PSY03 - Psychology - Biopsychology

electrical signal that moves down the neuron’s axon

sits atop our kidneys and secretes hormones involved in the stress response

drug that mimics or strengthens the effects of a neurotransmitter

phenomenon that incoming signal from another neuron is either sufficient or insufficient to reach the threshold of excitation

specific version of a gene

structure in the limbic system involved in our experience of emotion and tying emotional meaning to our memories

drug that blocks or impedes the normal activity of a given neurotransmitter

strip of cortex in the temporal lobe that is responsible for processing auditory information

controls our internal organs and glands

major extension of the soma

view that psychological disorders like depression and schizophrenia are associated with imbalances in one or more neurotransmitter systems

region in the left hemisphere that is essential for language production

brain and spinal cord

hindbrain structure that controls our balance, coordination, movement, and motor skills, and it is thought to be important in processing some types of memory

surface of the brain that is associated with our highest mental capabilities

long strand of genetic information

imaging technique in which a computer coordinates and integrates multiple x-rays of a given area

thick band of neural fibers connecting the brain’s two hemispheres

branch-like extension of the soma that receives incoming signals from other neurons

helix-shaped molecule made of nucleotide base pairs

disease related to insufficient insulin production

allele whose phenotype will be expressed in an individual that possesses that allele

recording the electrical activity of the brain via electrodes on the scalp

series of glands that produce chemical substances known as hormones

study of gene-environment interactions, such as how the same genotype leads to different phenotypes

activation of the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system, allowing access to energy reserves and heightened sensory capacity so that we might fight off a given threat or run away to safety

largest part of the brain, containing the cerebral cortex, the thalamus, and the limbic system, among other structures

twins who develop from two different eggs fertilized by different sperm, so their genetic material varies the same as in non-twin siblings

part of the cerebral cortex involved in reasoning, motor control, emotion, and language; contains motor cortex

MRI that shows changes in metabolic activity over time

sequence of DNA that controls or partially controls physical characteristics

view of gene-environment interaction that asserts our genes affect our environment, and our environment influences the expression of our genes

genetic makeup of an individual

nervous system cell that provides physical and metabolic support to neurons, including neuronal insulation and communication, and nutrient and waste transport

secretes sexual hormones, which are important for successful reproduction, and mediate both sexual motivation and behavior

(plural: gyri) bump or ridge on the cerebral cortex

left or right half of the brain

consisting of two different alleles

division of the brain containing the medulla, pons, and cerebellum

structure in the temporal lobe associated with learning and memory

state of equilibrium—biological conditions, such as body temperature, are maintained at optimal levels

consisting of two identical alleles

chemical messenger released by endocrine glands

forebrain structure that regulates sexual motivation and behavior and a number of homeostatic processes; serves as an interface between the nervous system and the endocrine system

twins that develop from the same sperm and egg

concept that each hemisphere of the brain is associated with specialized functions

collection of structures involved in processing emotion and memory

deep groove in the brain’s cortex

magnetic fields used to produce a picture of the tissue being imaged

hindbrain structure that controls automated processes like breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate