Biopsych unit 2

adrenal gland

sits atop our kidneys and secretes hormones involved in the stress response

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amygdala

structure in the limbic system involved in our experience of emotion and tying emotional meaning to our memories

auditory cortex

strip of cortex in the temporal lobe that is responsible for processing auditory information

cerebellum

hindbrain structure that controls our balance, coordination, movement, and motor skills, and it is thought to be important in processing some types of memory

cerebral cortex

surface of the brain that is associated with our highest mental capabilities

epigenetics

study of gene-environment interactions, such as how the same genotype leads to different phenotypes

forebrain

largest part of the brain, containing the cerebral cortex, the thalamus, and the limbic system, among other structures

hindbrain

division of the brain containing the medulla, pons, and cerebellum

hippocampus

structure in the temporal lobe associated with learning and memory

homeostasis

state of equilibrium—biological conditions, such as body temperature, are maintained at optimal levels

hypothalamus

forebrain structure that regulates sexual motivation and behavior and a number of homeostatic processes; serves as an interface between the nervous system and the endocrine system

limbic system

collection of structures involved in processing emotion and memory

midbrain

division of the brain located between the forebrain and the hindbrain; contains the reticular formation

pancreas

secretes hormones that regulate blood sugar

pituitary gland

secretes a number of key hormones, which regulate fluid levels in the body, and a number of messenger hormones, which direct the activity of other glands in the endocrine system

polygenic

multiple genes affecting a given trait

synaptic cleft

small gap between two neurons where communication occurs

synaptic vesicle

storage site for neurotransmitters

theory of evolution by natural selection

states that organisms that are better suited for their environments will survive and reproduce compared to those that are poorly suited for their environments

thyroid

secretes hormones that regulate growth, metabolism, and appetite