed Tomograph (CT Scan)

Machine that takes x-rays to observe tissues or organs clearly.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Uses large magnets to examine the structural aspect of the brain.

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

Measures brain's electrical activity using sensors on the scalp.

Magnetoencephalography (MEG)

Measures magnetic fields from brain activity.

Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

3D imaging technique using radioactive glucose.

Functional MRI (fMRI)

Shows brain activity by tracking blood flow.

Frontal Lobe

Responsible for cognitive functions like thinking, planning, and language.

Parietal Lobe

Processes touch, spatial awareness, and body sensations.

Temporal Lobe

Engages with auditory information and memory.

Occipital Lobe

Centers on visual processing.

Corpus Callosum

Band of axons enabling communication between the brain's hemispheres.

Contralateral Control

Each brain hemisphere manages opposite body sides.

Right Brain

Engaged in creative processes like art and music.

Left Brain

Governed by logic, math, and language.

Callosotomy

Severing of the corpus callosum fibers.

Chromosomes

Structures carrying genetic information; humans have 46 chromosomes.

Genes

Segments of DNA governing physical and behavioral traits.

Mendelian Genetics

Principles of dominant and recessive gene inheritance.

Genotype

Complete genetic makeup of an individual.

Phenotype

Observable characteristics resulting from genes.

Heritability

Extent to which genetic factors account for individual variations.

Twin Studies

Investigate the influence of genetics on traits.

Adoption Studies

Examine similarities in traits between adoptees and their parents.

Epigenetics

Study of changes in gene expression driven by environmental factors.

Neurogenesis

Process of creating new neurons, linked to memory and learning.

Sensation

Process where physical energy is converted into neural signals.

Perception

Brain's process of organizing and interpreting sensory information.

Transduction

Conversion of physical energy into electrical signals.

Psychophysics

Study of relationships between physical stimuli and sensory experiences.

Absolute Threshold

Smallest amount of energy needed to detect a stimulus 50% of the time.

Difference Threshold

Minimum difference needed to detect a difference 50% of the time.

Weber's Law

Difference between two stimuli varies proportionally to the initial size.

Subliminal Perception

When sensation is below the absolute threshold.

Subliminal Persuasion

Using subliminal techniques to influence behavior.

Sensory Adaptation

Reduced sensitivity to an unchanging stimulus over time.

Light

Energy contained in the electromagnetic spectrum.

Wavelengths

Distance between the peaks of each wave of energy.

Brightness

Characteristic of color derived from the amplitude of wavelengths.

Saturation

Refers to the richness of a color.

Hue

Color derived from wavelength of light that hits the eye.

Cornea

Protective cover over the eye that refracts light.

Pupil

Small hole in the middle of the eye that allows light in.

Iris

Colored muscle that controls the size of the pupil.

Lens

Flexible structure that focuses light onto the retina.

Visual Accommodation

Process of lens changing shape to focus light.

Retina

Multilayered tissue responsible for visual transduction.

Photoreceptors

Cells in the retina that convert light into electrical signals.

Rods

Retinal receptors that respond to varying degrees of light and dark.

Cones

Visual receptors specializing in the perception of color.

Optic Nerve

Carries visual information from the eye to the brain.

Blind Spot

Area of the retina where the optic nerve exits without receptors.

Optic Chiasm

Area where portions of both optic nerves cross in the brain.

Feature Detector

Neurons responding to specific features in the visual field.

Parallel Processing

Ability of the brain to simultaneously perceive many object aspects.

Blindsight

Awareness of characteristics of objects without conscious visual perception.

Subtractive Color Mixture

All colors absorbed result in black, while no colors absorbed result in white.

Additive Color Mixture

Seeing all colors wavelengths with no colors absorbed.

Trichromatic Theory

Theory stating three different types of retinal receptors detect light.

Monochromatism

Condition of no functioning cones resulting in only shades of grey.

Dichromatism

Condition of only two functioning cones.

Afterimage

Image that remains in visual field after stimulus is removed.

Negative Afterimage

Colors seen opposite of those originally presented.

Opponent Process Theory

Theory stating visual receptors work in pairs and opposing manner.