4 page Psychology paper
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Chapter 2 terminology
Psych260
Nervous System-
A network of billions of cells in the brain and the body responsible for all aspects of what we feel, think, and do.
Central nervous system-
The part of the nervous system that consists of the brain and the spinal cord.
Peripheral nervous system-
The part of the nervous central nervous system with the muscles, organs and glands.
Neurons-
The basic units of the nervous system cells that receive integrate and transmit information in the nervous system. Neurons operate through electrical impulses communicate with other neurons through electrical impulses communicate with other neurons through chemical signals and form neural networks.
Dendrites –
Branchlike extensions of the neuron with receptors that detect information from other neurons.
Cell Body-
Part of the neuron where information from thousands of other neurons is collected and integrated.
Axon-
A long narrow outgrowth of a neuron that enables the neuron to transmit information to other neurons.
Synapse-
The site where communication occurs between neurons through neurotransmitters.
Action Potential-
The neural impulse that travels along the axon and then causes the release of neurotransmitters into the synapse.
Neurotransmitters-
Chemical substances that carry signals from one neuron to another.
Broca’s area-
A small portion of the left frontal region of the brain; this area is crucial for producing speech.
Medulla-
A hindbrain structure at the top of the spinal cord; controls functions such as breathing and heart rate.
Pons-
A hindbrain structure above the medulla; it regulates sleep and arousal and coordinates movements of the left and right sides of the body.
Cerebellum-
A hindbrain structure behind the medulla and pons; this structure is essential for coordinated movement and balance.
Thalmus-
A subcortical forebrain structural gateway to the brain for almost all incoming sensory information before that information reaches the cortex.
Hypothalamus-
A subcortical forebrain structure involved in regulating bodily functions. The hypothalamus also influences our basic motivated behaviors.
Amygdala-
A subcortical forebrain structure that serves a vital roe I learning to associate things with emotional responses and in processing emotional information.
Occipital lobes-
Regions of the cerebral cortex at the back of the brain; these regions are important for vision.
Parietal Lobes-
Regions of the cerebral cortex in front of the occipital lobes and behind the frontal lobe; these regions are important for the sense of touch and for picturing the layout of spaces in an environment.
Temporal lobes-
Regions of the cerebral cortex below the parietal lobes and in front of the occipital lobes; these regions are important for processing auditory information and for perceiving objects and faces.
Frontal Lobes-
Regions of the cerebra; cortex at the front of the brain; these regions are important for movement and complex processes (rational thought, attention, social processes, etc..
Somatic Nervous System
A part of the peripheral nervous system; this part transmits sensory signals and motor signals between the central nervous system and the skin, muscles, and joints.
Automatic nervous system-
A part of the peripheral nervous sis part transmits sensory signals and motor signals between the central nervous system.
Endocrine system
A communication system that uses hormones to influence thoughts and actions.
Hormones
Chemical substances, released from endocrine glands, that travel through the bloodstream to targeted tissues; the tissues are later influenced by the hormones.
Genes-
The units of heredity which partially determine an organism’s characteristics
Monozygotic Twins-
Identical twins; these siblings result from one zygote splitting in two, so they share the same genes.
Dizygotic Twins
Fraternal twins; these siblings result from two separately fertilized eggs, so they are no more similar genetically than non-twin siblings are.
Plasticity
A property of the brain that causes it to change through experience, drugs, or injury
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