CHAPTER REVIEW

KEY TERMS

Question

biological psychology
acetylcholine
action potential
adrenal cortex
adrenal glands
adrenal medulla
agonist
amygdala
antagonist
aphasia
autonomic nervous system
axon terminals
axon
brainstem
cell body
central nervous system (CNS)
cerebellum
cerebral cortex
cerebral hemispheres
connectome
corpus callosum
cortical localization
cortical localization
dendrites
dopamine
endocrine system
endorphins
forebrain
frontal lobe
functional plasticity
GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)
glial cells or glia
glutamate
gonads
hindbrain
hippocampus
hormones
hypothalamus
interneuron
lateralization of function
limbic system
medulla
midbrain
motor neuron
myelin sheath
nerves
nervous system
neurogenesis
neuron
neuroscience
neurotransmitters
norepinephrine
occipital lobe
oxytocin
parasympathetic nervous system
parietal lobe
peripheral nervous system
phrenology
pituitary gland
pons
resting potential
reticular formation
reuptake
sensory neuron
serotonin
somatic nervous system
spinal reflexes
split-brain operation
stimulus threshold
structural plasticity
substantia nigra
sympathetic nervous system
synapse
synaptic gap
synaptic transmission
synaptic vesicles
temporal lobe
thalamus
A region of the brain made up of the hindbrain and the midbrain.
The inner portion of the adrenal glands, which secretes epinephrine and norepinephrine.
The brain’s ability to shift functions from damaged to undamaged brain areas.
A large, two-sided hindbrain structure at the back of the brain; responsible for muscle coordination and maintaining posture and equilibrium.
The branch of the autonomic nervous system that maintains normal bodily functions and conserves the body’s physical resources.
An area on each hemisphere of the cerebral cortex, near the temples, that is the primary receiving area for auditory information.
The middle and smallest brain region, involved in processing auditory and visual sensory information.
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.
The support cells that assist neurons by providing structural support, nutrition, and removal of cell wastes; glial cells manufacture myelin.
An area on each hemisphere of the cerebral cortex located above the temporal lobe that processes somatic sensations.
The subdivision of the peripheral nervous system that regulates involuntary functions.
A peanut-sized forebrain structure that is part of the limbic system and that regulates behaviors related to survival, such as eating, drinking, and sexual activity.
A group of forebrain structures that form a border around the brainstem and are involved in emotion, motivation, learning, and memory.
Neurotransmitters that regulate pain perceptions.
The process through which neurotransmitters are released by one neuron, cross the synaptic gap, and affect adjoining neurons.
Neurotransmitter that causes muscle contractions and is involved in learning and memory.
The long, fluid-filled tube that carries a neuron’s messages to other body areas.
The division of the nervous system that includes all the nerves lying outside the central nervous system.
The 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.
Neurotransmitter that usually communicates an excitatory message.
The wrinkled outer portion of the forebrain, which contains the most sophisticated brain centers.
The branch of the autonomic nervous system that produces rapid physical arousal in response to perceived emergencies or threats.
The type of neuron that communicates information from one neuron to the next.
The type of neuron that signals muscles to relax or contract.
The largest and most complex brain region, which contains centers for complex behaviors and mental processes; also called the cerebrum.
An almond-shaped cluster of neurons in the brain’s temporal lobe, involved in memory and emotional responses, especially fear.
A 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.
The brain’s ability to change its physical structure in response to learning, active practice, or environmental influences.
Chemical messengers manufactured by a neuron.
The notion that different functions are located or localized in different areas of the brain; also called localization of function.
The tiny pouches or sacs in axon terminals that contain chemicals called neurotransmitters.
A thick band of axons that connects the two cerebral hemispheres and acts as a communication link between them.
The system of glands, located throughout the body, that secrete hormones into the bloodstream.
The point of communication between two neurons.
Neurotransmitter involved in sensory perceptions, sleep, and emotions.
Bundles of neuron axons that carry information in the peripheral nervous system.
A hindbrain structure that controls vital life functions such as breathing and circulation.
The endocrine glands that secrete hormones that regulate sexual characteristics and reproductive processes; ovaries in females and testes in males.
The branches at the end of the axon that contain tiny pouches, or sacs, called synaptic vesicles.
The pair of endocrine glands that are involved in the human stress response.
Hormone involved in reproduction, social motivation, and social behavior.
The notion that specific psychological or cognitive functions are processed primarily on one side of the brain.
A highly specialized cell that communicates information in electrical and chemical form; a nerve cell.
A forebrain structure that processes sensory information for all senses except smell, relaying that information to the cerebral cortex.
The state in which a neuron is prepared to activate and communicate its message if it receives sufficient stimulation.
The primary internal communication network of the body; divided into the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system.
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.
The tiny space between the axon terminal of one neuron and the dendrite of an adjoining neuron.
The outer portion of the adrenal glands.
Drug or other chemical substance that binds to a receptor site and triggers a response in the cell.
The specialized branch of psychology that studies the relationship between behavior and bodily processes and systems; also called biopsychology or psychobiology.
Map of neural connections in the brain
A curved forebrain structure that is part of the limbic system and is involved in learning and forming new memories.
The stud of the nervous system, especially the brain.
Neurotransmitter that usually communicates an inhibitory message.
An area at the back of each cerebral hemisphere that is the primary receiving area for visual information.
A brief electrical impulse by which information is transmitted along the axon of a neuron.
Neurotransmitter involved in the regulation of bodily movement, thought processes, and rewarding sensations.
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.
The part of a cell that processes nutrients and provides energy for the neuron to function; contains the cell’s nucleus; also called the soma.
The notion that different functions are located or localized in different areas of the brain; also called localization of function.
The type of neuron that conveys information to the brain from specialized receptor cells in sense organs and internal organs.
Chemical messengers secreted into the bloodstream primarily by endocrine glands.
Neurotransmitter involved in learning, memory, and regulation of sleep; also, a hormone manufactured by adrenal glands.
The nearly symmetrical left and right halves of the cerebral cortex.
The partial or complete inability to articulate ideas or understand spoken or written language because of brain injury or damage.
The multiple short fibers that extend from a neuron’s cell body and receive information from other neurons or from sensory receptor cells.
The largest lobe of each cerebral hemisphere; processes voluntary muscle movements and is involved in thinking, planning, and emotional control.
The development of new neurons.
Simple, automatic behaviors that are processed in the spinal cord.
A surgical procedure that involves cutting the corpus callosum.
An area of the midbrain that is involved in motor control and contains a large concentration of dopamine-producing neurons.
The minimum level of stimulation required to activate a particular neuron.
A drug or other chemical substance that blocks a receptor site and inhibits or prevents a response in the receiving cell.
The division of the nervous system that consists of the brain and spinal cord.
A white, fatty covering wrapped around the axons of some neurons that increases their communication speed.
A region at the base of the brain that contains several structures that regulate basic life functions.
The endocrine gland attached to the base of the brain that secretes hormones affecting the function of other glands as well as hormones that act directly on physical processes.
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KEY PEOPLE

Pierre Paul Broca (1824–1880)

Roger Sperry (1913–1994)

Karl Wernicke (1848–1905)