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WSU - Shipp - Psych 105 - Exam #1 - Chapter 3
exam 1, chapter 3
30
Psychology
Undergraduate 1
09/16/2009

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Term
What comprises the CNS?
Definition
Brain and Spinal Cord
Term
What is the purpose of the spinal cord?
Definition
To transmit messages from the brain to the rest of the body
Term
What is the PNS and it's purpose?
Definition
The nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. connects the CNS to the rest of the body
Term
What are the two divisions of the PNS and what do they do?
Definition
Somatic Division - voluntary muscle activation

Autonomic Division - Controls smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and glands
Term
What is the purpose of dendrites?
Definition
receives info from adjacent neurons
Term
what is the cell body?
Definition
contains nucleus
Term
what does an axon do?
Definition
transmits signals away from the soma toward other neurons
Term
What is the Myelin Sheath?
Definition
layer of fatty tissue that encase the axon
Term
what is the purpose of the terminal buttons?
Definition
transmit signals to dendrites of adjacent neurons
Term
What is a synaptic cleft?
Definition
the gap between axon tip of sending neuron (pre-synaptic) and the dendrite of the receiving neuron (post-synaptic)
Term
what is a neurotransmitter?
Definition
chemicals that transmit information from on neuron to another
Term
define resting potential
Definition
stable, negative charge of a neuron when it is inactive
Term
define action potential
Definition
a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon
• Generated by the movement of positively charged ions in and out of the axon’s membrane
Term
what is the absolute refractory period?
Definition
time when a membrane is not excitable
Term
what is the purpose of the thalamus
Definition
relay center for incoming sensory information (with the exception of smell)
Term
what is the purpsoe of the amygdala
Definition
limbic system structure involved in emotion and aggression, allows us to sense when we are supposed to be scared of something
Term
what is the purpose of the hippocampus
Definition
limbic system structure involved in learning and memory, one of the most adaptive parts of the brain
Term
what is the purpose of the cerebellum
Definition
coordinates fine muscle movement, balance
Term
what is the purpose of the medulla
Definition
regulates vital functions such as breathing and circulation
Term
what is the purpose of the pons?
Definition
involved in sleep and arousal
Term
what is the purpose of the pituitary gland
Definition
“master” gland that regulates other endocrine glands
Term
what is the purpose of the hypothalamus
Definition
regulates basic biological needs: hungers, thirst, temperature control
Term
what is the purpose of the cerebrum
Definition
involved in sensing, thinking, learning, emotion, consciousness, and voluntary movement
Term
what is a CT (Computed Tomography) Scan
Definition
x-rays to study narrow slices of the brain. brain structure is it's primary focus
Term
what is an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
Definition
uses magnetic fields and radio waves. focuses on structure. high resolution
Term
what is a PET (Positron Emission Tomography) Scan
Definition
measures brain activity. color coded map
Term
what is an fMRI (Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
Definition
monitors blood and oxygen flow in the brain. structural and functional information
Term
what do each of the hemispheres in the brain control?
Definition
left - verbal processing: language, speech, reading, writing

right - nonverbal processing: spatial, musical, visual recognition
Term
what are the four lobes of the brain and their main purposes?
Definition
Occipital – vision
Parietal– somatosensory (tactile)
Temporal – auditory
Frontal – movement, executive control systems
Term
what is Broca’s Area
Definition
Area in the left frontal love, controls language expression by directing muscle movement involved in the production of speech

 Aphasia: the loss of a previously held ability to speak or understand spoken or written language, due to disease or injury of the brain
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