Psychology Chapter 6 Quiz Review The Brain & Biology
Hormones
Chemicals produced by the endocrine glands. These are meant to regulate specific body functions such as stimulate growth and change your activity level and moods.
Somatic Nervous System
The Somatic Nervous System The division of the peripheral nervous system that connects the central nervous system with sensory receptors, muscles, and skin Meant to transmit sensory messages to the central nervous system. Activated by touch, pain, change in temperature, and changes in the body position.
Autonomic Nervous System
Autonomic Nervous System Regulates the body’s vital functions For instance, it regulates your heartbeat, breathing, digestion, and blood pressure
Central Nervous System
Consists of the brain, the spinal cord, and neurons. It is responsible for transmitting messages and controlling reflexes The spinal cord is a column of nerves about as thick as a thumb protected by bones
Peripheral Nervous System
Lies outside the central nervous system It is made up of nerve cells that transmit messages between the central nervous system and all parts of the body.
Sympathetic Nervous System
The part of the Autonomic System that reacts to stress Prepares the body for action Prepares the body to confront the situation or to run away Increases blood pressure, heart and respiration rates
Parasympathetic Nervous System
It restores the body’s reserves of energy after an action has occurred. Heart rate and blood pressure are normalized, breathing is slowed, and digestion returns to normal.
Forebrain
Central Core of the brain—thalamus, hypothalamus, “higher thinking”
Midbrain Part of the brain stem with the medulla oblongata and pons Located above the pons Collects sensory information and sends it to other parts of the brain
Hindbrain
Rear base of the skull Controls movement, posture & balance
Cerebellum
It rests under the cerebrum. It is involved in balance and coordination. “Little Brain”
Genes
The basic building blocks of heredity Traits are determined by pairs of genes, with one genes in each pair inherited from each parent. Psychological traits involve combinations of genes, as well as environmental factors. Genes are found in chromosomes.
Pituitary Gland
“Master gland” releasing hormones
Lobes of the Brain
4 Lobes Frontal Lobe—critical thinking skills Occipital Lobe—vision Temporal Lobe—Hearing Parietal Lobe—Touch (temperature, pain)
Corpus Callosum
Connects the 2 hemispheres of our brain and carries messages between them
Neuron
a nerve cell; the basic building block of the nerves
Axon
Tube like structure attached to a neuron that transmits impulses away from the neuron cell body
Dendrites
The branchlike extensions of a neuron that receive impulses and conduct them toward the cell body.
Cell Body
The part of a neuron that produces the energy needed for the activity of the cell.
Myelin
A white fatty substance that insulates and protects the axon and speeds up the transmission of the message.
Axon Terminal
The smaller fibers that branch out at the end of the axon.
Synapse
A junction between axon terminals of one neuron and the dendrites of another neuron Messages travel in one direction New synapses develop when we learn something new
Neurotransmitter
Chemicals that are stored in sacs in axon terminals
What is the purpose for generating scans of the brain?
Scans of the Brain Scans are used to locate tumors, study psychological disorders, brain damage, early diagnosis of cancer and aid with difficult or intricate surgery
What is the difference between fraternal and identical twins?
Twins Fraternal twins are two separate embryos and identical twins were 1 embryo that divided
Where does our personality come from (think about the nature vs. nurture)?
Personality & Nature v. Nurture Different Psychologist argue if our personality is pre-determined in our DNA—but even identical twins have differences, which can be accounted for by our environment and experiences we have as individuals
What does the Autonomic Nervous System do?
The Subdivision of peripheral nervous system that regulates body functions, such as respiration and digestion. The word autonomic means “occurring involuntarily” The autonomic nervous system has two divisions: The sympathetic and parasymphathetic nervous systems. These systems generally have opposing functions
What does the Sympathetic Nervous System do?
Prepares the body by suppressing digestion, increasing the heart and respiration rates and also elevating the blood pressure. The sympathetic System reacts to stress: the parasympathetic system restores peace.
Right Brain
Can memorize music Daydreams Loves cats Creative Spontaneous Procrastinates Visual Learners Prefers Groups Better at Geometry Drawing Intuitive Good at Sports, arts Prefers rock music Absentminded
Left Brain
More logical Better at math Rational Sequential Objective Time-oriented Needs to be in control Organized Verbal learners Copy or trace pictures Prefers non-fiction, realistic or action stories Need quiet to study Dog Lovers