biological psychology
a branch of psychology concerned with the links between biology and behavior
neuron
a nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system
axon
the extention of a neuron, ending in branching terminal fibers, through which messages pass to other neurons or to muscles or glands
myelin sheath
a layer of fatty tissue segmentally encasing the fibers of many neurons; enables vastly greater transmission speed of neural impulses as the impulse hops from one node to the next
action potential
a neural impulse; a breif electrical charge that travels down an axon
threshold
the level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse
synapse
the junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron
neurotransmitters
chemical messengers that traverse the synaptic gap between neurons
nervous system
the body's speedy, electrochemical communication system, consisting of all the nerve cells of the peripheral and central nervous systems
central nervous system
the brain and spinal cord
peripheral nervous system
the sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system to the rest of the body
nerves
neural "cables" containing many axons
sensory neurons
neurons that carry incoming information from the sense receptors to the central nervous system
interneurons
central nervous system neurons that internally communicate and intervene between the sensory inputs and motor outputs
motor neurons
neurons that carry outgoing information from the central nervous system to the muscles and glands
somatic nervous system
the division of the perihperal nervous system that controls the body's skeletal muscles
autonomic nervous system
the part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organs
sympathetic nervous system
the division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy in stressful situations
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
neural networks
interconnected neural cells - with experience, networks can learn
lesion
tissue destruction
(electroencephalogram) EEG
an amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity that sweep across the brain's surface - these waves are measured by electrodes placed on the scalp
CT (computed tomography) scan
a series of x-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by computer into a composite representation of a slice through the body
PET (positron emission tomography) scan
a visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
a technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images that distinguish among different types of soft tissue
brainstem
the oldest part and central coe of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull; responsible for automatic survival functions
medulla
the base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing
reticular activating system
a nerve network in the brainstem that plays an important role in controlling arousal
thalamus
it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla; the brain's sensory switchboard, located on top of the brainstem;
cerebellum
the "little brain" attached to the rear of the brainstem; it helps coordinate voluntary movement and balance
limbic system
a doughnut-shaped system of neural structures at the border of the brainstem and cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions such as fear and agression and drives such as those for food and sex
amygdala
two almond-shaped neural clusters that are components of the limbic system and are linked to emotion
hypothalamus
helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion; a neural struture lying below the thalamus; it directs several maintenance activities,
cerebral cortex
the intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells that covers the cerebral hemispheres; the body's ultimate control and information-processing center
glial cells
cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons
frontal lobe
the portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead; invloved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgments
parietal lobe
the portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head and toward the rear; includes the sensory cortex
occipital lobe
the portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head; includes the visual areas, which receive visual information from the opposite visual field
temporal lobe
the portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears; includes the auditory areas, each of which receives auditory information primarily from the opposite ear
motor cortex
an area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements
sensory cortex
the area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body sensations
association areas
areas of the cerebral cortex that are not involved in primary motor or sensory functions; rather, they are involved in higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking
aphasia
impairment of language, usually caused by left hemisphere damage either to Broca's area (imparing speaking) or to Wernicke's area (imparing understanding)
Broca's area
controls language expression - an area of the frontal lobe, usually in the left hemisphere, that directs the muscle movements involved in speech
Wernicke's area
controls language reception - a brain area involved in language comprehension and expression; usually in the left temporal lobe
plasticity
the brain's capacity for modification, as evident in brain reorganization following damage (especially in children) and in experiments on the effects of experience on brain development
corpus callosum
the large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them
split brain
a condition in which the two hemispheres of the brain are isolated by cutting the connecting fibers (mainly those of the corpus callosum) between them
endocrine system
the body's "slow" chemical communication system; a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream
hormones
chemical messengers, mostly those manufactured by the endocrine system, that are produced in one tissue and affect another
adrenal glands
a pair of endocrine glands just above the kidneys that secrete the hormones epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine (noradrenaline), which help to arouse the body in times of stress
pituitary gland
it regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands; under the influence of the hypothalamus. It is endocrine system's most influential gland
Phrenology
a pseudo-sciene that studied the bumps on a person's head to determine personality
Refactory Period
Recharging period of the nueron, building new action potential
Resting Period
When neuron is charged, but waitng for new action potential
Acetylcholine
Neurotransmitter: Excitatory: controsl muscle crontraction; involved in memory formation (in hippocampus)
Dopamine
Neurotransmitter: Inhibitory: invoved in voluntary muscle movements, learning memory and emotional arousal
Serotonin
Neurotransmitter. Inhibitory: Involved in emotional states, sexual behavior, pain perception, and sleep
Endorphins
Neurotransmitter. Inhibitory: invoved in pain perception and positive emotions, opiatelike
Norepinephrine
Neurotransmitter: Exictatory: invoved in increasing heartbeat, arousal, learning, memory, and eating
GABA (gamma aminobutyric)
Neurotransmitter: Inhibitory: associated with allergies
Psychosurgery
Destruction of brain tissue for the purpose of treating mental disorders
Lobotomy
Destruction of brain tissue done on purpose in surgery
Neuroimaging
using technology to study the brain, such as CAT or MRI scans