AP Psychology Unit 1 Flashcards: Biological Psychology, Sleep, Sensation

Flashcards covering key concepts from AP Psychology Unit 1: Biological Psychology, Sleep (Consciousness), and Sensation, including neuron communication, nervous systems, brain structures and functions, endocrine system, and sensory processes.

How do messages travel from one neuron to another?

Across synapse by neurotransmitters.

What is the function of the myelin sheath in neuron communication?

Protects axon, increases action potential speed.

Name three examples of neurotransmitters and their associated functions.

Dopamine, endorphins, serotonin: alertness, pain, mood.

What two systems make up the peripheral nervous system?

Somatic and autonomic nervous systems.

What is the primary role of the somatic nervous system?

Transmits senses, controls skeletal muscles.

What is the primary role of the autonomic nervous system?

Regulates body's vital functions.

What two systems make up the autonomic nervous system?

Sympathetic and parasympathetic systems.

How do the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems work together?

Sympathetic prepares, parasympathetic restores body functions.

Why is the cerebral cortex important?

Controls higher-level thinking, memory, language, emotions.

Identify the four lobes of the cerebral cortex.

Frontal, parietal, occipital, temporal lobes.

What is the function of the motor cortex and where is it located?

Causes body movements; back frontal lobe.

What is the function of the sensory cortex and where is it located?

Receives skin senses, body movement; parietal.

What are association areas?

Integrate sensory and memory information.

What is aphasia?

Language impairment from cortex damage.

What is Broca's area responsible for and where is it located?

Left frontal lobe, speech production.

What is Wernicke's area responsible for and where is it located?

Left temporal lobe, speaking meaningless words.

Describe two differences between the left and right hemispheres of the cerebral cortex.

Left: language, logic. Right: emotions, creativity.

What are the three main sections of the brain?

Hindbrain, midbrain, and forebrain.

What is the primary role of the hindbrain?

Processes signals, controls vital autonomic functions.

What is the brainstem and what is its significance?

Spinal cord entry, nerves cross body.

What is the role of the medulla?

Controls heartbeat and breathing.

What is the function of the pons?

Coordinates movements like facial expressions.

What is the reticular formation and what is its role?

Filters info, relays; arousal (coma).

What is the cerebellum responsible for?

Nonverbal learning, memory, fine movements.

What is the primary function of the midbrain?

Simple movements like eye movements.

What is another name for the forebrain, and why is it called that?

Limbic system; emotion and memory.

What is the role of the thalamus?

Routes all senses (except smell).

What functions are controlled by the hypothalamus?

Hunger, thirst, sex, temperature, pituitary.

What is the role of the amygdala?

Processes aggression and fear emotions.

What is the role of the hippocampus?

Processes new memories; does not store.

List different imaging techniques used to study the brain.

EEG, CAT, MRI/fMRI, PET scan.

Why is brain plasticity beneficial?

Injured parts' functions get assumed.

What is the endocrine system?

Glands secrete hormones into bloodstream.

How do hormones differ from neurotransmitters?

Hormones slow (blood), neurotransmitters fast (synapses).

What is the role of the pituitary gland?

Regulates growth, metabolism, reproduction, adrenals.

What is the function of the adrenal glands?

Regulate carbs, salt, prepare for action.

What is the role of the thyroid gland?

Controls metabolic rate.

What is transduction in the context of sensation?

Senses convert stimuli to neural impulses.

Describe the cocktail party phenomenon.

Attention shifts to hearing your name.

List the key parts of the eye and their roles.

Lens, cornea, pupil, iris, retina, optic nerve.

Name the two theories of color vision.

Opponent-process and trichromatic theories.

What is nerve deafness?

Damaged hair cells in cochlea.

What are the four basic taste qualities?

Sweet, sour, salty, bitter.

What is the gate control theory in relation to touch?

Spinal cord 'gate' blocks pain signals.

How is smell processed in the brain?

Chemicals processed via olfactory bulb.

What is the kinesthetic sense?

Tracks body parts' position/orientation.

What is the vestibular sense?

Body orientation in space, balance.

Define absolute threshold.

Smallest amount of stimulus sensed.

Define difference threshold (or just noticeable difference).

Stimulus change needed to detect change.

What is Weber's law?

More intense stimulus, more change needed.

How does signal-detection theory explain not noticing surroundings when engrossed in an activity?

Motivation, expectation, attention influence perception.

Describe selective attention.

Focus on limited aspects of experience.

What are the pitch theories that explain how we hear different tones?

Place, frequency, and volley theories.

What is conduction deafness?

Sound conduction issues: outer/middle ear.