Psychology Chapter 3 action potential allornone law -...

1Psychology
Chapter 3
action potential- the nerve impulse activated in a neuron that travels down the axon and causes
neurotransmitters to be released into a synapse
all-or-none law- the rule that the action potential is unaffected by increases in the intensity of
stimulation beyond the threshold level
amygdala- the part of the limbic system that control emotion, aggression, and the formation of
emotional memory
association cortex - the parts of the cerebral cortex in which many high-level brain processes
occur
auditory cortex- the are of the temporal lobes that receives and processes auditory information
autonomic nervous system (ANS) -
axon- the extended fiber of a neuron through which nerves impulses travel from the soma to the
terminal buttons
brain stem- the brain structure that regulates the body’s basic life processes
broca’s areas- the region of the brain that translates thoughts into speech or signs
central nervous system (CNS)- the part of the nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal
cord
cerebellum- the region of the brain attached to the brain stem that controls motor coordination,
posture, and balance as well as the ability to learn control of body movements
cerebral cortex- the outer surface of the cerebrum
cerebral hemisphere- the two halves of the cerebrum, connected by the corpus callosum
cerebrum- the region of the brain that regulates higher cognitive and emotional functions
corpus callosum- the mass of nerve fibers connecting the two hemispheres of the cerebrum
dendrites- the branched fibers of neurons that receive incoming signals
DNA- the physical basis for the transmission of genetic information
electroencephalogram (EEG)- a recording of the electrical activity of the brain
endocrine system- the network of glands that manufacture and secrete hormones into the
bloodstream
estrogen- the female sex hormone, produced by the ovaries, that is responsible for the release of