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Psycology Chapter 4
Chapter 4
35
Psychology
Undergraduate 1
10/04/2011

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Term
nervous system
Definition
An extensive network of specialized cells that carry information to and from all parts of the body
Term
neuron
Definition
The basic cell that makes up the nervous system and which receives and sends messages within that system
Term
axon
Definition
The long tube like structure that carries the neural messages to other cells
Term
dendrites
Definition
On a neuron, the branch like structures that receives messages from other neurons
Term
soma
Definition
The cell body of the neuron, responsible for maintaining the life of the cell and contains the mitochondria
Term
myelin
Definition
The fatty substances produced by certain glial cells that coat the axons of neurons to insulate, protect, and speed up the neural impulse.
Term
nerves
Definition
The bundles of axons in the body that travel together through the body
Term
ions
Definition
The charged particles located inside and outside of the neuron
Term
resting potiential
Definition
The state of the neuron when not firing a neural impulse
Term
all or none
Definition
refers to the fact that a neuron either fires completely or does not fire at all
Term
synaptic vesicles
Definition
Sack like structures found inside the synaptic knob containing chemicals
Term
neurotransmitter
Definition
Chemicals found in the synaptic vesicles which, when released, has an effect on the next cell.
Term
excitatory
Definition
Neurotransmitter causes the reciving cell to fire
Term
agonists
Definition
Mimic or enhance the effects of a neurotransmitter on the receptor sites of the next cell, increasing or decreasing the activity of that cell.
Term
spinal cord
Definition
A long bundle of neurons that carries messages to and from the body to the brain is responsible for very fast, lifesaving reflexes.
Term
sensory neuron
Definition
A neuron that carries information from the senses to the central nervous system and is also known as afferent.
Term
peripheral nervous
Definition
All nerves and neurons that are bit contained in the brain and spinal cord but that run through the body itself.
Term
somatic nervous
Definition
The division of the PNS consisting of nerves that carry information from the senses to the Cns and from the CNS to the voluntary muscles of the body
Term
autonomic nervous
Definition
Division of the PNS consisting of nerves that control all of the involuntary muscles, organs, and glands sensory pathway nerves coming from the sensory organs to the CNS consisting of sensory neurons.
Term
sympathetic division
Definition
The part of the ANS that is responsibke for reacting to stressful events and bodily arousal
Term
electroencephalograph
Definition
A machine designed to record the brain wave patterns produced by electrical activity of the surface of the brain
Term
cerebellum
Definition
The part of the lower brain located behind the pons that controls and coordinates involuntary, rapid, fine motor movement
Term
thalmus
Definition
The part of the limbic system located in the center of the brain, this structure relays sensory information from the lower part of the brain to the proper areas of the cortex and processes some sensory information before sending it to its proper area.
Term
pons
Definition
The larger swelling above the medulla that connects the top of the brain to the bottom and that plays a part in sleep, dreaming, left-right body coordination, and arousal
Term
reticular formation
Definition
An area of neurons running through the middle of the medulla and the pons and slightly beyond that is responsible for selective attention.
Term
hippocampus
Definition
A curved structure located within each temporal lobe, responsible for the formation of long-term memories and the storage of memory for location of the objects
Term
amygdala
Definition
A brain structure located near the hippocampus, responsible for fear responses and memory of fear.
Term
cortex
Definition
The outermost covering of the brain consisting of densely packed neurons, responsible for higher thought processes and interpretation of sensory input
Term
corpus callosum
Definition
The thick band of neurons that connects the right and left cerebal hemisphere
Term
occupital lobes
Definition
The section of the brain located at the rear and bottom of each cerebral hemisphere containing the visual centers of the brain
Term
parietal lobes
Definition
The sections of the brain located at the top and back of each cerebral hemisphere containing the centers for touch, taste, and temperature sensations.
Term
frontal lobes
Definition
Areas of the cortex located in the front and top of the brain, responsible for higher mental processes and decision making as well as the production of fluent speech.
Term
frontal lobes
Definition
Areas of the cortex located in the front and top of the brain, responsible for higher mental processes and decision making as well as the production of fluent speech.
Term
endocrine
Definition
secrete chemicals called hormones directly into the bloodstream
Term
adrenal glands
Definition
The endocrine glands located on top of each kidney that secrete over 30 different hormones to deal with stress, regulate salt intake, and provide a secondary source of sex hormones affecting the sexual changes that occurs during adolescence
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