AP Psych Unit 1 Michigan Virtual Vocabulary Terms

behavior genetics

the study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior

environment

every external, non-genetic influence, from prenatal nutrition to the people and things around us

epigenetics

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

eugenics

a now-discredited movement that aimed to improve the genetic composition of the human race through selective breeding

evolutionary perspective

a psychological approach that focuses on how natural selection has shaped behaviors and mental processes to enhance survival and reproductive success

fraternal (dizygotic) twins

twins who develop from separate fertilized eggs; genetically, they are no more similar than ordinary siblings

genes

the biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosomes; segments of DNA capable of synthesizing proteins

genome

the complete instructions for making an organism, consisting of all the genetic material in that organism’s chromosomes

heredity

the genetic transfer of characteristics from parents to offspring

identical (monozygotic) twins

twins who develop from a single fertilized egg that splits in two, creating two genetically identical organisms

interaction

the interplay that occurs when the effect of one factor depends on another factor

mutations

random errors in gene replication that lead to a change in the DNA sequence; the source of genetic diversity

natural selection

the principle that inherited traits that better enable survival and reproduction are passed on

nature

the influence of genetic inheritance on behavior and mental processes

nurture

the influence of environmental factors on behavior and mental processes

psychology

the scientific study of behavior and mental processes

autonomic nervous system

the part of the peripheral nervous system that controls glands and internal organs; sympathetic arouses, parasympathetic calms

central nervous system

the brain and spinal cord

nerves

bundled axons connecting the CNS to muscles, glands, and sense organs

nervous system

the body’s electrochemical communication network

parasympathetic nervous system

the division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body

peripheral nervous system

sensory and motor neurons connecting the CNS to the rest of the body

reflex

a simple, automatic response to a sensory stimulus

somatic nervous system

the division of the peripheral nervous system that controls skeletal muscles

sympathetic nervous system

the division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body

acetylcholine

a neurotransmitter involved in muscle action, learning, and memory

action potential

a brief electrical charge that travels down the axon

addiction

compulsive craving and use of a substance despite adverse consequences

adrenaline

a hormone that increases heart rate, blood pressure, and energy during stress

agonist

a substance that mimics a neurotransmitter and activates its receptor

alcohol

a depressant that reduces neural activity and slows body functions

all-or-nothing principle

a neuron fires at full strength or not at all

antagonist

a substance that blocks or reduces a neurotransmitter’s effect

axon

the neuron part that carries signals away from the cell body

barbiturates

depressant drugs that reduce anxiety and induce sleep

caffeine

a stimulant that increases alertness by blocking adenosine

cell body

the part of a neuron containing the nucleus

cocaine

a stimulant that increases dopamine levels

depolarization

when a neuron’s charge becomes more positive

depressants

drugs that reduce neural activity

dendrites

branching neuron extensions that receive signals

dopamine

a neurotransmitter involved in movement, learning, attention, and emotion

endorphins

neurotransmitters involved in pain control and pleasure

endocrine system

the body’s chemical communication system using hormones

excitatory neurotransmitters

neurotransmitters that increase neuron firing

GABA

the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter

ghrelin

a hormone that stimulates hunger

glial cells

cells that support, nourish, and protect neurons

glutamate

the primary excitatory neurotransmitter

hallucinogens

drugs that distort perception and thought

heroin

an opioid drug producing euphoria and addiction

hormones

chemical messengers released into the bloodstream

inhibitory neurotransmitters

neurotransmitters that decrease neuron firing

interneurons

neurons that process information within the CNS

leptin

a hormone that reduces appetite

LSD

a powerful hallucinogenic drug

marijuana

a psychoactive drug producing mild euphoria and altered perception

melatonin

a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles

motor neurons

neurons that carry signals from the CNS to muscles and glands

multiple sclerosis

degeneration of myelin disrupting neural communication

myasthenia gravis

disrupted nerve-muscle communication causing weakness

myelin

fatty insulation that speeds neural impulses

near-death experience

reported experiences close to death

neurotransmitters

chemical messengers between neurons

norepinephrine

a neurotransmitter involved in alertness and arousal

oxytocin

a hormone involved in bonding and social behavior

opioids

drugs that reduce pain and induce euphoria

psychoactive drugs

substances that alter perception, mood, and behavior

reflex arc

neural pathway controlling reflexes

refractory period

short time after firing when a neuron cannot fire again

reuptake

reabsorption of neurotransmitters

reuptake inhibitor

a substance that blocks reuptake

resting potential

the neuron’s non-firing negative state

sensory neurons

neurons that carry sensory input to the CNS

serotonin

a neurotransmitter affecting mood, sleep, and hunger

stimulants

drugs that increase neural activity

substance p

a neurotransmitter involved in pain

substance use disorder

compulsive substance use despite harm

synapse

the junction between neurons

threshold

the level needed to trigger an action potential

tolerance

needing more of a drug to achieve the same effect

withdrawal

distress after stopping drug use

amygdala

limbic system structure involved in emotion

aphasia

language impairment due to brain damage

association areas

cortex regions involved in higher mental functions

biological psychology

the study of biology and behavior

biopsychosocial approach

an integrated biological, psychological, and social perspective

brain plasticity

the brain’s ability to change and adapt

brain stem

the brain’s oldest part controlling survival functions

Broca’s area

brain region responsible for speech production

cerebellum

coordinates movement and balance

cerebral cortex

the brain’s outer layer for complex processing

contralateral hemispheric organization

each hemisphere controls the opposite side of the body

corpus callosum

connects the brain’s two hemispheres

cortex specialization

different cortex areas perform different functions

EEG

recording of brain electrical activity

fMRI

brain scan showing activity via blood flow

forebrain

largest brain region for complex functions

frontal lobe

involved in planning, speaking, and movement

hindbrain

controls basic life functions