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| Specialized branch of psyc that studies the relationship between behavior and bodily processes and systems; aka biopsychology/ pyschobiology |
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| The study of the nervous system, especially the brain. |
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| Highly specialized cell that communicates info in the electrical and chemical form; a nerve cell. |
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| Support Cells that assist neurons by providing structural support, nutrition, and removal of cell wastes; manufacture myelin. |
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| Type of neuron that conveys information to the brain from specialized receptor cells in the sense organs and internal organs. |
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| Type of neuron that signals muscles to relax or contract. |
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| Type of neuron that communicates info from one neuron to the next. |
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| Processes nutrients and provides energy for the neuron to function; contains the cells nucleus; aka soma. |
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| Multiple short fibers that extend from the neurons cell body and receive info from other neurons or from sensory receptor cells. |
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| The long, fluid-filled tube that carries a neuron's messages to other body areas. |
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| A white, fatty covering wrapped around the axons of some neurons that increases their commincation speed. |
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| A brief electrical impluse by which info is transmitted along the axon of a neuron. |
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| The min level of stimulation required to activate a particular neuron. |
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| State in which a neuron is prepared to activate and communicate its message if it receives sufficient stimulation. |
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| The principle that either a neuron is sufficiently stimulated and an action potential occurs or a neuron is not suffienciently stimulated and an action potential does not occur. |
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| The point of communication between two neurons. |
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| The tiny space between the axon terminal of on neuron and the dendrite of an adjoining neuron. |
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| Branches at the end of the axon that contain tiny pouches, or sacs, called synaptic vesicles. |
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| Tiny pouches or sacs in the axon terminals that contain chemicals called neurotransmitters. |
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| Chemical messengers manufactured by a neuron. |
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| The process through which neurotransmitters are released by one neuron, cross the synaptic gap, and affect adjoining neurons. |
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| The process by which neurotransmitter molecules detach from postsynaptic neuron and are reabsorbed by a presynaptic neuron so they can be recycled and used again. |
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| Acetylcholine (uh-seet-ull-KO-leen) |
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Definition
| Neurotransmitter that causes muscle contraction and is involved in memory function. |
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| Neurotransmitter involved in the regulation of bodily movement, thought processes, and rewarding sensations. |
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| Neurotransmitter involved in sleep and emotions. |
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| Norepinephrine (nor-ep-in-ef-rin) |
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Definition
| Neurotransmitter involved in learning and memory; also a hormone manufactured by adrenal glands. |
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| GABA ( Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid) |
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Definition
| Neurotransmitter that usually communicates an inhibitory message. |
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| Neurotransmitters that regulate pain perceptions. |
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| The primary internal communication network of the body; divided into the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. |
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| Bundles of neuron axons that carry info in the peripheral nervous system. |
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Central Nervous System (CNS)
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| Division of the nervous system that consists of the brain and spinal cord. |
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| Simple, automatic behaviors that are processed in the spinal cord. |
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| Peripheral Nervous System |
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| Division of the nervious system that includes all the nerves lying outside the central nervous system. |
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| Subdivision of the peripheral nervous system that communicates sensory info to the central nervous system and carries motor messages from the central nervous system to muscles. |
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| Subdivision of the peripheral nervous system that regulates involuntary functions. |
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| Sympathetic Nervous System |
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| Branch of automatic nervous system that produces rapid phyisical arousal in response to perceived emergencies or threats. |
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| Parasystematic Nervous system |
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| Branch of automatic nervous syustem that maintains normal bodily functions and conserves the body's physical rescources. |
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| System of glands located throughout the body that secret hormones into the bloodstream. |
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| Chemical messengers secreted into the bloodstream primarily by endocrine glands. |
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| Endocrine gland attached to the base of the brain that secretes hormones that affect the function of other glands as well as hormones that act directly on physcial processes. |
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| Pair of endocrine glands that are involved in the human stress response. |
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| The outer portion of the adrenal glands. |
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| The inner portion of the adrenal glands; secrets epinephrine and norepinephrine. |
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| The endocrine glands taht secrete hormones that regulate sexual characteristics and reproductive processes; ovaries in femals testes in males. |
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| The brains ability to shift functions from damaged to undamaged brain areas. |
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| Phrenology (freh-nol-uh-gee) |
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Definition
| A discredited pseudoscience theory of the brain that claimed that personality characteristics, moral character, and intelligence could be determined by examining the bumps on a persons skull. |
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| The notion that different functions are located or localized in different areas of the brain; aka localization or function. |
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| The brains ability to change its physical structure in repsonse to learning, active practice, or environmental influences. |
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| The development of new neurons. |
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| A region of the brain made up of the hind-brain and the midbrain. |
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| A region at the base of the brain that contains several structures that regulate basic life functions. |
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| A hindbrain structure that controls vital life functions such as breathing and circulation. |
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| A hindbrain structure that connects the medulla to the two sides of the cerebellum; helps coordinate and integrate movements on each side of the body. |
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| A large, two sided hindbrain structure at the back of the brain; responsible for muscle coordination and maintaining posture and equilibrium. |
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| A networkof nerve fibers located in the center of the medulla that helps regulate attention, arousal, and sleep; aka reticular activating system. |
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| The middle and smallest brain region, involved in processing auditory and visual sensory information. |
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| An area of the midbrain that is involved in motor control and contains a large concentraion of dopamine-producing neurons. |
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| The largest and most complex brain region, which contains centers for complex behaviors and mental processes; aka cerebrum. |
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| The wrinkled outer portion of the forebrain, which contains the most sophisticated brain centers. |
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| The nearly symmetrical left and right halves of the cerebral cortex. |
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| A thick band of the axons that connects the two cerebral hemispheres and acts as a communication link between them. |
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| An area on each hemisphere of the cerebral cortex near the temples that is the primary receiving area for auditory info. |
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| An area at the back of each cerebral hemisphere that is the primary receiving area for visual info. |
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| An area on each hemisphere of the cerebral cortex located above the temporal lobe that processes somatic sensations. |
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| The largest lobe of each cerebal hemisphere; processes voluntary muscle hemisphere movements and is involved in thinking, planning, and emotional control. |
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| A group of forebrain structures that form a border around the brainstem and are involved in emotion, motivation, learning, and memory. |
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| A curved forebrain structure that is part of the limbic system and is involved in learning and forming new memories. |
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| A forebrain structure that processes sensory info for all senses, except smell, and relays it to the cerebral cortex. |
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| A peanut sized forebrain structure that is part of the limbic system and regulates behaviors related to survival, such as eating, drinking, and sexual activity. |
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Term
| Amygdala (uh-mig-dull-uh) |
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Definition
| Almond shaped cluster of neurons in the brains temporal lobe, involved in memory and emotional responses, especially fear. |
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Definition
| The notion that different functions are located or localized in different areas of the brain; aka localization of function. |
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| Lateralization of function |
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Definition
| The notion that specific psyc or cognitive functions are processed primarily on one side of brain. |
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| The partial or complete inablity to articulate ideas or understand spoken or written language because of brain injury or damage. |
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| A surgical procedure that involves cutting the corpus callosum. |
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