Unit 1 ap psych quiz 1.3-1.4

Glial cells

They support neurons by provididng structure, insulation, and waste removal. Without them, messages would not be able to transfer efficiently.

Reflex arc

A simple automatic response to a stimulus.

Sensory neurons

1. They detect the stimulus

Interneurons

2. They process information from the spinal cord

Motor neurons

3. The activate the response

All or nothing principle

Neurons either fire or not at all

Reputake

Reabsorption of neurotransmitters after firing

Refactory period

A brief pause before the neuron can fire again

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers that influence mental states and behavior.

Resting potential

The state of readiness of a neuron

Threshold

the level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers that inlfluence mental states and behaiors

Dopamine

Movement, learning, pleasure (linked to parkinson's and schizophrenia)

Seratonin

Mood and apetite (linked to depression)

nonepinephrine

alertness and arousal

Glutamate

major excitatory neurotransmitter linked to learning

GABA

a major inhibitory neurotransmitter reduces anxiety

Endorphins

Natural pain killers released during exercise

Acetycholine

Muscle movement and memory

melatonin

Regulates sleep-wake cycles.

oxytocin

promotes bonding and trust

Adrenaline

Increases heart rate during stress

Psychoactive drugs

change behavior and mood by altering neurotransmitter activity

Stimulants

Increase neural activity

Depressents

reduce neural activity

Hallucinogens

distort perceptiona and thought

Opioids

relieve pain and create a sense of euphoria

Tolerance

when more of the drug is needed for the same effect

cerebellum

Coordinates voluntary movements, balance, and motor skils and contributes to cognitive functions like attention and language.

Cerebral cortex

Outer layer of the brain responsible for higher functions sucha as perception, thought and language.

Corpus Callosum

A series of neurons that exist between each hemisphere of the brain and allows the two sides to communicate seamlessly

Broca's Area

He discovered the area of the frontal lobe that directs muscle movements involved in speech.

Improving brain plasticity

Repeated genuine mistakes release large amounts of acetylcholine; after about 30 minutes of repeated failurre opens a window for roughly 60 minutes of plasticity.

Plasticity

the brain's ability to change or adapt by developing new or alternative neural pathways from existing neurons.

Axon

carries impulses away from the cell body

Soma

produces energy for the cell (cell body)

Myelin Sheath

covers the axon of some neurons and helps speed neural impulses

Synapse

The junction between axon terminals of one neruron and the dendrites of another neuron

Antagonist

chemical that blocks receptor sites in the brain to reduce neurotransmitter activity

agonist

a chemical substance or drug that binds to a neuron's receptor sites and increases or mimics the effect of a neurotransmitter

myasthenia gravis

a chronic autoimmune disorder that disrupts communication between nerve and muscle cells, leading to severe skeletal muscle weakness

excitatory

a chemical message that increases the likelihood that a receiving (postsynaptic) neuron will fire an action potential.

occipital lobe

Part of the brain that processes visual information and are involved in visual perception

Temporal lobes

involved in processing auditory information language comprehension, memory and emotional response.

Parietal Lobes

process sensory information related to touch, temperature, and pain. They help with spatial orientation and body awarness.

Frontal lobes

involved in decision making, problem solving, planning, voluntary movement, and controlling behavior and emotions.

Frontal Lobe Location

Parietal Lobe Location

occipital lobe location

temporal lobe location

Cerebellum Location