AP Psych Unit 2 Test

All the vocab from unit 2

Biological Psychologists

the scientific study of the links between biological (genetic, neural, hormonal) and psychological processes (some biological psychologists call themselves behavioral neuroscientists, neuropsychologists, behavioral genetisits, etc,)

neuron

a nerve cell; the base building block of the nervous system

dendrites

a neuron’s bushy, branching extensions that receive messages and conduct impulses toward the cell body

axon

the neural extension that passes messages through its branches to other neurons or to muscles or glands

myelin

sheath; a fatty tissue layer segmentally encasing the axons of some neurons; enables vastly of some neurons’ enables vastly greater transmission speed as neural; impulses hope from one sausage-like node to the next

action potential

a neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon

refractory period

a period of inactivity after a neuron has fired

threshold

level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse

all-or-none-response

a neuron’s reaction of either firing (with a full-strength response) or not firing

synapse

the junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron. the tiny gap at this junction is called the synaptic gap of synaptic cleft

neurotransmitter

chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gabs between neurons. When released by the sending neuron, neurotransmitters travel across the synapse and bind to receptor sites on the receiving neuron, thereby influencing whether that neuron will generate a neural impulse

reuptake

a neurotransmitter’s reabsorption by the sending neuron

endorphins

“morphine within” - natural, opiate-like neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure

agonist

a molecule that, by binding to a receptor site, stimulates a response

antagonist

a molecule that, by binding to a receptor side, inhibits or blocks a response

nervous sytstem

the body’s speedy, electrochemical communication network, consisting of all the nerve cells of the peripheral and central nervous system

central nervous system

the brain and spinal cord

peripheral nervous system

the sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system (CNS) to the rest of the body

nerves

bundled axons that form neural “cables” connecting the central neurons system with muscles, glands, and sense organs

sensory (afferent) neurons

neurons that carry incoming information from the sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord

motor (efferent) neurons

neurons that carry outgoing information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands

interneurons

neurons within the brain and spinal cord that communicate internally and intervene between the sensory inputs and motor outputs

somatic nervous sustem

the division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body’s skeletal muscles. Also called the skeletal nervous system

autonomic nervous system

the part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organs (such as the heart), its sympathetic division arouses; its parasympathetic division calms

sympathetic nervous system

the division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilize its energy in stressful situations

parasympathetic nervous sustem

the division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy

reflex

a simple. automatic response to a sensory stimulus, such as the knee-jerk response

endocrine system

the body’s “slow” chemical communication system; a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream

hormones

chemical messengers tat are manufactured by the endocrine glands travel through he bloodstream and affect other tissues

adrenal glands

a pair of endocrine glands hat sit just above the kidneys and secrete hormones (epinephrine and norepinephrine) that help arouse the body in times of stress

pituitary glands

the endocrine system’s most influential gland. Under the influence of hypothalamus, the pituitary regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands

circadian rhythm

the biological clock, regular bodily rhythms that occur on a 24-hour cycle

REM sleep

rapid eye movement sleep; a recurring sleep stage during which vivid dreams commonly occur. Also known as paradoxical sleep, because the muscles are relaxed but other body systems are active

alpha waves

the relatively slow brain waves of a relaxed, awake state

sleep

loss of consciousness-as distinct from unconsciousness resulting from a coma, general anesthesia, or hibernation

hallucinations

false sensory experiences, such as seeing something in the absence of an external visual stimulus

delta waves

the large, slow brain waves associated with deep sleep

NREM sleep

non-rapid eye movement sleep; encompasses all sleep stages except for REM sleep

suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)

a pair of cell clusters in the hypothalamus that controls circadian rhythm. In response to light, the SCN causes the pineal gland to adjust melatonin production, thus modifying our feelings of sleepiness

insomnia

recurring problems in falling or staying asleep

narcolepsy

a sleep disorder characterized by uncontrollable sleep attacks. The sufferer may lapse directly into REM sleep, often at inopportune times

sleep apnea

a sleep disorder characterized by temporary cessations of breathing during sleep and repeated momentary awakenings

night terrors

a sleep disorder characterized by high arousal and an appearance of being terrified; unlike nightmares, night terrors occur during NREM-3 sleep, within two or three hours of falling asleep, and are seldom remembered

dream

a sequence of images, emotions, and thoughts passing through a sleeping person’s mind. Dreams are notable for their hallucinatory imagery, discontinuities, and incongruities, and for the dreamer’s delusional acceptance of the content and later difficulties remembering it

manifest content

according to Freud, the remembered story line of a dream

latent content

according to Freud, the underlying meaning of a dream

REM rebound

the tendency for REM sleep to increase following REM sleep deprivation

substance use disorder

continued substance craving and use despite significant life disruption and/or physical risk

psychoactive drug

a chemical substance that alters perceptions and moods

tolerance

the diminishing effect with regular use of the same dose of a drug, requiring the user to take larger and larger doses before experiencing the drug’s effect

addiction

compulsive craving of drugs or certain behaviors depite known adverse consequences

withdrawal

the discomfort and distress that follow discontinuing and addictive drug or behavior

depressants

drugs (such as alcohol, barbiturates, and opiates) that reduce neural activity and slow body functions

alcohol use disorder

alcohol use marked by tolerance, withdrawal, and a drive to continue problematic use

barbiturates

drugs that depress central nervous system activity, reducing anxiety by impairing memory and judgment

opiates

opium and its derivatives, such as morphine and heroin; they depress neural activity, temporarily lessening pain and anxiety

stimulants

drugs that excite neural activity and speed up body functions

amphetamines

drugs that stimulate neural activity, causing speeded-up body functions and associated energy and mood changes

nicotine

a stimulating and highly addictive and psychoactive drug in tobacco

cocaine

a powerful and addictive stimulant, derived from the coca plant, producing temporarily increased alertness and euphoria

metahamphetamine

a powerfully addictive drug that stimulates the central nervous system, with speeded-up body functions and associated energy and mood changes over time, appears to reduce baseline dopamine levels

ecstasy (MDMA)

a synthetic stimulant and mild hallucinogen. Produces euphoria and social intimacy, but with short-term health risks and longer-term harm to serotonin-producing neurons and to mood and cognition

hallucinogens

psychedelic drugs, such as LSD, that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input

LSD

a powerful hallucinogenic drug; also known as acid

near-death experience

an altered state of consciousness reported after a close brush with death; often similar to drug-induced hallucinations

THC

the major active ingredient in marijuana; triggers a variety of effects, including mild hallucinations

behavior genetics

the study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior

environment

every external influence, from prenatal nutrition to the people and things around us

chromosomes

threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes

DNA

complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes

genes

the biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosomes; segments of DNA capable of synthsizing proteins

genome

the complete instructions for making an organism, consisting of all the genetic material in that organism’s chromosomes

identical twins (monozygotic twins)

twins who develop from a single fertilized egg that splits in two, creating two genetically identical organisms

fraternal twins (zygotic twins)

twins who develop from separate fertilized eggs. They are genetically no closer than brothers and sisters, but they share a fetal environment

molecular genetics

the subfield of biology that studies the molecular structure and function of genes

heritability

the proportion of variation among individuals that we can attribute to genes. The ___ of a trait may vary, depending on the range of populations and environments studied

interaction

the interplay that occurs when the effect of one factor (such as environment) depends on another factor (such as heredity)

epigenetics

the study of environmental influences on gene expression that occur without a DNA change

evolutionary psychology

the study of the mind, using principles of natural selection

natural selection

the principle that, among the range of inherited trait variations, those contributing to reproduction and survival will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations

mutation

a random error in gene replication that leads to a change

lesion

Tissue destruction; naturally or experimentally caused destruction of brain tissue leaving surrounding tissue unharmed

electroencephalogram (EEG)

an amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity sweeping across the brains surface. These are measured by electrodes placed on scalp.

CT (computed tomography)

series of x-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by computer into a composite representation of a slice of the brain structure

pons

help coordinate movement

PET (position emission tomography) scan

a visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)

a technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer generated images of soft tissue; show brain anatomy

fMRI (functional MRI)

a technique for revealing blood flow and, therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans; show brain function as well as its structure

brainstem

the oldest part and central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull; the brainstem is responsible for automatic survival functions

medulla

the base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing

thalamus

the brain’s sensory control center, located on top of the brainstem; it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla.

reticular formation

a nerve network that travels through the brainstem and thalamus and plays an important role in controlling arousal

amygdala

two lima-bean-sized neural clusters in the limbic system; linked to emotion

hypothalaums

a neural structure lying below the thalamus; it directs several maintenance activities, helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion and reward

cerebral cortex

the intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering the cerebral hemispheres; the body’s ultimate control and information-processing center

glial cells

cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons; they may also play a role in learning and thinking

frontal lobes

portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead; involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgments

parietal lobes

portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head and toward the rear; receives sensory input for touch and body position

occipital lobes

portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head; includes areas that receive information from the visual fields

temporal lobes

portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears; includes the auditory areas, each receiving information primarily from the opposite ear