PGS 101 Chapter 2

The shifting change in charge that moves down the axon

Occurs when people choose, partly based on genetic tendencies, toput themselves in specific situations and to avoid others

A chemical that mimics the effects of a neurotransmitter by activating a type ofreceptor

A chemical that blocks the effect of a neurotransmitter

The sending end of the neuron; the long cable-like structure extending from thecell body

Subcortical structures that play a role in planning, learning newhabits and producing movement

A set of neurons that work together to receive input, operate on it insome way, and produce specific outcome

The central part of a neuron (or other cell), which contains the nucleus

The skin that surrounds a cell

A large structure at the base of the brain that is concerned in part withphysical coordination, estimating time and paying attention

The convoluted pinkish-gray outer layer of the brain where most mentalprocesses arise

A left or right half-brain, shaped roughly like half a sphere

The treelike part of a neuron that receives messages from the axons of other neurons

Occurs when genetically influenced characteristics (both behavioraland physical) induce other people to behave in particular ways

The genetic code within an organism

A type of cell that helps neurons and generally helps in the “care andfeeding” of neurons

A subcortical structure that plays a key role in allowing new information to bestored in the brain’s memory banks

A brain structure that sits under the thalamus and plays a central role incontrolling eating and drinking and in regulating the body’s temperature, bloodpressure, heart rate, sexual behavior and hormones

A neuron that is connected to other neurons, not to sense organs or muscles

A region of impaired brain tissue

The four major parts of each cerebral hemisphere—occipital, temporal, parietal, andfrontal; each lobe is present in each hemisphere

A neuron that sends signals to muscles in order to control movement (andalso to bodily organs, such as glands)

A fatty substance that helps impulses efficiently travel down the axon

A cell that receives signals from sense organs or other neurons, processes thesesignals, and sends the signals to muscles, organs or other neurons; the basicunit of the nervous system

The brain lobes at the back of the head; concerned entirely withdifferent aspects of vision

The brain lobes at the top, rear of the brain; among their functions areattention, arithmetic, touch and registering special location

Occurs when genetically shaped behavioral tendencies of parents orsiblings produce an environment that is passively received by the child

The observable structure and behavior of an organism

The brain’s ability to change as a result of experience

A process whereby certain connections among neurons are eliminated

A site on a dendrite or cell body where a neurotransmitter, molecule attachesitself; like a lock that is opened by one key, a receptor receives only one typeof neurotransmitter

The negative charge within a neuron when it is at rest

The process by which surplus neurotransmitter in the synaptic cleft is reabsorbedback into the sending neuron so that the neuron can effectively fire again

A cause of brain damage that occurs when blood (with its life-giving nutrientsand oxygen) fails to reach part of the brain, and thus neurons in that area die

The place where an axon of one neuron sends signals to the membrane (on a dendriteor cell body) of another neuron; the synapse includes the sending portions ofan axon, the receiving portions of the receiving neuron, and the space betweenthem

The gap in the synapse between the axon of one neuron and the membrane ofanother across which communication occurs

The brain lobes under the temples, in front of the ears; among its manyfunctions are processing sound, entering new information into memory, storingvisual memories, and comprehending language

A structure at the end of the branch of an axon that can releasechemicals into the space between neurons

A subcortical structure that receives signals from sensory and motor systems andplays a crucial role in attention, sleep, and the other functions critical todaily life; often thought of as a switching center