Back to AI Flashcard MakerPsychology /Psychology Chapters 1-14 Part 3
Psychology Chapters 1-14 Part 3
This deck covers key concepts and definitions from chapters 1-14 of a psychology textbook, focusing on the structure and function of the nervous system, neurotransmitters, and various brain regions.
neuron
One of the more than 100 billion cells in the nervous system.
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Key Terms
Term
Definition
neuron
One of the more than 100 billion cells in the nervous system.
soma
The part of the neuron that contains the nucleus of the cell and that keeps the cell alive.
dendrite
The part of the neuron that collects information from other cells and sends the information to the soma.
axon
The part of the neuron that transmits information away from the cell body toward other neurons.
myelin sheath
A layer of fatty tissue surrounding the axon of a neuron that acts as an insulator and allows faster transmission of the electrical signal.
resting potential
A state in which the interior of the neuron contains a greater number of negatively charged ions than does the area outside the cell.
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| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
neuron | One of the more than 100 billion cells in the nervous system. |
soma | The part of the neuron that contains the nucleus of the cell and that keeps the cell alive. |
dendrite | The part of the neuron that collects information from other cells and sends the information to the soma. |
axon | The part of the neuron that transmits information away from the cell body toward other neurons. |
myelin sheath | A layer of fatty tissue surrounding the axon of a neuron that acts as an insulator and allows faster transmission of the electrical signal. |
resting potential | A state in which the interior of the neuron contains a greater number of negatively charged ions than does the area outside the cell. |
action potential | A change in electrical charge that occurs in a neuron when a nerve impulse is transmitted. |
node of ranvier | The break in the myelin sheath of a nerve fiber. |
synapses | The small gap between neurons across which nerve impulses are transmitted. |
neurotransmitter | A chemical that relays signals across the synapses between neurons. |
reuptake | The process in which the neurotransmitters in the synapse are reabsorbed into the transmitting terminal buttons. |
agonist | A drug that has chemical properties similar to a particular neurotransmitter and thus mimics the effects of the neurotransmitter. |
antagonist | A drug that reduces or stops the normal effects of a neurotransmitter. |
acetylcholine | A common neurotransmitter used in the spinal cord and motor neurons to stimulate muscle contractions. It's also used in the brain to regulate memory, sleeping, and dreaming. Alzheimer's is a lack of this. |
dopamine | Involved in movement, motivation, and emotion, produces feelings of pleasure when released by the brain's reward system, and it's also involved in learning. Associated with schizophrenia. |
endorphine | Released in response to behaviors such as vigorous exercise, orgasm, and eating spicy foods. Natural pain relievers. |
GABA | The major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. Lack of this can lead to involuntary motor actions. |
glutamate | The most common neurotransmitter, it's released in more than 90% of the brain's synapses. Found in the food additive MSG (monosodium glutamate). Excess can cause migraines and seizures. |
serotonin | Involved in many functions, including mood, appetite, sleep, and aggression. Low levels associated with depression. |
brain stem | The oldest and innermost region of the brain, it serves to control the most basic functions of life, including breathing, attention, and motor responses. |
medulla | The area of the brain stem that controls heart rate and breathing. |
pons | A structure in the brain stem that helps control the movements of the body, playing a particularly important role in balance and walking. |
reticular formation | A long, narrow network of neurons that runs through the medulla and the pons. |
thalamus | The egg-shaped structure above the brain stem that filters sensory information coming up from the spinal cord and relays signals to the higher brain levels. |
cerebellum | Two wrinkled ovals located behind the brain stem that function to coordinate voluntary movement. |
limbic system | A brain area located between the brain stem and the two cerebral hemispheres that governs emotion and memory. |
amygdala | A region of the old brain primarily responsible for regulating our perceptions of, and reactions to, aggression and fear. |
hypothalamus | A brain structure that performs a variety of functions, including the regulation of hunger and sexual behavior, as well as linking the nervous system to the endocrine system via the pituitary gland. |
hippocampus | A limbic system brain structure important in storing information in long-term memory. |
cerebral cortex | The outer bark-like layer of the brain that allows us to so successfully use language, acquire complex skills, create tools, and live in social groups. |
glial cells | Cells that surround and link to the neurons, protecting them, providing them with nutrients, and absorbing unused neurotransmitters. |
frontal lobe | One of the four brain lobes, responsible primarily for thinking, planning, memory, and judgment. |
parietal lobe | One of the four brain lobes, responsible primarily for processing information about touch. |
occipital lobe | One of the four brain lobes, responsible primarily for processing visual information. |
temporal lobe | One of the four brain lobes, responsible primarily for hearing and language. |
motor cortex | The part of the cortex that controls and executes movements of the body by sending signals to the cerebellum and the spinal cord. |
somatosensory cortex | An area just behind and parallel to the motor cortex at the back of the frontal lobe that receives information from the skin's sensory receptors and the movements of different body parts. |
visual cortex | The area located in the occipital lobe that processes visual information |
auditory cortex | The area located in the temporal lobe that is responsible for hearing and language. |
association areas | Brain regions in which sensory and motor information is combined and associated with stored knowledge. |