PSYC 3401: Biological Psychology Lecture Review

These flashcards cover key concepts, terms, and definitions from the Biological Psychology lecture reviewed for PSYC 3401. They focus on key aspects of psychopharmacology, neurobiology, and psychophysics relevant to the upcoming exam.

Biological Psychology

The study of the physiological, evolutionary, and developmental mechanisms of behavior and experience.

Psychopharmacology

The science of drugs that affect mind/behavior.

Pharmacokinetics

What the body does with the drug (e.g., absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion).

Pharmacodynamics

What the drug does to the body (e.g., action mechanisms, adverse effects).

Agonist

A drug that increases the actions of a neurotransmitter.

Antagonist

A substance that decreases the actions of a neurotransmitter.

Affinity

The degree to which a drug binds to its receptor.

Efficacy

The ability of a drug to produce a desired response.

Psychoactive drug

An exogenous chemical that significantly alters the functions of certain cells in the body.

Exogenous

Not produced within the body.

Opioids

Drugs like morphine or heroin that relieve pain.

Bioavailability

The proportion of a drug that enters the circulation when introduced into the body.

First-pass metabolism

The metabolism of a drug before it reaches the systemic circulation.

Blood-brain barrier

A barrier that restricts substance access to the central nervous system.

Tolerance

A reduction in the effectiveness of a drug after repeated use.

Withdrawal symptoms

Physical and mental symptoms that occur after stopping or reducing use of a substance.

Caffeine

A central nervous system stimulant that temporarily wards off drowsiness and restores alertness.

Alcohol

A psychoactive substance that is a depressant affecting the central nervous system.

GABA

A neurotransmitter that inhibits nerve transmission, calming nervous activity.

Glutamate

The most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward.

Norepinephrine

A neurotransmitter involved in arousal and response to stress.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter that contributes to feelings of well-being and happiness.

Nicotine

A psychoactive drug found in tobacco that acts as a stimulant.

Heroin

An opioid derived from morphine that is highly addictive.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

Fluid that fills the ventricles of the brain and serves various protective functions.

Exocytosis

The process of vesicles fusing with the membrane to release their contents outside the cell.

Reuptake

The process by which neurotransmitters are reabsorbed into the presynaptic neuron.

Synapse

The junction between two neurons where neurotransmission occurs.

Postsynaptic neuron

The neuron that receives the signal at the synapse.

Presynaptic neuron

The neuron that sends the signal at the synapse.

Calcium channels

Channels that open to allow calcium ions to enter the presynaptic neuron, prompting exocytosis.

Vesicle

Small membrane-bound compartments that store neurotransmitters ready for release.

Action potential

An electrical impulse that travels along the axon of a neuron.

Resting potential

The baseline electrical charge of a neuron when it is not active.

Hyperpolarization

An increase in the electrical charge difference across a membrane.

Depolarization

A decrease in the difference in electrical charge across a membrane.

Saltatory conduction

The jumping of action potentials from one node of Ranvier to another.

Neural impulse

The electrical signal that travels along a neuron.

Synaptic cleft

The space between the presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons.

Ligand-gated channel

A channel that opens when a neurotransmitter binds to it.

Metabotropic receptor

A receptor that, when activated, initiates a slower, more prolonged response through metabolic pathways.

Ionotropic receptor

A receptor that opens an ion channel immediately upon binding of a neurotransmitter.

Neurotransmitter

Chemicals that transmit signals from one neuron to another across synapses.

Homeostasis

The maintenance of stable internal conditions in an organism.

Myelin sheath

A layer of fatty tissue that insulates axons and increases the speed of neural transmission.

Nodes of Ranvier

Gaps in the myelin sheath where action potentials are regenerated.

Efferent neuron

A neuron that carries signals away from the central nervous system.

Afferent neuron

A neuron that carries signals toward the central nervous system.

Interneuron

A neuron that connects other neurons within the central nervous system.

Neuronal plasticity

The ability of neurons to change their connections and behavior in response to activity.

Apoptosis

The process of programmed cell death.

All-or-nothing principle

The concept that a neuron will fire an action potential fully or not at all.

Cation

A positively charged ion.

Anion

A negatively charged ion.

Endorphin

Neurotransmitters that act as natural painkillers.

Neuroglia

Supportive cells in the nervous system that do not conduct impulses.

Schwann cells

Glial cells in the peripheral nervous system that form the myelin sheath around peripheral neurons.

Oligodendrocytes

Glial cells that form the myelin sheath in the central nervous system.

Astrocytes

Star-shaped glial cells that provide structural and nutritional support to neurons.

Microglia

Immune cells of the central nervous system that remove waste and pathogens.

Ependymal cells

Glial cells that line the ventricles of the brain and produce cerebrospinal fluid.

Synaptic transmission

The process of communication between neurons through the release and binding of neurotransmitters.

Receptor site

A location on the postsynaptic membrane where neurotransmitters bind.

Second messenger

Molecules that relay signals inside the cell after receptor activation.

Neurotransmitter receptor

Proteins on the postsynaptic neuron's membrane that bind neurotransmitters and initiate a response.

Excitatory neurotransmitter

A neurotransmitter that causes depolarization of the postsynaptic membrane.

Inhibitory neurotransmitter

A neurotransmitter that causes hyperpolarization of the postsynaptic membrane.

Permeability

A quality of a membrane that allows certain substances to pass through.

Somatic nervous system

Part of the peripheral nervous system that controls voluntary movements.

Autonomic nervous system

Part of the peripheral nervous system that controls involuntary functions.

Benzodiazepines

Drugs that act as anxiolytics, enhancing the effect of GABA.

Stimulant

A substance that increases neural activity, blood pressure, and heart rate.

Depressant

A substance that reduces neural activity and slows down body functions.

Hallucinogen

A drug that alters perception, mood, and thought.

Antidepressant

Medications used to alleviate symptoms of depression.

Mood stabilizer

A drug used to treat mood disorders, particularly bipolar disorder.

Molecule

A group of atoms bonded together, representing the smallest fundamental unit of a chemical compound.

Signal transduction

The process by which a chemical or physical signal is transmitted through a cell.

Neuroscience

The scientific study of the nervous system.

Cerebral cortex

The outer layer of the brain involved in higher-order functions like thought.

Thalamus

A brain structure that relays sensory and motor signals to the cerebral cortex.

Hypothalamus

A brain region that regulates many bodily functions, including temperature and hunger.

Amygdala

A brain region involved in emotion regulation and processing fear.

Hippocampus

A brain region associated with memory formation.

Nucleus accumbens

A brain structure involved in the reward circuit and addictive behaviors.

Cortex

The outermost layer of the brain's hemispheres involved in most higher-level cognitive functions.

Neurological disorder

Any disorder of the nervous system.

Addiction

A condition in which a person engages in compulsive behaviors despite harmful consequences.

Dependency

A state in which an organism needs a substance to function normally.

Cognitive function

The core functions of the brain concerning knowledge processing.

Psychotropic medication

Drugs that affect mood, perception, or behavior.

Placebo effect

A beneficial effect produced by a placebo, which is not attributed to the properties of the placebo.

Behavioral intervention

Therapies aimed at changing specific behaviors.

Gene-environment interaction

The way that genes and the environment influence each other.

Chromosomes

Structures in the cell nucleus that contain DNA.

Neurotransmitter synthesis

The process by which neurons produce neurotransmitters from precursors.

Cholesterol

A type of fat that is essential for forming cell membranes, also plays a role in neurotransmitter function.

Free radical

An atom or molecule with an unpaired electron, which can cause damage to cells.

Oxidative stress

A condition that occurs when there is an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants.