One of two types of cells in the nervous system; nerve cells that handle the information processing function

Frontal, Parietal, Temporal, Occipital

begins where the spinal cord enters the skull; structure controls many vital functions, such as breathing and heart rate; also regulates our reflexes.

The stem like brain area that includes much of the hindbrain (excluding the cerebellum) and the midbrain; connects with the spinal cord at its lower end and then extends upward to encase the reticular formation in the midbrain.

A loosely connected network of structures under the cerebral cortex, important in both memory and emotion. Its two principal structures are the amygdala and hippocampus

Involved in fear and the discrimination of objects necessary for organism's survival. Functions: fear and aggression (fight or flight)

The structure in the limbic system that has a special role in the storage of memories

Relays information between lower and higher brain centers. Functions: attention and focus

Governs eating, drinking, and sex; plays a role in emotion and stress, sense of time

Body Movements, affected by alcohol

Part of the forebrain, the outer layer of the brain, responsible for the most complex mental functions, such as thinking and planning

Visual stimuli

Hearing, language processing, and memory

Personality, intelligence, control of voluntary muscles

Spatial location, attention, motor control

Body sensations

Processes information about voluntary movement

Large bundle of axons that connects the brain's two hemispheres, responsible for relaying info between two sides

language, speech, reading, right body

spatial information, nonverbal information, visual recognition, emotion, left body

body's electrochemical communication circuitry

brain and spinal cord

network of nerves connecting CNS to other parts of body

convey information from skin and muscles to CNS using sensory and motor nerves

take messages to and from internal organs

mobilizes body for action

calms body

brain's special capacity for change

responses of individuals to environmental stressors

circumstances and events that threaten individuals and tax their coping abilities

treelike fibers projecting from a neuron, receive information and orient it toward the neuron's cell body

contains the nucleus, which directs the manufacture of substances that the neuron needs for growth and maintenance

carries information away from the cell body toward other cells

consisting of a layer of cells containing fat, encases and insulates most axons

brief wave of positive electrical charge that sweeps down axon

tiny space between neurons; neurotransmitters transmit information across space

chemical signals which allow electrical impulses to cross synaptic gaps; stored in synaptic vesicles within terminal buttons

keeps neurons from firing; anxiety with low levels

fires neurons in CNS; excites heart, muscle, intestines, urogenital tract, stress, alertness; depression with low levels; manic state with high levels

affects sleep, mood, attention, learning; depression with low levels

controls voluntary movement and effects sleep, mood, attention, learning, ability to recognize rewards; related to extroversion; Parkinson disease with low levels; Schizophrenia with high levels

natural opiates that mainly stimulate the firing of neurons; shield the body from pain and elevate feelings of pleasure

drug that mimics or increases neurotransmitter's effects

drug that blocks a neurotransmitter's effects

plays role in production of speech

effects speech comprehension

threadlike structures that come in 23 pairs, one member of each pair originating from each parent

units of hereditary information consisting of short segments of chromosomes composed of DNA

complex molecule that carries genetic information

Sensory nerves; carry information to brain and spinal cord

Motor nerves; carry information out of brain and spinal cord to muscles

Integration of sensory input and motor output

Stress hormones

Nerve cells that provide support and nutritional benefits

Responsible for empathy and understanding

Stimulates firing of neurons; involved in action of muscles, learning, memory; Alzheimer disease deficiency

hormone and neurotransmitter; important role in experience of love and social bonding

Dominant gene overrides recessive gene

Influence of multi genes on behavior

Manipulation of genes using technology to determine their effect on behavior

Genetic method used to demonstrate importance of genetic influence on behavior

study of the relationship between heredity and behavior (I.e. Twin studies)

genetic makeup/heritage

observable characteristics

Activity of genes is affected by their environment