Biopsych

Action Potential
- Electrical signal that moves down the neuron's axon.
Adrenal Gland
- Sits atop the kidneys and secretes hormones related to stress responses.
Agonist
- A drug that mimics or enhances the effects of a neurotransmitter.
All-or-None Phenomenon
- Incoming signal from another neuron is either sufficient or insufficient to reach the threshold of excitation.
Allele
- A specific version of a gene.
Amygdala
- Structure in the limbic system associated with emotions and emotional memory.
Antagonist
- A drug that blocks or impedes the normal activity of a neurotransmitter.
Auditory Cortex
- Located in the temporal lobe, processes auditory information.
Autonomic Nervous System
- Controls internal organs and glands.
Axon
- Major extension of the soma, transmitting electrical signals away from the cell body.
Biological Perspective
- Psychological disorders like depression and schizophrenia linked to imbalances in neurotransmitter systems.
Broca’s Area
- Region in the left hemisphere essential for language production.

Central Nervous System (CNS)
- Comprises the brain and spinal cord.
Cerebellum
- Hindbrain structure that manages balance, coordination, and certain types of memory.
Cerebral Cortex
- Surface of the brain associated with higher mental functions.
Chromosome
- Long strand of genetic information.
CT Scan
- Imaging technique integrating multiple X-rays for analysis.
Corpus Callosum
- Thick band of neural fibers connecting the brain's two hemispheres.
Dendrite
- Branch-like extensions of the soma; receive incoming signals.
Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)
- Molecule comprising nucleotide base pairs.
Diabetes
- Disease resulting from insufficient insulin production.
Dominant Allele
- Allele whose phenotype is expressed in individuals possessing it.
EEG
- Method for recording brain's electrical activity via scalp electrodes.
Endocrine System
- Collection of glands producing hormones.

Epigenetics
- Study of gene-environment interactions affecting phenotype expression.
Fight or Flight Response
- Activation of the sympathetic nervous system for responding to threats.
Forebrain
- Largest brain region housing the cerebral cortex, thalamus, and limbic system.
Fraternal Twins
- Twins from two different eggs and sperm, sharing genetic variability.
Frontal Lobe
- Part of the cerebral cortex linked with reasoning, motor control, emotion, and language.
Gene
- DNA sequence controlling physical traits.
Genetic Environmental Correlation
- Interaction shows genes influence the environment and vice versa.
Genotype
- An individual's genetic makeup.
Glial Cell
- Provides support functions to neurons (insulation, nutrient transport).
Gonad
- Organ secreting sex hormones crucial for reproduction.

Gyrus (Gyri)
- Bump or ridge found on the cerebral cortex.
Hemispheres
- Divisions of the brain into left and right sides.
Heterozygous
- Having two different alleles for a trait.
Hindbrain
- Contains medulla, pons, and cerebellum.
Hippocampus
- Temporal lobe structure linked to learning and memory.
Homeostasis
- Biological equilibrium state; body conditions maintained at optimal levels.
Homozygous
- Possessing two identical alleles.
Hormone
- Chemical messenger from endocrine glands.
Hypothalamus
- Regulates sexual motivation, behavior, and homeostatic processes; links nervous and endocrine systems.
Identical Twins
- Twins from the same embryo, sharing identical genetic material.

Lateralization
- Specialization of functions between brain hemispheres.
Limbic System
- Collection of structures vital for emotion and memory processing.
Longitudinal Fissure
- Deep groove separating the two brain hemispheres.
MRI
- Imaging technique using magnetic fields to visualize tissues.
Medulla
- Controls automatic functions like breathing and heart rate.
Membrane Potential
- Voltage difference across a neuronal membrane.
Midbrain
- Located between forebrain and hindbrain; contains reticular formation.
Motor Cortex
- Involved in planning and executing movements.
Mutation
- Sudden, permanent change in a gene.
Myelin Sheath
- Fatty layer insulating axons.
Nervous System
- Composed of billions of neurons; controls responses, thoughts, and movements.

Neuroplasticity
- Nervous system's ability to change in response to experience.
Neurotransmitter
- Chemicals that transmit signals across a synapse.
Nodes of Ranvier
- Gaps in the myelin sheath along the axon.
Occipital Lobe
- Region of the cerebral cortex related to visual processing.
Pancreas
- Regulates blood sugar through hormone secretion.
Parasympathetic Nervous System
- Governs routine body functions.
Parietal Lobe
- Processes sensory and perceptual information.
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
- Connects CNS to body muscles, organs, and senses.
Phenotype
- Observable physical characteristics influenced by genotype.
Pituitary Gland
- Secretes hormones regulating fluid levels and other glands.
Polygenic
- Traits influenced by multiple genes.

Pons
- Hindbrain structure linking brain and spinal cord; involved in sleep regulation.
PET Scan
- Imaging technique using radioactive substances to measure brain activity.
Prefrontal Cortex
- Frontal lobe region responsible for complex cognitive functions.
Psychotropic Medication
- Drugs that treat psychiatric conditions by restoring neurotransmitter balance.
Range of Reaction
- The concept that genes set limits on potential; environment influences outcomes within that range.
Receptor
- Proteins on cell surfaces that neurotransmitters attach to.
Recessive Allele
- Expressed phenotype only in homozygous conditions.
Resting Potential
- Neuronal membrane's state before signal transmission.
Reticular Formation
- Regulates sleep-wake cycles, arousal, and alertness.
Reuptake
- Process of neurotransmitters being reabsorbed into the original neuron.
Semipermeable Membrane
- Allows specific molecules to pass through while blocking others.
Soma
- The cell body of a neuron.

Somatic Nervous System
- Transmits sensory and motor information to and from the CNS.
Somatosensory Cortex
- Essential for processing sensory inputs like touch and temperature.
Substantia Nigra
- Midbrain area where dopamine is produced, linked to movement control.
Sulcus (Sulci)
- Grooves or indentations on the cerebral cortex.
Sympathetic Nervous System
- Manages stress responses and associated bodily functions.
Synaptic Cleft
- Gap between neurons where neurotransmitter communication occurs.
Synaptic Vesicle
- Storage site for neurotransmitters within the axon terminal.
Temporal Lobe
- Cerebral cortex region involved in hearing, memory, and some language aspects.
Terminal Button
- Part of the axon containing synaptic vesicles.
Thalamus
- Sensory relay station for the brain.
Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection
- Describes how better-adapted organisms survive and reproduce.

Threshold of Excitation
- Charge level in the neuronal membrane that must be reached for activation.
Thyroid
- Gland secreting hormones regulating growth, metabolism, and appetite.
Ventral Tegmental Area (VTA)
- Midbrain structure where dopamine is produced, linked to mood and reward.
Wernicke’s Area
- Critical for understanding speech comprehension.