| Term | Definition |
|---|
| Biopsychology | Specialty in psychology that studies the interaction of biology, behavior and mental process |
| Neuroscience | a relatively new interdisciplinary field that focuses on the brain and its role in psychological processes |
| Evolution | the gradual process of biological change that occurs in a species as it adapts to its environment |
| Natural Selection | driving force behind evolution by which the environment selects the fittest organism |
| Genotype | an organisms genetic makeup |
| Phenotype | an organisms observable, physical characteristics |
| DNA | a long complex molecule that encodes genetic characteristics. |
| Gene | segment of a chromosome that encodes the directions for the inherited physical and mental characteristics of an organism, these are the funtional units of a chromosome |
| Chromosome | tightly coiled, threadlike structure along with the genes are organized like beads on a necklace |
| Neuron | cells specialized to recieve and transmit information to other cells in the body. Also called a nerve cell |
| Sensory Neuron | nerve cell that carries messages from sense receptors toward the central nervous system. Also called an afferemt neuron |
| Motor Neuron | nerve cell that carries messages away from the central nervous system towards the muscles and glands; efferent neuron |
| Interneuron | a nerve cell that relays messages between nerve cells especially in the brain and spinal cord |
| Dendrite | a branched fiber that extends outward from the main cell body and carries information into the neuron |
| Soma | the part of the cell that contains the nucleus which includes the chromosomes; cell body |
| Axon | in a nerve cell an extended fiber that conducts information from the soma to the terminal buttons |
| Resting Potential | the electrical chrage of an axon in its inactive state, when the neuron is ready to fire |
| Action Potential | the nerve impulse caused by a change in the electrical charge across a cell membrane of the axon. This charge travels down the axon and causes neurotransmitters to be released by the terminal buttons |
| All or None Principle | refers to the fact that the action potential in the axon occurs either full blown or not at all |
| Synapse | the microscopic gap that serves as a communications link between neurons |
| Terminal Buttons | tiny bulb-like structures at the end of the axon which contain neurotransmitters that carry the neurons message into the synapse |
| Synaptic Transmission | the relaying of information across a synapse by means of chemical neurotransmitters |
| Synaptic Vessel | a small container holding neurotransmitter molecules that then connects to the pre-synaptic membrance releasing the neurotransmiter in to the synapse |
| Neurotransmitters | Chemical messengers that relay neuromessages across the synapse |
| Plasticity | the nervous systems ability to adapt or change as the result of experience. This may also help the nervous system adapt to physical damage. |
| Glial Cells | cells that bind neurons together and provide an insulating covering of the axon for some neurons |
| Nervous System | the entire network of neurons in the body including the central nervous system, the peripheral nervous system and their subdivisions |
| Central Nervous System | Brain and Spinal Cord |
| Reflex | a simple unlearned respnse triggered by stimuli |
| Peripheral Nervous System | all the parts of the nervous system lying outside the central nervous system. Includes the autonomic and somatic nervous systems |
| Somatic Nervous System | division of the peripheral nervous system that carries sensory information to the central nervous system and also sends voluntary messages to skeletal muscles |
| Autonomic Nervous System | the portion of the peripheral nervous system that sends communications between the central nervous system and the internal organs and glands |
| Sympathetic Division | the part of the autonomic nervous system that sends messahges to internal organs and glands that help us respond to stressful and emergency situations |
| Parasympathetic Division | the part of the autonomic nervous system that monitors the routine opperations of the internal organs and returns the body to calmer funtioning after arrousal by the sympathetic division |
| Endocrine System | the hormone system-the bodies chemical messenger system, including the endocrine glands: pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenals, pancreas, ovaries, and testes. |
| Hormone | a chemical messenger used by the endocrine system, Many hormones also serve as neurotransmitters |
| Pituitary Gland | the "master gland" that produces hormones influencing the secretions of all other endocrine glands, as well as a hormone that influences growth. The pituitary gland is attached to the brain's hypothalamus, from which it takes orders. |
| Agonist | Drug or other chemical that enhances or mimics the effects of neurotransmitters |
| Antagonist | Drug or other chemical that inhibits the effects of neurotransmitters |
| Neural Pathway | Bundle of nerve cells that follow generally the same route and employ the same neurotransmitters |
| Electroencephalograph (EEG) | A device for recording brain waves, typicallly electrodes placed on the scalp. The record produced is known as a electrocephalogram. |
| CT Scanning or Computerized Tomography | A computerized imaging technique that uses X rays passed through the brain at various angles and then combines into an image. |
| PET Scanning or Positron Emission Tomography | And imaging technique that relies on the detection of radioactive sugar cosumed by active brain cells |
| MRI or Magnetic Resonance Imaging | An imaging technique that relies on the cells' responses in a high-intensity magnetic field. |
| fMRI or Functional Resonance imaging | A type of MRI that reveals which part of the brain that are most active during various mental activities |
| Brain Stem | Most primitive of the brain's three major layers. It includes the medulla, pons, and reticular formation. |
| Medulla | A brain stem structure that controls breathing and heart rate. The sensory and motor pathways connecting the brain to the body cross in the medulla |
| Pons | A brain stem structure that regulates brain activity during sleep and dreaming. The name pons derives from the latin word for "bridge" |
| Reticular Formation | A pencil shaped structure forming the core of the brain stem. The reticular formation arrouses the cortex to keep the brain alert and attentive to new stimulation. |
| Thalamus | The brain's central "relay station", situated just on top of the brain stem. Nearly all the messegas going into or out of the brain go through the thalamus |
| Cerebellum | The "little brain" attached to the brain stem. the cerebellum is responsible for coordinated movements |
| Limbic System | the middle layer of the brain, involved in emotion and memory. The limbic system includes the hypocampus, amygdala, hypothalamus, and other structures |
| Hypocampus | A component of the limbic system, involved in establishing long term memories |
| Amygdala | A limbic system structure involved in memory and emotion, particularly in fear and aggression. |
| Hypothalamus | A limbic structure that serves as a brain's blood-testing laboratory, constantly monitoring the blood to determine the condition of the body. |
| Cerebral cortex | The thin gray matter convering of the cerebral hemispheres, consisting of a 1/4 inch layer dense with cell bodies of neurons. The cerebral cortex carries on the majore portion of our "higher" mental processing, including thinking and perceiving |
| Frontal Lobes | Cortical regions at the front of the brain that are especially involved in movement and thinking |
| Motor Cortex | A narrow vertical strip of cortex in the frontal lobes, lying just in front of the central fissure; controls voluntary movement |
| Parietal Lobes | Cortical areas lying on the back and top of the brain; involved in touch sensation and perceiving spatial relationships |
| Somatosensory Cortex | A stip of the parietal lobe lying just behind the central fissure. The somatosensory cortex is involved with the sensations of touch. |
| Occipital Lobes | Cortical regions at the back of the brain, housing the visual cortex. |
| Visual Cortex | The visual processing area of cortex, in the occipital and temporal lobes. |
| Temporal Lobes | Cortical Lobes that process sounds including speech. The temporal lobes are probably involved in storing long term memory. |
| Association Cortex | Cortical regions throughout the brain that combine information from various other parts of the brain. |
| Cerebral Dominance | The tendancy of each brain hemisphere to exert control over different functions, such as language or perception of spatial relationships. |
| Corpus Callosum | The band of nerve cells that connect the two cerebral hemispheres. |
| Absolute Refractory Period | the minimum length of time after an action potential during which another action potential cannot begin |
| Adaptation | An inherited characteristic that increase in a population (through natural selection) because it helped solve a problem of survival or reproduction during the time it emerged |
| Adoption Studies | Research studies that assess hereditary influence by examing the resemblance between adopted children and both their biological and their adoptive parents |
| Afferent Nerve Fibers | Axons that carry information inward to the central nervous sytem from the periphery of the body |
| Behavioral Genetics | An interdiciplinary field that studies the influence of genetic factors on behavorial traits |
| Cerebral Hemispheres | the right and left halves of the cerebrum |
| Cerebrospinal Fluid | A solution that fills the hollow cavities of the brain and circulates around the brain and spinal cord |
| Critical Period | A limited time span in the development of an organism one that is optimal for certain capacities to emerge because the organism is especially responsive to certain experiences |
| Dominant gene | A gene that is expressed when paired jeans are heterozygous |
| Efferent Nerve Fibers | Axons that carry information outward from the central nervous system to the periphery of the body |
| Electrical Stimulation of the Brain | Sending a weak electric current into the brain structure to stimulate it |
| Endorphins | The entire family of internally produced chemicals that resemble opiates in structure and effects |
| Excitatory PSP | An electrical potential that increases the likelyhood that a post synaptic neuron will fire action potential |
| Family Studies | Scientific Studies in which researchers assess heriditary influence by examing blood relatives to see how much they resemble each other on a specific trait |
| Fitness | The reproductive success of an individual organism relative to the average reproductive success of the population |
| Forebrain | The largest and most complicated region of the brain, encompassing a variety of structures including the thalmus, hypothalmus, limbic system and cerebrum |
| Fraternal Twins | Twins that result when two eggs are fertilized simultaneously by different sperm cells forming two separate zygotes |
| Genetic Mapping | The process of determining the location and chemical sequence of specific genes on specific chromosomes |
| Heterozygous condition | The situation that occures when two genes in a specific pair are different |
| Identical Twins | Twins that emerge from one zygote that splits for unknown reasons. Also called monosygotic twins |
| Inclusive fitness | The sum of an individuals own reporductive success plus the effects the organism has on the reproductive success of related others. |
| Inhibitory PSP | A electric potential that decreases the likelihood that a postysynaptic neruon will fire action potentials. |
| Lesioning | Destroying a piece of the brain |
| Midbrain | The segment of the brain stem that lies between the hindbrain and the forebrain. |
| Myelin Sheath | Insulating material, derived from glial cells, that encases some axons of neurons. |
| Natural Selection | Principle stating that heritable characteristics that porvide a survival reproductive advantage are more likely that alternative characteristics to be passes on to subsequent generations and thus come to be "selected" over time. |
| Nerves | Bundles of neuron fibers that are routed together in the peripheral nervous system |
| Perceptual asymmetries | left-right imbalances between the cerebral hemispheres in the speed of visual or auditory processing. |
| Polygenic traits | Characteristics that are influenced by more than on pair of genes. |
| Postsynaptic Potential PSP | A voltage change oat the receptor site on the postynaptic cell membrane. |
| Recessive Gene | A gene whose influence is masked when paired genes are differerent. |
| Reuptake | A process in which neurotransmitters are sponged up from the synaptic cleft by the presynamptic membrane. |
| Split-brain Surgery | A procedure in which the bundle of fibers that connects the cerebral hemispheres is cut to reduce the severity of epileptic seizures. |
| Synaptic Cleft | A microscopic gap between the terminal button of a neuron and the cell membrane of another neuron. |
| Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation TMS | A new technique that permits scientists to temporarily enhance or depress activity in a specific area of the brain. |
| Twin Studies | A research design in which hereditary influence is assessed by comparing the resemblance of identical twin and fraternal twins with respect to a trait. |
| Zygote | A one-celled organism fromed by the union of a sperm and an egg. |
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