AP Psychology - Unit 2: Biological Bases of Behavior

Sensory Neurons

Neurons that carry incoming information from the body’s tissues and sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord

Motor Neurons

Neurons that carry outgoing information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands

Interneurons

Neurons within the brain and spinal cord; they communicate internally and process information between the sensory inputs and motor outputs

Reuptake

A neurotransmitter’s reabsorption by the sending neuron

Nervous System

The body’s electrochemical communication network consisting of all the nerve cells and the peripheral and central nervous systems

Central Nervous System

The brain and spinal cord

Peripheral Nervous System

The sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system (CNS) to the rest of the body

Somatic Nervous System

A division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body’s skeletal muscles

Autonomic Nervous System

A division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organs

Sympathetic Nervous System

The division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy

Parasympathetic Nervous System

The division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy

Endocrine System

The body’s “slow” chemical communication system; a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream

Hormones

Chemical messengers that are manufactured by the endocrine glands, travel through the bloodstream, and affect other tissues

Adrenal Glands

A pair of endocrine glands that sit just above the kidneys and secrete hormones to help arouse the body in times of stress

Pituitary Glands

The endocrine system’s most influential gland. under the influence of the hypothalamus, this gland regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands

Aphasia

impairment of language, usually caused by left hemisphere damage either to Broca’s area (impairing speaking) or Wernicke’s area (impairing language expression)

Broca’s Area

A brain area involved in controlling language expression - an area of the frontal lobe, usually in the left hemisphere, that directs the muscle movements involved in speech and impairs speaking

Wernicke’s Area

A brain area involved in language comprehension and expression; usually in the left temporal lobe

Angular Gyrus

The region of the brain that is associated with complex language related functions (e.g. reading and writing) and being able to make sense of the meaning and content of written words

Plasticity

The brain’s ability to change, especially during childhood, by reorganizing after damage or by building new pathways based on experience

Neurogenesis

The formation of new neurons

Chromosomes

Threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes

DNA

A complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes

Genes

The biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosomes segments of DNA capable of synthesizing proteins

Heritability

The extent to which differences among people are attributable to genes

Mutation

A random error in gene replication that leads to a change

Circadian Rhythm

Our biological clock; regular bodily rhythms that occur on a 24-hour cycle

Insomnia

Recurring problems in falling or staying asleep

Narcolepsy

A sleep disorder characterized by uncomfortable sleep attacks. the sufferer may lapse directly into REM sleep, often at inopportune times

Sleep Apnea

A sleep disorder characterized by temporary cessations of breathing during sleep and repeated monetary awakenings

Night Terrors

A sleep disorder characterized by high arousal and an appearance of being terrified; unlike nightmares, these occur during NREM-3 sleep, within two or three hours of falling asleep, and are seldom remembered

REM Rebound

When deprived of REM sleep people return more quickly to it after falling asleep and stay in it longer

Hypnosis

A social interaction in which one person (the hypnotist) suggests behaviors to another (the subject) that certain perceptions, feelings, thoughts, or behaviors will spontaneously occur

Posthypnotic Suggestions

A suggestion made during a hypnosis session, to be carried out after the subject is no longer hypnotized; used by some clinicians to help control undesired symptoms and behaviors

Psychoactive Drug

A chemical substance that alters perceptions and moods

Addiction

A compulsive craving for a substance despite adverse consequences and often with physical symptoms such as aches, nausea, and distress following sudden withdrawal

Agonist

A molecule that increases a neurotransmitter’s action

Antagonist

A molecule that inhibits or blocks a neurotransmitter’s action

Tolerance

The diminishing effect with regular use of the same dose of a drug, requiring the user to take larger and larger doses before experiencing the drug’s effect

Withdrawal

The discomfort and distress that follow discontinuing the use of an addictive drug

Antabuse

A prescribed medication used to treat alcohol dependence by creating an unpleasant reaction to alcohol

Vivitrol

A prescribed medication used to treat alcohol dependence by blocking alcohol’s affects

Acetylcholine

A neurotransmitter that affects voluntary/involuntary muscle movements, memory, learning, and attention

Alzheimer’s Disease is linked to a loss of ____ producing neurons

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter that affects pleasure, satisfaction, movement, attention, learning, and motivation - “reward center”

Excess ____ is associated with schizophrenia.

Lack of ____ is associated with Parkinson’s disease

Endorphins

A neurotransmitter that alleviates pain

Some chronic pain and fibromyalgia sufferers have dramatically reduced activity of ____

Norepinephrine

A neurotransmitter that is involved in alertness and arousal

Low levels of ____ are correlated with depression and high levels are correlated with anxiety and ADHD

G.A.B.A

A neurotransmitter that is a primary inhibitor in the brain, and controls mood and anxiety

Low levels of ____ are involved in anxiety, and seizure disorders

Glutamate

A neurotransmitter that is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain

Too much ____ activity can be associated with seizure disorders; may also play a role in many degenerative disorders of the central nervous system, and with bipolar disorder

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter that is involved with appetite, sleep, and mood

Low levels of ____ are associated with depression and anxiety

Substance P

A neurotransmitter that sends pain messages

____ may be linked to fibromyalgia, a disease marked by enduring pain and tenderness in joints, muscles and other tendons; may also be linked to other pain disorders

Medulla

The base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing

Pons

The part of the brain that helps handle all of your unconscious movements and processes; controls sleep

Reticular Formation

The part of the brain that helps control alertness and arousal

Thalamus

The part of the brain that relays messages between lower brain centers and cerebral cortex - sensory control center

Hypothalamus

The part of the brain that helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland

linked to emotion and reward

Hippocampus

The part of the brain that is linked to conscious memory

Amygdala

The part of the brain that is linked to emotion

Corpus Callosum

Axon fibers connecting the two cerebral hemispheres

Frontal Lobe

The portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead; involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgements

Temporal Lobe

The portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears; includes the auditory areas, each receiving information primarily from the opposite ear

Occipital Lobe

The portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head; includes areas that receive information from the visual fields

Parietal Lobe

The portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head and toward the rear; receives sensory input for touch and body position

Cerebellum

The part of the brain that coordinates voluntary movement and balance, and supports learning and memories

Sensory Cortex

An area at the front of the parietal lobe that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations

Motor Cortex

An area at the rear of the frontal lobe that controls voluntary movements

Brainstem

The oldest part and central core of the brain located where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull - responsible for automatic survival functions (breathing, consciousness, blood pressure, heart rate, sleep etc.)

Limbic System

Neural system (including the amygdala, hypothalamus, and hippocampus) located below the cerebral hemispheres - associated with emotions and drives

Cerebral Cortex

Ultimate control and information processing center (frontal lobe, parietal lobe, occipital lobe, and temporal lobe)

EEG

Technology - electrodes on the scalp that measure electrical activity in neurons

CT Scan

Technology - x-rays on the head generate images that may locate brain damage

PET Scan

Technology - tracks where a temporarily radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain of the person given it performs a given task

MRI

Technology - people sit or lie down in a chamber that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to provide a map of the brain structure

fMRI

Technology - measures blood flow to brain regions by comparing continuous MRI scans