AP Psych Unit 2 Review

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTVe0x0Ml4s

Double Blind Study

Researchers or participants don’t know who is receiving the active treatment.

Antagonist

A type of drug/ medication that binds to receptor sites in the brain and blocks or decreases the action of a neurotransmitter.

Acetylcholine

A neurotransmitter responsible for muscle contraction, learning, and memory that is present in both the central and peripheral nervous systems.

PET

A neuroimaging technique that measures the metabolic activity and chemical functioning of the brain by tracking a radioactive tracer attached to a safe sugar like glucose.

Blood-Brain Barrier

A semi-permeable network of cells in the lining of the capillaries of the brain that prevents many harmful substances from entering. It’s an essential defense system but its high security creates major challenges when trying to treat brain diseases.

Myelin Sheath

A fatty layer of tissue surrounding the axons of some neurons that insulates and speeds up the messages, which is produced by glial cells.

Cerebellum

The “little brain” in charge of balance, fine motor coordination, the spot for procedural memories ~ how to walk, how to ride a bike, how to play a violin

Thalamus

Sensory relay station of the brain, all senses are first sent here before anywhere else.

Medulla

Heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, controls reflexes like coughing, sneezing, vomiting, swallowing, etc. (NOT a withdrawal reflex like when you touch something hot)

Pons

Acts as a bridge connecting the cerebellum to the cortex. Also involved in sleep-wake cycle

Reticular Formation

Regulates arousal, consciousness, and vital autonomic functions, network of fibers

Limbic System

Donut shaped group of structure including the hippocampus, amygdala, hypothalamus

Amygdala

Almond shaped clusters of neurons which processes emotions, fear responses, and emotional memories.

Hypothalamus

Maintenance functions: keeps the body’s internal systems in a stable balance, manages homeostasis.

Pituitary Gland

Endorcine gland located below the cortex and below the hypothalamus.

Frontal Lobes

Handles thinking and movement: voluntary movement, planning, problem solving, decision making, regulates personality & speech production.

Parietal Lobes

Processes sensory input like touch, pain, temperature, and spatial awareness. Sits just behind the frontal lobes.

Occipital Lobes

Processes visual information from your eyes, allowing you to see and interpret the world around you - located at the back of your head

Cerebral Cortex

Wrinkled outer layer of the brain covering both hemispheres. Includes the motor cortex, somatosensory cortex, auditory cortex, visual cortex, and numerous association areas.