PSYC 2200 EXAM 1 STUDY GUIDE
corpus callosum - Answers - large bundle of nerve fibers that connects corresponding
parts of one side of the brain with those of the other
split-brain operation - Answers - brain surgery occasionally performed to treat epilepsy;
surgeon cuts corpus callosum
generalization - Answers - type of scientific explanation; a general conclusion based on
many observations of similar phenomena
reduction - Answers - type of scientific explanation; a phenomenon is described in terms
of the more elementary processes that underlie it
model - Answers - a mathematical/physical analogy for a physiological process; for
example, computers have been used as model for various functions of the brain
reflex - Answers - an automatic, stereotyped movement produced as the direct result of
a stimulus
experimental ablation - Answers - the research method in which the function of a part of
the brain is inferred by observing the behaviors an animal can no longer perform after
that part is damaged
functionalism - Answers - the principle that the best way to understand a biological
phenomenon (a behavior/physiological structure) is to try to understand its useful
functions for the organism
mutation - Answers - a change in the genetic info contained in the chromosomes of
sperm/eggs, which can be passed on to an organism's offspring; provides genetic
variability
behavioral neuroscientist - Answers - - aka physiological psychologist
- scientist who studies the physiology of behavior, primarily by performing physiological
and behavioral experiments with lab animals
cerebral hemispheres - Answers - 2 symmetrical halves of the brain; they constitute the
major part of the brain
sensory neuron - Answers - neuron that detects changes in the external/internal
environment and sends info about these changes to the CNS
motor neuron - Answers - neuron located within the CNS that controls the contraction of
a muscle or the secretion of a gland
, interneuron - Answers - a neuron located entirely within the CNS
-local interneurons form circuits with nearly neurons and analyze small pieces of info
- relay interneurons connect circuits of local interneurons in one region of the brain with
those in other regions
Central Nervous System (CNS) - Answers - includes the brain and spinal cord
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) - Answers - part of the nervous system outside the
brain and spinal cord, including the nerves attached to the brain and spinal cord
soma - Answers - cell body of a neuron, contains the nucleus
dendrite - Answers - a branched, treelike structure attached to the soma of a neuron;
receives info from the terminal buttons of other neurons
synapse - Answers - junction between terminal buttons of an axon and the membrane of
another neuron
axon - Answers - the long, thin, cylindrical structure that conveys info from the soma of
a neuron to its terminal buttons
multipolar neuron - Answers - a neuron with one axon and many dendrites attached to
its soma
bipolar neuron - Answers - a neuron with one axon and one dendrite attached to its
soma
unipolar neuron - Answers - a neuron with one axon attached to its soma; the axon
divides, with one branch receiving sensory info and the other sending the info into the
CNS
terminal button - Answers - the bud at the end of a branch of an axon; forms synapses
with another neuron and sends info to that neuron
neurotransmitter - Answers - a chemical that is released by a terminal button; has an
excitatory or inhibitory effect on another neuron
membrane - Answers - structure consisting principally of lipid molecules that defines the
outer boundaries of a cell and also constitutes many of the cell organelles
cytoplasm - Answers - the viscous, semi-liquid substance contained in the interior of a
cell
mitochondria - Answers - an organelle that is responsible for extracting energy from
nutrients
corpus callosum - Answers - large bundle of nerve fibers that connects corresponding
parts of one side of the brain with those of the other
split-brain operation - Answers - brain surgery occasionally performed to treat epilepsy;
surgeon cuts corpus callosum
generalization - Answers - type of scientific explanation; a general conclusion based on
many observations of similar phenomena
reduction - Answers - type of scientific explanation; a phenomenon is described in terms
of the more elementary processes that underlie it
model - Answers - a mathematical/physical analogy for a physiological process; for
example, computers have been used as model for various functions of the brain
reflex - Answers - an automatic, stereotyped movement produced as the direct result of
a stimulus
experimental ablation - Answers - the research method in which the function of a part of
the brain is inferred by observing the behaviors an animal can no longer perform after
that part is damaged
functionalism - Answers - the principle that the best way to understand a biological
phenomenon (a behavior/physiological structure) is to try to understand its useful
functions for the organism
mutation - Answers - a change in the genetic info contained in the chromosomes of
sperm/eggs, which can be passed on to an organism's offspring; provides genetic
variability
behavioral neuroscientist - Answers - - aka physiological psychologist
- scientist who studies the physiology of behavior, primarily by performing physiological
and behavioral experiments with lab animals
cerebral hemispheres - Answers - 2 symmetrical halves of the brain; they constitute the
major part of the brain
sensory neuron - Answers - neuron that detects changes in the external/internal
environment and sends info about these changes to the CNS
motor neuron - Answers - neuron located within the CNS that controls the contraction of
a muscle or the secretion of a gland
, interneuron - Answers - a neuron located entirely within the CNS
-local interneurons form circuits with nearly neurons and analyze small pieces of info
- relay interneurons connect circuits of local interneurons in one region of the brain with
those in other regions
Central Nervous System (CNS) - Answers - includes the brain and spinal cord
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) - Answers - part of the nervous system outside the
brain and spinal cord, including the nerves attached to the brain and spinal cord
soma - Answers - cell body of a neuron, contains the nucleus
dendrite - Answers - a branched, treelike structure attached to the soma of a neuron;
receives info from the terminal buttons of other neurons
synapse - Answers - junction between terminal buttons of an axon and the membrane of
another neuron
axon - Answers - the long, thin, cylindrical structure that conveys info from the soma of
a neuron to its terminal buttons
multipolar neuron - Answers - a neuron with one axon and many dendrites attached to
its soma
bipolar neuron - Answers - a neuron with one axon and one dendrite attached to its
soma
unipolar neuron - Answers - a neuron with one axon attached to its soma; the axon
divides, with one branch receiving sensory info and the other sending the info into the
CNS
terminal button - Answers - the bud at the end of a branch of an axon; forms synapses
with another neuron and sends info to that neuron
neurotransmitter - Answers - a chemical that is released by a terminal button; has an
excitatory or inhibitory effect on another neuron
membrane - Answers - structure consisting principally of lipid molecules that defines the
outer boundaries of a cell and also constitutes many of the cell organelles
cytoplasm - Answers - the viscous, semi-liquid substance contained in the interior of a
cell
mitochondria - Answers - an organelle that is responsible for extracting energy from
nutrients
