AP Psych Exam Unit 2

nerve cell that is the basic building block of the nervous system

bushy, branching extensions that receive and integrate messages, conducting impulses toward the cell body

attached to the soma, the neuron extension that passes messages through its branches to other neurons or to muscles or glands

the ends of axons which transmit messages to other cells via use of neurotransmitters at synapses

the part of the neuron that contains the nucleus, the cell's life-support center

the fatty tissue layer encasing the axons of some neurons; increases transmission speed and provides insulation

a neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon

a period of time during which a cell is incapable of repeating an action potential

the level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse

neural firing happens at full response or not at all

the junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron

a chemical messenger that travels across the synapse and binds to receptor sites on the receiving neuron

a neurotransmitter's re absorption by a sending neuron

meaning "morphine within" - natural, opiate-like neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure

a drug molecule that increases a neurotransmitter's action

a drug molecule that inhibits or blocks a neurotransmitter's action

the body's speedy, electrochemical communication network, consisting of all the nerve cells of the peripheral and central nervous systems

made up of the brain and spinal cord; responsible for coordinating incoming sensory messages and outgoing motor messages

made up of sensory and motor neurons; connects the body to the central nervous system by gathering information from the senses and transmitting messages from the central nervous system

neurons that contain afferent nerve fibers and that carry information from the sense organs to the CNS (central nervous system)

neurons that contain efferent neurons and that carry messages from the CNS (central nervous system) to the muscles and glands

connect spinal motor and sensory neurons

controls the body's skeletal muscles (also called the skeletal nervous system)

controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organs (such as the heart); operates automatically

accelerates heartbeat, raises blood pressure, slows digestion, raises blood sugar, and cools the body

decelerates heartbeat, lowers blood pressure, stimulates digestion, processes waste, and calms the body

automatic, action that your body does in response to something

the body's "slow" chemical communication system; a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream

chemical substances that act like messenger molecules in the body

release epinephrine and nor-epinephrine (adrenaline and nor-adrenaline) to energize the body when the sympathetic nervous system is activated (during a fight, flight, or freeze event)

the endocrine system's most influential gland; directed by the hypothalamus to regulate growth and control other endocrine glands

an area of damage, injury, or abnormal change to a part of the brain

a recording of the waves of electrical activity across the brain's surface measured by electrodes placed on the scalp

X-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by computer to show a slice of the brain's structure; shows structural damage

a visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive glucose goes while the brain performs a given task; shows activity

a technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images of brain anatomy; more detailed than a CT (computed tomography) scan

a measure of blood flow and brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans to show brain function as well as structure; shows damage

the structure that connects the cerebrum of the brain to the spinal cord and cerebellum

located at the base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing

located at the top of the brainstem; relay station for incoming and outgoing sensory information (with the exception of smell)

nerve network that travels through the brainstem into the thalamus; helps control arousal and filters incoming sensory stimuli

located at the rear of the brainstem; processing sensory input, coordinating movement and balance, nonverbal learning, and memory

located below the cerebral hemispheres; neural system (including the amygdala, hypothalamus, and hippocampus) that is associated with emotions and drives

two lima-bean-sized neural clusters; linked to emotion, fear, and aggression

located below the thalamus; directs eating, drinking, and body temperature; helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, linked to emotion and reward

the intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering the cerebral hemispheres; the body's ultimate control and information-processing center; divided into four regions called lobes

cells that support, nourish, and protect neurons; they also play a role in learning, thinking, and memory

involved in speaking, motor movements, judgement, and decision-making

receives and processes sensory input for touch and body position

each lobe receives auditory information, primarily from the opposite ear

each lobe receives visual information, primarily from the opposite visual field

controls voluntary movements

registers information from the skin senses and body movement

most of the brain's cortex which integrates information involved in learning, remembering, thinking, and other higher-level functions

the brain's ability to change, especially during childhood, by reorganizing after damage or by building new pathways based on experience

production of new neurons

occurs when the fibers of the corpus callosum (wide band of axon fibers connecting the two hemispheres of the brain) are severed, isolating each hemisphere from the other

our subjective awareness of ourselves and our environment

the study of the manner in which genetic variation affects psychological phenotypes (traits), including cognitive abilities, personality, mental illness, and social attitudes