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Intro Neuro
Test 1
114
Psychology
Undergraduate 2
02/06/2013

Additional Psychology Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
cerebrum (forebrain)
Definition
major structure of the forebrain that consists of two identical hemispheres and is responsible for most conscious behavior
Term
brainstem
Definition
central structure of the brain responsible for most unconscious behavior
Term
cerebellum
Definition
structure of the brainstem specialized for coordinating and learning skilled movements. In large brained animals may also play a role in coordinating other mental processes
Term
neuron
Definition
specialized nerve cell engaged in information processing
Term
spinal cord
Definition
part of CNS encased within the vertebrae (spinal column) that provides most of the connection between the brain and the rest of the body
Term
central nervous system (CNS)
Definition
the brain and spinal cord that together mediate behavior
Term
peripheral nervous system (PNS)
Definition
all the neurons in the body located outside the brain and spinal cord, provides sensory and motor connections to and from the CNS
Term
embodied language
Definition
hypothesis that the movements we make and the movement we perceive in others are central to communication with others
Term
psyche
Definition
synonym for mind, entity once proposed to be the source of human behavior
Term
mind
Definition
proposed nonmaterial entity responsible for intelligence, attention, awareness, and consciousness
Term
mentalism
Definition
explanation of behavior as a function of the nonmaterial mind, Aristotle
Term
dualism
Definition
philosophical position that holds that both a nonmaterial mind and a material body contribute to behavior. Descartes
Term
mindy-body problem
Definition
quandary of explaining how a nonmaterial mind and a material body interact
Term
materialism
Definition
philosophical position that holds that behavior can be explained as a function of the brain and the rest of the nervous system without explanatory recourse of the mind, Darwin
Term
natural selection
Definition
Darwin, differential success in the reproduction of different characteristics (phenotypes) results from the interaction of organisms with their environment
Term
species
Definition
group of organisms that can interbreed
Term
phenotype
Definition
individual characteristics that can be seen or measured
Term
genotype
Definition
particular genetic makeup of an individual
Term
epigenetics
Definition
differences in gene expressions related to environment and experience
Term
minimally conscious state
Definition
condition in which a person can display some rudimentary behaviors, such as smiling or uttering words, but is otherwise not conscious
Term
traumatic brain injury (TBI)
Definition
wound to the brain that results from a blow to the head
Term
persistent vegetative state (PVS)
Definition
condition in which a person is alive but unable to communicate or function independently at the most basic level
Term
clinical trial
Definition
consensual experiment directed toward developing a treatment
Term
deep brain stimulation (DBS)
Definition
neurosurgery in which electrodes implanted in the brain stimulate a targeted area with a low-voltage electrical current to facilitate behavior
Term
common ancestor
Definition
fore bearer from which two or more lineages or family groups arise and so it ancestral to both groups
Term
nerve net
Definition
simple nervous system that has no brain or spinal cord but consists of neurons that receive sensory information and connect directly to other neurons that moves muscles
Term
bilateral symmetry
Definition
body plain in which organs or parts present on both sides of the body are mirror images in appearance. Ex. Hands
Term
segmentation
Definition
division into a number of parts that are similar; refers to the idea that many animals, including vertebrates, are composed of similarly organized body segments
Term
ganglia
Definition
connection of nerve cells that function somewhat like a brain
Term
chordate
Definition
animal that has both a brain and a spinal cord
Term
cladogram
Definition
phylogenetic tree that branches repeatedly, suggesting a taxonomy of organisms based on the time sequence in which evolutionary branches arise
Term
hominid
Definition
general term referring to primates that walk upright, including all forms of humans
Term
encephalization quotient (EQ)
Definition
Jerison's quantitative measure of brain size obtained from the ratio of actual brain size to expected brain size, according to the principle of proper mass, for an animal of a particular body size
Term
radiator hypothesis
Definition
idea that selection for improved brain cooling through increased blood circulation in the brains of early hominids enabled the brain to grow larger
Term
neoteny
Definition
process in which maturation is delayed and so an adult retains infant characteristics; derived from the observation that newly evolved species resemble the young of their common ancestors
Term
species-typical behavior
Definition
behavior that is characteristic of all members of a species
Term
culture
Definition
learned behaviors that are passed on from one generation to the next through teaching and experience
Term
neuroplasticity
Definition
the nervous system's potential for physical or chemical change that enhances its adaptability to an environmental change and its ability to compensate for injury
Term
phenotypic plasticity
Definition
an individuals capacity to develop into more than one phenotype
Term
somatic nervous system (SNS)
Definition
part of the PNS that includes the cranial and spinal nerves to and from the muscles, joints, and skin that produce movement, transmit incoming sensory input, and inform the CNS about the position and movement of body parts
Term
autonomic nervous system (ANS)
Definition
part of the PNS that regulates the functioning of internal organs and glands
Term
afferent
Definition
conducting toward a CNS structure
Term
efferent
Definition
conducting away from a CNS structure
Term
meninges
Definition
the three layers of protective tissue- dura mater, arachnoid, and pia mater- that encase the brain and spinal cord
Term
anterior, frontal, rostral
Definition
located near or toward the front of an animal or the front of the head
Term
caudal, posterior
Definition
located near or toward the tail of the animal
Term
coronal
Definition
cut vertically from the crown of the head down; reveals a frontal view
Term
dorsal, superior
Definition
on or toward the back of an animal
HUMAN: located above, viewing orientation from above
Term
horizontal
Definition
cut on the horizon, reveals a dorsal view
Term
ventral, inferior
Definition
on or toward the belly side of the animal
Brain: located below
Term
lateral
Definition
toward the side of the body or brain
Term
medial
Definition
toward the middle, specifically the body's midline
Brain: side view of central structures
Term
sagittal
Definition
cut lengthways from the front to back of the skull
Brain: view from side
Term
cerebrospinal fluid
Definition
clear solution of sodium chloride and other salts that fills the ventricles inside the brain and circulates around the brain and spinal cord beneath the arachnoid layer in the subarachnoid space
Term
cerebral cortex
Definition
thin, heavily folded film of nerve tissue composed of neurons that is the outer layer of the forebrain (neocortex)
Term
temporal lobe
Definition
part of the cerebral cortex that functions in connection with hearing, language, and musical abilities; lies below the lateral fissure, beneath the temporal bone at the side of the skull
Term
frontal lobe
Definition
part of cerebral cortex often generally characterized as performing the brain's "executive" functions, such as decision making; lies anterior to the central sulcus and beneath the frontal bone of the skull
Term
parietal lobe
Definition
part of the cerebral cortex that functions to direct movements towards a goal to perform a task, such as grasping; lies posterior to the central sulcus and beneath the parietal bone at the top of skull
Term
occipital lobe
Definition
part of the cerebral cortex where visual processing begins; lies at the back of the brain and beneath the occipital bone
Term
gyrus
Definition
a small protrusion or bump formed by the folding of the cerebral cortex
Term
sulcus
Definition
a groove in brain matter, usually a groove found in the neocortex or cerebellum
Term
stroke
Definition
sudden appearance of neurological symptoms as a result of severely interrupted blood flow
Term
gray matter
Definition
areas of the nervous system composed predominately of cell bodies and capillary blood vessels that function either to collect and modify information or to support this activity
Term
white matter
Definition
areas of the nervous system rich in fat-sheathed neural axons that form connections between brain cells
Term
ventricle
Definition
one of four cavities in the brain that contain cerebrospinal fluid that cushions the brain and may play a role in maintaining metabolism
Term
cranial nerve
Definition
one set of 12 nerve pairs that control sensory and motor functions of the head, neck, and internal organs
Term
vertebrae
Definition
the bones that form the spinal column
Term
dermatome
Definition
body segment corresponding to a segment of the spinal cord
Term
law of Bell and Magendie
Definition
the general principle that sensory fibers are located dorsally and motor fibers are located ventrally
Term
sympathetic division
Definition
part of the autonomic nervous system, arouses the body for action, such as mediating the involuntary flight-or-fight response
Term
parasympathetic division
Definition
part of the autonomic nervous system, acts in opposition to the sympathetic--preparing the body to rest and digest by reversing the alarm response
Term
deep brain stimulation (DBS)
Definition
neurosurgery in which electrodes implanted in the brain stimulate a targeted area with a low-voltage electrical current to facilitate behavior
Term
transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
Definition
procedure in which a magnetic coil is placed over the skull to stimulate the underlying brain; used either to induce behavior or to disrupt ongoing behavior
Term
optogenetics
Definition
transgenic technique that combines genetics and light to control targeted cells in living tissue
Term
elcetrocorticography
Definition
graded potentials recorded with electrodes placed directly on the brain's surface
Term
alpha rhythm
Definition
regular wave pattern in an electroencephalogram; found in most people when they are relaxed with closed eyes
Term
event-related potentials (ERPs)
Definition
complex electrocephalographic waveforms related in time to a specific sensory event
Term
magnetoencephalogram
Definition
magnetic potentials recorded from detectors placed outside the skull
Term
place cells
Definition
neurons maximally responsive to specific location in the world
Term
gyrus
Definition
a small protrusion or bump formed by the folding of the cerebral cortex
Term
sulcus
Definition
a groove in brain matter
Term
gray matter
Definition
areas of nervous systems composed predominately of cell bodies and capillary blood vessels
Term
white matter
Definition
areas of the nervous system that are rich in fat-saturated neural axons that forms connections between brain cells
Term
ventricle
Definition
one of four cavities in brain that contain cerebrospinal fluid that cushions the brain and may play a role in maintaining brain metabolism
Term
corpus callosum
Definition
band of white matter containing about 200 million nerve fibers that connect the two cerebral hemispheres to provide direct route of communication
Term
nerve
Definition
large connection of axons coursing together OUTSIDE the nervous system
Term
tract
Definition
large collection of axons coursing though the INSIDE the central nervous system
Term
brainstem
Definition
central structures of the brain, including the hindbrain, midbrain, thalamus, and hypothalamus; responsible for most unconscious behavior
Term
hindbrain
Definition
evolutionarily the oldest part of the brain; pons medulla, reticular formation, and cerebellum; coordinates and controls most voluntary and involuntary movements
Term
reticular formation
Definition
midbrain area in which nuclei and fiber pathways are mixed, producing a net-like appearance; associated with sleep-wake behavior and behavioral arousal
Term
midbrain
Definition
central part of the brain that contains neural circuits for seeing hearing and orienting movements
Term
tectum
Definition
Roof of the midbrain, its functions are sensory processing; particularly auditory and visual, and the production of orienting movements
Term
tegmentum
Definition
Floor of the midbrain ; a collection of nuclei with movement related, species-specific, and pain perception functions
Term
diencephalon
Definition
the "between brain" that integrates sensory and motor information on its way to the cerebral cortex
Term
hypothalamus
Definition
part of diencephalon that contains many nuclei associated with temperature regulation, eating, drinking and sexual behavior
Term
thalamus
Definition
part of diencephalon through which information from all sensory systems is integrated and projected into the appropriate region of the neocortex
Term
forebrain
Definition
evolutionarily the newest part of the brain, coordinates advanced cognitive functions such as thinking, planning, and language; contains limbic system, basal ganglia, and neocortex
Term
basal ganglia
Definition
subcortical forebrain nuclei that coordinate voluntary movements of the limbs and body; connected to thalamus and midbrain
Term
limbic system
Definition
forebrain structures lying between the neocortex and the brainstem that form a functional system for controlling affective and motivated behaviors and certain forms of memory; includes cingulate cortex, amygdala, hippocampus
Term
cranial nerve
Definition
one of a set of 12 nerve pairs that control sensory and motor functions of the head, neck, and internal organs
Term
dermatome
Definition
body segment corresponding to a segment of the spinal cord
Term
law of Bell and Magendie
Definition
principle that sensory fibers are located dorsally and motor fibers are located ventrally
Term
olfactory nerve
Definition
Sensory: smell
Motor: none
Term
optic nerve
Definition
Sensory: vision
Motor: none
Term
oculomotor nerve
Definition
Sensory: sensations from eye muscles
Motor: eye movements, pupil constriction
Term
trochlear nerve
Definition
Sensory: sensations from eye muscles
Motor: eye movements
Term
trigeminal nerve
Definition
Sensory: skin sensations from face, nose, and mouth
Motor: chewing/swallowing
Term
abducens nerve
Definition
Sensory: sensations from eye muscles
Motor: eye movements
Term
facial nerve
Definition
Sensory: taste from anterior 2/3 of tongue, visceral sensations from head
Motor: facial expressions, crying, salvation, and dilation of blood vessels in head
Term
auditory vestibular nerve
Definition
Sensory: hearing and equilibrium
Motor: none
Term
glossopharyngeal nerve
Definition
Sensory: taste and other sensations from throat and posterior 1/3 of tongue
Motor: swallowing. salvation, dilation of blood vessels
Term
vagus nerve
Definition
Sensory: taste and other sensations from neck, thorax, and abdomen
Motor: swallowing, control of larynx, parasympathetic nerves to heart and viscera
Term
spinal accessory nerve
Definition
Sensory: none
Motor: neck muscles, parasympathetic to viscera
Term
hypoglossal nerve
Definition
Sensory: sensations from tongue muscles
Motor: tongue muscles
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