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Psychology First Test
Chapter 3
31
Psychology
Graduate
01/28/2009

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Term
Neurons
Definition
cells in nervous system that receive and transmit information
Term
Sensory neurons
Definition
make initial contact with environment and carries signals to brain
Term
Interneurons
Definition
transfer information from one neuron to another
Term
Motor neurons
Definition
carry messages and commands away from central nervous system to muscle and glands that produce behavior
Term
Glial cells
Definition
fill in space between neurons, remove waste, help neurons operate efficiently
Term
Reflexes
Definition
automatic body reactions such as knee jerk controlled by spinal chord pathways
Term
Dendrites
Definition
receives messages
Term
Soma
Definition
where message processed
Term
Axon
Definition
the long tail like part of a neuron that serves as the cells transmitter
Term
Terminal buttons
Definition
the tiny swellings at the end of the axon that contain chemicals important to neural transmission
Term
Action potential
Definition
electric charge
Term
Process of Neural Transmission travel
Definition
dendrites>soma>axon>terminal buttons
Term
Dopamine
Definition
inhibitory effects; dampens and smooths out neural messages
Term
Agonists
Definition
mimics the action of neurotransmitters. Ex: nicotine
Term
Antagonists
Definition
Block the action of neurotransmitters
Term
Endorphins
Definition
morphine like chemicals that act as the brains natural painkillers
Term
Central nervous system
Definition
brain and spinal chord
Term
autonomic nervous system
Definition
collection of nerves that control more automatic needs of body
Term
Somatic nervous system
Definition
collection of nerves that transmit information to warn the brain and connects to skeletal muscles to initiate movement
Term
Case study approach
Definition
observing person with brain damage
Term
Hindbrain
Definition
life support, most primitive structure. has cerebellum-involved in complex motor skills
Term
Midbrain
Definition
Relay station. Coordinates sensory information
Term
Forebrain
Definition
Higher mental processes.
Term
Frontal lobe
Definition
planning decision making, memory, personality
Term
Parietal Lobe
Definition
Processing sensations of touch, temperature, and pain
Term
Phineas Gage
Definition
rod through skull, he survived, personality changed. shows effects of damage to the cerebral cortex
Term
Hemisphere specialization
Definition
right hemisphere-spatial tasks, emotions
left hemisphere-verbal tasks
Term
Endocrine system
Definition
network of glands that uses blood stream rather than neurons to send chemical messages that regulates growth and other internal functions
Term
Hormones
Definition
chemicals released into the blood by the various endocrine glands to help control a variety of internal regulatory functions
Term
Phenotype
Definition
a person's observable characteristics such as red hair. it is controlled by genotype but sometimes like diet it can be changed
Term
Genotype
Definition
the actual genetic information inherited from one's parents
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