Ch.2 Vocab Psych

Sensory nerves that transport information to the brain

Motor nerves that control the brain's output

The brain and spinal cord

• The network of nerves that connects the brain and spinal cord to other parts of the body.
• Divided into:
• -somatic nervous system
• -autonomic nervous system

• Division of peripheral nervous system
• Consists of sensory nerves
• Conveys info to central nervous system & motor nerves, who transmits that info to the muscles

• Division of peripheral nervous system
• Communicates with the body's internal organs
• Made up of:
• -sympathetic nervous system
• -parasympathetic nervous system

• Division of autonomic nervous system
• Arouses the body

• Division of autonomic nervous system
• Calms the body

• Nerve cell that specializes in processing information
• Basic units of the nervous system

Part of the neuron that contains the nucleas, directs manufacture of substances that the neuron needs for growth and maintenance

Branches of a neuron that recieve and orient info towards the cell body; most neurons have numerous dendrites

The part of the neuron that carries info away from the cell body to other cells; each neuron only has one axon

Provide support & nutritional benefits in the nervous system

A layer of fat cells that encases & insulates most axons, speeds up the transmission of nerve impulses

Tiny junctions between two neurons, generally where the axon of one neuron meets the dendrites or cell body of another neuron

Chemicals that carry info across the synpatic gap from one neuron to the next

Lowest part of the brain, consisting of the medulla, cerebellum and pons

The region of the brain that includes most of the hindbrain (excluding the cerebellum) and the midbrain

Located between the hindbrain and the forebrain, where many nerve-fiber systems ascend & descend to connect the higher & lower portions of the brain

• The highest level of the brain.
• Key structures :
• -limbic system
• -thalamus
• -basal ganglia
• -hypothalamus
• -cerebral cortex

• Closely connected network of structures, including hippocampus & the amygdala
• Play important roles in memory and emotion

• Part of limbic system
• Plays a key role in emotions, fear, and pleasure

• Part of limbic system
• Plays part in memory & navigation

• Forebrain structure that functions as a relay station to sort input & directs it to different areas of the cerebral cortex
• Also ties to the reticular formation

• Located above thalamus & under the cerebral cortex
• Large clusters of neurons work together with the cerebellum & the cerebral cortex to control & coordinate voluntary movements

Forebrain structure involved in regulating eating, drinking, and sex; directing the endocrine system through the pituitary gland; and monitoring emotion, stress, and reward

Highest level of the forebrain, where highest mental fucntions ( thinking/planning ) take place

Large bundle of axons that connect the brain's two hemispheres

The part of the cerebral cortex that just behind the forhead that is involved in the control of voluntary muscles, intelligence, and personality

• Area of the cerebral cortex at the top of the head that is involved in registering spatial location, attention, and motor control
• Sensory cortex area that processes information about body sensations

The part of the cerebral cortex at the back of the head that is involved with vision

The portion of the cerebral cortex just above the ears that is involved in hearing, language processing, and memory