Psychology 101 Chapter 2 Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What is an action potential?

Part of the neuron containing the cell nucleus

Layer of fatty insulation around the axon

Neural impulse (correct)

Chemical released by neurons

What does the axon do?

Conveys impulses away from the neuron's cell body.

What is another name for the cell body of a neuron?

Soma

What are dendrites responsible for?

Receiving impulses from other neurons Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the endocrine system?

To manufacture and secrete hormones into the bloodstream. Signup and view all the answers

What are endorphins?

Chemical substances in the nervous system involved in pain control, pleasure, and memory. Signup and view all the answers

What do glial cells do?

Provide structural, nutritional, and support for neurons. Signup and view all the answers

What are hormones responsible for?

Producing bodily changes or maintaining normal bodily functions. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the myelin sheath?

Increases the rate at which nerve impulses travel along the axon. Signup and view all the answers

What is a neuron?

Cell of the nervous system responsible for receiving and transmitting information. Signup and view all the answers

What is a neurotransmitter?

Chemicals released by neurons that travel across the synaptic gap. Signup and view all the answers

What does the synapse refer to?

The junction between the axon tip and the receiving neuron. Signup and view all the answers

What is the autonomic nervous system responsible for?

Controlling involuntary functions such as heart rate and digestion. Signup and view all the answers

What does the central nervous system consist of?

Brain and spinal cord. Signup and view all the answers

What is neurogenesis?

The process by which new neurons are generated. Signup and view all the answers

What does neuroplasticity refer to?

The brain's ability to reorganize and change its structure and function. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the parasympathetic nervous system?

Responsible for calming the body and conserving energy. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the peripheral nervous system?

Connects the central nervous system to the rest of the body. Signup and view all the answers

What is a reflex?

An innate, automatic response to a stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What does the somatic nervous system connect to?

Sensory receptors and controls skeletal muscles. Signup and view all the answers

What are stem cells?

Immature cells with the potential to develop into almost any type of cell. Signup and view all the answers

What is the sympathetic nervous system responsible for?

Arousing the body and mobilizing its energy during times of stress. Signup and view all the answers

What function does the amygdala serve?

Linked to the production and regulation of emotions. Signup and view all the answers

What are association areas in the brain?

Areas involved in interpreting, integrating, and acting on information. Signup and view all the answers

What is the brainstem's role?

Regulates reflex activities critical for survival, such as breathing and heartbeat. Signup and view all the answers

What does the cerebellum coordinate?

Fine muscle movement, balance, and some perception and cognition. Signup and view all the answers

What is the cerebral cortex?

The thin surface layer on the cerebral hemispheres regulating complex behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What is the corpus callosum?

A bundle of nerve fibers connecting the brain's left and right hemispheres. Signup and view all the answers

What structures are included in the forebrain?

Thalamus, hypothalamus, limbic system, and cerebral cortex. Signup and view all the answers

What do the frontal lobes govern?

Motor control, speech production, and higher functions. Signup and view all the answers

What is the hindbrain comprised of?

Medulla, cerebellum, and pons. Signup and view all the answers

What part of the limbic system is involved in memory?

Hippocampus. Signup and view all the answers

What does the hypothalamus govern?

Drives such as hunger, thirst, sex, and aggression. Signup and view all the answers

What does the limbic system involve?

Emotions, drives, and memory. Signup and view all the answers

What functions does the medulla control?

Breathing and heartbeat. Signup and view all the answers

What functions does the midbrain coordinate?

Movement patterns, sleep, and arousal. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the occipital lobes?

Responsible for vision and visual perception. Signup and view all the answers

What do the parietal lobes interpret?

Bodily sensations. Signup and view all the answers

What is the pons responsible for?

Respiration, movement, waking, sleep, and dreaming. Signup and view all the answers

What does the reticular formation control?

Screening incoming information and controlling arousal. Signup and view all the answers

What is split-brain surgery?

Cutting off the corpus callosum to separate the brain's two hemispheres. Signup and view all the answers

What functions are performed by the temporal lobes?

Audition, language comprehension, memory, and emotional control. Signup and view all the answers

What role does the thalamus play?

Relays sensory messages to the cerebral cortex. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Neural Structures and Functions

Action Potential: Brief electrical charge that transmits information along an axon when positively charged ions flow through membrane channels.
Axon: Long structure that conveys neural impulses away from the neuron's cell body to other neurons, muscles, or glands.
Cell Body: Contains the nucleus and structures necessary for neuron function; also referred to as the soma.
Dendrites: Branching structures that receive signals from other neurons and direct them toward the cell body.
Neuron: Fundamental unit of the nervous system, responsible for receiving and transmitting electrochemical signals.

Nervous System Components

Glial Cells: Support cells for neurons, providing structure, nutrition, and communication within the nervous system.
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS): All nerves connecting the central nervous system to the body, subdivided into autonomic and somatic systems.
Central Nervous System (CNS): Comprises the brain and spinal cord, central to processing and relaying information.

Neurotransmitters and Synaptic Transmission

Neurotransmitters: Chemicals released at synapses that transmit signals between neurons across the synaptic gap.
Synapse: The junction where communication occurs between the axon tip of one neuron and the dendrite or cell body of another.

Endocrine System and Hormones

Endocrine System: Collection of glands that produce and secrete hormones into the bloodstream to regulate bodily functions.
Hormones: Chemical messengers that facilitate changes or maintain normal functions in the body.

Brain Structure and Functions

Amygdala: Limbic system structure related to emotion production and regulation.
Cerebral Cortex: Thin outer layer of cerebral hemispheres, critical for complex behaviors and higher mental processes.
Hippocampus: Involved in memory formation and retrieval.
Thalamus: Relay station for sensory messages to the cerebral cortex.
Limbic System: Interconnected structures associated with emotions, drives, and memory.

Brain Lobes and Associated Functions

Frontal Lobes: Control motor functions, speech, higher order thinking, personality, emotions, and memory.
Parietal Lobes: Process bodily sensations.
Occipital Lobes: Responsible for vision and visual perception.
Temporal Lobes: Involved in hearing, language comprehension, memory, and emotional processing.

Nervous System Divisions

Autonomic Nervous System: Manages involuntary functions like heart rate and digestion, further divided into sympathetic and parasympathetic systems.
Sympathetic Nervous System: Activates fight or flight response during stress.
Parasympathetic Nervous System: Calms the body and conserves energy after stress.

Other Key Concepts

Neurogenesis: Generation of new neurons throughout life.
Neuroplasticity: The brain's capacity to reorganize itself functionally and structurally over time.
Reflex: An innate, automatic response to stimuli.
Myelin Sheath: Fatty insulation around axons that accelerates nerve impulse transmission.

Brainstem and Coordination

Brainstem: Houses critical structures for reflexive activities necessary for survival (heart rate, respiration).
Cerebellum: Coordinates fine motor movement, balance, and cognitive functions.
Medulla: Controls automatic functions like breathing and heartbeat.
Pons: Involved in regulating respiration, sleep, and motor movement.

Unique Procedures

Split-Brain Surgery: Surgical procedure to sever the corpus callosum, helping to treat epilepsy and advancing understanding of hemispheric functions.

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Test your knowledge of key terms from Psychology 101 Chapter 2 with these flashcards. Each card features a term along with its definition, helping you to understand essential concepts such as Action Potential, Axon, and Cell Body. Perfect for quick revision and mastering foundational psychology concepts.