AP Psychology Unit I (Genetics-Neural Transmitters)

Vocabulary flashcards for AP Psychology Unit I, covering biology and behavior, the nervous system, and neural transmission.

Physiological Psychology

Behavior as influenced by biology.

Behavioral Genetics

Study on how genetics and environment contribute to behavior, focusing on Nature vs. Nurture.

Nature

Behaviors/traits genetically inherited.

Nurture

Behaviors/traits adopted from the environment.

Genes

DNA code that makes traits.

Genotype

Someone's genetic makeup.

Phenotype

Observable traits, influenced by genotype and environment

Monozygotic Twins

Twins that share 100% of their genes.

Dizygotic Twins

Twins that share 50% of their genes.

Heritability

Statistical estimate of trait variation due to genetics.

Epigenetics

Study on how the environment can change gene expression.

Down Syndrome

Condition with 3 copies of chromosome 21, leading to intellectual disability.

Huntington's Disease

Muscle disorder/impairment caused by degeneration of the basal ganglia (fatal).

Resting Potential

Negatively charged state of a neuron.

Action Potential

Electrical charge down the axon when a neuron passes the threshold (all-or-none response).

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers that transmit signals across a synapse.

Acetylcholine

Affects memory and muscle contraction.

Serotonin

Affects arousal, sleep, pain, mood, and hunger.

Dopamine

Affects movement, attention, and reward; imbalance linked to Parkinson's.

GABA

Inhibitory neurotransmitter.

Glutamate

Excitatory neurotransmitter, counterpart to GABA.

Norepinephrine

Affects alertness; lack can lead to depression.

Endorphins

Natural pain killer.

Substance P

Involved in pain, mood, vasodilation, and learning.

Reuptake

Neurotransmitters are reabsorbed.

Nervous System

Communication network that coordinates the body's actions.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Made up of the brain and spinal cord; main control center.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Connects the CNS to the body; made up of nerves.

Somatic Nervous System

Controls voluntary movement.

Autonomic Nervous System

Controls involuntary movement.

Sympathetic Nervous System

Activates the body during stress.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Rests the body.

Sensory Neurons

Carries signals to the CNS.

Motor Neurons

Carries signals from the CNS to muscles.

Interneurons

Facilitates intercommunication within the CNS.

Neural Transmission

Process where neurons communicate.

Dendrites

Receive messages.

Cell Body (Soma)

Contains the nucleus.

Axon

Sends messages.

Myelin Sheath

Fat around the axon that speeds up transmission.

Axon Terminals

Sends signals across the synapse.

Synapse

Space between neurons.