Ap Pyschology unit 2

Biological base of behavior

NeuronPlasticity

A term to describe how the brain seems to be able to, even as we age, wire and *Re-wire* itself in response to new situations and information.

(Genetic) Predisposition

An inclination towards some characteristic that could be the result of *Genetics* or the *Environment*.

Acetylcholine

A neurotransmitter involved in *Voluntary Muscle Movements* and *Memory*

Acetylcholine

Alzheimer's is linked with a loss of neurons that produce \__________________.

Action Potential

The brief change in electrical charge that radiates down the axon.

Adrenal(s)

*Glands* that are located above the *Kidneys* that secrete *Adrenaline/Epinephrine*.

Sensory (Affernet) Neurons

Neurons which carry sensory information to the Central Nervous System.

Agonist(s)

Drugs that *Enhance* or *Amplify* the action of a Neurotransmitter.

Amygdala

The part of the *Limbic System* that is heavily involved in Primitive Emotions like *Anger, Fear, and Aggression* and well as Sex Drive. It is also viewed to determine the *Emotional Relevance* of any incoming stimuli.

Antagonist(s)

Drugs that *Inhibit/Impede* the action of a Neurotransmitter.

Aphasia(s)

Disruptions of speech production or comprehension that result from damage to the language centers of the brain.

Association (Cortex)

A part of the Brain that could make up 3/4 of the Cortex that is responsible for *Linking Relevance* and meaning to sensory input.

Auditory Cortex

The brain area responsible for taking *Auditory Input* and interpreting it. It's located in the Temporal Lobe.

Autonomic (System)

The division of the *Peripheral Nervous System* which controls things that happen *Sub-Consciously* (Hormone Secretion, Blood Pressure, etc.)

Axon Hillock(s)

The juncture between the Cell Body and the Axon.

Axon(s)

The tail of a Neuron along which *Electrical Signals are Carried*, which is achieved by a brief change in the electric charge of the cell.

Broca's Area

The brain area responsible for *Creating Expressive Speech* located in the *Frontal Lobe*.

Central (Nervous System)

The part of the *Nervous System* that is directly in the center of the body and consisting of the *Brain and Spinal Chord* that controls your survival.

Cerebellum

The brain structure involved in any *Coordinated Sequence of Movements* and is one *Center of Balance*. It's located at the brain stem below the Occipital Lobe.

Contralateralization

The term used to describe how each side of the brain controls the opposite side of the body.

Corpus Callosum

A large bundle of fibers connecting the right and left hemispheres.

Cortex

The wrinkled, convoluted shell of the brain that is divided into four lobes.

CT (Scan)

A *Brain Scan* technique that uses a 3D X-Ray machine to show *Structure* for Injuries. It can be used on other body parts as well.

D(ecrease)

In a *Fight or Flight* response, *Digestion* would \_________________(Increase/Decrease).

D(ecrease)

In a *Fight or Flight* response, *Salivation* would \_________________(Increase/Decrease).

D(ilate)

In a *Fight or Flight* response, *Eye Pupils* would \_________________(Dilate/Contract).

Dendrite(s)

The branch-like projections on Neurons that *Receive Messages* from other Neurons.

Depolarization

The first step towards conducting a signal along a Neuron where Na+ Ions rush *Into* the cell and K+ ions temporarily rush *Out* of the cell, leaving more positive charges on the inside.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter involved in regulating *Pleasure, Muscular Control, Learning, and Attention*.

Dopamine

Excess \______________ is linked to *Schizophrenia* while low levels are linked to *Parkinson's Disease*.

EEG

A *Brain Scan* technique that shows *Brain Wave* activity. It does *not* show *Location* very clearly, but is used extensively in *Sleep Studies*.

Motor ( Efferent )Neurons

Neurons which transmit motor messages from the Central Nervous System to muscles and glands.

Endorphin(s)

Neurotransmitters which *Alleviate Pain*

Epigenetic(s)

The phenomenon where your environment influences which genes are biologically expressed.

Epinephrine

A hormone (and also a Neurotransmitter!) that is secreted by the *Adrenals* which induces the *Fight or Flight* response.

Epinephrine

A neurotransmitter (and hormone) involved in *Alertness* and *Arousal* (Fight or Flight). At low levels, it may be linked to Depression.

Excitatory

An \________________ chemical *Stimulates* the firing of messages within the Brain.

F(alse)

*True/False*: A Neuron's Action Potential gets weaker as the person ages.

F(alse)

*True/False*: Neurons can *Half-Fire* and send only a half of a signal.

Threshold

The point at which enough positive charges have built up inside the Neuron that an Action Potential will be produced.

fMRI

A *Brain Scan* technique that shows extreme structure *AND* functional detail by measuring changes in oxygenation. "F" stands for Functional

Frontal (Lobe)

The Cerebral *Lobe* that plays roles in speaking and muscular activity, located towards the *Front* of the head.

GABA (Gamma Aminobutyric Acid)

*Low Levels* of \___________ are linked with *Anxiety* and *Seizure Disorders*.

GABA

The primary *Inhibitory* neurotransmitter in the Brain (AKA Gamma Aminobutyric Acid).

Genotype

Which combination of genes are physically in your DNA.

Glial (Cells)

Support cells in the brain that far outnumber Neurons. They act to provide *Nutrients* and *Myelin*, as well as function as *Immune* cells in the brain.

Glutamate

*Too Much* \_______________ activity can result in Seizure Disorders. It may also play a role in Bipolar degenerative disorders of CNS.

Glutamate

The primary *Excitatory* neurotransmitter in the Brain.

Hemispherectomy

The surgical procedure by which one hemisphere of the brain is removed, usually to combat life threatening disorders such as epilepsy.

Heritability

The amount of *Difference Between Individuals* that seems to be accounted for by heredity (i.e. they are 40% different because of their heredity).

Hippocampus

The part of the *Limbic System* that is responsible for the *Formation* of *New Memories* and *Spatial Navigation*.

Hormones(s)

Chemical messengers carried throughout the *Blood* that are the primary communicators of the *Endocrine System*. They take longer to get to where they are going, but *Last Longer*.

Hypothalamus

The part of the *Limbic System* that regulates Appetite, Thirst, Sex Drive, Sleep/Wake Cycle, Body Temperature, and the Fight or Flight Response. It also directs the *Pituitary Gland* in controlling the Endocrine System.

I(ncrease)

In a *Fight or Flight* response, *Adrenaline Levels* would \_________________(Increase/Decrease).

I(ncrease)

In a *Fight or Flight* response, *Endorphin Levels* would \_________________(Increase/Decrease).

I(ncrease)

In a *Fight or Flight* response, *Heart Rate* would \_________________(Increase/Decrease).

I(ncrease)

In a *Fight or Flight* response, *Respiration* would \_________________(Increase/Decrease).

Inhibitory

An \________________ chemical *Slows* transmission of Neural Messages.

Insulin

A *Hormone* that promotes the absorption of Glucose into cells and is secreted by the *Pancreas*.

Interneuron(s)

Neurons which make up the brain and spinal chord.

Lateralization

A term that describes how the *Right* Hemisphere is better at visual, spatial, and artistic tasks while the *Left* Hemisphere is better at mathematical, logical, analytical, and linguistic tasks.

Lesion(ing)

A brain research method where a part of the brain is *Surgically Removed*.

Limbic System

The group of brain structures that are mostly responsible for *Emotion* and *Motivation*.

Medulla

A band of nerve fibers below the Pons that controls *Autonomic Functions* like Heart Rate, Blood Pressure, and Swallowing. This

Melatonin

A hormone that induces *Sleep* and is secreted by the *Pineal Gland*.

Mirror (Neurons)

Neurons that fire in your brain when you see something *as if you too* were doing that something. This could be highly liked to human behaviors of *Empathy, Language, and Imitation*.

Motor Cortex

The part of the brain responsible for every *Voluntary Movement* and located along the *Border of the Parietal Lobe*.

MRI

A *Brain Scan* technique that shows extreme *Structural Detail*. AKA *Magnetic Resonance Imaging*.

Multiple Sclerosis

An autoimmune disease where the body attacks the *Myelin Sheaths* on neurons, which can lead to loss of strength, muscle control, and coordination.

Myelin (Sheath)

A fatty white substance wrapped around the axon that both protects the axon and increases the speed of the Action Potential.

Neural Chain

A term used to describe the web of interconnections between Neurons.

Neurogenesis

The creation of new neurons.

Neuron(s)

The basic "building block" cell of the Nervous System. There are many types.

Neuroscience

The scientific study of neurons and the nervous system.

Neurotransmitter(s)

Chemical messengers of the *Nervous System* that carry signals *Almost Instantly* in the synapses between Neurons.

Occipital (Lobe)

The *Lobe* to the *Rear* of the Cortex that houses the Primary Visual Cortex.

Ovaries

*Female Reproductive Glands* that secrete *Estrogen*.

Pancreas

A *Gland/Organ* located in the *Central Abdomen* that secretes *Insulin*.

Parasympathetic (System)

The division of the *Autonomic System* which is the *Opponent Process* to the Sympathetic System and works to return the body to a calm state.

Parietal (Lobe)

The large *Lobe* on the *Top/Crown* of the head that houses the Somatosensory Cortex.

Peripheral (Nervous System)

The part of the *Nervous System* that consists of all of the nerve cells that are *Not* part of the Central Nervous System.

PET (Scan)

A *Brain Scan* technique that indicates *Levels of Activity* in general locations by using a tracer shot of *Radioactive Glucose*.

Phenotype

The traits that are actually expressed as a result of Environmental and Genotypic conditions.

Phineas Gage

A 19th century railroad worker who had part of his Frontal/Prefrontal cortex removed by a *Projectile Tamping Iron*. He survived and provided unique insight into the *Specificity* of the brain.

Pineal (Gland)

A *Gland* located in the *Inner Central Brain* that secretes *Melatonin* to induce sleep.

Pituitary Gland

The brain area considered to be the *Master Gland* that directs the endocrine system. It also secretes *HGH* and *Oxytocin*.

Pons

The jutting area on the Upper Spinal Chord that may be responsible for *Dreams*, but also plays a role in maintaining some vital functions.

Postsynaptic

The \___________________ Neuron is the one that comes *After* the synapse, and *Receives Signals* at its Dendrites.

Prefrontal Cortex

The brain area that acts as the executive of the brain, carrying out *Planning, Decision Making, Judgement*, and *Self-Control*. It's located towards the *Front* of the Frontal Lobe.

Presynaptic

The \___________________ Neuron is the one that comes *Before* the synapse, and releases the neurotransmitters.

Primary Visual Cortex

The brain area that is responsible for taking *Visual Sensory Input* and interpreting it. It's located in the very *Rear* of the head.

Reflex Arc

A term to describe the process by which sensory signals are sent directly to the Spinal Chord and then to motor neurons before the brain is ever engaged, allowing for *Faster Reaction Times*.

Refractory (Period)

The brief period after a Neuron Fires during which it *Cannot* fire again.

Resting Potential

The electrical state of the cell when not in use, sitting at -70mV.

Reticular Formation

The *Brain Stem Structure* that *Alerts the Brain* to *Incoming Signals* so that the Brain is ready to react quicker. (AKA RAS)

Reuptake

The process by which chemicals are released by the Synaptic Cleft and *Re-enter* the original Neuron to be used again.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter that is involved in regulating *Appetite, Sleep, and Mood*. Low levels linked with Depression and Anxiety.

Soma

The *Cell Body* of a Neuron, which is composed of a Nucleus surrounded by cytoplasm enclosed in a membrane.

Somatic (System)

The division of the *Peripheral Nervous System* which controls *Voluntary Movements*.

Somatosensory Cortex

The part of the brain that registers all *Touch Sensations* and is located along the *Border of the Frontal Lobe*.