Biological Psych Vocab (Units 2-3)

AP Psychology

biological psychology

the study of the links between biological and psychological processes.

neuron

a nerve cell; basic building block of nervous system

dendrite

a neuron extension that receives and conducts messages.

axon

a neuron extension that passes messages through it branches to other neurons.

myelin sheath

a tissue layer that encases the axons of a neuron.

action potential

a neuron impulse

threshold

the minimum level of stimulation that is required to trigger a neural impulse (action potential).

synapse

the junction between the axon tip of a sending neuron and the dendrite/cell body of a receiving neuron

neurotransmitters

chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons.

(AcH) Acetylcholine

a neurotransmitter than enables voluntary muscle action, autonomic functions (heart rate, digestion, blood pressure regulation) learning, and memory

endorphins

a neurotransmitter linked to pain control and pleasure.

nervous system

the body’s electrochemical communication network, consisting of all nerve cells of the peripheral and central _______ ______.

central nervous system

a network of the brain that controls all actions, thoughts, and automatic functions. contains the brain and spinal cord.

peripheral nervous system

system of sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system to the rest of the body.

sensory neurons

nerve cells that carry incoming information from sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord.

motor neurons

nerve cells that carry outgoing information from the central nervous system to the muscles and glands.

interneurons

nerve cells within the central nervous system that communicate internally and intervene between sensory inputs and motor outputs.

somatic nervous system

a part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body’s skeletal muscles, voluntary movements, and processes external sensory information

autonomic nervous system

a part of the peripheral nervous system that controls involuntary, automatic internal body functions like heart rate, blood pressure, and digestion.

sympathetic nervous system

a part of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body and mobilizes its energy.

parasympathetic nervous system

a part of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body and conserves its energy.

reflex

a simple, automatic response to a sensory stimulus

endocrine system

the body’s “slow” chemical communication system; secretes hormones into the bloodstream.

hormones

chemical messengers created by the endocrine glands that travel through the bloodstream and affect other bodily tissues.

adrenal glands

a pair of endocrine glands, secretes hormones that help arouse the body in stress.

pitutiary gland

the most influential gland of the endocrine system; regulates growth and controls other glands.

leison

tissue destruction

electroencephalogram (EEG)

an amplified recording of the electrical activity across the brain

PET scan

a display of brain activity, detects where radioactive glucose goes while the brain completes a task.

MRI

a medical device that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to make computer generated images of soft tissue.

fMRI (functional MRI)

a medical device that reveals blood flow and brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans.

cerebellum

located in the back of the brain;

helps coordinate voluntary movements, as well as balance and sense of equilibrium

medulla

located at the top of the spinal cord, very bottom of the brain, part of the brain stem;

controls life-supporting functions like respiration, digestion, heartbeat, blood pressure.

pons

located on top of the medulla;

links the medulla and the cerebellum to the upper parts of the brain, helps coordinate movement (left-right body coordination), influences sleep, dreaming, and arousal.