AP Psych Unit 2

what do behavior geneticists study?

the power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior

which studies help show nature vs nurture?

twin and adoption studies

what is heritability?

how much of the variation that exists between a group of individuals is due to genetics (not an amount or percent)

what do molecular geneticists study?

the molecular structure and function of genes and how they play a role on our behavior

what is epigenetics?

how the environment influences how our genes are expressed without an actual change in DNA (lighting the fire of alcoholism with life experiences)

what are epigenetic marks?

things that can block the expression of a gene

what do evolutionary psychologists do?

focus on the principles of natural selection to explain our behavior and the mind

what is the biopsychosocial perspective?

rules we use to view the world affect our way of thinking and behaving; biological and social influences are equally responsible for our decision.

what is a neuron?

a nerve cell that is the basic building block of the nervous system

what is the cell body?

the part of the neuron that contains the nucleus

what are dendrites?

branching extensions that receive and integrate
messages

what is the axon?

the extension through which neuron information travels

what is the myelin sheath?

tissue layer segmentally encasing the axons of some neurons; increases transmission speed and
provides insulation

what are the terminal branches?

The ends of the axon containing terminal buttons which hold synaptic vesicles that store neurotransmitters

what are glial cells?

cells that support, nourish, and protect neurons; they also play a role in learning, thinking, and memory

how does a reflex occur?

the neuron’s minimum threshold has been met, then the action potential occurs and the message travels down the axon via a process of depolarization

what are hormones?

chemicals regulating all sorts of bodily functions, and they are ultimately controlled through interactions between the hypothalamus (in the central nervous system) and the pituitary gland

what is the sympathetic nervous system?

our arousal system; fight or flight

what is the parasympathetic nervous system?

returns us to a calm and neutral state once the stimuli that triggered our original arousal has subsided

what is an MRI?

magnetic fields and radio waves for a CGI brain

what is an fMRI?

shows more info than a regular MRI; measures blood flow and brain activity based on MRIs

what is the function of the medulla?

at the base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing

what is the function of the pons?

just above the medulla controls sleep and helps coordinate movements

what is the function of the reticular formation?

helps control arousal and filters incoming sensory stimuli

what is the function of the thalamus?

relay station for incoming and outgoing sensory information (with the exception of smell)

what is the function of the cerebellum?

processing sensory input, coordinating movement
and balance, nonverbal learning and memory

what is the function of the amygdala?

linked to emotion, fear, and aggression (two lima beans)

what is the function of the hypothalamus?

directs eating, drinking, body temperature; helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, linked to
emotion and reward

what is the function of the hippocampus?

helps process for storage explicit (conscious) memories of facts and events

what happens in NREM1?

sorta awake, hallucinations, hypnagogic sensations, falling

what happens in NREM2?

20 min, clearly asleep, bursts of rapid brain wave activity (sleep spindles)

what happens in NREM3?

30 min, asleep, hard to awaken, slow delta waves, “it thundered?”

what happens in REM?

paradoxical sleep, muscles are relaxed but everything is active, heart rate rises, irregular breathing, wet dreams, paralysis, deepest level of sleep

what is insomnia?

persistent sleep problems, worse with worry, sleeping pills and alcohol

what is narcolepsy?

sudden attacks of overwhelming sleepiness, triggers string emotions due to inconvenience

what is sleep apnea?

intermittent breathing stops, CPAP air machine

what are night terrors?

children, terrified while asleep, walking and talking during NREM 3

what do depressants do?

reduction of neural activity, slow bodily functions

what are the three main types of depressants?

alcohol, barbituates, opiates

what are some side effects of depressants?

brain shrinkage, REM suppression, reduced self awareness, withdrawal, decrease in endorphin production

what do stimulants do?

excite neural activities, speed bodily functions

what are the main types of stimulants?

caffeine, nicotine, cocaine, amphetamines, ecstasy

what are some side effects of stimulants?

decreased life span, harm to serotonin producers, major dehydration, depletion of brain chemicals

what do hallucinogens do?

invoke sensory images, hallucinations similar to near death experiences

what are the main types of hallucinogens?

LSD and marijuana

what are the side effects of hallucinogens?

increased sensitivity to senses, fighting demons

what is tolerance?

the need to require more drugs over time for the desired effects

what is addiction?

chronic disease of brain reward, inability to consistently abstain, wanting it more than you like it