PSYC 1200/ Chapter 4: The Brain and the Nervous System

sensory neuron

neuron that gathers information from inside and outside the body

-present on sensory organs

interneuron

type of neuron that receives information from sensory neurons and decides what to do

motor neuron

neuron that responds to stimulation from sensory neuron if deemed strong enough

glutamate

neurotransmitter that excites the nervous system; memory and autonomic nervous system reactions

GABA

neurotransmitter that inhibits brain activity; lowers arousal, anxiety, and excitation

-facilitates sleep

acetylcholine

neurotransmitter in charge of movement and attention

dopamine

neurotransmitter in control of movement, reward-seeking behavior, and cognitive and attention

norepinephrine

neurotransmitter in charge of memory, attention to new or important stimuli, and regulation of sleep and mood

serotonin

neurotransmitter in charge of the regulation of sleep, appetite, and mood

agonist drug

drug that enhances / mimics the effect of a neurotransmitters actions

antagonistic drug

drug that inshibits neurotransmitter activity by blocking receptors or preventing synthesis of the neurotransmitter

transcranial magnetic stimulation

using a large magnet to create a large magnetic field around the patient’s head

• used to compare left and right brain function

transcranial direct current stimulation

using a direct current to excite or inhibit certain areas of a patient’s brain

• used to treat stroke victims and individuals with Parkinson’s disease

transcranial alternating current stimulation

applying alternating electrical signals to a specific sections of the brain to change the brain’s naturally occuring wave

medulla

part of the brain located in the brain stem responsible for automatic functions like breathing and heartbeat

pons

part of the brain located in the brain stem that is involved in sleeping, waking, and dreaming

reticular activating system

part of the brain that screens incoming information; responsible for alertness and attention

cerebellum

part of the brain that contributes to balance, muscle coordination, cognitive, and emotional learning

thalamus

part of the brain that directs sensory messages to the appropriate higher centers in the brain

hypothalamus

part of the brain in charge of helping the body maintain homeostasis

• controls the autonomic nervous system

• involved in emotions and drives that are vital to survival

amygdala

part of the brain responsible for evaluating sensory information and determining its biological impact

• mediating anxiety and depression

• forming and retrieving emotional memories

hippocampus

brain structure vital to the formation of new memories

corpus collusum

a bundle of nerve fibers that connect both hemispheres of the cerebrum

cerebral cortex

collection of several thin layers of cells that covers the cerebrum and is responsible for higher mental functions

occipital lobe

Visual cortex

-damage can cause spots in vision, and impaired vision

temporal lobe

Auditory cortex

-involves in language comprehension

wernicke’s area

in the temporal lobe

• Area in charge of language comprehension

• people with damage to this lobe have a hard time speaking clearly

• they can say words, but the words often don’t make sense

somatosensory cortex

part of the parietal lobe

• each body is represented on a specific part of the cortex

hemispatial neglect

lesions to the somatosensory cortex can cause ___, in which an individual only notices the right side of their vision

motor cortex

contained in the frontal lobe

• issues orders to the 600 muscles of the body that produce voluntary movement

broca’s area

area in the motor cortex in charge of speech production

• damage in this area makes an individual unable to speak properly

prefrontal cortex

part of the frontal lobe in charge of higher mental processes like:

• social judgement, decision making, and making and carrying out plans

Phineas Gage