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Psych&100
Chapter 2 Vocabulary
48
Psychology
Undergraduate 1
01/23/2012

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Term

Neuron

Definition
Cell of the nervous system responsible for receiving and transmitting electrochemical information
Term
Dendrites
Definition
Branching neuron structures that receive neural impulses from other neurons and convey impulses towards the cell body
Term
Cell Body (Soma)
Definition
Part of the neuron containing the cell nucleus, as well as other structures that help the neuron carry out its functions
Term
Axon
Definition
Long, tubelike structure that conveys impulses away from the neuron's cell body toward other neurons or to muscles or glands
Term
Myelin Sheath
Definition
Layer of fatty insulation wrappe around the axon of some neurons, which increases the rate at which nerve impulses travel the axon
Term
Action Potential
Definition
Neural impulse, or brief elecrical charge, that carries information along the axon of a neuron. The action potential is generated when positively charged ions move in and out through channels in the axon's membrane
Term
Neurotransmitters
Definition
Chemicals released by neurons that travel across the synaptic gap
Term
Synapse
Definition
Function between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron. During an action potential, chemicals called neurotransmitters are relesed and flow across the synaptic gap
Term
Endorphins
Definition
Chemical substances in the nervous system that are similar in structure and action to opiates; involved in pain control, pleasure, and memory
Term
Endocrine system
Definition
Collection of glands located throughout the body that manufacture and secrete hormones into the bloodstream
Term
Hormones
Definition
Chemicals manufactured by endocrine glands and circulated in the bloodstream to produce bodily changes or maintain normal body functions
Term
Central Nervous System (CNS)
Definition
Includes the brain and spinal cord
Term
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
Definition
All nerves and neurons connecting the central nervous system to the rest of the body
Term
Neuroplasticity
Definition
The brain's ability to reorganize and change its structure and function throughout the life-span
Term
Neurogenesis
Definition
Process by which new neurons are generated
Term
Stem Cell
Definition
Immature (uncommitted) cells that have the potential to develop into almost any type of cell depending on the chemical signals they receive
Term
Reflex
Definition
Innate, automatic response to a stimulus
Term
Somatic Nervous System (SNS)
Definition
Subdivision of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) that connects to sensory receptors and controls skeletal muscles
Term
Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
Definition
Subdivision of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) that controls involuntary functions, such as heart rate and digestion. It is further subdivided into the sympathetic nervous system, which arouses, and the parasympathetic nervous system, which calms
Term
Sympathetic Nervous System
Definition
Subdivision of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) responsible for arousing the body and mobilizing its energy during times of stress; also called the "fight-or-flight" system
Term
Parasympathetic Nervous System
Definition
Subdivision of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) responsible for calming the body and conserving energy
Term
Brainstem
Definition
Area of the brain that houses parts of the hindbrain, midbrain, and forebrain, and helps regulate reflex activities critical for survival (such as heartbeat and respiration)
Term
Hindbrain
Definition
Collection of brain structures including the medulla, cerebellum, and pons
Term
Medulla
Definition
Hindbrain structure responsble for autonomic body functions such as breathing and heartbeat
Term
Cerebellum
Definition
Hindbrain structure responsible for coordinating fine muscle movement, balance, and some perception and cognition
Term
Pons
Definition
Hindbrain structure involved in respiration, movement, waking, sleep, and dreaming
Term
Midbrain
Definition
Collection of brain structures in the middle of the brain responsible for coordinating movement patterns, sleep, and arousal
Term
Reticular Formation (RF)
Definition
Diffuse set of neurons that screens incoming information and controls arousal
Term
Forebrain
Definition
Collection of upper level brain structures including the thalamus, hypothalamus, limbic system, and cerebral cortex
Term
Thalamus
Definition
Forebrain structure at the top of the brainstem that relays sensory messages to the cerebral cortex
Term
Hypothalamus
Definition
Small brain structure beneath the thalamus that helps govern drives ( hunger, thirst, sex, and aggression) and hormones
Term
Limbic System
Definition
Interconnected group of forebrain structures involved with emotions, drives, and memory
Term
Hippocampus
Definition
Part of the limbic system involved in forming and retrieving memories
Term
Amygdala
Definition
Limbic system structure linked to the production and regulation of emotions (e.g., aggression and fear)
Term
Cerebral Cortex
Definition
The surface layer on the cerebral hemisphere that regulates most complex behavior, including sensations, motor control, and higher mental processes
Term
Frontal lobes
Definition
Two lobes at the front of the brain governing motor control, speech production, and higher functions, such as thinking, personality, emotion, and memory
Term
Parietal lobes
Definition
Two lobes at the top of the brain where bodily sensations are received and interpreted
Term
Temporal lobes
Definition
Two lobes on each side of the brain above the ears involved in audition (hearing), language comprehension, memory, and some emotional control
Term
Occipital lobes
Definition
Two lobes at the back of the brain responsible for vision and visual perception
Term
Association Areas
Definition
So-called quiet areas in the cerebral cortex involved in interpreting, integrating, and acting on information processed by other parts of the brain
Term
Split-brain Surgery
Definition
Cutting of the corpus callosum to separate the brain's two hemispheres. When used medically to treat severe epilepsy, split-brain patients provide data in the functions of the two hemispheres
Term
Corpus Callosum
Definition
Bundle of nerve fibers connecting the brain's left and right hemispheres
Term
Behavioral Genetics
Definition
Study of the relative effects of heredity and the environment on behavior and mental processes
Term
Evolutionary Psychology
Definition
Branch of psychology that studies how evolutionary processes, like natural selection and genetic mutations, affect behavior and mental processes
Term
Chromosomes
Definition
Threadlike molecule of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) that carries genetic information
Term
Genes
Definition
Segment of DNA (doxyribonucleic acid) that occupies a specific place on a particular chromosome and carries the code for hereditary transmission
Term
Heritability
Definition
Measure of the degree to which a characteristic is related to genetic, inherited factors versus the environment
Term
Natural Selection
Definition
Driving mehanism behind evolution that allows individuals with genetically influenced traits that are adaptive in a particular environment to stay alive and produce offspring
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