1. Body and Behavior

2. The Nervous System: The Basic Structure

3. The nervous system is divided into two parts: Central Nervous System (CNS) : the brain and spinal cord Spinal Cord : nerves that run down the length of the back and transmit most messages between the body and brain Peripheral Nervous System (PNS): nerves branching out from the spinal cord

4. Neurons Neurons: the long, thin cells of nerve tissue along which messages travel to and from the brain Neurotransmitters: the chemicals released by neurons, which determine the rate at which other neurons fire.

5. Synapse Synapse: the gap that exists between individual nerve cells

6. Voluntary and Involuntary Activities Somatic Nervous System (SNS) : refers to the part of the peripheral nervous system that controls voluntary activities. Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) : the part of the peripheral nervous system that controls internal biological functions

8. Studying the Brain Hindbrain: a part of the brain located at the rear base of the skull that is involved in the basic processes of life.

9. Midbrain : a small part of the brain above the pons that integrates sensory information and relays it upward

10. Forebrain : a part of the brain that covers the brain’s central core

11. The Lobes of the Brain Lobes: the different regions into which the cerebral cortex is divided

12. Left and Right Hemispheres

13. How Psychologists Study the Brain Electroencephalograph (EEG): a machine used to record the electrical activity of large portions of the brain

14. Brain Stimulation

15. Lesions

16. Accidents

17. Images Computerized Axial Tomography (CAT) : An imaging technique used to study the brain to pinpoint injuries and brain deterioration.

18. Positron Emission Tomography (PET): An imaging technique used to see which brain areas are being activated while performing tasks

19. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): An imaging technique used to study brain structure and activity

20. The Endocrine System Endocrine System: a chemical communication system, using hormones, by which messages are sent through the bloodstream Hormones: chemical substances that carry messages through the body in blood

21. Pituitary Gland: the center of control of the endocrine system that secretes a large number of hormones

22. Thyroid Gland: produces the hormone thyroxine which stimulates certain chemical reactions that are important for all tissues of the body.

23. Adrenal Glands: become active when a person is angry or frightened, they release epinephrine and norepinephrine into the bloodstream

24. Heredity and Environment

25. Twin Studies Identical Twins: twins who come from one fertilized egg; twins having the same heredity Genes: the basic building blocks of heredity

26. Fraternal Twins: twins who come from two different eggs fertilized by two different sperm