Unit 5: The Brain & Neurotransmitters

AP Psych Module 4

biological psychology

the scientific study of the links between biological(genetic, neural, hormonal) and psychological processes.

What other names are some biological psychologists referred to as?

behavioral neuroscientists, neuropsychologists, behavior geneticists, physiological psychologists, or biopsychologists

biopsychosocial approach

an integrated approach that incorporates biological, psychological, and social-cultural levels of analysis

levels of analysis

the differing complementary views, from biological to psychological to social-cultural, for analyzing any given phenomenon

neuroplasticity

the brain’s ability to change, especially during childhood, by reorganizing after damage or by building new pathways based on experience

lesion

tissue destruction; brain lesions may occur naturally(from disease or trauma), during surgery, or experimentally(using electrodes to destroy brain cells)

EEG(electroencephalogram)

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

MEG(magnetoencephalography)

a brain-imaging technique that measures magnetic field from the brains natural electrical activity

CT(computed tomography)

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

PET(position emission tomography)

a technique for detecting brain activity that displays where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task

MRI(magnetic resonance imaging)

a technique that use magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer generated images of soft tissue(brain anatomy)

fMRI(functional MRI)

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

fNIRS(functional near-infrared spectroscopy)

shines infrared light on blood molecules to identify brain activity

hindbrain

consists of the medulla, pons, and cerebellum; directs essential survival functions, such as breathing, sleeping, and wakefulness, as well as coordination and balance

midbrain

found stop the brain stem; connects the hindbrain with the forebrain, controls some motor movement, and transmits auditory and visual information

forebrain

brainstem

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

thalamus

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

limbic system

neural system located mostly in the forebrain—below the cerebral hemispheres—that includes the amygdala, hypothalamus, hippocampus, thalamus, and pituitary gland; associated with emotions and drives

amygdala

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

hypothalamus

lies below(hypo) the thalamus; it directs several maintenance activities(eating, drinking, body temp), helps govern the endocrine system, and is linked to emotion and reward

hippocampus

a neural center in the limbic system that helps process explicit (conscious) memories—of facts and events—for storage

cerebral cortex

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

frontal lobes

the portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead. They enable linguistic processing

parietal lobes

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

occipital lobes

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

temporal lobes

the portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears; it includes the auditory areas that receive information primarily from the opposite ear. Also enable language processing

motor cortex

a cerebral cortex area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements

somatosensory cortex

a cerebral cortex area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensation

association areas

areas of the cerebral cortex that are not involved in primary motor or sensory functions, but rather are rather involved in higher mental function such a as learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking

neuron

nerve cells. Transport messages/signals between different parts of the body(mainly brain and other parts)

agonist

enhances the effect of a neurotransmitter. agonists mimics the neurotransmitter by occupying the receptors and activate them. The neurotransmitters are then trapped in the synaptic gap

antagonist

prevents the effects of neurotransmitter. Drugs that occupy receptors but do not activate the neurons and increases reuptake from presynaptic neuron

dopamine

helps control voluntary movement and affects sleep, mood, attention, learning, and the ability to recognize opportunities for rewarding experiences.

Excess: Schizophrenia

Deficit: Parkinson’s disease

serotonin

involved in the regulation of sleep, mood, attention, and learning. Also affects hunger and aggression.

Deficit: Depression

GABA

plays a key function in the brain by inhibiting many neurons from firing. Serves as the brain’s brake pedal, helping to regulate neuron firing and control the precision of the signal being carried from one neuron to the next.

acetylcholine(ACH)

involved in voluntary movement and muscle contraction, learning, memory, and sleep

deficit: Dementia and Alzheimers

Norepinephrine

helps control alertness and arousal(“fight or flight” response)

Glutamate

has a key role in exciting many neurons to fire and is especially involved in learning and memory

Endorphins

the body’s natural opiates—substances that reduce or eliminate pain

Neuropeptide(Substance P)

Transmitting pain signals between the brain and body

Drugs

External chemicals that have an impact on the function of neurotransmitters

stimulants

speed up neural activity and arouse body function

What are some common stimulants?

• caffeine

• nicotine

• amphetamines

• methamphetamine

• cocaine

• ecstasy/MDMA(methylenedioxymethamphetamine)

Depressants and Opioids

Depresses neural activity and slows down body function. Opioids are a kind of depressant that act as painkillers.

What are some common depressants and opioids?

• alcohol

• barbiturate(tranquilizers

• opiates/narcotics

• rohypnol (date rape drug)

hallucinogens

drugs that distort perceptions/evoke sensory images(hallucinations)

What are some common hallucinogens???

• LSD

• Ecstasy

• THC(marijuana)

tolerance

requiring larger and larger doses of a drug to feel the same effect

addiction

disease involving physical and/or psychological dependence

withdrawl

symptoms associated with stopping use

neurotransmitters

internal chemicals that allow neurons to communicate throughout the body

glucose

the form of sugar that circulates in the blood and provides the major source of energy for body tissues. When its level is low we feel hunger.

set point

the point at which the “weight thermostat” may be set. When the body falls below this weight, increased hunger and lower metabolic rate may combine to restore lost weight

basal metabolic rate

the body’s resting rate of energy output

obesity

defined as a BMI(body mass index) of 30 or higher, which is calculated from our weight-to-height ratio.(overweight is BMI of 25-30)

Phrenology

made by Franz Gall (German physician) in the early 1800’s. Said brain size correlates with higher mental ability. Bumps on the skull could reveal mental abilities and character traits.

Phineas Gage

had a tamping iron go through his skull, survived and

medulla

part of the hindbrain that controls life-maintaining processes such as breathing and heartbeat. also triggers vomiting and sneezing

pons

part of the hindbrain that connects the spinal cord to the brain and is involved in autonomic processing such as the sleep-wake cycle

cerebellum

part of the hindbrain that controls fine motor skills such as coordination, balance, and posture and nonverbal learning and memory. Is severely affected by alcohol

basal ganglia

Part of the brain at the bottom of the forebrain and top of the midbrain that initiates movements

reticular formation

part of the pons that controls arousal and consciousness

thalamus

part of the forebrain that acts as the