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AP PYSCH MODULES 9-15 VOCAB PT. 1

Terms in this set (76)

The segment of the brain stem that lies between the hindbrain and the forebrain
midbrain
The inner region of an organ or tissue, especially when it is distinguishable from the outer region or cortex (as in kidney, an adrenal gland, or hair).
medulla
The structure that connects the two cerebral hemispheres
corpus callusum
The part of the brain that includes the cerebellum and two structures found in the lower part of the brainstem, the medulla and the pons.
hindbrain
Sending a weak electric current into a brain structure to stimulate (activate) it
• ESB
• electrical stimulation of the brain
Small knobs at the end of axons that secrete chemicals called neurotransmitters
axon terminals
One of the two main parts of the autonomic nervous system, along with enteric and parasympathetic systems; its general action is to mobilize the body's nervous system's fight-or-flight response
sympathetic nervous system
DNA segments that serve as the key functional units in hereditary transmission.
genes
Bundles of neuron fibers (axons) that are routed together in the peripheral nervous system
nerves
A chemical that opposes the action of a neurotransmitter
antagonist
A densely connected network of structures roughly located along the border between the cerebral cortex and deeper subcortical areas
limbic system
A long, thin fiber that transmits signals away from the neuron cell body to other neurons, or to muscles or glands (which impulses are conducted from the cell)
axon
Magnetic Resonance Imaging - The use of nuclear magnetic resonance of protons to produce proton density images.
MRI
A roughly almond-shaped mass of gray matter deep inside each cerebral hemisphere, associated with the sense of smell
amygdala
Threadlike strands of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) molecules that carry genetic information
chromosomes
A gene whose influence is masked when paired genes are the same (homozygous)
dominant gene
A neuron that transmits impulses between other neurons, especially as part of a reflex arc
interneuron
Loss of ability to understand or express speech, caused by brain damage
aphasia
Branchlike parts of a neuron that are specialized to receive information
dendrites
The entire family of internally produced chemicals that resemble opiates (morphinelike effects) in structure and effects
endorphins
The rearmost lobe in each cerebral hemisphere of the brain
occipital lobe
A procedure in which the bundle of fibers that connects the cerebral hemispheres (the corpus callosum) is cut to reduce the severity of epileptic seizures
split brain surgery
Axons that carry information outward from the central nervous system to the periphery (edge) of the body.
efferent nerve fibers
A diffuse network of nerve pathways in the brain stem connecting the spinal cord, cerebrum, and cerebellum, and mediating the overall level of consciousness.
reticular formation
A group of glands that secrete chemicals into the bloodstream that help control bodily functioning.
endocrine system
The largest and most complicated region of the brain, encompassing a variety of structures, including the thalamus, hypothalamus, limbic system, and cerebrum
forebrain
A region of the brain concerned with the comprehension of language
Wernicke's area
A nerve cell forming part of a pathway along which impulses pass from the brain or spinal cord to a muscle or gland
motor neuron
The system of nerves that connect to the heart, blood vessels, smooth muscles, and glands.
• ANS
• autonomic nervous system
• ans
A gene that is expressed when paired genes are heterozygous (different)
recessive gene
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging - a form of magnetic resonance imaging of the brain that registers blood flow to functioning areas of the brain
fMRI
A voltage change at the receptor site on a postsynaptic cell membrane
postsynaptic potential
The adaptability of an organism to changes in its environment or differences between its various habitats
plasticity
A device that monitors the electrical activity of the brain over time by means of recording electrodes attached to the surface of the scalp
• EEG
• electroencephalograph
A brief change in a neuron's electrical charge
action potential
Brain - the principal and most anterior part of the brain in vertebrates, located in the front area of the skull and consisting of two hemispheres, left and right, separated b a fissure. It is responsible for the integration of complex and coordination of voluntary activity in the body
cerebrum
The part of the brain stem that links the medulla oblongata and the thalamus
pons
All those nerves that lie outside the brain and spinal cord
peripheral nervous system
1848-1905; Field: physician, anatomist, psychiatrist, neuropathologist; Contributions: pursuing his own research into the effects of brain disease on speech and language, noticed that not all language deficits were the result of damage to Broca's area. Rather, he found that damage to the left posterior, superior temporal gyrus resulted in deficits in language comprehension. This area was named after him
Carl Wernicke
Region of the cerebral cortex concerned with receiving and interpreting sensory information from various parts of the body
sensory cortex
An automatic response to an experience that is perceived to be a threat to survival.
• fight or flight
• fight or flight response
Each of the paired lobes of the brain lying beneath the temples, including areas concerned with the understanding of speech
temporal lobe
An interdisciplinary field that studies the influence of genetic factors on behavioral traits.
behavioral genetics
A region of the brain concerned with the production of speech, located in the cortex of the dominant frontal lobe
• Broca's area
• Brocas area
The minimum length of time after an action potential during which another action potential cannot begin
• absolute refractory period
• absolute refractory
Also known as neurotransmitter vesicles - they store various neurotransmitters that are released at the synapse
synaptic vesicles
Chemicals that transmit information from one neuron to another
neurotransmitters
The brain and the spinal cord
• CNS
• central nervous system
The convoluted outer layer of the cerebrum - intricately twisted
cerebral cortex
A structure found near the base of the forebrain that is involved in the regulation of basic biological needs
hypothalamus
A junction where information is transmitted from one neuron to the next
synapse
The part of the cerebral cortex in the brain where the nerve impulses originate that initiate voluntary muscular activity
motor cortex
a nuclear medicine imaging technique which produces a 3D image or picture of functional processes in the body
PET scan
The part of the cerebral cortex at the very front of the brain. It is involved with higher cognitive and emotional functions including short-term memory & learning
prefrontal cortex
A chemical that mimics the action of a neurotransmitter
agonist
Individual cells in the nervous system that receive, integrate, and transmit information
neurons
A structure in the forebrain through which all sensory information (except smell) must pass to get to the cerebral cortex
thalamus
Either of the paired lobes of the brain at the top of the head, including areas concerned with the receptions and correlation of sensory information
parietal lobe
Insulating material, derived from glial cells, that encases some axons of neurons
myelin sheath
A process in which neurotransmitters are sponged up from the synaptic cleft by the presynaptic membrane
reuptake
The cell body of a neuron; it contains the nucleus and much of the chemical machinery common to most cells
soma
An electric potential that decreases the likelihood that a postsynaptic neuron will fire action potentials.
inhibitory PSP
The minimum amount of stimulation needed to start a neural impulse (electrical impulses that travel throughout the body carrying important information).
threshold
A solution that fills the hollow cavities (ventricles) of the brain and circulates around the brain and spinal cord
• cerebrospinal fluid
• CSF
The "master gland" of the endocrine system; it releases a great variety of hormones that fan out through the body, stimulating actions in the other endocrine glands.
pituitary gland
A region of the brain that connects sensory and motor areas, and thought to be concerned with higher mental activities
association area
1809-1882; Field: geology, biology; Contributions: transmutation of species, natural selection, evolution by common descent; Studies: "The Origin of Species" catalogs his voyage on the Beagle
Charles Darwin
The system of nerves that connect to voluntary skeletal muscles and to sensory receptors
somatic nervous system
A microscopic gap between the terminal button of a neuron and the cell membrane of another neuron
synaptic cleft
An electric potential that increases the likelihood that a postsynaptic neuron will fire action potentials.
excitatory PSP
The right and the left halves of the cerebrum
cerebral hemispheres
Originates in the brain stem and lower part of the spinal cord; opposes physiological effects of the sympathetic nervous systems.
parasympathetic nervous system
A neuron conducting impulses inwards to the brain or spinal cord
sensory neuron
Each of the paired lobes of the brain lying immediately behind the forehead, including areas concerned with behavior, learning, personality, and voluntary movement
frontal lobe
The stable, negative charge of a neuron when it is inactive
resting potential
In the nervous system, these carry nerve impulses from receptors or sense organs toward the central nervous system. They are also referred to as sensory or receptor neurons.
afferent nerve fibers
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