AP Psychology Neuroscience and Behavior

Action Potential

A brief electrical impulse by which information is transmitted along the axon of a neuron

Hippocampus

A curved forebrain structure that is part of the limbic system and is involved in learning and forming new memories

Phrenology

A discredited pseudoscientific theory of the brain that claimed that personality characteristics, moral character, and intelligence could be determined by examining the bumps on a person's skull

Thalamus

A forebrain structure that processes sensory information for all senses. except smell, and relays it to the cerebral cortex

Limbic System

A group of forebrain structures that form a border around the brainstem and are involved in emotion, motivation, learning, and memory

Pons

A hindbrain structure that connects the medulla to the two sides of the cerebellum; helps coordinate and integrate movements on each side of the body

Medulla

A hindbrain structure that controls vital life functions such as breathing and circulation

Cerebellum

A large, two-sided hindbrain structure at the back of the brain responsible for muscle coordination and maintaining posture and equilibrium

Reticular Formation

A network of nerve fibers located in the center of the medulla that helps regulate attention, arousal, and sleep; also called the reticular activating system

Hypothalamus

A peanut-sized forebrain structure that is part of the limbic system and regulates behaviors related to survival, such as eating, drinking, and sexual activity

Hindbrain

A region at the base of the brain that contains several structures that regulate basic life functions

Brainstem

A region of the brain made up of the hindbrain and the midbrain

Split-Brain Operation

A surgical procedure that involves cutting the corpus callosum

Corpus Callosum

A thick band of nerve fibers that connects the two cerebral hemispheres and acts as a communication link between them

Myelin Sheath

A white, fatty covering wrapped around the axons of some neurons that increases their communication speed

(Roger) Sperry

American psychologist who received the Nobel Prize in 1981 for his pioneering research on brain specialization in split-brain patients

Amygdala

An almond-shaped forebrain structure that is part of the limbic system and is involved in emotion and memory

Occipital Lobe

An area at the back of each cerebral hemisphere that is the primary receiving area for visual information

Substantia Nigra

An area of the midbrain that is involved in motor control and contains a large concentration of dopamine-producing neurons

Parietal Lobe

An area on each hemisphere of the cerebral cortex located above the temporal love that processes somatic sensations

Temporal Lobe

An area on each hemisphere of the cerebral cortex near the temples that is the primary receiving area for auditory information

PET Scan (Positron Emission Tomography)

An imaging technique that provides color-coded images of the brain activity by measuring the amount of a radioactive compound, glucose, or oxygen used in different brain regions

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

An imaging technique that provides three-dimensional, highly detailed images of the brain using electrical signals generated by the brain in response to magnetic fields

fMRI (Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

An imaging technique that uses magnetic fields to map brain activity by measuring changes in the brain's blood supply during different mental activities

EEG (Electroencephalograph)

An instrument that produces a graphic record of the brain's electrical activity by using electrodes placed on the scalp

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Branch of the autonomic nervous system that maintains normal bodily functions and conserves the body's physical resources

Sympathetic Nervous System

Branch of the autonomic nervous system that produces rapid physical arousal in response to perceived emergencies or threats

Axon Terminals

Branches at the end of the axon that contain tiny pouches, or sacs, called synaptic vesicles

Nerves

Bundles of neuron axons that carry information in the peripheral nervous system

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers manufactured by a neuron

Hormones

Chemical messengers secreted into the bloodstream by endocrine glands

Thyroid Gland

Controls body metabolism rate

Central Nervous System

Division of the nervous system that consists of the brain and spinal cord

Peripheral Nervous System

Division of the nervous system that includes all the nerves lying outside the central nervous system

Pituitary Gland

Endocrine gland attached to the base of the brain that secretes hormones that affect the function of other glands as well as hormones that act directly on physical processes

(Pierre Paul) Broca

French surgeon and neuroanatomist who in 1861 discovered an area on the lower left frontal lobe of the cerebral cortex that, when damaged, produces speech disturbances but no loss of comprehension

(Karl) Wernicke

German neurologist who in 1874 discovered an area on the left temporal lobe of the cerebral cortex that , when damaged, produces meaningless or nonsensical speech and difficulties in verbal or written comprehension

Neuron

Highly specialized cell that communicates information in electrical and chemical form; a nerve cell

Dendrites

Multiple short fibers that extend from the neuron's cell body and receive information from other neurons or from sensory receptor cells

Norepinephrine

Neurotransmitter involved in learning and memory; also a hormone manufactured by adrenal glands

Serotonin

Neurotransmitter involved in sleep and emotions

Dopamine

Neurotransmitter involved in the regulation of bodily movement, thought processes, and rewarding sensations

Acetylcholine

Neurotransmitter that causes muscle contraction and is involved in memory function

GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid)

Neurotransmitter that usually communicates an inhibitory message

Endorphins

Neurotransmitters that regulate pain perceptions

Adrenal Cortex

Outer portion of the adrenal glands

Adrenal Glands

Pair of endocrine glands that are involved in the human stress response

Pineal Gland

Produces melatonin, which helps regulates sleep-wake cycles

Pancreas

Regulates blood sugar and insulin levels; involved in hunger

Ovaries

Secrete estrogen and progesterone, which regulate female sexual development and reproduction and influence sexual behavior

Testes

Secrete testosterone, which regulates male sexual development and reproduction and influences sexual behavior

Spinal Reflexes

Simple, automatic behaviors that are processed in the spinal cord

Biological Psychology

Specialized branch of psychology that studies the relationship between behavior and bodily processes and systems; also called biopsychology

Resting Potential

State in which a neuron is prepared to activate and communicate its message if it receives sufficient stimulation

Somatic Nervous System

Subdivision of the peripheral nervous system that communicates sensory information to the central nervous system and carries motor messages from the central nervous system to the muscles

Autonomic Nervous System

Subdivision of the peripheral nervous system that regulates involuntary functions

Glial Cell

Support cells that assist neurons by providing structural support, nutrition, and removal of cell wastes; manufacture myelin

Endocrine System

System of glands located throughout the body that secrete hormones into the bloodstream

Neurogenesis

The development of new neurons

Gonads

The endocrine glands that secrete hormones that regulate sexual characteristics and reproductive processes; ovaries in females and testes in males

Adrenal Medulla

The inner portion of the adrenal glands; secretes epinephrine and norepinephrine

Forebrain

The largest and most complex brain region, which contains centers for complex behaviors and mental processes; also called the cerebrum

Frontal Lobe

The largest lobe of each cerebral hemisphere; processes voluntary muscle movements and is involved in thinking, planning, and emotional control

Axon

The long, fluid-filled tube that carries a neuron's messages to other body areas

Midbrain

The middle and smallest brain regions involved in processing auditory and visual sensory information

Stimulus Threshold

The minimum level of stimulation required to activate a particular neuron

Cerebral Hemispheres

The nearly symmetrical left and right halves of the cerebral cortex

Cortical Localization

The notion that different functions are located or localized in different areas of the brain; also referred to as localization of function

Lateralization of Function

The notion that specific psychological or cognitive functions are processed primarily on one side of the brain

Cell Body

The part of a neuron that contains the nucleus

Aphasia

The partial or complete inability to articulate ideas or understand spoken or written language because of brain injury or damage

Synapse

The point of communication between two neurons

Nervous System

The primary internal communication network of the body; divided into the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system

All-or-None Law

The principle that either a neuron is sufficiently stimulated and an action potential occurs or a neuron is not sufficiently stimulated and an action potential does not occur

Reuptake

The process by which neurotransmitter molecules detach from a postsynaptic neuron and are reabsorbed by a presynaptic neuron so they can be recycled and used again

Synaptic Transmission

The process through which neurotransmitters are released by one neuron, cross the synaptic gap, and affect adjoining neurons

Neuroscience

The study of the nervous system, especially the brain

Cognitive Neuroscience

The study of the neural basis of cognitive process that integrates contributions from psychology, neuroscience, and computer science

Synaptic Gap

The tiny space between the axon terminal of one neuron and the dendrite of an adjoining neuron

Cerebral Cortex

The wrinkled outer portion of the forebrain. which contains the most sophisticated brain centers

Synaptic Vesicles

Tiny pouches or sacs in the axon terminals that contain chemicals called neurotransmitters

Interneuron

Type of neuron that communicates information from one neuron to the next

Sensory Neuron

Type of neuron that conveys information to the brain from specialized receptor cells in sense organs and internal organs

Motor Neuron

Type of neuron that signals muscles to relax or contract