Psy Ch 3 Set C: The Brain and Endocrine System

EEG (Electroencephalograph); PET (Positron Emission Tomography); MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging); fMRI (Functional MRI)

multiple electrodes placed on scalp; shows general electrical activity of the brain; represented as a line on a graph or screen

Positrons and photons emitted by radioactive substances; indicate specific changes in neuronal activity; brain structure

Exposes the brain to a magnetic field; shows high resolution image of brain; does not indicate functions as the

combines the advantages of the PET and MRI; detects changes in cerebral blood flow and oxygen; shows areas of the brain that appear activated during a task (brain function)

a chemical messenger in nervous system; housed in synaptic vesicles; they transmit a message; at least 100 identified neurotransmitters

one of the first (neurotransmitter) to be identified; stimulates skeletal muscles (contract); role in memory, arousal and attention; underproduction can lead to Alzheimer's, overproduction causes convulsions

Involved in learning, memory, wakefulness and eating; also arousal and mood; underproduction leads to depression, overproduction leads to stress and panic

affects sleep, arousal, appetite and mood; underproduction leads to depression, sleeping and eating problems (low levels often found in suicide victims), over productions leads to obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)

involved in emotional arousal (sensations of pleasure) and movement; underproduction leads to Parkinson's disease and depression, overproduction leads to Schizophrenia

hormone - secreting glands distributed throughout the body; "ductless" gland

chemical messages secreted directly into the bloodstream; slower, more widespread messages

pituitary, pineal, thyroid, parathyroid, pancreas, adrenal, and gonads

pea-shaped organ located in brain, regulates growth; regulates water and salt metabolism; causes the uterus to contract during childbirth; causes milk production for nursing; "Master" gland

located in brain directly above brainstem; secreates melatonin; regulates the sleep-wake cycle

located in the neck; secretes thyroxin; controls the metabolic rate: alert and energetic; fat or thin; embedded in thyroid glands are parathyroids

embedded in thyroid gland; regulate calcium and phosphate levels in body; influences excitability

curve between the stomach and small intestines; regulates blood sugar levels with two hormones; insulin, glucagon; underproduction of insulin leads to diabetes mellitus

twin structures or glands located just above kidneys; adrenal cortex - outer layer, adrenal medulla - the inner core; produce and secrete about 50 different hormones; best known is adrenaline (epinephrine); norepinephrine (also a neurotransmitter) involved in body's response to stress arousal when physically threatened; "fight or flight"

sex glands; testes in males, ovaries in females; secrete two hormones: androgen - masculine, estrogen - feminine; primary and secondary sex characteristics (females - larger breasts/hips, males - pubic/facial hair, adams apple, muscles)

needs to be present during prenatal development (3-4 months); fetus to develop as male; link to aggressive behavior