AP Psych Unit 1

heredity

nature; a person's biological makeup

environment

nurture; including life experiences, family, and education

behavioral genetics

a field focused on discovering how genes and experiences interact and lead to specific behaviors and mental abilities.

genome

the entirety of that individual's hereditary information

genotype

the specific genes for particular traits

temperament

basic emotional style that appears early in development and is largely genetic in origin; can influence environment

reciprocal determinism

influence from personal, behavioral, and environmental factors interact.

we have a role in changing the environment in which we live

evolution

study of inherited traits over successive generations of a species

natural selection

the process that governs evolution

Charles Darwin: given a range of possible inherited trait variations, those traits that lead to increased reproduction and survival are more likely to be passed down.

adaptation

the process by which an organism or species becomes better suited for life in its environment

adaptive traits

the specific traits that make organism or species better suited

evolutionary psychology

study of the evolution of mind and behavior based on natural selection

genetic mutations

random errors in genetic replication

hindsight explanation

when evolutionary psychologists identify modern traits and look backward to propose an explanation for hwo these traits developed

eugenetics

aimed at improving the genetic quality of the human population

heritability

a statistic used to determine how much of the variation among members of a group is attributable to genes

phenotypes

outward physical manifestations of characteristics

twin studies: monozygotic (identical)

twins used to study the impact of environment on a person

family studies

examines patterns of traits and disorders among relatives (genetic influence on people)

adoption studies

examines how much of a person's behavior can be attributed to their environment (adoptive) and how much to their genetic makeup (biological)

neuroanatomy

the study of structures of the nervous systems

central nervous system

"the brains of the operation"

coordinates the actions and interactions of the other systems in the body

brain

the dominant part of the CNS

spinal cord

avenue through which the brain communicates with the rest of the body

extends down from the medulla oblongata (brain stem) and descends through the center of vertebral column (backbone)

Peripheral nervous system

includes the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord that connect the CNS to the rest of the body.

two major divisions: sensory pathway & motor pathway

somatic nervous system

includes nerves that transmit signals from your brain to the skeletal muscles to allow voluntary movement

autonomic nervous system

controls functions that we do not have to think about

involuntary

sympathetic nervous system

emergency response system; "flight or fight" response

parasympathetic nervous system

default condition of the ANS

allows us to rest and digest, relax, and recuperate; returns the body to a state of BALANCE or homeostasis

neurons

basic units on which the entire brain and nervous system are built

neuron axons

fibers; slender protrusions from the cell body

nerves are bundles of __________

neuron axons

cranial nerves

nerves that come out of the brain and generally send messages to the head and neck

tracts

bundles of neuron axons

glial cells

provide nutrition and protection for the neurons (provide structure, insulation, communication, and waste transport)

outnumber neuron cells by 50 to 1

sensory neurons

take input received through sensory receptors throughout the body and pass it toward the brain and spinal cord (to initiate a response)

made of bundles of axons called afferent nerve fibers

motor neurons

transmit signals away from the brain and spinal cord to our muscles and other organs. (carry motor commands from the CNS to other parts of the body)

made of bundles of axons called efferent nerve fibers

interneurons

relay neurons, or connectors, allowing for information to pass between neurons within the brain and spinal cord.

reflex arc

occurs when a signal is sent from a sensory organ to the spinal cord, which processes the info instead of passing it on to the brain; a reflex is then carried out by motor neurons.

soma

the cell body of the neuron

dendrites

tree like protrusions extending from the cell body

receive signals from other cells

axon

The extension of a neuron through which neural impulses are sent

terminal branches

The branched end of the axon

terminal buttons

small sacs (vesicles) that contain chemicals (neurotransmitters)

neurotransmitters

necessary to pass on the signals between neurons

myelin sheath

fatty substances produced by certain glial cells that coat the axons of neurons to insulate, protect, and speed up the neural impulse

synapses

tiny gaps between dentrites and axons of different neurons

neural transmission / neural firing

process by which info travels through a neuron.

primary means of communication within the nervous system.

disruptions in neural transmission can cause...

multiple sclerosis and myasthenia gravis.

when a neuron is at resting stage, its charge is...

negative (-70 mv)

it is called RESTING POTENTIAL

depolarization

When sodium is rushing into the cell causing the interior to become more positive.

action potential

brief positive charge that creates an electrical impulse

all-or-nothing principle

cells either fire or they don't fire, and when it occurs in the cell, it is always the same charge

threshold

level of electrical charge required for a neural impulse

refractory period

when the neuron is not able to fire again for a brief moment after firing

Reuptake

after neurotransmitters complete their work at the receptor cells on the dendrites, the neurotransmitters are absorbed by the presynaptic neuron

Neural transmission process broken down

{sensory receptor} -> {dendrites of cell#1} -> {soma} -> {axon} -> {terminal branches} -> {terminal buttons} -> {vesicles} -> {neurotransmitters released into the synapse} -> {dendrites of cell #2} -> {soma}

excitatory neurotransmitters

when these chemicals are released from the terminal buttons, they excite connecting neurons and cause them to fire.

inhibitory neurotransmitters

inhibit (prevent) the next neurons from firing

acetylcholine

Neurotransmitter connected to MOVEMENT; activate muscles and carry out voluntary movements.

decreasing heart rate, increasing sweat and saliva, and increasing muscle contractions

issues related to deficit of ACh

Paralysis

myasthenia gravis (MG)

weakness and rapid fatigue of any muscles under voluntary control.

RELATED TO ACh

Alzheimer's

A progressive disease that destroys memory and other important mental functions.

RELATED TO ACh

multiple sclerosis

myelin sheath destruction. disruptions in nerve impulse conduction

Serotonin

Neurotransmitter connected to mood, emotion, appetite, sleep, and sexual desire.

Extremes of Serotonin

high: increased HAPPINESS

low: DEPRESSION, anger control

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

drug that treats depression by blocking reabsorption or reuptake of the serotonin into the sending neuron

Dopamine

PLEASURE neurotransmitter

- reward, motivation

excess dopamine levels

Schizophrenia - excessive levels of production in the limbic system

deficit of dopamine

parkinson's (exhibit tremors or loss of key motor skills)

Norepinephrine

neurotransmitter connected with response to danger

FLIGHT OR FIGHT RESPONSE

excess norepinephrine

increase alertness, BP, heart rate

norepinephrine deficit

depression

Selective Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors

Reduce the reuptake of norepinephrine so it's in synapse longer

GABA

Neurotransmitter that SLOWs things down

increases sleepiness and decreases anxiety, alertness, memory, and muscle tension

GABA deficit

anxiety disorders

anti-anxiety medication

raise levels of GABA in the brain so it can "cool down"

Glutamate

major EXCITATORY neurotransmitter

thinking, memory, learning

Long-term potentiation

a pattern of neural firing that strengthens synaptic connections over time.

GLUTAMATE facilitates it

Glutamate deficit

memory issues

Endorphins

Neurotransmitter that relieves pain and stress

Runner's High/Endorphin Rush

When you have high endorphin levels, you feel less pain overall.

Substance P

neurotransmitter that conveys pain info from the peripheral NS to the CNS.

regulates mood & anxiety

Substance P excess

mood disorders / found in people w/ depression, anxiety

agonists

chemicals activate the receptors for certain neurotransmitters and make the effects stronger

antagonists

chemicals that inhibit or oppose the actions of neurotransmitters

endocrine system

responsible for releasing HORMONES through the bloodstream

effects last longer than the CNS

master gland

The hypothalamus and the PITUITARY gland

- help control the rest of the endocrine system

leptin

a hormone that signals satiety and inhibits feelings of hunger

melatonin

a hormone released by the pineal gland that helps regulate healthy sleep patterns

adrenaline

a hormone associated with sympathetic response and preparing the body for emergencies.

it is also known as epinephrine and is the active ingredient in an epi-pen.

oxytocin

a hormone associated with love and bonding.

it is related in higher amounts following childbirth, breastfeeding, and physical touch.

ghrelin

a hormone that signals hunger and drives a person to eat

brain stem

connects brain to spinal cord, responsible for survival functions

medulla