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Chapter 2- Psych and Behavior
organization of the nervous system
80
Psychology
Undergraduate 1
12/10/2010

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Term
PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
Definition
all the neurons that are not in the central nervous system. carries information to and from the central nervous system.
Term
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
Definition
consists of the brain and spinal cord. receives and interprets information and initiates responses.
Term
SOMATIC DIVISION OF THE PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
Definition
connects the central nervous system to the muscles and skin
Term
AUTONOMIC DIVISION OF THE PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
Definition
connects central nervous system to the organs and glands in the body.
Term
SYMPATHETIC BRANCH OF THE AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM
Definition
part of the autonomic division of the nervous system that increases arousal.
Term
PARASYMPATHETIC BRANCH OF THE AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM
Definition
part of the autonomic division of the nervous system that decreases arousal
Term
VOODOO DEATH
Definition
death that is probably caused by an overly strong response of the parasympathetic branch of the autonomic division of the nervous system.
Term
LOCALIZATION OF THE FUNCTION
Definition
the fact that different parts of the brain control different behaviors.
Term
PHRENOLOGY
Definition
the practice of identifying an individuals characteristics by measuring lumps on his or her skull.
Term
CEREBRUM (brain)
Definition
responsible for "higher mental functions" such as thinking.
Term
HEMISPHERES (two halves of the cerebrum)
Definition
controls functions on opposite sides of the body.
left hemisphere tents to control language and analytical thinking.
right hemisphere controls emotions, spatial relationships, and recognition.
Term
CORTEX
Definition
Covers hemispheres.
where higher mental processes are carried out.
Term
LOBES
Definition
(frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital)
structural parts of the hemisphere in which the functional areas are located.
Term
FUNCTIONAL AREAS
Definition
areas of the hemispheres that are responsible for receiving sensory info (sight, sound, touch) controlling motor behavior, and forming associations
Term
VENTRICLES
Definition
(cavities in a bodily part)
ducts in the hemispheres that drain off fluids.
Term
CORPUS CALLOSUM
Definition
(large band of fibers)
connects to hemispheres.
Term
BASAL GANGLIA
Definition
responsible for motor movements
Term
THALAMUS
Definition
(chamber)
responsible for initial screening of incoming sensory stimuli.
Term
LIMBIC SYSTEM
Definition
(border, around brain stem)
responsible for homeostasis, processing of memories, and aggression.
Term
HYPOTHALAMUS
Definition
(below thalamus)
responsible for homeostasis (mood, appetite, sex, and sleep)
Term
HIPPOTHALAMUS
Definition
responsible for the storage of information in the long-term memory
Term
AMYGDALA
Definition
responsible for aggression and processing of some emotional memories
Term
CEREBELLUM
Definition
responsible for the coordination of motor movements and the storage of memory for simple responses.
Term
BRAIN STEM
Definition
responsible for generating arousal and initiating basic life functions.
Term
MEDULLA
Definition
(inner core)
generates general arousal, regulates basic processes, such as resperation and heart rate, and controls simple responses such as coughing and swallowing.
Term
RETICULAR ACTIVATING SYSTEM
Definition
(network of nerves)
ascending system carries stimulation to upper parts of the brain to maintain alertness.
Descending system detects activity in the upper parts of the brain and then stimulates the brain stem to increase arousal
Term
PONS
Definition
primarily a connection between the brain stem and higher areas of the brain, but it also generates arousal, especially during some phases of sleep.
Term
SOMATOSENSORY AREAS
Definition
areas of the front of the parietal lobes in which feelings like touch/pain are interpreted.
Term
PRINCIPLE OF TOPOGRAPHICAL ORGANIZATION
Definition
more sensitive areas are given more space??
Term
ASSOCIATION AREAS
Definition
areas throughout the hemispheres where information is brought together and integrated.
Term
MOTOR AREAS
Definition
areas of the back of the frontal lobes that are responsible for the initiation of body movements.
Term
LATERALIZATION OF FUNCTIONS
Definition
the fact that each hemisphere influences different aspects of behavior (language and analytical thinking in the left; emotions, spatial relationships and recognition in the right)
Term
SPINAL CORD
Definition
bundle of axons that extends down from the brain that carries information and does limited info processing
Term
VERTEBRAE
Definition
bones that surround the spinal cord
Term
INTERNEURON
Definition
a neuron in the spinal cord that plays a role in the reflexive responses.
Term
REFLEXIVE RESPONSES
Definition
responses that are processed in the spinal cord rather than in the brain
Term
PARAPLEGIA
Definition
disorder caused by a break in a lower portion of spinal cord resulting in loss of areas below waist
Term
QUADRIPLEGIA
Definition
disorder caused by a break in upper part of spine resulting in loss of control of parts of body below neck.
Term
MENINGES
Definition
layers of membranes in which the brain and spinal cord are wrapped and which serve to protect them.
Term
SPINAL/CEREBRAL MENINGITIS
Definition
disorders that involves the inflammation of the meninges that protect the brain or spinal cord.
Term
CEREBROSPINAL FLUID
Definition
fluid in and around the brain and spinal cord that provides a cushion of protection.
Term
NEURON
Definition
cell in the nervous system
Term
BODY (OF A NEURON)
Definition
part of the neuron that contains the genetic material that determines what role the neuron will play in the system
Term
DENDRITES
Definition
branch-like structures that extend from the body of a neuron and to which other neurons make connections
Term
AXON
Definition
arm-like structure that extends out from the body of a neuron and which carries the impulse of the next neuron
Term
NODES OF RANVIER
Definition
layer of insulation that covers the axons of some neurons
Term
MYELIN SHEATH
Definition
gaps in the myelin sheath that speeds the transmission of the impulse along an axon
Term
SYNAPSE
Definition
the point at which one neuron stimulates the next neuron
Term
SYNAPTIC GAP
Definition
small gap that separates the end of an axon from the dendrites or body of the next neuron.
Term
ACTION POTENTIAL
Definition
electrical impulse that travels down the axon.
Term
ACTION POTENTIAL
Definition
electrical impulse that travels down the axon.
Term
NEUROTRANSMITTER
Definition
chemical that is released at the end of an axon and which flows across the synaptic cleft to stimulate the next neuron
Term
RECEPTOR SITE
Definition
opening on the dendrite or body of a neuron into which a neurotransmitter flows to stimulate the neuron.
Term
PRESYNAPTIC NEURON
Definition
neuron that releases the neurotransmitter which then flows across the synaptic cleft
Term
POSTSYNAPIC NEURON
Definition
neuron that is stimulated by the neurotransmitter after it flows across the synaptic cleft.
Term
REUPTAKE (of a neurotransmitter)
Definition
process by which the portion of a neurotransmitter that has not been used to stimulate the next neuron is absorbed by the presynaptic neuron
Term
CATABOLISM (of a neurotransmitter)
Definition
process by which a neurotransmitter is destroyed by other agents
Term
INHIBITORY NEURON
Definition
neuron that makes a connection to a presynapic neuron and which when it fires causes the presynaptic neuron not to release its neurotransmitter, thereby inhibiting neurotransmission
Term
DOPAMINE
Definition
neurotransmitter that plays a role in the muscle activity among other things. low levels lead to parkinsons disease.
Term
L-DOPA
Definition
substance that is converted into dopamine in the body and used to treat parkinsons disease
Term
NEURAL MIGRATION
Definition
the movement of neurons to different parts of the brain during brain development.
Term
NEURAL PRUNING
Definition
death of redundant or unused axons
Term
STEM CELLS
Definition
immature cells which if properly stimulated can develop into any type of cell in the body
Term
NEURAL PLASTICITY
Definition
the fact that some neurons can take on the functions of other neurons that have died.
Term
ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
Definition
group of glands that secrete hormones
Term
HORMONES
Definition
fluids secreted by glands which then influence processes such as growth and arousal.
Term
PITUITARY GLAND
Definition
gland that increases the growth hormone and other hormones that cause other glands to release their hormones
Term
THYROID GLAND
Definition
gland that releases the growth hormone and other hormones that cause other glands to release their hormones
Term
ADRENAL GLAND
Definition
during stress, glands secrete cortisol, leading to more energy, and secrete epinephrine and norepinephrines which increase physiological arousal
Term
PANCREAS
Definition
gland that produces insulin that aids in getting glucose into the cells for use.
Term
GONADS
Definition
glands (ovaries, and testes) that are responsible for the secondary sex characteristics and reproductive functions
Term
OVARIES
Definition
gonads of the female which secrete estrogen
Term
TESTES
Definition
gonads of the male which secrete androgens
Term
CORTICOSTEROIDS
Definition
synthetically produced hormones containing adrenalin that increase arousal
Term
ANABOLIC STEROIDS
Definition
synthetically produced hormones that increase bone and muscle growth
Term
CHROMOSOMES
Definition
strands of hereditary material(genes) in the cell body. each cell contains 23 pairs.
Term
GENES
Definition
sections of the chromosomes that contain DNA
Term
DNA
Definition
controls the chemical reactions that control biological development
Term
DOMINANT GENES
Definition
genes which when paired with recessive genes take precedence in controlling development (genes for brown eyes are dominant over genes for blue eyes)
Term
RECESSIVE GENES
Definition
genes which when paired with dominant genes do not take precedence in controlling development
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