Biopsychology Lecture Notes

These flashcards cover key concepts from biopsychology, focusing on neuron types, neural communication, neurotransmitters, and the structure and functions of the nervous system.

What are the three types of neurons involved in neural communication?

Sensory neurons, interneurons, and motor neurons.

What do dendrites do?

Dendrites are branch-like extensions that receive and integrate incoming signals from other neurons.

What is the function of the cell body in a neuron?

The cell body acts as the life support center and contains the nucleus.

What is the role of the axon in a neuron?

The axon passes signals from the cell body to the terminal branches.

What is the myelin sheath?

A fatty substance that insulates axons and speeds up signal transmission.

What are the terminal branches of an axon?

The end of the neuron that contains synaptic vesicles housing neurotransmitters.

What is resting potential?

The positive-outside/negative-inside state of a neuron at rest.

What does threshold refer to in neural communication?

The level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse.

Define depolarization in the context of neuron activity.

The loss of the inside/outside charge difference.

What is action potential?

A brief electrical charge that travels down an axon and represents a neural impulse.

What occurs during repolarization?

The change in membrane potential that returns it to a negative value after depolarization.

What is hyperpolarization?

A change in a cell's membrane potential that makes it more negative, inhibiting action potentials.

How do neurotransmitters function in chemical communication?

Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gap to transmit signals.

What is the presynaptic terminal?

The location where neurotransmitters are released before crossing the synapse.

What are vesicles in the context of neurons?

Storage sites for neurotransmitters.

What is the function of receptors on neurons?

They are membrane proteins where neurotransmitters attach, triggering events inside the cell.

Define the postsynaptic terminal.

The part of the neuron receiving neurotransmitter signals where they are converted into electrical signals.

What is a synapse?

The junction between two neurons where they connect and communicate.

What effect does serotonin have on the body?

It affects mood and suppresses appetite.

What role does dopamine play in the brain?

Dopamine increases pleasure.

How does acetylcholine affect cognition?

It increases arousal and enhances cognition.

What is the function of glutamate?

It enhances learning and memory.

What is the impact of GABA on anxiety?

GABA decreases anxiety and tension.

What happens during reuptake in the context of neurotransmitters?

Neurotransmitters are reabsorbed to prevent continuous signaling.

What systems work to maintain a balance in the nervous system?

The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.

What does the sympathetic nervous system do?

It arouses the body to expend energy and responds to stress.

What is the role of the parasympathetic nervous system?

It calms the body to conserve energy and maintain resources.

What does the endocrine system regulate?

It regulates the body to maintain homeostasis through glands and hormones.

What is the function of the pancreas?

It regulates blood glucose levels.

What hormones are controlled by the adrenal glands?

Cortisol and adrenaline, which control stress reactions.

What are the primary functions of the pituitary gland?

It is known as the 'master gland' that regulates hormone release.

What does the thyroid gland regulate?

It regulates metabolism.

What basic drives does the limbic system coordinate?

Emotions such as fear and aggression, as well as basic drives like hunger and sex.

What role does the hippocampus play in memory?

It processes conscious, episodic memories.

How does the amygdala contribute to emotional responses?

It enables responses such as aggression and fear in threats.

What does the hypothalamus regulate?

Body temperature, food and water intake, and pleasure responses.

What is the primary function of the frontal lobe?

Involved in consciousness, movement, speaking, planning, and judgment.

What does the parietal lobe process?

Movement and stimulus perception; processes sensory information.

What role does the occipital lobe play in sensory perception?

It is responsible for interpreting incoming visual information.

What does the temporal lobe process?

Auditory information.

What function does the cerebellum serve?

It is involved in movement and coordination.

How do neurons communicate both electrically and chemically?

Through action potentials and the release of neurotransmitters at synapses.