AP PSYCH Unit 2

Dendrites

rootlike parts of the cell that stretch out from the cell body. make synaptic connections with other neurons.

Soma/Cell body

contains nucleus and other parts of the cell needed to sustain its life

Axon

wirelike structure ending in the terminal buttons that extends from the cell body

Myelin sheath

a fatty covering around the axon of some neurons that speeds neural impulses

Terminal Buttons

branched end of the axon that contains neurotransmitters

Synapse

space between terminal buttons of one neuron and dendrites of the next neuron

Neurotransmitters

chemicals contained in terminal buttons that enable neurons to communicate. fit into receptor sites on dentrites like keys into locks

Synaptic Vesicles

Small sacs where neurotransmitters are stored

Threshold

the level of stimulation required to trigger an neural impulse. First step of action potential.

Resting Potential

Resting potential describes the state the axons in. It is resting when the ions are polarized (its at rest period before anything changes)

Refractory Period

Span of time when the axon is repolarizing.

Axon

the extension of a neuron. Ending in branching terminal fibers, through witch messages pass to other neurons or to muscle glands

Electrical

Neurons generate electricity from chemical events.

NA-K Pump

Sodium Potassium pump. A domino effect of depolarization down the axon.

Polarization

Describing the charges. When the ions are polarized the neuron is at its resting potential.

Depolarization

When the first axon opens its "gate" (when the threshold is met)positive sodium ions flood though the membrane.The Na(sodium) ions rush into the axon link and push out the lesser positively charges K(potassium) ions.

Neurotransmitter

chemical messages that transverse the gap between neurons. They are the messengers that travel into the synaptic gap to send the message

Ions

Electrically charged atoms or molecules

Repolarization

After each link is fired this occurs. The axon closes its portals and returns to its resting potential.The axon portals are closing.

Dendrites

The branching extensions of a neuron that receive messages and conduct impulses towards the cells body

Chemical

The fluid inside the axon is a chemical. The chemical travels down with action potential as an electrical impulse. When action potential ends it reverts back to chemical form.

Vesicles

Contain neurotransmitters. The neurotransmitters are released from the sacs when action potential reaches the axon terminal.

Synapse

the junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the cell body. It is the small gap in between neurons. Neurons cross this gap during action potential.

Dendrite receptors

They receive the messages from the neurotransmitters.

Bind

Allows for the membrane to become selectively permeable when the neurons bind to the cell.

Reuptake Portal

Reabsorbs the excess neurotransmitters.

Myelin Sheath

coats the axon.Speeds up the process of neural impulse moving down the axon.

All-or-none

a reaction either fires or doesn't fire

Action Potential:

Impulse when stimulated (by heat, pressure or light); a brief electrical charge that travels down the axon. Generated by the movement of atoms in and out of channels in the axons membrane.

Neurotransmitter

Special brain chemicals that


1. Carry an electrical charge across the synapse
2. Made only in the neurons
3. Responsible for movement, thinking, and emotions
4. Recycled through re-uptake
5. Very PRECIOUS and RARE
6. Made from nutrients in the bloodstream
7. Each has a pathway to the brain

Acetylcholine (ach)

* enables muscle action (movement) and is used by different neurons.
* Learning and memory
* Found in the connection between motor neurons and muscle fibers

MALFUNCTION: Alz--producing neurons deteriorate

Dopamine

\-voluntary movement, learning, attention, emotion \n \n \n MALFUNCTION \n - Too little: can cause shakiness throughout the body, tremors, and decreased mobility--Parkinson's \n \n -Too much--hallucinations--Schizophrenia

Serotonin

\-Mood, hunger, sleep, dreaming, arousal, pain, aggression, sexual behavior, emotional state, \n \n -Too little: depression (prozac too boost these levels)

Norepinphrine

\-Mood, hunger, sleep, dreaming, arousal, pain, aggression, sexual behavior, emotional state, \n \n -Too little: depression (prozac too boost these levels)

Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA)

Major INHIBITORY neurotransmitter \n \n -inhibitory--slows down system, linked to insomnia seizures, anxiety \n \n Malfunction \n -Too little: seizures, tremors, anxiety

Glutamate

\-Major Excitatory Neurotransmitter \n -Memory \n \n Too much=overstimulates brain producing migraines/seizures

Endorphins

pleasurable sensations/control of pain lowered levels resulting from opiate addiction

The Nervous System

Consists of all the nerve cells. It is the body's speedy, electrochemical communication system.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Brain & spinal cord, reflexes

Peripheral Nervous System

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

Central Nervous System: The Brain and Neural Networks

Interconnected neurons form networks in the brain. These networks are complex and modify with growth & experience.

Sensory Neurons

Carry information from sense receptors to CNS

Motor Neurons

Carry information from CNS to muscles and glands

Interneurons

Connect neuron to neuron;

* All neurons in brain (networks)
* Also in spinal cord (reflexes)

The Nerves

* Nerves= neural "cables" or bundles of axons
* Part of the peripheral nervous system
* Connect muscles, glands, and sense organs to CNS

Peripheral Nervous System

* Somatic Nervous System: controls skeletal muscles
* Autonomic Nervous System: controls glands and other muscles

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

* Sympathetic Nervous System: arouses the body, mobilizing energy in stressful situations
* Parasympathetic Nervous System: calms the body, conserving its energy

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

Sympathetic NS

* "Arouses" (Superman)
* (Fight-or -flight)

\
Parasympathetic NS

* "Calms"
* (Superman at rest, Clark Kent)
* (Rest and digest)

The Endocrine System

The body's "slow" chemical communication system. Communication is carried out by the hormones synthesized by a set of glands.

Hormones

Chemicals synthesized by endocrine glands; secreted in the bloodstream. They affect the brain and many other tissues of the body.

Examples of hormones

Epinephrine (adrenaline): increases heart rate, blood pressure, blood sugar and feelings of excitement during emergency situations

* Insulin: controls blood sugar levels

Examples of hormones (cont.)

* Gastrin: causes stomach cells to release gastric acid, causing digestion
* Neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine

Pituitary Gland

The "master" gland

* anterior pituitary lobe releases hormones that regulate other glands
* posterior lobe regulates water and salt balance

Thyroid & Parathyroid Glands

Regulate metabolic and calcium rate

Adrenal Glands

Adrenal medulla, cortex

Adrenal medulla: secretes hormones (epinephrine and norepinephrine) during stressful and emotional situations

Adrenal cortex: regulates salt and carbohydrate metabolism

Pancreas

Regulates blood sugar in the body w/2 hormones:

Insulin: lowers blood sugar by allowing sugar to be metabolized in body's cells

Glucagon: triggers liver to release more glucose (sugar) into blood stream

Gonads

Sex glands

* located in different places in men and women
* regulate bodily development and maintain reproductive organs in adults

cerebral cortex (cerebrum)

outer covering of the brain--includes all four lobes(frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes) \n what makes us smart

frontal lobe

higher lever thinking--what makes you smart/decision making \n EX: alcohol slows frontal lobe

motor cortex

outgoing message of movement located in frontal lobe-- EX: brain tells hand to move

Broca's Area

controls the movement of speech: formation of words \n EX: having stroke-not being able to talk is the left side of brain

parietal lobe

processes sensory information that had to do with taste, temperature, and touch \n back of brain

sensory strip

incoming message of touch \n \*\*\*only messages of touch \n EX: stubs toe--sends to sensory

temporal lobe

responsible for processing auditory information from the ears (hearing) located by ears

auditory cortex

hearing \n --located in the temporal lobe

Wernicke's Area

controls understanding of speech/language \n --located in temporal lobe

occipital lobe

responsible for processing visual information from the eyes \n -located in bottom back

Visual cortex

sight \n -located in occipital lobe

corpus callosum

band of axon fiber connecting left to right brain \n --located between upper cortex and limpid system \n \*\*connects two parts

Limbic system

4 f's --food,fighting,fear, sexual behaviors \n hippocampus, amygdala, hypothalamus,pituitary glands

hippocampus

factual memory like fear and anger \n --way to remember- "i remember seeing hippo at zoo"

amygdala

involved in emotion like fear and anger \n EX: road rage

hypothalamus

"animal" instincts like hunger, thirst, sex drive, body temp \n --located in limbic system

pituitary glands

master glands \n -controls endocrine system, controlled by hypothalamus \n releases growth hormone

thalamus

\*\*connects two parts \n responsible for relaying information \n Part of the fore brain, below the corpus callosum

brain stem

to do with survival \n -includes cerebellum, pons, reticular formation, medulla, and spinal cord

cerebellum

"mini brain" controls memory of movement and balance \n -our brains auto pilot \n -EX: muscle memory--driving car, riding bike, shooting layups

pons

contains reticular formation

reticular formation (reticular activating system)

controls reticular formations which control alertness and arousal \n EX:falling asleep in class \n --located in pons

medulla

controls vital functions \n EX: keeps heart beating--you can die if damaged/keeps us from dying \n -breathing & swallowing

spinal cord

\*\*connects two things \n connects the brain to nervous system \n -controls reflex

Psychoactive Drugs

A chemical substance that alters moods and perceptions

Tolerance

Diminishing effect with regular use of same drug, requiring the user to take more to get the same effect

Withdrawal

Discomfort and distress that follow stopping the use of an addictive drug

Psychological Dependence

A need to use a drug, such as to relieve negative emotions

Physical Dependence

A need for a drug, marked by unpleasant withdrawal symptoms when the drug is discontinued

Addiction

Compulsive drug craving and use, despite harsh consequences

Depressants

Drugs that reduce neural activity and slow body functions

Barbiturates/Tranquilizers

Drugs that depress the activity of the central nervous system, reduce anxiety, and impair memory and judgement

Opiates

Depress neural activity, lessoning pain and anxiety. Pain killers, heroin and morphine, brain stops producing endorphins

Stimulant

Drugs that excite neural activity and speed up body functions: caffeine, nicotine, cocaine, ecstasy

Methamphetamine

Powerfully addictive drug that stimulates the central nervous system, reduces dopamine levels

Amphetamine

Drugs that stimulate neural activity causing mood changes and sped up body functions

MDMA

Stimulant and hallucinogen that produces euphoria and social intimacy but with long harm to serotonin and health risks

LSD

Hallucinogenic drug, acid

THC

Marijuana ingredient that triggers the effects with mild hallucinogens

Alcohol

Depressant with initial high and relaxation, causes depression and memory loss or organ damage

Heroin

Depressant with relief of pain, causes depression and withdrawal

Caffeine

Stimulant with alert and awake, causes anxiety and insomnia

Cocaine

Stimulant with euphoria and energy, causes heart stress and depressive crash