2024 DHS AP Psychology - Genetics, Neurons, Nervous System and Endocrine System Diagram | Quizlet

Biological psychology

The scientific study of the links between biological and psychological processes

Neuron

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

Dendrites

A neurons bushy branching extensions that receive messages and conduct impulses toward the cell body

Axon

The narrow an extension that passes messages through its branches to other neurons or two muscles or glands

Myelin sheath

A layer of fatty tissue that insulates them and speeds their impulses

Action potential

A neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down and axon

Refractory period

A period of inactivity after a neuron has fired

Threshold

The level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse

All or none response

A Neurons reaction of either firing or not firing

Synapse

Junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers that cross between the synaptic gaps between neurons

Reuptake

Neurotransmitters reabsorption by the sending neuron

Endorphins

"Morphine within" natural opiate like neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure

Agonist

A molecule that by binding to a receptor site stimulates a response - mimics a neurotransmitter - Morphene

Antagonist

A molecule that by binding to receptors site inhibits or blocks a response - example - Curare poisoning

Nervous system

Refers to the body's speedy electrochemical communication network consisting of all the nerve cells and the Peripheral and Central Nervous System

Endocrine system

Communication system glands secrete another form of chemical messengers hormones which travel through the bloodstream-slow moving communication.

Hormones

Chemical messengers that are manufactured by the endocrine glands travel through the bloodstream and affect other tissues

Soma

Body of the Cell

Node of Ranvier

Spaces between the Myelin Sheath

Myelin Sheath

Insulates and protects the axon-ensures a constant electrical impulse

Axon

Fiber through which the electrical impulse travels

Schwann Cells

Cells that make up the myelin sheath

Axon Terminals/Terminal Branches

Send information to the next neuron

Nucleus

Provides nutrients and genetic material

Neuron

a nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system

Glial cells

In the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons

central nervous system (CNS)

Part of the nervous system that consists of the brain and the spinal cord

peripheral nervous system

Neurons that connect the CNS to the rest of the body, including muscles and glands. All nerves outside of bone.

spinal cord

a column of nerves within the spine that transmit messages to and from the body to the brain

somatic nervous system

the part of the nervous system that directs all voluntary movement.

autonomic nervous system

the part of the nervous system that regulates all automatic body functions, such as respiration and digestion.

sensory neurons

AKA afferent neuron - it takes sensory information to the brain

motor neuron

AKA efferent neuron it takes messages away from the brain

sympathetic nervous system

the division of the autonomic that prepares the body for action in challenging or threatening situations. - fight or flight

parasympathetic nervous system

the division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy . Helps you recover from a stressful situation.

Interneurons

neurons within the brain and spinal cord that communicate internally and intervene between the senses and and muscles.

reflex arc

the nerve pathway involved in a reflex action including at its simplest a sensory nerve and a motor nerve with a synapse between.
A simple, automatic response to a sensory stimulus, such as the knee-jerk response

pituitary gland

Known as the "Master Gland" most influential! Regulates a person's growth and controls other endocrine glands.

melatonin

Produces by pineal, regulates sleep-wake cycle

adrenal glands

Secretes adrenaline (epinephrine and norepinephrine) that help arouse the body in times of stress. Activate body for emergencies.

Ghrelin

Hormone secreted by empty stomach; sends "I'm hungry" signals to the brain

Leptin

Hormone produced by fat cells to signal satiety (feeling of fullness) to reduce appetite and increase the amount of energy.

Oxytocin

The bonding hormone - it helps us create social and maternal bonds

multiple sclerosis (MS)

Disease of the central nervous system characterized by break down of the myelin sheath leading to impaired motor function.

myasthenia gravis

Autoimmune neuromuscular disorder characterized by weakness of voluntary muscles and fatigue.

natural selection

A process in which individuals that have certain inherited traits tend to survive and reproduce at higher rates than other individuals because of those traits.

Eugenics

practice of selective breeding to create ideal specimens

survival of the fittest

A natural process resulting in the evolution of organisms best adapted to the environment.

behavior genetics

The study of the interaction of genes and environment on behavior.

monozygotic twins

identical twins formed when one zygote splits into two separate masses of cells, each of which develops into a separate embryo

dizygotic twins

fraternal twins, occurring when two eggs each get fertilized by two different sperm, resulting in two zygotes in the uterus at the same time

heritability

an estimate that indicates how how much of a trait can be attributed to genes.

Epigenetics

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

Nature vs. Nurture

name for a controversy in which it is debated whether genetics or environment is responsible for driving behavior