Biological Psychology
the study of the links between biology and behavior
Neuron
(nerve cell), the basic building block of the nervous system
Sensory Neurons
carry information from the sensory receptors to the central nervous system for processing
Motor Neurons
carry information and instructions for action from the central nervous system to muscles and glands
Interneurons
the neurons of the central nervous system that link the sensory and motor neurons in the transmission of sensory inputs and motor outputs
Dendrites
(of a neuron) the busy, branching extensions that receive messages from other nerve cells and conduct impulses toward the cell body
Axon
(of a neuron) the extension that sends impulses to other nerve cells or to muscles and glands
Myelin Sheath
a layer of fatty tissue that segmentally covers many axons and helps speed neural impulses
Action Potential
a neural impulse generated by the movement of positively charged atoms in and out of channels in the axon's membrane
Threshold
(of a neuron) the level of stimulation that must be exceeded in order for the neuron to fire, or generate an electrical impulse
Synapse
the junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuronthe tiny gap at this junction is called the synaptic gap (cleft)
Neurotransmitters
chemicals that are released into synaptic gaps and so transmit neural messages from neuron to neuron
Reuptake
the absorption of excess neurotransmitters by a sending neuron
Endorphins
natural, opiate-like neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure (endogenous morphine)
Nervous System
the speedy, electrochemical communication system, consisting of all the nerve cells in the peripheral and central nervous systems
Central Nervous System (CNS)
consists of the brain and spinal cord; it is located at the center, or internal core, of the body
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
includes the sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system to the body's sense receptors, muscles, and glands; it is at the periphery of the body relative to the brain and spinal cord
Nerves
bundles of neural axons, which are part of the PNS, that connect the central nervous system with muscles, glands, and sense organs
Somatic Nervous System
the division of the peripheral nervous system that enables voluntary control of the skeletal muscles; also called the skeletal nervous system
Autonomic Nervous System
the division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and the muscles of internal organs and thereby controls internal functioning; it regulates the automatic behaviors necessary for survival
Sympathetic Nervous System
the division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy in stressful situationsfight or flight syndrome
Parasympathetic Nervous System
the division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy
Reflex
a simple, automatic, inborn response to a sensory stimulus; it is governed by a very simple neural pathway
Endocrine System
the body's "slower" chemical communication system, consists of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream
Hormones
chemical messengers, mostly those manufactured by the endocrine glands, that are produced in one tissue and circulate through the bloodstream to their target tissues, on which they have specific effects
Adrenal Glands
produce epinephrine and norepinephrine, hormones that prepare the body to deal with emergencies or stress
Pituitary Gland
under the influence of the hypothalamus, regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands; sometimes called the master gland
Lesion
destruction of tissue; studying the consequences of lesions in different regions of the brain - both surgically produced in animals and naturally occurring - helps researchers to determine the normal functions of these regions
EEG (Electroencephalogram)
an amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity of the brain
PET (Positron Electron Tomography) Scan
measures the levels of activity of different areas of the brain by tracing their consumption of a radioactive form of glucose, the brain's fuel
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images that show brain structures more clearly
fMRI (Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
MRI scans taken less than a second apart are compared to reveal blood flow and, therefore, brain structure and function
Brainstem
the oldest and innermost region of the brain; an extension of the spinal cord and is the central core of the brain; its structures direct automatic survival functions
Medulla
located in the brainstem; controls breathing and heartbeat
Reticular Formation
part of the brainstem; a nerve network that plays an important role in arousal
Thalamus
located on top of the brainstem; routes incoming messages to the appropriate cortical centers and transmits replies to the medulla and cerebellum; sensory switchboard (taste, touch, sound, sight. no smell)
Cerebellum
processes sensory input and coordinates movement output and balance
Limbic System
a neural system associated with emotions such as fear and aggression and basic physiological drives
Amygdala
part of the limbic system; influences the emotions of fear and aggression
Hypothalamus
part of the limbic system; regulates hunger, thirst, body temperature, and sexual behavior; helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland; contains the so-called reward centers of the brain
Cerebral Cortex
thin intricate covering of interconnected neural cells atop the cerebral hemispheres; the seat of information processing, the cortex is responsible for those complex functions that make us distinctively human
Glial Cells
more numerous than cortical neurons, these guide neural connections, provide nutrients and insulating myelin, and help remove excess ions and neurotransmitters
Frontal Lobes
located at the front of the brain, just behind the forehead; involved in speaking and muscle movements (motor cortex) and in making plans and judgements
Parietal Lobes
situated between the frontal and occipital lobes; contain the sensory cortex
Occipital Lobes
located at the back and base of the brain (right behind the eyes); contain the visual cortex, which receives information from the eyes
Temporal Lobes
located on the sides of the brain; contain the auditory cortex, which receive information from the ears
Motor Cortex
located at the back of the frontal lobe; controls voluntary movement
Sensory Cortex
located at the front of the parietal lobes, just behind the motor cortex; registers and processes body touch and movement sensations
Association Areas
located throughout the cortex; involved in higher mental functions, such as learning, remembering, and abstract thinking
Plasticity
the brain's capacity for modification, as evidenced by brain reorganization following damage (especially in children)
Neurogenesis
the formation of new neurons
Corpus Callosum
the large band of neural fibers that links the right and left cerebral hemisphereswithout this band of nerve fibers, the two hemispheres could not interact
Split Brain
a condition in which the major connections between the two cerebral hemispheres (the corpus callosum) are severed, literally resulting in a split brain
Phrenology
the theory that linked our mental abilities to bumps on the skull
Franz Gall
the scientist who introduced phrenology
Agonist
drugs that produce their effects by mimicking neurotransmitters eg opiates
Antagonist
drugs that block the effects of neurotransmitters by occupying their receptor siteseg curare and botulin
Neural Networks
neuron that have clustered into work groups"neurons that fire together wire together
Brainstem
nerves from each side of the body cross over to connect with the body's opposite side here
Hippocampus
part of the limbic system; processes memory"I have a memory like a hippo
Olds and Milner
discovered that the hypothalamus contains reward centers
Cerebral Cortex
the most complex functions of human behavior are linked to the most developed part of the brain, the _________
Box
to a split brain patient, the word toolbox is flashed with tool to the left visual field and box to the right visual field. What word will the patient be able to verbally identify?
A Tool
to a split brain patient, the word toolbox is flashed with tool to the left visual field and box to the right visual field. What object will the patient be able to identify with his/her left hand?
Language
the left hemisphere is very important to this skill and is known as the dominant/major hemisphere because of it
Left
deaf people use the _____ hemisphere to process sign language
Right Temporal Lobe
which part of the brain is facial recognition located in?
Acetylcholine (ACh)
neurotransmitter; enables muscle action, learning, and memory
Dopamine
neurotransmitter; influences movement, learning, attention, and emotion
Serotonin
neurotransmitter; affects mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal
Norepinephrine
neurotransmitter; helps control alertness and arousal
Glutamate
neurotransmitter; a major excitatory neurotransmitter, involved in memory
GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)
neurotransmitter; a major inhibitory neurotransmitter
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
a disease caused by the hardening of the myelin sheath
Spinal Cord
information highway connecting the peripheral nervous system to the brain
Moruzzi and Magoun
discovered that by stimulating the reticular formation of a sleeping cat almost instantly produced an awake, alert animalwhen they severed the reticular formation of a cat from higher brain regions, the cat lapsed into a coma which it could never awake from
Klüver and Bucy
performed experiments on the amygdala in monkeys, lynxes, wolverines, cats, and wild rats to discover that the amygdala's role in anger and fear
Reward Deficiency Syndrome
some researchers believe that addictive disorders (eg. alcohol dependence, drug abuse, and binge eating) may stem from a ___________ - a genetically disposed deficiency in the natural brain systems for pleasure and well being that leads people to crave whatever provides that missing pleasure or relieves negative feelings
Wrinkled
the cerebral cortex is very ________ to increase surface area
20-23 Billion; 300 trillion
the cerebral cortex contains ___________ nerve cells and _________ synaptic connections
Fritsch and Hitzig
applied mild electrical stimulation to parts of a dog's cortex resulting in the movement of parts of the body (motor cortex)
Foerster and Penfield
brain surgeons who mapped the motor cortex
Greatest
body areas requiring precise control (eg. fingers and mouth) occupy the ________ amount of cortical space
Touch
if your sensory cortex is electrically stimulated, you will feel a sensation of ______
Frontal Lobes
My name is Phineas Gage and darn it I have a hole in my head!"After his head injury, Gage's moral compass disconnected from his behavior and he became irritable, profane, and dishonest.Phineas Gage damaged what portion of his brain?
Hemispherectomy
What procedure has been performed on some children and has been successful due to the plasticity of the brain, which is especially prominent in young children?
Constraint-Induced Therapy
a type of therapy that aims to rewire brains by restraining a fully functioning limb and forcing use of the 'bad', or inoperative, limb
Plasticity
What property of the brain allows for unused areas due to blindness or deafness to be invaded by other skills? eg. a blind person's motor cortex for a finger used to read braille will expand into the visual cortexeg. a deaf person's auditory cortex is invaded by the visual cortex and the person has enhanced vision/peripheral vision
Phantom Limb Syndrome
the sensation of feeling pain/touch in an amputated or lost limb
Sperry and Gazzaniga
split brain patient researchers
Left Hemisphere
What hemisphere of the brain enables sign language?