Shared Flashcard Set

Details

Holt Psychology
Chapter 3
34
Science
12th Grade
10/16/2013

Additional Science Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
central nervous system
Definition

consists of the brain and the spinal cord

[image][image]

Term
peripheral nervous system
Definition

consists of nerve cells that send messages between the central nervous system and all the parts of the body

[image]

Term
neurons
Definition

nerve cells that run through our entire bodies and communicate with each other

[image]

Term
cell body
Definition

produces energy that fuels the activity of the cell

[image]

Term
dendrites
Definition

thin fibers that branch out from the cell body; they receive information from other neurons and pass the message through the cell body

[image]

Term
axon
Definition

carry messages away; neuron has many dendrites but usually only 1 axon; axons vary in length

[image]

Term
myelin
Definition

cover for axons that is a white fatty substance that insulates and protects the axon

[image]

Term
axon terminals
Definition

smaller fibers that branch out at the end of the axon

[image]

Term
synapse
Definition

junction between the axon terminals of one neuron and the dendrites of another neuron - how a message is sent from one neuron to another

[image][image]

Term
neurotransmitters
Definition

the release of chemicals that are stored in sacs in the axon terminals; neurons send messages across synapse through the release of neurotranmitters

[image]

Term
spinal cord
Definition

extends from brain down the back; it is a column of nerves about as thick as a thumb, and is protected by the bones of the spine. It transmits messages between the brain and muscles and glands in the body

[image]

Term
somatic nervous system
Definition

system that transmits sensory messages to the central nervous system (touch, pain, changes in temperature, change in body position)

[image]

Term
autonomic nervous system
Definition

automatic system that regulates the body's vital functions, such as heartbeat, breathing, digestion, and blood pressure

[image]

Term
medulla
Definition

part of hindbrain involved in vital functions like heart rate, blood pressure, breathing

[image]

Term
pons
Definition

located in from of the medulla and involved in regulating body movement, attention, sleep, and alertness

[image]

Term
cerebellum
Definition

"little brain", smaller part of brain that sits under the cerebrum; it involves balance and coordination

[image]

Term
reticular activating system
Definition

this system begins in the hindbrain and rises through the midbrain into the lower part of the forebrain. important for attention, sleep, and arousal

[image]

Term
thalamus
Definition

part of forebrain - critical structure of the brain because it serves as a relay station of sensory stimulation (pain, heat, cold) it also relays information from the eyes and ears

[image]

Term
hypothalamus
Definition

sits below the thalamus, tiny but very important, involved in many aspects of behavior and physiological functions (body temp, storage of nutrients, motivation and emotion)

[image]

Term
limbic system
Definition

forms a fringe along the inner edge of the cerebrum. involved in learning, memory, emotion, hunger, sex, aggression

 

Term
cerebrum
Definition

crowning glory of the brain, about 70% of the brain, surface is wrinkled with ridges and valleys

[image]

Term
cerebral cortex
Definition

surface of the cereburm that is wrinkled with ridges and valleys; outer layer of the brain; the thinking part of the brain (memory, language, emotions, complex motor functions, perception)

[image]

Term
corpus callosum
Definition

the structure the connects the 2 hemispheres (sides) of the brain; information received by one side of the body is transmitted to the opposite side of the brain

[image]

Term
association areas
Definition
areas of the cerebral cortex that are involved in such mental operations as thinking, memory, learning and problem solving
Term
endocrine system
Definition
system that consists of glands that secrete substance, called hormones, into the bloodstream
Term
hormones
Definition
stimulate growth and many kinds of reactions, such as changes in activity levels and moods
Term
heredity
Definition
transmission of characteristics from parents to offspring (physical traits such as eye color, height, hair texture and psychological traits such as shyness, leadership ability, aggressiveness, interest in arts and crafts
Term
genes
Definition
basic building blocks of heredity
Term
chromosomes
Definition
the threadlike structures where genes are found, composed of DNA
Term
3 sections of the brain
Definition
hindbrain, midbrain, forebrain
Term
hindbrain
Definition

lower portion of the brain and is involved in many vital functions like heart rate, respiration (breathing), balance

[image]

Term
midbrain
Definition

part of brain that involves vision and hearing

[image]

Term
forebrain
Definition

front of the brain that involves complex functions like thought and emotion

[image]

Term
pituitary gland
Definition

master gland - stimulated by the hypothalamus and is responsible for the secretion of many different hormones that affect various aspects of behavior

[image]

Supporting users have an ad free experience!