AP Psychology Unit 1 Test Vocab Terms

neurons

messengers, cells specialized to receive, process, and transmit information to other cells

dendrite

receiver part of the neuron

soma

contains the cell’s nucleus function, assess all messages and passes on appropriate information 

axon 

sends signals

myelin sheath

insulates axon, speeds signals

axon terminal 

sends signals

sensory neurons

carry info TO brain/ spinal cord 

motor neurons

carry info FROM brain/spinal cord

action potential

electrical nerve impulse

threshold 

minimum stimulus to fire neuron

terminal branches

end of axon, connect to next cell

refractory period

rest after firing

resting potential

neuron ready to fire

receptor sites

bind neurotransmitters

glial cells 

support neurons

all-or-none principle

neuron fires fully or not at all 

synapse

gap between neurons

neurotransmitter

chemical messenger

reuptake

neurotransmitter reabsorption

excitatory effect

encourage firing

inhibitory effect

prevent firing

acetylcholine

dopamine

serotonin

endorphins

glutamate

GABA

norepinephrine

substance p

antagonist 

agonist

receptor cells

detect stimuli

central nervous system

brain and spinal cord

peripheral nervous system

somatic nervous system 

voluntary movement

autonomic nervous system

involuntary movement

sympathetic nervous system

fight or flight

parasympathetic nervous system

rest and digest

reflex 

automatic response

endocrine system

hormone glands

hormones

chemical messengers

pituitary gland

lesion

brain tissue damage

electroencephalogram (EEG)

electrical brain activity

CT scan

X-ray slices of brain 

PET

glucose activity

MRI

detailed brain structure

fMRI

brain activity and structure

brainstem

life functions

Medulla

heartbeat, breathing 

Reticular formation

alertness

Pons

sleep, movement

Thalamus

Cerebellum 

balance, coordination

limbic system

amygdala

hypothalamus

hippocampus

cerebral cortex 

depressants

slow CNS

stimulants 

speed up CNS

caffeine 

nicotine

cocaine

meth

hallucinogens 

LSD

ecstasy

marijuana

Roger Sperry

Michael Gazzaniga 

Paul Broca

Carl Wernicke

Phineas Gage

Glial cells

left hemisphere 

right hemisphere

brain lateralization

frontal lobes

parietal lobes

occipital lobes 

temporal lobes

(somato) sensory cortex

motor cortex

auditory cortex

association areas 

Broca’s area

wernicke’s area

aphasia

brain plasticity 

corpus callosum

split brain research 

twin studies findings