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Chapter 3 Psychology Terms
Terms that go along with Chapter 3 in Schacter's Psychology book.
60
Psychology
Undergraduate 1
09/12/2011

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Term
Neurons
Definition
Cells in the nervous system that communicate with one another to perform information-processing tasks.
Term
Cell body
Definition
the part of a neuron that coordinates information-processing tasks
Term
Dendrite
Definition
The part of a neuron that receives information from other neurons and relays it to the cell body
Term
Axon
Definition
The part of a neuron that transmits information to other neurons, muscles, or glands.
Term
Myelin Sheath
Definition
An insulating layer of fatty material. (around the axon)
Term
Glial cells
Definition
Support cells found in the nervous system
Term
Synapse
Definition
The junction or region between the axon of one neuron and the dendrites or cell body of another
Term
Sensory Neurons
Definition
Neurons that receive information from the external world and convey this information to the brain via the spinal cord.
Term
Motor Neurons
Definition
Neurons that carry signals from the spinal cord to the muscles to produce movement.
Term
Interneurons
Definition
Neurons that connect sensory neurons, motor neurons, or other interneurons.
Term
Resting Potential
Definition
The difference in electric charge between the inside and outside of a neuron's cell membrane.
Term
Action Potential
Definition
an electric signal that is conducted along a neuron's axon to a synapse.
Term
Refractory Period
Definition
the time following an action potential during which a new action potential cannot be initiated.
Term
Terminal Buttons
Definition
Knoblike structures that branch out from an axon.
Term
Neurotransmitters
Definition
Chemicals that transmit information across the synapse to a receiving neuron's dendrites
Term
Receptors
Definition
Parts of the cell membrane that receive the neurotransmitter and initiate or prevent a new electric signal.
Term
Acetylcholine (ACh)
Definition
A neurotransmitter involved in a number of functions, including voluntary motor control.
Term
Dopamine
Definition
A neurotransmitter that regulates motor behavior, motivation, pleasure, and emotional arousal.
Term
Glutamate
Definition
A major excitatory neurotransmitter involved in information transmission throughout the brain.
Term
GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)
Definition
The primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain.
Term
Norepinephrine
Definition
A neurotransmitter that influences mood and arousal.
Term
Serotonin
Definition
A neurotransmitter that is involved in the regulation of sleep and wakefulness, eating, and aggressive behavior.
Term
Endorphins
Definition
Chemicals that act within the pain pathways and emotion centers of the brain.
Term
Agonists
Definition
Drugs that increase the action of a neurotransmitter.
Term
Agonists
Definition
Drugs that increase the action of a neurotransmitter
Term
Antagonists
Definition
Drugs that block the function of a neurotransmitter.
Term
Nervous System
Definition
An interacting network of neurons that conveys electrochemical information throughout the body.
Term
Central Nervous System (CNS)
Definition
The part of the nervous system that is composed of the brain and spinal cord.
Term
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
Definition
 The part of the nervous system that connects the central nervous system to the body's organs and muscles.
Term
Somatic Nervous System
Definition
A set of nerves that conveys information into and out of the central nervous system.
Term
Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
Definition
A set of nerves that carries involuntary and automatic commands that control blood vessels, body organs, and glands.
Term
Sympathetic Nervous System 
Definition
A set of nerves that prepares the body for action in threatening situations. (fight or flight)
Term
Parasympathetic Nervous System 
Definition
A set of nerves that helps the body return to a normal resting state.
Term
Spinal Reflexes
Definition
Simple pathways in the nervous system that rapidly generate muscle contractions.
Term
Hindbrain
Definition
An area of the brain that coordinates information coming into and out of the spinal cord.
Term
Medulla
Definition
An extension of the spinal cord into the skull that coordinates heart rate, circulation, and respiration.
Term
Reticular Formation
Definition
A brain structure that regulates sleep, wakefulness, and levels of arousal.
Term
Cerebellum
Definition
A large structure of the hindbrain that controls fine motor skills.
Term
Pons
Definition
A brain structure that relays information from the cerebellum to the rest of the brain.
Term
Tectum
Definition
A part of the midbrain that orients an organism in the environment.
Term
Tegmentum
Definition
A part of the midbrain that is involved in movement and arousal.
Term
Cerebral Cortex
Definition
The outermost layer of the brain, visible to the naked eye and divided into two hemispheres.
Term
Subcortical structures
Definition
Areas of the forebrain housed under the cerebral cortex near the very center of the brain.
Term
Limbic System
Definition
A group of forebrain structures including the hypothalamus, amygdala, and the hippocampus, which are involved in motivation, emotions, learning, and memory.
Term
Thalamus
Definition
A subcortical structure that relays and filters information from the senses and transmits the information to the cerebral cortex.
Term
Hypothalamus
Definition
A subcortical structure that regulates body temperature, hunger, thirst, and sexual behavior.
Term
Pituitary Gland
Definition
The "master gland" of the body's hormone-producing system, which releases hormones that direct the functions of many other glands in the body.
Term
Hippocampus
Definition
A structure critical for creating new memories and integrating them into a network of knowledge so that they can be stored indefinitely in other parts of the cerebral cortex.
Term
Amygdala
Definition
A part of the limbic system that plays a central role in many emotional processes, particularly the formation of emotional memories.
Term
Basal Ganglia
Definition
A set of subcortical structures that directs intentional movements.
Term
Corpus Callosum
Definition
A thick band of nerve fibers that connects large areas of the cerebral cortex on each side of the brain and supports communication of information across the hemispheres.
Term
Occipotal lobe
Definition
a region of the cerebral cortex that processes visual information.
Term
Parietal lobe
Definition
a region of the cerebral cortex whose functions include processing information about touch.
Term
Temporal lobe
Definition
a region of the cerebral cortex responsible for hearing and language.
Term
Frontal lobe
Definition
A region of the cerebral cortex that has specialized areas for movement, abstract thinking, planning, memory, and judgement.
Term
Association Areas
Definition
Areas of the cerebral cortex that are composed of neurons that help provide sense and meaning to information registered in the cortex.
Term
Gene
Definition
The unit of hereditary transmission.
Term
Chromosomes
Definition
Strands of DNA wound around each other in a double-helix configuration.
Term
Heritability
Definition
A measure of the variability of behaviorial traits among individuals that can be accounted for by genetic factors.
Term
Electroencephalograph (EEG)
Definition
A device used to record electrical activity in the brain.
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