AP Psychology Unit 3 Flashcards

Biological Psychology

The scientific study of how the links between biological and psychological processes.

- brain, nerves, genes, hormones

Nucleus

The brain of the cell, it's "command center"

Cell body

Surrounds the nucleus, holds cell's life support systems

Dendrite

Bushy fibers that receive information and sends it to the cells body

Axon

Passes messages to it's terminal branches, then into muscles and glands

Axon terminal branches

Form junctions with other neurons or cells

Myelin Sheath

A layer of fatty tissue that insulates the axon, they increase the speed of neurotransmission

- Develops until the age of 25
- Grows neural efficiency, judgment, and self-control

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

The deterioration of the myelin sheath, will eventually shut down muscle control

Neuron

A nerve cell, the basic building block of the nervous system

Action potential + Speed of A.P.

A brief electrical charge that travels down the axon

- slowest = 2 mph, fastest = 180 mph
- Reaction time in humans is measured in milliseconds (thousandths of a sec.)
- Reaction time in computers is measured in nanoseconds (billionths of a sec.)

- chemical signals.
- like a battery. neurons let in positive ions that travel down the neuron

Refractory period

A period of inactivity after a neuron has fired

- when it has to "recharge"
- POST NUT CLARITY

Excitory signals

Seek to trigger a cell to fire

Inhibitory signals

Seek to keep a cell from firing

- Cells will fire when E > I

All or none response

A neurons reaction of firing 100% or NOT firing at all, no middle ground

Threshold

The level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse

Synapse

The junction between the terminal branches of one neuron's axon and the dendrites of another neuron.

*information travels from the terminal branches into the dendrites

Synaptic Gap/Synaptic Cleft

The tiny gap at the junction of two neurons

*When the action potential reaches the terminal branches of an axon, it releases chemical messengers called neurotransmitters.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical molecules that cross the synaptic gap.

- They are released from the terminal branches and move toward the dendrites.

*They also bind to neuro-receptors on the dendrite

Neuro-receptors

They receive neurotransmitters and then activate a neuro-transmission (action potential) in the receiving neuron

*Each neuro-receptor is specifically designed to receive unique neurotransmitters. This helps keep stuff separate

Synaptic vesicles

Produce + store the neurotransmitters

Re-uptake

When the sending neuron reabsorbs the neurotransmitters

*shortens the refractory period

Endorphins

Opiate like neurotransmitters linked to pain control and pleasure

- They dull/reduce pain, increase pleasure

How to generate endorphins

Exercise - "Runner's High", laughter, Drugs, Thrill rides, Horror movies

AceTylCholine (ACh)

- Helps with learning and memory
- The neurotransmitter at every junction between motor neurons and skeletal muscles
- When ACh is present, the muscle contracts
- When ACh is blocked, paralysis occurs (useful and anesthesia)
- When there is a deficiency, leads to Alzheimer's and dementia

Dopamine

Influences:
- Movement, learning, attention, emotion

Oversupply: leads to schizophrenia

Undersupply: decreased mobility, Parkinson's

Serotonin

Affects mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal

Undersupply is linked to depression

*Some anti-depressants work to increase serotonin production or stimulate serotonin

Norepinephrine

Affects mood, alertness and arousal

Undersupply depresses mood

GABA (Gammaamino butyic acid)

A major inhibitory neurotransmitter

Undersupply leads to seizures, tremors (ticks) and insomnia

Glutamate

A major excitory neurotransmitter

Oversupply leads to seizures, migraines, and overstimulation

What neurotransmitters are in undersupply in someone who is depressed?

Serotonin and Norepinephrine

Morphine elevates mood and reduces pain, what category of neurotransmitter is it like?

Endorphins

What neurotransmitter inhibits central nervous system activity to calm a person during a stressful situation?

GABA

Agonist

A molecule that binds to a neuroreceptor and stimulates a response

- Some drugs cause a high by amplifying sensations of arousal or pleasure.
ex.) cocaine

Anatagonists

Molecules that bund to a neuroreceptor and inhibit a response

ex.) Bouttin, it's a type of poison that comes from improperly sealed canned foods
- Inhibits ACh
- Causes paralysis

Nervous system

The body's speedy electro-chemical communication network

*To send information from brain to tissues, and from tissues to brain

Parts of the Nervous System

1.) Nerve Cells
2.) Central nervous system (CNS)
3.) Peripheral nervous system (PNS)

Sensory neurons

Carry "incoming information" from sensory receptors to the spinal cord + brain

*From tissue to brain

Motor neurons

Carry "outgoing information" from brain or spinal cord to tissues + glands

*From brain to tissue

Inter Neurons

Neurons within the brain + spinal cord that communicate between motor and sensory neurons, bridges the gap between them

Neuron numbers

- Few million sensory neurons
- Few million motor neurons
- Few billion inter-neurons

Nerves

Bundles of axons and different neurons that form "cables" connecting the central nervous system with organs and tissues

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Comprised of the brain and spinal cord

*The body's "decision makers"

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

The sensory + motor neurons that connect the central nervous system with the rest of the body

*Comprised of somatic and autonomic systems

Somatic Nervous System (SNS)

Enables the voluntary control of skeletal muscles

ex.) standing then the bell rings

- Arouses and expands energy

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

Controls the muscles and glands of internal organs

*INVOLUNTARY*

*Comprised of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system

Sympathetic Nervous System

The division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing it's energy in stressful situations

- If something alarms or challenges you, it will; accelerate heart beat, raise blood pressure, slow digestion, raise blood sugar, and cool the body with perspiration

Parasympathetic Nervous System

The division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving it's energy.

It does the opposite of symp. because it lowers heart rate and blood pressure

Nervous system flow chart

Reflexes

A simple autonomic response to a sensory stimulate (aka a knee-jerk response)

Endocrine system

A set of glands that secrete a form of chemical messengers called hormones

- These messengers travel through the blood stream to affect other tissues (including the brain)

- The slow communication system

- Influences interest in food and sex, and aggression

*Endocrine system messages tend to outlast neural messages
ex.) puberty, lasting anger

Hormones

Chemical messengers manufactured in the endocrine system
- Created in glands
- Through blood stream (like estrogen shots)
- To tissues
* Some hormones are identical to neurotransmitters

Endocrine System vs. Nervous System; Speed of action

Nervous system: Very fast

Endocrine system: Can be slow

Endocrine System vs. Nervous System; Nature of response

Nervous system: Electrical impulses traveling on nerves

Endocrine system: Chemical messengers traveling through bloodstream

Endocrine System vs. Nervous System; Duration of response

Nervous system: Usually completed in seconds

Endocrine system: Can occur over years

Endocrine System vs. Nervous System; Area of response

Nervous system: Often confined to one area of the body

Endocrine system: Response is widespread and affects many different areas

Endocrine System vs. Nervous System; Ex of controlled processes

Nervous system: Sensations, reflexes, movements

Endocrine system: Growth, development, reproduction

GLANDS IN THE BODY

Pituitary gland

- Located in the core of the brain
- The MOST influential component of the endocrine system, controls other glands in the body

Ex. of pituitary gland hormones
- growth hormone: used in physicals development
- oxytocin

Oxytocin

- Enables contractions during childbirth
- Enables milk flow during nursing
- Orgasm
- Promotes group cohesion and trust

Pituitary gland feedback loop

Hypothalamus

Brain region controlled by the pituitary gland

*Not a gland*

Thyroid gland

Metabolism (weight gain or loss)
- Energy

Parathyroid gland

Regulates the level of calcium in the blood

Adrenal gland

Sit directly above each kidney

*Release 2 different hormones; epinephrine (Adrenaline) and norepinephrine (Non-adrenaline)
- These hormones aid in fight or flight
- Raise blood pressure
- Raising blood sugar
- Giving surge of energy

Pancreas

Regulates blood sugar

Ovaries

Secret female sex hormones

Testes

Secret male sex hormones

Lesion

Tissue destruction (cuts)

*Can be done accidentally or as part of experimentation
- Scientists selectively lesion the brain and leave all surrounding tissue unharmed

EEG - Electro encephalogram

Measures the surface electricity in the brain

CT or CAT Scan (computed tomography)

A series of x-rays taken at different angles and positions, then copositied together to form a single "slice" of tissue

- Photograph = doesn't show movement or changes

PET Scan (position emission tomography)

Will inject a colored or radioactive amount of glucose into the brain and then follow it as a brain performs a given task

- Only lets us see one part of the brain at a time

MRI - Magnetic resonance imaging

A technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer generated images of soft tissue

- Can show brain anatomy

FMRI

Functioning, shows functions as well as structures

Older Brain Structures

- In primitive animals, only regulate basic survival

- In lower mammals, more complex brains; allow for simple thinking, emotion and memory

- In most advanced mammals (humans); process info, and use foresight + hindsight

The brain stem

The brain's oldest and innermost system where the spinal cord swells after entering the skull

- Responsible for automatic survival functions

- Made up of the medulla and pons

Medulla

- Located at the base of the brain stem

- Responsible for most basic functions; heart beat, breathing
*Most essential tasks

The Pons

- Located just above the Medulla

- It helps with coordinating movements

Thalamus

- A pair of "egg" shaped structures above the pons

*The brains sensory control center*

- Receives info from brain and spinal cord
Re: Sight, hearing, touch, taste (no smell) and sends it to higher parts of the brain
*Directs responses from higher regions of brain to the body

The Reticular Formation

- A net like set of neural fibers that extends from spinal cord through the thalamus

--> Info to thalamus
--> Info from thalamus
together work like a filter

Cerebellum "little brain"

- Extends from the rear of the spinal cord

- Processes sensory input, manages balance, coordinates movements, and helps with non verbal learning

- Alcohol disrupts the cerebellum

The Limbic System

Composed of the hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus

- Controls emotions like fear + anger and basic motives; ie. food, sex, etc.

- Lies between old Brain structures and our highest brain systems

Amygdala

2 lima bean sized clusters linked to the emotions aggression and fear

In the temporal lobe in front of the hippocampus

Hypothalamus

BELOW the thalamus

- Is important link in the command chain governing body maintenance (endocrine system)

- Maintaining a steady internal state (homeostasis)
- Responding to hunger, thirst, body temp. and sexual behavior

Hypothalamus Feedback loop

Cerebral cortex is thinking about sex
Hypothalamus recognizes that C.C is thinking
Sends messages to pituitary gland
Pituitary gland sends hormones to ovaries/testes
Testes/Ovaries release sex hormones
Cerebral cortex is stimulated by sex hormones

Hippocampus

A neural center in the limbic system that helps process + store EXPLICIT MEMORIES
ex. names, places, events, numbers, etc

- In the middle of the temporal lobe

Cortex

a subsection

Pleasure cortex (PC)

Somewhere in the limbic system

- When triggered in humans, it produced mild calming effects

- Triggered through electrical stimulation

The Cerebral Cortex

Cerebrum: "Newer" neural networks
--> Made up of specialized areas that aid in our perceiving, thinking, speaking, and learning
--> Makes up most of the brian, 85% brain mass
--> THE WRINKLY PART (more surface area

Cerebral Cortex: like the bark on a tree - the thin surface layer of interconnected neural cells surrounding the cerebrum
--> The brain's ultimate info processing center
--> Cerebral cortex increases with evolutionary complexity
--> 20-23 billion nerve cells + 300 trillion synapses

Glial Cells (G.C)

METAPHOR
*Neurons are like queen bees; they cannot feed or protect themselves

G.C: Cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons
- They provide nutrients to make neurotransmitters
- Provide myelin (lipids and fatty tissue) for the myelin sheath
- May also play a role in learning + thinking (einstein)

Cerebral Cortex

2 hemispheres; Right and left from brain holders view (think of the paper behind you, so as opposites on paper)

Cerebral Cortex Lobes

(in no particular order)

1. Frontal lobe
2. Parietal lobe
3. Occipital lobe
4. Temporal lobe

Frontal lobe

A portion of the cerebral cortex right behind the forehead

- Involved in speaking, muscle movements, making plans, and evaluating consequences

Motor Cortex

An area near the rear of the frontal lobe that controls voluntary movement

- Have mapped the entire thing

- Ear to ear section

Parietal Lobe

The portion of the cerebral cortex lying near the top of the head (sensory, from thalamus)

- Receives info for touch and body position

Somatosensory Cortex

Part of the parietal lobe, furthermost front

- Registers body sensations for all body parts
- Well mapped

- The more sensitive the body part, the bigger the portion of the somatic sensory cortex devoted to it.

Occipital Lobe

Portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head

- Receives information from the visual cortexes (EYES)

Blindness and the Occipital Lobe

Someone can be blind because of damage to the occipital lobe and their eyes work fine, or vise versa - someone can be blind because of eye problems like degenerative disease and their occipital lobe works fine

- This applies to the temporal lobe and deafness too

Temporal Lobe

Portions of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears

- Receives auditory information from the ears

Visual Cortex

Portion of the occipital lobe that processes visual sensations

- If you are blind because your eyes don't work, the visual cortex can be stimulated by electricity to "see"/process light and color
(you're seeing things IN YOUR BRAIN that the scientists are deciding to show you, lowkey gaslighting to be honest)

- Right vision is processed in the left visual cortex and vice versa

Auditory cortex

Portion of the temporal lobe that processes auditory information received from the opposite ears (because the left brain controls the right side of the body and vise versa)