AP Psychology- U2

Words taken from the CED * excludes neurotransmitters

Behavioral genetics (2.1)

Focuses on discovering how genes and experiences interact and lead to specific behaviours and mental abilities

Molecular Genetics (2.1)

The study of chromosomes and gene expression of an organism can give insight into heredity, genetic variation, and mutations

DNA (2.1)

a complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes

Genes (2.1)

Segments of DNA that contain instructions to make proteins - building blocks of life

Heritability (2.1)

a measure of how well differences in people's genes account for differences in their traits

Dominant Alleles(2.1)

show their effect even if the individual only has one copy of the alleles

Recessive Alleles(2.1)

only show their effect if the individual has two copies of the allele

Genome(2.1)

the entirety of that individual’s hereditary information

Genotype(2.1)

the collection of genes responsible for the various genetic traits of a given organism (example: bb)

Phenotype(2.1)

the visible or observable expression of the results of genes, combined with the environmental influence on an organism's appearance or behavior (blue eyes)

Reciprocal determinism(2.1)

by interacting with the world around us, we have a role in changing the environment in which we live

Epigenetics(2.1)

The study of environmental influences on gene expression that occur without a DNA change

Evolutionary Psychology (2.1)

the branch of psychology that studies the mental adaptations of humans to a changing environment

Natural Selection (2.1)

Certain behaviors and genes best for survival (Survival of the Fittest)

Endocrine System (2.2)

the collection of glands that produce hormones that regulate metabolism, growth and development, tissue function, sexual function, reproduction, sleep, and mood, etc

Hormone(2.2)

A chemical messenger produced in the body that controls and regulates the activity of certain cells or organs (released in the bloodstream)

Hypothalamus(2.2)

brain region controlling the pituitary gland

Pituitary Gland(2.2)

the "master control gland;” controls other glands and makes the hormones that trigger growth

Pineal Gland(2.2)

produces melatonin which affects sleep

Adrenal Glands(2.2)

produce hormones that help regulate your metabolism, immune system, blood pressure, response to stress and other essential functions (Cortisol, Adrenaline, etc)

Parathyroid gland(2.2)

help regulate the level of calcium in the blood

Thyroid Gland(2.2)

affects metabolism

Pancreas(2.2)

regulates the level of sugar in the blood

Testis(2.2)

secretes male sex hormones -- linked with aggressive behavior

Ovary(2.2)

secretes female sex hormones

Melatonin(2.2)

chemical associated with sleep

Nervous System (2.3)

The body's electrochemical communications network.

Central Nervous System(2.3)

The brain & spinal cord, which distribute & process messages.

Spinal Cord(2.3)

nerves that form the connections between the brain and the peripheral nervous system and are encased in the spine

Peripheral Nervous System(2.3)

A branch of the human nervous system that includes all components except the brain and spinal cord

Somatic Nervous System(2.3)

The part of the peripheral nervous system that controls voluntary movements

Autonomic Nervous System(2.3)

A part of the peripheral nervous system that regulates bodily processes such as breathing, heart rate, and digestion

Sympathetic nervous System(2.3)

branch of the autonomic nervous system that excites body by preparing it for action (increased heartbeat, pupils dilate, lungs increase oxygen, relax bladder, etc) FIGHT OR FLIGHT

Parasympathetic Nervous System(2.3)

branch of the autonomic nervous system that restore the body's energy sources once they have been depleted (pupils constrict, heart beat slows, constrict airways, stomach contract, etc), REST AND DIGEST

Sensory or afferent neurons(2.3)

Neurons that take information from the senses to the brain

Motor or efferent neurons(2.3)

Neurons that take information from the brain to the rest of the body

Interneurons(2.3)

in the brain or spinal cord, neurons that take messages and send them elsewhere in the brain or spinal cord

Spinal Reflex(2.3)

An immediate response to external stimuli directed at the level of the spinal cord

Mirror Neurons(2.3)

neuron that play role in action understanding, imitation learning, and language processing. Enables use to recreate and embody intentions of others.

Neurons(2.3)

individual nerve cells that make up our entire nervous system

Dendrites(2.3)

receive neural messages

Cell body (Soma)(2.3)

contains the nucleus and other parts of the cell needed to sustain its life

Axon(2.3)

wirelike structure ending in the terminal buttons that extends from the cell body -- passes the messages along

Myelin Sheath(2.3)

a fatty covering around the axon of some neurons that speeds neural impulses (lack of it can cause Multiple Sclerosis)

Terminal Buttons (Axon Terminals)(2.3)

branched end of the axon that contains neurotransmitters

Synapse(2.3)

space between the terminal buttons of one neuron and the dendrites of the next neuron

Glial cells(2.3)

provide nutrition and protection for the neurons

Schwann Cells(2.3)

Supporting cells of the peripheral nervous system responsible for the formation of myelin.

Node of Ranvier(2.3)

Tiny gaps within the myelin sheath covering a nerve cell; may help speed impulses

Action Potential (2.4)

An impulse or brief electric charge that travels down the axon.

Threshold(2.4)

The level of stimulation needed to trigger a neural impulse.

All or None Response(2.4)

A neuron either sends an impulse or it does not.

Resting Potential(2.4)

When a neuron does not have an action potential

Polarized(2.4)

The state of a resting neuron; the outside of the membrane is positively charged while the inside of the membrane is negatively charged.

Depolarization(2.4)

describes an axon that is firing. Positive ions enter the axon, and cause other positive ions to move into the axon in the form of a neural impulse down the axon.

Refractory Period(2.4)

A resting pause, where neurons pump positively charged sodium ions back outside of the cell.

Vesicles(2.4)

small membrane sacs that specialize in moving products into, out of, and within a cell

Receptor Site(2.4)

Locations on neurons receiving incoming messages; neurotransmitters fit into these sites

Presynaptic Neuron(2.4)

A neuron that is about to receive a neurotransmitter from the neuron across the synaptic gap.

Postsynaptic neuron(2.4)

is the membrane that receives a signal (binds neurotransmitter)

Neurotransmitters(2.4)

Chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons that generate the next neural impulse.

Endorphins(2.4)

Natural, opiate-like neurotransmitters linked with pain control & pleasure.

Reuptake (2.5)

The reabsorption of neurotransmitters by the sending neuron.

Excitatory neurotransmitters(2.5)

send signals that stimulate the brain

Inhibitory neurotransmitter(2.5)

send signals to calm the brain down and create balance.

Agonists(2.5)

chemicals that activate the receptors for certain neurotransmitters and make the effects of neurotransmitters stronger (ie caffeine, Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs))

Antagonists(2.5)

chemicals that inhibit the actions of neurotransmitters (ie. LSD for serotonin)

Reuptake inhibitors(2.5)

are drugs that prevent the axon terminals from engaging in the reuptake of neurotransmitters. (ie.cocaine for dopamine)

Brainstem (2.6)

the oldest part and central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull; this part is responsible for automatic survival functions

Medulla(2.6)

controls heartbeat, blood circulation, breathing, muscle maintenance, regulation of reflexes like sneezing/coughing.

Reticular Formation(2.6)

plays an important role in controlling arousal (waking)

Pons(2.6)

plays a role with sleep and dreaming

Cerebellum(2.6)

the "little brain" at the rear of the brainstem; functions include processing sensory input, coordinating movement output and balance, and enabling nonverbal learning and memory

Thalamus(2.6)

the brain's sensory control center, located on top of the brainstem; it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla

Limbic System(2.6)

neural system (includes the hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus) located below the cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions and drives

Hippocampus(2.6)

major role in learning and memory.

Amygdala(2.6)

The center of emotion and is responsible for fear and aggressive responses

Hypothamalus(2.6)

regulates (flight or fight), temperature, hunger, and sex.

Cerebrum(2.6)

is the largest part of the brain. It is made up of two cerebral hemispheres (the left and the right hemispheres) that are separated by a large groove called the medial longitudinal fissure

Hemisphere(2.6)

the brain has two hemispheres, the left and the right. The left controls the right side of the body and the right controls the left side of the body.

Left Hemisphere(2.6)

specializes in language, speech, handwriting, calculation, sense of time and rhythm

Right Hemisphere(2.6)

specializes in processing involving perception, visualization, recognition of faces & emotions

Corpus Callosum(2.6)

the large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them

Cerebral Cortex(2.6)

the outer layer of tissue of the hemispheres, and smaller subcortical structure

Frontal Lobe(2.6)

portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead; involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgements

The prefrontal cortex(2.6)

controls executive functions or a set of abilities that are needed to control cognitive behaviors. These behaviors include attention, inhibition, working memory, problem-solving and planning.

Parietal Lobe(2.6)

portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head and toward the rear; receives sensory input for touch and body position

Occipital Lobe(2.6)

portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head; includes areas that receive information from the visual fields, contains the visual cortex

Temporal Lobe(2.6)

portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears; includes the auditory areas and helps with hearing and meaningful speech, contains the primary auditory cortex

Motor Cortex(2.6)

an area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements

Sensory Cortex(2.6)

area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations

Auditory Cortex(2.6)

is the part of the temporal lobe that processes auditory information in humans and many other vertebrates.

Visual Cortex(2.6)

the primary cortical region of the brain that receives, integrates, and processes visual information relayed from the retinas

Association Areas(2.6)

areas in the cerebral cortex involved in higher mental function.

Basal ganglia(2.6)

group of nuclei that function as a unit. It plays a role in the goal-directed control of voluntary movements (like picking up a piece of fruit with your hand) and routine behaviors.

EEG (2.7)

an amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity sweeping across the brain's surface. These waves are measured by electrodes placed on the scalp

CT Scan (2.7)

a series of X-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by computer into a composite representation of a slice of the brain's structure

PET Scan(2.7)

a visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task

MRI Scan(2.7)

a technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer generated images of soft tissue. Show brain anatomy

fMRI(2.7)

a technique for revealing blood flow, and, therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans. These scans show brain function as well as its structure