BBB unit 2 AP psych
peripheral nervous system
A division of the nervous system consisting of all nerves that are not part of the brain or spinal cord.
limbic system
A doughnut-shaped system of neural structures at the border of the brainstem and cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions such as fear and aggression and drives such as those for food and sex. Includes the hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus.
synapse
A junction where information is transmitted from one neuron to the next.
Cerebellum
A large structure of the hindbrain that controls fine motor skills.
amygdala
A limbic system structure involved in memory and emotion, particularly fear and aggression.
Hypothalamus
A neural structure lying below the thalamus; it directs several maintenance activities (eating, drinking, body temperature), helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion and reward.
thalamus
A structure in the forebrain through which all sensory information (except smell) must pass to get to the cerebral cortex.
Genome
All of an organism's genetic material
Occipital Lobe
An area at the back of each cerebral hemisphere that is the primary receiving area for visual information.
Temporal lobe
An area on each hemisphere of the cerebral cortex near the temples that is the primary receiving area for auditory information
Medulla
Base of brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing
Central nervous system
Brain and spinal cord
dendrites
Branchlike parts of a neuron that are specialized to receive information.
nerves
Bundled axons that form neural "cables" connecting the central nervous system with muscles, glands, and sense organs.
Glial Cells
Cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons.
neurotransmitters
Chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons.
hormones
Chemical messengers, mostly those manufactured by the endocrine glands, that are produced in one tissue and affect another
somatic nervous system
Division of the PNS that controls the body's skeletal muscles.
charles darwin
English natural scientist who formulated a theory of evolution by natural selection (1809-1882)
sympathetic nervous system
Fight or flight
endocrine system
Glands secrete hormones that regulate processes such as growth, reproduction, and nutrient use (metabolism) by body cells.
axon
Long fiber that carries impulses away from the cell body of a neuron
endorphins
Natural analgesics that decrease pain perception.
neuron
Nerve cell
sensory neurons
Neurons that carry incoming information from the sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord.
motor neurons
Neurons that carry outgoing information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands.
pituitary gland
The endocrine system's most influential gland. Under the influence of the hypothalamus, the pituitary regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands.
threshold
The level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse
brainstem
The oldest part and central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull; responsible for automatic survival functions.
Cerebral Cortex
The part of the brain where information processing takes place. Divided into four lobes.
Action potencial
a neural impulses; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon.
adrenal glands
a pair of endocrine glands that sit just above the kidneys and secrete hormones (epinephrine and norepinephrine) that help arouse the body in times of stress.
Plasticity
ability to be molded
Somatosensory Cortex
area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations.
Association Areas
areas of the cerebral cortex that are not involved in primary motor or sensory functions; rather, they are involved in higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking
myelin sheath
coating that insulates neuron & speeds transmission
carl wernicke
discovered the speech comprehension center of the brain; Wernicke's area
Reticular Formula
filters impulses to wake up the cerebral cortex, fibers spread throughout medulla to diencephalon and connects to basal nuclei, cerebrum, hypothalamus, and cerebellum
parietal lobes
portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head and toward the rear; receives sensory input for touch and body position.
frontal lobes
portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead; involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgements.
Roger sperry
research with split brain patients; right and left hemispheres have specialized functions.
parasympathetic nervous system
rest and digest
refractory period
resting time; occurs in both neuron firing
automatic nervous system
the part of the nervous system responsible for control of the bodily functions not consciously directed, such as breathing, the heartbeat, and digestive processes.
Epigenetics
the study of influences on gene expression that occur without a DNA change
