Biopsychology

Neuroscience

Study of the nervous system

Neuroanatomy

structure of nervous system

Neurochemistry

chemical bases of neurons

Neuroendocrinology

Connection between nervous system and endocrine system (hormones)

Neuropathology

Disorders/disease in the nervous system

Neuropharmacology

Effects of drugs on the nervous system system

Neurophysiology

Functions and activities of the nervous system

Biopsychology

The study of the connection between observable behavior and the nervous system

Converging Operations

The strengths of one scientific field/approach compensates for the weakness of another

Donald Hebb

Godfather of biopsychology. Wrote the Organization of Behavior which proves that the brain controls behavior

Human versus nonhuman subjects

Human subjects:

• follow instructions

• Report subjective experience

• Cheaper

• Human brain

Nonhuman species:

• simpler

• Comparative research

• Not as many ethical guidelines

Pure Research

Research done solely out of curiosity/interest

Applied Research

Research done with the intent of benefiting humanity

Scientific inference

Empirical/Old methods used to study the brain (EX: assuming the frontal lobe controls decisions because of Phineas Gage case)

Darwin’s Theory of Evolution

Genetic traits that help with survival/reproduction are more likely to be passed down by generations

Evolutionary Psychology

The study of human behavior throughout history

Information Processing Capacity (IPC)

The amount someone can process information based on the amount of neurons working together/neural density

Mendel

Studied pea plants and crossbreeding, founded Punnett square

Chromosome

Threadlike structure that contains genes in the nucleus

meiosis

(Reproduction) Chromosome is divided into two, one chromosome from each pair goes into the gamete

Mitosis

(Cell regeneration) The chromosome replicates then splits into two, creating two identical pairs

Gene expression

The instructions within our DNA to create functional products/proteins

Transcription

DNA creates a template for mRNA to translate and send to ribosome

Translation

mRNA sends message to ribosome and the RNA replicates the DNA structure, creating more functional proteins

Epigenetics

Study of how our genes change based on our experience (gene expression changes, not genes)

Structural genes

Contains information to create protein

Transcription factor

Controls the rate of transcription, allows enhancers to alter genes

Methylation

When a methyl group attaches to a DNA strand and blocks enhancement

Meaney Experiment (2004)

Studies nature versus nurture with good versus bad rat mothers. Found that rats raised good will grow up to be good and vise versa. rat behavior is BOTH genetic and experimental because of epigenetics

Trans generational Epigenetics

Examines the passing/transmission of genes. Offspring of people keep those survival traits up to 5 generations

Central Nervous System

brain and spinal cord

Peripheral Nervous System

all of the nerves coming out of the CNS

Somatic Nervous System

reaction to external environment/VOLUNTARY actions

Autonomatic Nervous System

reaction to internal environment/INVOLUNTARY actions

Afferent Neurons

Sensory neurons (feeling)

Efferent Neurons

motor neurons (reaction)

Sympathetic Nervous System

fight or flight response, helps prepare body for emergency

Parasympathetic Nervous System

calms down the body after sympathetic NS actives, rest and restore

Cranial Neurons

12 nerves directly from the brain

Spinal Neurons

every other nerve that comes from the spinal cord

Blood Brain Barrier

tightly packed walls of blood vessels that prevent entry to the CNS

Meninges

protective membrane between the skull and brain

Dura Mater

hardest layer of meninge, right under bone

Arachnoid Layer

spider like middle structure in the brain

Pia Mater

thinnest layer closest to the brain

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

another protective layer that absorbs shock and is located in the ventricles/arachnoid space

neurons

nerve cells

Hydrocephallus

medical condition caused by buildup of excess cerebrospinal fluid. Treated with Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt

Glial Cells

supportive cells that outnumber nerves

Unipolar Neurons

only one process comes from the soma

Bipolar Neurons

two processes come out of the soma

Multipolar Neurons

multiple processes come from soma

Interneurons

no axon, only travel between neurons

Oligodendrocytes

type of glial cell that creates myelin in the Central Nervous System

Astrocytes

largest, star like glial cells that help in early childhood development + are apart of the blood brain barrier

Microglia

most glial cells, responds to injury and disease

Shwann cells

create myelin in the Peripheral Nervous System

Golgi Stain

allows for visualization of neurons by dying them

Nissil Stain

violet dye used to stain cell bodies

Electron Microscope

most detailed look at the neural structure

Anterograde Tracing Technique

dyes the cell to trace where it GOES (axon→ product)

Retrograde Tracing Technique

dye the product to trace where it CAME FROM (product→ axon)