BIOPSYCHOLOGY

• Lesion


  An injury to neural tissue that can be either naturally occurring or deliberately produced
• Autopsy


  The examination of body tissues following death
• Electroencephalogram (EEG)


  A technology for studying the activity of the brain through recordings from electrodes placed on the scalp; Studying brain activity, primarily during sleep or seizures
• Positron Emission Tomography (PET)


  An imaging technique that provides information regarding the localization of brain activity; Studying the relative activity of nervous system structures
• Histology


  The study of cells and tissues on the microscopic level
• Cerebellum


  A structure located in the metencephalon that participates in balance, muscle tone, muscle coordination, some types of learning, and possibly higher cognitive functions in humans
• Hypothalamus


  A structure found in the diencephalon that participates in the regulation of hunger, thirst, sexual behavior, and aggression; part of the limbic system
• Amygdala


  An almond-shaped structure in the rostral temporal lobes that is part of the limbic system; It plays important roles in fear, rage, and aggression
• Meninges


  The layers of membranes that cover the central nervous system and the peripheral nerves
• Peripheral Nervous System


  The nerves exiting the brain and spinal cord that serve sensory and motor functions for the rest of the body
• Optic Nerve


  A cranial nerve carrying information from the eyes to the brain
• Biological Psychology


  The branch of psychology that studies the biological foundation of behavior, emotions and mental processes
• Rene Descartes


  Proposed that the bodies of both humans and animals worked mechanically and the mind body dualism
• Galvani and Du Bois-Reymond


  Discovered that electricity transmits messages in the nervous system
• Otto Loewi


  Demonstrated chemical signaling at the synapse
• CT Scan


  An imaging technology in which computers are used to enhanced X-RAY images
• MRI


  An imaging technology that provides very high-resolution structural images
• Lesion


  An injury to neural tissue and can be either naturally occurring or deliberately produced
• Stem Cell


  An undifferentiated cell that can divide and differentiate into other type of cells
• Caudal/Posterior


  A directional term meaning toward the tail of a four-legged animal
• Ipsilateral


  A directional term referring to structures on the same side of midline
• Lateral


  A directional term meaning away from the midline
• Distal


  A directional term meaning farther away from another structure, usually in reference to limbs
• Coronal Section


  An anatomical section dividing the brain front to back, parallel to the face. Also known as a frontal section
• Horizontal Section


  An anatomical section that divides the brain from top to bottom
• Midsagittal Section


  A sagittal section that divides the brain into two approximately equal halves
• Meninges


  The layers of membranes that cover the central nervous system and peripheral nerves
• Cerebrospinal Fluid


  The special plasma like fluid circulating within the ventricles of the brain, the central canal of the spinal cord, and the subarachnoid space
• Dura Mater


  The outermost of the three layers of meninges, found in both the central and peripheral nervous systems
• Ventricle


  One of four hollow spaces within the brain that contain cerebrospinal fluid
• Carotid Artery


  One of the two major blood vessels that travel up the sides of the neck to supply the brain
• Central Nervous System


  Spinal Cord and Brain
• Spinal Cord


  A long cylinder of nervous tissue extending from the medulla to the first lumbar vertebra
• Vertebral Column


  The bones of the spinal column that protect and enclose the spinal cord
• Gray Matter


  An area of neural tissue primarily made up of cell bodies
• Withdrawal Reflex


  A spinal reflex that pulls a body part away from a source of pain
• Midbrain


  The division of the brain lying between the hindbrain and forebrain
• Metencephalon


  The division of the hindbrain containing the pons and cerebellum
• Pons


  A structure located in the metencephalon between the medulla and midbrain; part of the brainstem located in the hindbrain
• Pituitary Gland


  A gland located just above the roof of the mouth that is connected to the hypothalamus and serves as a major source of hormones