AP Psych Unit 1: Biological Bases of Behavior

Evolutionary Psychology

The study of how traits and behaviors evolved over time to help survival and reproductive success

Natural Selection

The process by which traits that enhance survival and reproduction are passed on to future generations, leading to evolutionary changes in a population.

Nature

The genetic and biological factors that influence behavior, often contrasted with nurture.

Nurture

The environmental influences and experiences that shape behavior and development, often contrasted with nature.

Twin Studies

Research methods used to assess the relative contributions of genetics and environment by comparing the similarities and differences between identical and fraternal twins.

Adoption Studies

Research methods that examine the influence of genetics and environment by studying children raised by adoptive parents compared to their biological parents.

Family Studies

Research methods that investigate the heritability of traits by examining the similarities and differences among family members.

Heredity

The genetic transmission of traits from parents to offspring, influencing physical and behavioral characteristics.

Genetic Predisposition

The increased likelihood of developing certain traits or disorders based on one's genetic makeup, influenced by environmental factors.

Eugenics

Trying to improve genetic quality based on racism; discrimatory practices

Cerebral Cortex

The outer layer of the brain involved in complex functions such as perception, thought, and decision-making.

Lobes of the Brain

The four main regions of the brain

Association Areas

regions of the cerebral cortex that integrate sensory and motor information, crucial for higher-level processing.

Frontal Lobes

located at the front of the brain, responsible for higher cognitive functions such as reasoning, planning, and impulse control.

Prefrontal Cortex

part of the frontal lobes responsible for complex cognitive behavior, decision making, and moderating social behavior.

Motor Cortex

area of the frontal lobe that controls voluntary movements by sending signals to the muscles.

Parietal Lobes

located near the top and back of the brain, involved in processing sensory information such as touch, temperature, and pain.

Somatosensory Cortex

area of the parietal lobe that processes sensory information from the body, including touch, temperature, and pain.

Occipital Lobes

located at the back of the brain, responsible for processing visual information from the eyes.

Temporal Lobes

located on the sides of the brain, responsible for processing auditory information and is also involved in memory and emotion.

Corpus Callosum

the large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres, facilitating communication between them.

Brainstem

the part of the brain that connects the cerebrum with the spinal cord, controlling vital functions such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.

Medulla

the part of the brainstem that regulates vital functions such as heart rate and respiration.

Reticular Activating System

a network of neurons in the brainstem that regulates wakefulness, arousal, and attention.

Cerebellum

the part of the brain located at the back of the skull that is responsible for coordinating voluntary movements, balance, and motor learning.

Limbic System

a complex set of structures in the brain that regulates emotions, memory, and motivation.

Reward Center

a group of structures in the brain, including the nucleus accumbens and ventral tegmental area, that are involved in the processing of rewards, pleasure, and reinforcement.

Thalamus

the brain's relay station that processes and transmits sensory information to the appropriate areas of the cerebral cortex.

Hypothalamus

a small region of the brain that controls various autonomic functions, regulates body temperature, hunger, thirst, and circadian rhythms, and plays a key role in hormone secretion.

Pituitary Gland

a small gland located at the base of the brain, often referred to as the "master gland" because it regulates the release of hormones from other glands in the endocrine system.

Hippocampus

a critical structure in the brain involved in the formation of new memories and learning, as well as spatial navigation.

Amygdala

a brain structure involved in emotion regulation, particularly fear and pleasure responses, and plays a crucial role in memory processing.

The Nervous System

the network of cells and fibers that transmits nerve impulses between parts of the body, consisting of the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS).

Central Nervous System

the part of the nervous system that includes the brain and spinal cord, responsible for processing information and coordinating activity throughout the body.

Peripheral Nervous System

the part of the nervous system that connects the central nervous system to the limbs and organs, facilitating communication between the brain and the rest of the body.

Autonomic Nervous System

the division of the peripheral nervous system that controls involuntary bodily functions, such as heart rate and digestion.

Sympathetic Nervous System

the part of the autonomic nervous system that prepares the body for stressful or emergency situations, often referred to as the "fight or flight" response.

Parasympathetic Nervous SYstem

the division of the autonomic nervous system that promotes the "rest and digest" response, calming the body after stress and conserving energy.

Somatic Nervous System

the part of the peripheral nervous system that controls voluntary movements by transmitting signals to skeletal muscles.

Neurons

the basic building blocks of the nervous system, responsible for transmitting information throughout the body via electrical and chemical signals.

Glial Cells

supporting cells in the nervous system that provide structural and nutritional support to neurons, assist in signal transmission, and maintain homeostasis.

Motor Neurons

a type of neuron that transmits signals from the central nervous system to muscles, facilitating voluntary movement.

Sensory Neurons

neurons that carry incoming information from the sensory receptors to the central nervous system.

interneurons

neurons that connect sensory and motor neurons, processing information within the central nervous system.

Reflex Arc

a neural pathway that controls a reflex action, involving sensory neurons, interneurons, and motor neurons.

Neural Transmission

When neurons communicate with each other through electrical and chemical signals

Threshold

Level of stimulation required to trigger an action potential

Action Potential

brief electrical impulse that travels along the axon of a neuron

All-or-Nothing Principle

If there’s enough stimulus, action potential will release full-strength

Depolarization

Chemical change from negative to more positive ions to trigger action

Resting Potential

stable, negative electrical charge that exists in a cell membrane when it’s not transmitting signal

Reuptake

extra neurotransmitters being reabsorbed and stored for later

Multiple Sclerosis “MS”

Chronic autoimmune disease that affect CNS

Myasthenia Gravis

Chronic autoimmune disorder that affects the neuromuscular junction; Disrupts brain to muscle transmit

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers that transmit signals between neurons

Excitatory Neurotransmitters

excites a neuron and triggers an action potential

Glutamate

Learning, memory, and neuroplascity

Inhibitory Neurotransmitters

Decreases likelihood of an action potential

GABA

Relaxation, reducing anxiety

Dopamine

Regulating mood, reward, motivation, and movement

Serotonin

Regulating mood, sleep, appetite, and stress

Endorphins

Body’s natural painkiller

Substance P

Pain Signal

Acetylcholine

Muscle contraction, memory and learning

Hormones

slower chemical messages produced by glands that travel through blood

Ghrelin

Appetite and hunger

Leptin

tells you when you’re full

Melatonin

regulates the sleep-wake cycle

Oxytocin

“Love Hormone”, “Social Bonding”

Adrenaline

Fight or Flight

Norepinephrine

regulates arousal, attentions, and stress. Both a hormone and a neurotransmitter. Activates in “fight or flight”

Plasticity

Brain’s ability to reorganize and adapt in response to experiences, learning, and environmental changes

Split Brain Research

Disconnecting the two hemispheres of the brain; cut Corpus Callosum

Contralateral Hemispheric Organizatiojn

Each hemisphere controls the other half of the body

Hemispheric Specialization

Each hemisphere had specialized tasks

Linguistic Procesing

complex cognitive process involved in understanding and producing language

Broca’s Area

In the left brain of the frontal lobe. Responsible for speech production and language processing

Broca’s Aphasia

Language Disordering caused by damage to Broca’s Area. From stroke or brain injury

Wernicke’s Area

In the left side of temporal lobe. involved in language comprehension and understanding spoken and written language

Wernicke’s Aphasia

Language disorder due to damage in Wernicke’s Area. Fluent Speech but nonsense

Electroencephalogram “EEG”

Non-invasive neuroimaging technique used to record the electrical activity of the brain. Monitors neurological conditions

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging “fMRI”

Neuroimaging technique to measure brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow and oxygen levels. Detailed images of the brain’s structure and function

Lesioning

Cutting up brain, usually with animals

Consciousness

The state of being aware of and able to perceive one’s thoughts, feelings,, and surroundings

Circadian Rhythm

The natural, internal process in charge of the sleep-wake cycle. Repeats roughly every 24 hours and influences patterns of alertness, hormone release, and body temperature

Jet Lag

A temporary disruption or the CR due to rapid travel across multiple time zones

Shift Work

Employment schedules that are outside of typical daytime hours

NREM Stage 1

First stage. Drifting in and out of sleep. Lasts only a few minutes

NREM Stage 2

Second Stage characterized by light sleep. Lasts for about 20 mins

NREM Stage 3

Deepest Stage characterized by the presence of predominantly delta waves. Restores resources

REM Sleep

Characterized by rapid eye movements, vivid dreams, and muscle paralysis

REM Rebound

Phenomenon where the body increases REM sleep after being deprived of it

Activation-Synthesis (Dreams)

A theory that dreams are the result of random neural activity in the brainstem during REM sleep. The cerebral cortex tries to make it into a story

Consolidation Theory (Dreams)

A theory that dreams play a role in memory consolidation and the processing of memories. Contributes to memory storage and learning

Insomnia

Sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or experiencing restorative sleep. Leads to daytime impairment

Narcolepsy

Sleep disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness

Sleep Apnea

Sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep. Disrupts sleep patterns , daytime fatigue, and other health problems

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

Sleep disorder where people act out their dreams during REM Sleep

Somnabulism

Sleepwalking. Occurs during NREM stages and can result in injuries or accidents

Psychoactive Drugs

Drugs that alter brain function. Changes mood, perception, consciousness cognition, or behavior