AP Psych Chapter 2 Vocab
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rebeccajackson on August 29, 2011
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55 terms
Terms | Definitions |
|---|---|
 Central Nervous System (CNS) | the network of nerves contained within the brain and spinal cord |
| Peripheral Nervous System | the network of nerves that radiate from the central nervous system to the rest of the body; PNS comprises the somatic and autonomic nervous system |
| Somatic Nervous System | the branch of the PNS that transmits signals from the sensory organs to the CNS, and from the CNS to the skeletal muscles |
| Autonomic Nervous System | the branch of the PNS that connects the CNS to the internal muscles, organs, and glands |
| Sympathetic Nervous System | the division of the autonomic nervous system that heightens arousal and energizes the body for action |
| Parasympathetic Nervous System | the division of the autonomic nervous system that reduces arousal and restores the body to its pre-energized state |
| Endocrine System | a collection of ductless glands that regulate aspects of growth, reproduction, metabolism, and behavior by secreting hormones |
| Hormones | chemical messengers secreted from endocrine glands, into the bloodstream, to various organs throughout the body |
| Pituitary Glands | a tiny gland in the brain that regulates growth and stimulates hormones in other endocrine glands at the command of the hypothalamus |
| Neurons | nerve cells that serve as the building blocks of the nervous system |
| Sensory Neurons | Neurons that send signals from the senses, skin, muscles, and internal organs to the CNS |
| Motor Neurons | Neurons that transmit commands from the CNS to the muscles, glands, and organs |
| Interneurons | CNS neurons that connect sensory inputs and motor outputs |
| Glial Cells | nervous system cells, also called neuroglia, that provide structural support, insulation, and nutrients to the neurons |
| Reflex | an inborn automatic response to a sensory stimulus |
| Soma | the cell body of a neuron |
| Dendrites | extensions from the cell body of a neuron that receive incoming impulses |
| Axon | extension of the cell body of a neuron that sends impulses to other neurons |
| Myelin Sheath | a layer of fatty cells that is tightly wrapped around the axon to insulate it and speed the movement of electrical impulses |
| Action Potential | an electrical impulse that surges along an axon, caused by an influx of positive ion in the neuron |
| Threshold | the level of stimulation needed to trigger a neural impulse |
| Synapse | the junction between the axon terminal of one neuron and the dendrites of another |
| Neurotransmitter | chemical messengers in the nervous system that transmit information by crossing the synapse from one neuron to another |
| Receptors | specialized neural cells that receive neurotransmitters |
| Acetylcholine (ACh) | a neurotransmitter found throughout the nervous system that links the motor neurons and muscles |
| Dopamine | a neurotransmitter that functions as an inhibitor and is involved in the control of voluntary movements |
| Endorphin | a morphine like neurotransmitter that is produced in the brain and is linked to pain control and pleasure |
| Phrenology | the pseudoscientific theory that psychological characteristics are revealed by bumps on the skull |
| Electroencephalograph (EEG) | an instrument used to measure electrical activity in the brain through electrodes placed on the scalp |
| CT (Computerized tomography) Scan | a series of X rays taken from different angles and converted by computer into an image that depicts a horizontal slice of brain |
| PET (positron emission tomography) scan | a visual display of brain activity, as measured by the amount of glucose being used |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) | a brain-scanning technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce clear, three-dimensional images |
| Brainstem | the inner core of the brain that connects to the spinal cord and contains the medulla, pons, and reticular formation |
| Medulla | a brainstem structure that controls vital involuntary functions |
| Pons | a portion of the brainstem that plays a role in sleep and arousal |
| Reticular Formation | a group of nerve cells in the brainstem that help to control sleep, arousal, and attention |
| Cerebellum | a primitive brainstem structure that controls balance and coordinates complex voluntary movements |
| Basal Ganglia | Masses of gray matter in the brain that helps to initiate and coordinate deliberate movements |
| Limbic System | a set of loosely connected structures in the brain that help to regulate motivation, emotion, and memory |
| Thalamus | a limbic structure that relays neural messages between the senses and areas of the cerebral cortex |
| Amygdala | a limbic structure that controls fear, anger, and aggression |
| Hippocampus | a limbic structure that plays a key role in the formation of new memories |
| Hypothalamus | a tiny limbic structure in the brain that helps regulate the autonomic nervous system, endocrine glands, emotions, and basic drives |
| Cerebral Cortex | the outermost covering of the brain, largely responsible for higher order mental processes |
| Somatosensory Cortex | the area of the cortex that receives sensory information from the touch receptors in the skin |
| Motor Cortex | the area of cortex that sends impulses to voluntary muscles |
| Association Cortex | areas of the cortex that communicate with the sensory and motor areas and house the brain's higher mental processes |
| Broca's Area | a region in the left hemisphere of the brain that directs the muscle movements in the production of speech |
| Wernicke's Area | a region in the left hemisphere of the brain that is involved in the comprehension of language |
| Corpus Callosum | a bundle of nerve fibers that connects the left and right hemispheres |
| Split Brain | a surgically produced condition in which the corpus callosum is severed, thus cutting the link between the left and right hemispheres of the brain |
| Cerebral Lateralization | the tendency for each hemisphere of the brain to specialize in different functions |
| Plasticity | a capacity to change as a result of experience |
| Neural Graft | a technique of transplanting healthy tissue from the nervous system of one animal into that of another |
| Concussion | an alteration in a person's mental state caused by trauma to the head |
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