Experience Psychology, 3rd edition Essays (1244 words) - Free Essays

Experience Psychology, 3rd edition Essays (1244 words) - Free Essays Experience Psychology, 3rd edition Chapter 2, The Brain and Behavior Vocabulary, Key Terms Adrenal glands: Glands at the top of each kidney that are responsible for regulating moods, energy level, and the ability to cope with stress. Afferent nerves: Also called sensory nerves; nerves that carry information about the external environment to the brain and spinal cord via sensory receptors. Agonist: A drug that mimics or increases a neurotransmitter's effects. Amygdala: An almond-shaped structure within the base of the temporal lobe that is involved in the discrimination of objects that are necessary for the organism's survival, such as appropriate food, mates, and social rivals. Antagonist: A drug that blocks a neurotransmitter's effects. Association cortex: Sometimes called association areas, the region of the cerebral cortex that is the site of the highest intellectual functions, such as thinking and problem solving. Autonomic nervous system: The body system that takes messages to and from the body's internal organs, monitoring such processes as breathing, heart rate, and digestion. Axon: The part of the neuron that carries information away from the cell body toward other cells. Basal ganglia: Large neuron clusters located above the thalamus and under the cerebral cortex that work with the cerebellum and the cerebral cortex to control and coordinate voluntary movements. Brain stem: The stemlike brain area that includes much of the hindbrain (excluding the cerebellum) and midbrain; connects with the spinal cord at its lower end and then extends upward to encase the reticular formation in the midbrain. Cell body: The part of the neuron that contains the nucleus, which directs the manufacture of substances that the neuron needs for growth and maintenance. Central nervous system (CNS): The brain and spinal cord. Cerebral cortex: Part of the forebrain, the outer layer of the brain, responsible for the most complex mental functions such as thinking and planning. Chromosomes: In the human cell, threadlike structures that come in 23 pairs, one member of each pair originating from each parent, and that contain DNA. Corpus callosum: The large bundle of axons that connects the brain's two hemispheres, responsible for relaying information between the two sides. Dendrites: Treelike fibers projecting from a neuron which receives information and orient it toward the neuron's cell body. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA): A complex molecule in the cell's chromosomes that carries genetic information. Dominant-recessive genes principle: The principle that if one gene of a pair is dominant and one is recessive, the dominant gene overrides the recessive gene. A recessive gene exerts its influence only if both genes of a pair are recessive. Efferent nerves: Also called motor nerves; nerves that carry information out of the brain and spinal cord to other areas of the body. Endocrine system: The body system consisting of a set of glands that regulate the activities of certain organs by releasing their chemical products into the bloodstream. Frontal lobes: The portion of the cerebral cortex behind the forehead involved in personality, intelligence, and the control of voluntary muscles. Gene x environment (g x e) interaction: The interaction of a specific measured variation in DNA and a specific measured aspect of the environment. Genes: The unit of hereditary information, consisting of short segments of chromosomes composed of DNA. Genotype: An individual's genetic heritage; his or her actual genetic material. Glands: Organs or tissues in the body that create chemicals that control many bodily functions. Hindbrain: Located in the skull's rear, the lowest portion of the brain, consisting of the medulla, cerebellum, and pons. Hippocampus: The structure in the limbic system that has a special role in the storage of memories. Hormones: Chemical messengers that are produced by the endocrine glands and carried by the bloodstream to all parts of the body. Hypothalamus: A small forebrain structure, located just below the thalamus that monitors three pleasurable activitieseating, drinking, and sexas well as emotion, stress, and reward. Limbic system: A set of subcortical brain structures central to emotion, memory, and reward processing. Motor cortex: A region in the cerebral cortex, located just behind the frontal lobes, that processes information about voluntary movement. Myelin sheath: A layer of fat cells that encases and insulates most axons. Neocortex: The outermost part of the cerebral cortex, making up 80 percent of