More AP psych

Cerebrum

largest part of brain (“big brain”); handles thinking, memory, personality, senses, voluntary movement; split into lobes; 👉 Trick: “Cerebrum = smart brain”

Cerebellum

“little brain” under cerebrum; controls balance, coordination, posture, fine motor skills; 👉 Trick: “Cerebellum = ballerina balance”

Motor Cortex

back of frontal lobe; controls voluntary movement; 👉 Trick: “Motor = movement”

Sensory Cortex (Somatosensory)

front of parietal lobe; processes touch, pressure, temperature, pain; 👉 Trick: “Sensory = senses”

Polarized Neuron

resting state; inside = negative, outside = positive; not firing

Depolarized Neuron

firing state; positive ions rush in, action potential occurs; 👉 Trick: “Depolarized = doing something”

Pituitary Gland hormones

growth hormone, oxytocin (“master gland”)

Adrenal Glands hormones

adrenaline (epinephrine), cortisol (stress)

Pancreas hormones

insulin, glucagon (blood sugar regulation)

Thyroid hormones

thyroxine (metabolism)

Gonads hormones

estrogen, progesterone, testosterone

Acetylcholine (ACh)

muscle movement, memory; lack → Alzheimer’s

Dopamine

pleasure, reward, movement; too much → schizophrenia; too little → Parkinson’s

Serotonin

mood, sleep, appetite; low → depression

Norepinephrine

alertness, arousal

GABA

main inhibitory neurotransmitter; lack → seizures, insomnia

Glutamate

main excitatory neurotransmitter; too much → migraines, seizures

Endorphins

natural painkillers, euphoria

Frontal Lobe

decision-making, planning, movement, speaking

Parietal Lobe

touch, spatial awareness

Occipital Lobe

vision

Temporal Lobe

hearing, language, memory; 👉 Trick: “F-POT”

REM Sleep

dreaming stage; brain active, body paralyzed; important for memory, learning, emotions; cycle ~90 min, REM gets longer each time; 👉 Trick: “REM = Really Exciting Mind”

Beta Waves

13–30 Hz; awake & alert, active thinking

Alpha Waves

8–12 Hz; relaxed, calm, meditating

Theta Waves

4–7 Hz; light sleep, drowsy, hypnagogic imagery

Delta Waves

0.5–3 Hz; deep sleep, slow-wave, body restores

NREM Stage 1

light sleep; theta waves; easy to wake; hypnic jerks

NREM Stage 2

slightly deeper sleep; theta waves + sleep spindles & K-complexes; HR slows, temp drops

NREM Stage 3 (Slow-Wave)

deep sleep; delta waves; hard to wake; body repairs, strengthens immune system

REM Stage

brain active (beta-like waves); rapid eye movement; body paralyzed; dreaming; memory consolidation

Depressants

“downers”; slow CNS; increase GABA; relaxation, drowsiness; ex: alcohol, barbiturates, benzos

Stimulants

“uppers”; speed CNS; increase dopamine & norepinephrine; alertness, energy; ex: caffeine, nicotine, cocaine, amphetamines

Opiates / Opioids

pain relief & euphoria; mimic endorphins, bind to opioid receptors; ex: heroin, morphine, codeine

Hallucinogens / Psychedelics

alter perception & thoughts; serotonin agonists; ex: LSD, mushrooms, PCP

Cannabis (Marijuana)

THC binds to endocannabinoid receptors; mild euphoria, altered perception, memory impairment

MDMA (Ecstasy)

stimulant + mild hallucinogen; increases serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine; euphoria, sensory enhancement, dehydration risk