Psychology Chapter 3

central nervous system

consists of the brain and spinal cod

peripheral nervous system

made up of nerve cells that send messages between the central nervous system and all the parts of the body

neuron

nerve cells that run through our entire bodies and communicate with each other

cell body

produces energy that fuels the activity of the cell

dendrite

thin fibers that branch out from the cell body. These receive information from other neurons and pass the message through the cell body

axon

carries messages away from the cell, cells only have one of these.

myelin

many axons are covered with this, it is a white fatty substance that insulates and protects the axon, it also speeds up the transmission of the message

axon terminal

smaller fibers that branch out from the end of the axon

synapse

a junction between the axon terminals of one neuron and the dendrites of another neuron

neurotransmitter

chemicals that are stored in sacs in the axon terminals

spinal cord

extends from the brain down the back. a column of nerves about as thick as a thumb, and it is protected bu the bones of the spine.

somatic nervous system

transmits sensory messages to the central nervous system

autonomic nervous system

regulates the body's vital functions, such as heartbeat, breathing, digestion, and blood pressure.

medulla

involved in vital functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing

pons

located in front of the medulla and is involved in regulating body movement, attention, sleep, and alertness

cerebellum

Latin word for "little brain." It looks like the larger part of the brain, under which it rests, but it is much smaller. It is involved in balance and coordination

reticular activating system

begins in the hindbrain and rises through the midbrain into the lower part of the forebrain. This system is important for attention, sleep, and arousal.

thalamus

Latin word meaning "inner chamber." It is a critical structure of the brain because it serves as a relay station for sensory stimulation.

hypothalamus

lies below the thalamus. It is very tiny, but it is extremely important because it is involved in many aspects of behavior and physiological functions.

limbic system

forms a fringe along the inner edge of the cerebrum. It is involved in learning and memory, emotion, hunger, sex, and aggression.

cerebrum

the crowning glory of the brain, it accounts for 70 percent of the weight of the brain

cerebral cortex

the surface of the cerebrum that is wrinkled with ridges and valleys. It is the outer layer of the brain

corpus callosum

the structure that connects the two hemispheres in the brain

association area

serve mainly to shape information into something meaningful on which we can act

endocrine system

consists of glands that secrete substances called hormones into the blood stream

hormones

stimulate growth and many kinds of reactions, such as changes in activity levels and moods

heredity

the transmission of characteristics from parents to offspring

gene

the basic building blocks of heredity

chromosome

genes are found in these threadlike structures which are composed of deoxyribonucleic acid

prefrontal cortex

This brain region has been implicated in planning complex cognitive behavior, personality expression, decision making, and moderating social behavior. The basic activity of this brain region is considered to be orchestration of thoughts and actions in acc

amygdala

is an almond-shape set of neurons located deep in the brain's medial temporal lobe. Shown to play a key role in the processsing of emotions, forms part of the limbic system.