| Term | Definition |
|---|
| amygdala | part of the limbic system; involved in emotion and learning |
| cortex | wrinkled outer portion of brain; center for higher order brain functions such as thinking |
| association areas | areas of the cortex that are not involved in primary motor or sensory functions |
| axon terminal | structure at the end of an axon that releases neurotransmitters into the synapse |
| axon | a single long, fiber that carries outgoing messages to other neurons, muscles, or glands |
| brain | portion of the central nervous system above the spinal cord; consists of hindbrain, midbrain, and forebrain |
| central nervous system | the brain and spinal cord |
| cerebellum | part of the hindbrain involved in coordination and balance |
| chromosome | threadlike structure within the nucleus of cells that contain genes |
| corpus callosum | large band of white neural fibers that connects to to brain hemispheres and carries messages between them |
| dendrites | branching extensions of neuron that receives messages from neighboring neurons |
| DNA | can replicate or reproduce itself; made of genes |
| dopamine | neurotransmitter involved in movement, reward system; |
| endocrine system | glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream, which regulate body and behavioral processes |
| forebrain | largest, most complicated, and most advanced of the three divisions of the brain; includes the thalamus, hypothalamus, limbic system, cortex, etc. |
| fraternal twins | twins from two separate fertilized eggs (zygotes); share half of the same genes |
| frontal lobes | control emotional behaviors, make decisions, carry out plans; speech; movement |
| gene | a DNA segment on a chromosome that controls transmission of traits |
| genotype | an individual's genetic make-up |
| hindbrain | the most primitive of the three divisions of the brain, made up of the pons, medulla, reticular formation, and cerebellum |
| hippocampus | part of the limbic system and is involved in learning and forming new long-term memories |
| hormone | chemical that carries messages that travel through the bloodstream to help regulate bodily functions |
| hypothalamus | part of the forebrain involved in behaviors such as, eating, drinking, and sex drive |
| identical twins | twins from a single fertilized egg (zygote) with the same genetic makeup |
| limbic system | structures located in the forebrain; include the hippocampus and amygdala; associated with emotions and memories |
| medulla | part of the brain which controls survival functions such as breathing and heart rate |
| midbrain | middle level of the three organizational structures of the brain that receives signals from other parts of the brain or spinal cord |
| myelin | a white, fatty covering of the axon which speeds transmission of message |
| nature vs nurture | deals with the extent to which genetics and the environment each influence behavior |
| nerve | bundles of axons |
| neuron | nerve cell that are building block of the nervous system |
| neurotransmitter | chemical messenger released by axon terminals into the synapse |
| occipital lobes | primary area for processing visual information |
| parasympathetic nervous system | a branch of the autonomic nervous system that maintains normal body functions; it calms the body after sympathetic stimulation |
| parietal lobes | processes sensory information including touch, temperature, and pain from other body parts |
| peripheral nervous system | division that connects the central nervous system to the rest of the body; divided into somatic nervous system and autonomic nervous system |
| phenotype | the outward expression of genes |
| Phineas Gage | railroad worker who survived a severe brain injury that dramatically changed his personality and behavior; case played a role in the development of the understanding of the localization of brain function |
| pons | part of the hindbrain that links lower brain structures to higher ones |
| receptor site | location on neuron which receives specific neurotransmitters |
| reticular formation (reticular activiating system) | plays an important role in attention and arousal |
| serotonin | neurotransmitter that affects sleep, mood, aggression, and appetite; lack of it is linked with depression |
| somatic nervous system | division of peripheral nervous system; controls voluntary actions |
| spinal cord | portion of the central nervous system that carries messages to the peripheral nervous system; connects brain to the rest of the body |
| split brain patients | people whose corpus callosum has been surgically severed (to treat epilepsy) |
| sympathetic nervous system | a branch of the autonomic nervous system and prepares the body for quick action in emergencies ("fight or flight") |
| synapse | the gap between two neurons where neurotransmitters are released by axon terminals and received by dendrites |
| temporal lobes | main area for hearing |
| thalamus | acts as a "relay station" in the forebrain |
| twin studies | studies of identical and fraternal twins to determine relative influence of heredity and environment on human behavior |
| kinship studies | studies comparing the characteristics of family members to determine the importance of heredity in complex human characteristics |
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