Psy-101: Biopsychology

Neuron

- A cell

- Passes information/impulses

- Communication

Synapse

- Where neurons connect and communicate

- The space that releases electricity

- Points of contact from one neuron to the next

Glia Cells

- Cells that don’t provide information

- Provide support to neurons

- Structure, nourishment, insulation

Axon

- A cell has one

- Takes electricity from the neuron

- Sends signals

Dendrite

- Picks up information and sends it to other cells

- Receives information from the axon

Neurotransmitters

Chemicals that complete the connection between neurons at the synapse

Electrical, chemical

What are the two types of communication in the nervous system?

Soma

Maintenance of the cell; nucleus

Mylelin Sheath

Insulates

Terminal Button

Small “knobs” that secretes chemicals

Presynaptic Neuron

The terminal button that contains neurotransmitters

Postsynaptic Neuron

The receptor sites that contains the dendrites

Synaptic cleft

The gap between the axon terminal of presynaptic neuron and the membrane of the postsynaptic cell

Serotonin

- Involved in regulation of sleep and wakefulness, eating, aggression

- Associated with depression and OCD

- Prozac and antidepressants are associated

Acetylcholine

- Activates motor neurons controlling skeletal muscles

- Contributes to regulation of attention, arousal, and memory

- Can be stimulated by nicotine

Dopamine

- Contributes to control of voluntary movement, pleasurable emotions

- Associated with schizophrenia

- Cocaine and amphetamines elevate activity

Norepinephrine

- Contributes to modulation of mood and arousal

- Chemical released in response to stress

- Cocaine and amphetamines elevate activity

GABA

Inhibitory; anxiety; focus of tranquilizers

Oxytocin

- Love, affection, sociality

- Hosts the “we like” effect

Endorphins

- Contributes to pain relief and pleasurable emotions

- Allows to keep functioning with pain

Pons

Involved in sleep and arousal

Reticular formation

Group of fibers that carries stimulation related to sleep and arousal through the brain stem

Spinal cord

- Transmits information between brain and rest of the body

- handles simple reflexes

Cerebellum

Coordinates fine muscle movement and balance

Medulla

Regulates vital functions (breathing and circulation)

Limbic system

Alerts to changes in environment (physical and mental)

Amygdala

Part of the limbic system, involved in emotion and aggression alerting

Hippocampus

Limbic system structure involved in learning and memory

Thalamus

Relay system for incoming sensory information

Hypothalamus

- Regulates basic biological needs

- Hunger, thirst, temp. control

- Sends signals to other parts of the brain during threats

- Controls the pituitary gland

Cerebral cortex

Involved in sensing, thinking, learning , emotion, consciousness, and voluntary movement

Occipital lobe

Vision, distance and depth perception, color determination, object and face recognition

Frontal lobe

Cognition, recent memory, planning of movement, and some emotion aspects

Temporal lobe

Hearing and advanced visual processing, understanding language

Parietal lobe

Body sensation, navigating and controlling the body

Somatic division

Voluntary muscle activation

Autonomic division

- Controls smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and glands

- Involuntary

Parasympathetic

- To conserve resources

- Known as “rest and digest”

Sympathetic

- To mobilize resources

- Known as “fight or flight”

Pineal Gland

Provides a melatonin release (sleep)

Adrenal cortex

- Regulates carbohydrate and salt metabolism

- Controls inflammatory response

Adrenal Medulla

- Prepares body for action

- Secretes stress hormones

Interaction of nature

Considering an individuals nature depending on differences in physical and behavioral traits

Interaction of nurture

Considering environmental causes and personal experiences in the determination of physical and behavioral traits including the influence of parents or siblings

Identical

Coming from a single egg and sperm as a result of a division of the zygote, all genes are common

Fraternal

Results from two eggs fertilized by the sperm, half of genes are common

Heritability rate

Estimating the impact of genetic influence: ex, two smart parents predict that they will have a smart kid

Hind brain

Contains the cerebellum, brain stem, medulla, and pons

Midbrain

Contains the reticular formation

Forebrain

Contains the hippocampus and hypothalamus