Shared Flashcard Set

Details

Biological Foundation
Psy 113, URI
20
Psychology
Undergraduate 1
05/03/2012

Additional Psychology Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
Definition
The nerves connecting the brain and the spinal cord to other parts of the body.
Term
Neurons
Definition
A specialized cell that transmits neural impulses or messages to other neurons, glands, and muscles.
Term
Neurotransmitter
Definition
A chemical that diffuses across the synaptic gap and stimulates the next neuron.
Term
Hemispheric Specialization
Definition
Hemispheres on the left and right side of the brain connected by the corpus callosum.
Term
Hypothalamus
Definition
A small but very important structure located just above the brain stem, and just below the thalamus, considered part of the central core of the brain. Govern motivated behavior such as eating, drinking, and sex.
Term
Corpus Callosum
Definition
Connects left and right hemispheres of the brain.
Term
Reflex Arcs
Definition
A neural pathway that controls an action reflex.
Term
Action Potential
Definition
An electrochemical impulse that travels from the dendritic area down to the end of the axon.
Term
Vesicles
Definition
Stores various neurotransmitters that are released at the synapse.
Term
Cerebral Cortex
Definition
The surface layer of the cerebral hemispheres in higher animals, including humans, commonly called grey matter.
Term
Brainstem
Definition
The posterior part of the brain.
Term
Cerebellum
Definition
Lobed Structure attached to the rear of the brain stem that regulates coordination of intricate movements.
Term
"Split-brain" Studies
Definition
Right vision field is connected to the left hemisphere and left vision field is connected tot eh right hemisphere.
Term
Glial Cells
Definition
A supporting cell (not a neuron); composed of a substantial portion of brain tissue.
Term
Myelination
Definition
Production of myelin around an axon.
Term
Synapse
Definition
Specialized junctions through which neurons signal to each other and to non-neural cells such as those in muscles and glands.
Term
EEG
Definition
Is the reading of electrical activity along the scalp. (Electroencephalography).
Term
Thalamus
Definition
Two groups of nerve cell nuclei located just above the brain stem and inside the cerebral hemispheres. Considered part of the central core of the brain.
Term
Limbic System
Definition
A set of structures that are closely interconnected with the hypothalamus and appear to impose additional controls over some of the instinctive behaviors, regulated by the hypothalamus and the central core of the brain.
Term
Central Nervous System (CNS)
Definition
All the neurons in the brain and the spinal cord.
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