AP Psychology - Unit 1 Biological Psychology/Sleep (Consciousness)/Sensation

Flashcards providing vocabulary definitions from the AP Psychology lecture notes on Biological Psychology, Sleep, Consciousness, and Sensation.

Dendrites

Part of a neuron that receives messages.

Cell Body

The central part of a neuron that contains the nucleus and processes messages.

Axon

The long, slender projection of a neuron that typically conducts electrical impulses away from the neuron's cell body.

Axon Terminals

The end of the axon where messages are sent to the next neuron.

Myelin Sheath

Protects the axon and increases the speed of action potential transmission.

Synapse

The junction between two nerve cells, across which messages are transmitted by neurotransmitters.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers that transmit signals across a synapse from one neuron to another.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter associated with alertness.

Endorphins

Neurotransmitters associated with pain relief.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter associated with mood.

Somatic Nervous System

Part of the peripheral nervous system that transmits sensory messages and interacts with muscles.

Autonomic Nervous System

Part of the peripheral nervous system that regulates the body's vital functions.

Sympathetic Nervous System

A division of the autonomic nervous system that prepares the body to confront a stressful situation.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

A division of the autonomic nervous system that restores the body's function to normal levels.

Cerebral Cortex

The part of the brain that controls thought, memory, language, emotions, associations, perceptions, and complex motor functions.

Frontal Lobe

One of the brain's lobes, crucial for complex motor functions, thought, and planning.

Parietal Lobe

One of the brain's lobes, responsible for processing sensory information from the body.

Occipital Lobe

One of the brain's lobes, primarily involved in visual processing.

Temporal Lobe

One of the brain's lobes, involved in hearing, memory, and language.

Motor Cortex

Located at the back of the frontal lobe, it causes movements in specific body parts.

Sensory Cortex

Located at the front of the parietal lobes, it receives information from skin senses and body movement.

Association Areas

Regions of the cortex that integrate information from incoming sensory input with stored memories.

Aphasia

Impairment with language due to damage in specific areas of the cerebral cortex.

Broca's Area

Located in the left frontal lobe, it allows comprehension of language, but affects the ability to find one's own words and is associated with muscles used for speech.