AP Psych: Unit One

sympathetic nervous system

the division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy in stressful situations

parasympathetic nervous system

the division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy

glial cells

cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons

neurons

Individual cells in the nervous system

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.

sensory neurons

neurons that carry incoming information from the sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord

motor neurons

neurons that carry outgoing information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands

interneurons

neurons within the brain and spinal cord that communicate internally and intervene between the sensory inputs and motor outputs

neural transmission

The process by which neurons communicate with each other by sending electrical or chemical signals.

all-or-nothing principle

The principle that once the electrical impulse reaches a certain level of intensity, it fires and moves all the way down the axon without losing any intensity.

selective permeability

condition or quality of allowing some, but not all, materials to cross a barrier or membrane

action potential

a neural impulse. a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon

depolarization

The process during the action potential when sodium is rushing into the cell causing the interior to become more positive.

refractory period

a brief interval of time after an action potential during which a neuron is unable to fire another action potential

resting potential

the electrical potential difference across the cell membrane when the neuron is not actively firing an action potential (-70mV)

reuptake

a neurotransmitter's reabsorption by the sending neuron

firing threshold

the point at which a sufficient change in electrical potential has occurred to generate a nerve impulse (-55mV)

multiple sclerosis

myelin sheath destruction. disruptions in nerve impulse conduction

myasthenia gravis

autoimmune neuromuscular disorder characterized by weakness of voluntary muscles

dopamine

A neurotransmitter associated with movement, attention and learning and the brain's pleasure and reward system.

dopamine undersupply

parkinson's disease

dopamine oversupply

schizophrenia

acetylcholine

neurotransmitter that enables muscle action, learning, and memory

acetylcholine undersupply

myasthenia gravis and alzheimer's disease

norepinephrine

A neurotransmitter involved in alertness, arousal, learning and mood regulation

noepinephrine undersupply

Depression and ADHD

serotonin

A neurotransmitter that affects hunger, sleep, arousal, and mood.

serotonin undersupply

depression

substance p

A neurotransmitter that is involved in the transmission of pain messages to the brain.

endorphins

opiate-like neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure.

GABA

a major inhibitory neurotransmitter

GABA undersupply

seizures, tremors, insomnia

glutamate

A major excitatory neurotransmitter. involved in learning and memory

glutamate oversupply

migraines and seizures

adrenaline

A hormone released into the bloodstream in response to physical or mental stress

leptin

A hormone produced by adipose (fat) cells that regulates appetite.

ghrelin

A hunger-arousing hormone secreted by an empty stomach

melatonin

A hormone manufactured by the pineal gland that produces sleepiness.

oxytocin

"love hormone" released by the pituitary gland that influences social bonding, trust, empathy, contractions during childbirth and milk release while breast feeding.

agonist drugs

mimic or increase the effects of neurotransmitters

antagonist drugs

inhibit a neurotransmitter

reuptake inhibitors

Drugs that interfere with the reuptake of neurotransmitters in the synapse so that a greater amount remains in the synapse

psychoactive drugs

chemicals that affect the central nervous system and alter mood, perception, behavior, and cognition

stimulants

drugs that excite neural activity and speed up body functions (ex. caffeine and cocaine)

depressants

drugs that reduce neural activity and slow body functions (ex. alcohol)

barbiturates

A category of depressant drugs that reduce anxiety and produce sleepiness.

hallucinogens

psychedelic drugs that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input (ex. LSD and marijuana)

opioids

Any drug or agent with actions similar to morphine (ex. heroin)

tolerance

the diminishing effect with regular use of the same dose of a drug, requiring the user to take larger and larger doses before experiencing the drug's effect

addiction

compulsive drug craving and use, despite adverse consequences

physical dependence

condition occurring when a person's body becomes unable to function normally without a particular drug

psychological dependence

a condition in which a person believes that a drug is needed in order to feel good or to function normally

withdrawal symptoms

symptoms that occur after chronic use of a drug is reduced or stopped (ex. sweating, shaking, headaches, nausea, depression, irritability, restlessness)

nature and nurture

The debate regarding the relative contributions of genetic inheritance and environmental factors to human development.

genetic predisposition

An increased likelihood of developing a particular disease or condition based on a person's genetic makeup.

evolutionary perspective

A theoretical approach that explains psychological traits as adaptations that have evolved to solve problems of survival and reproduction.

eugenics

A set of beliefs and practices aimed at improving the genetic quality of a human population, often through selective breeding.

twin studies

Research studies that compare the similarities and differences between identical and fraternal twins to understand the influence of genetics and environment.

natural selection

The process through which species adapt to their environment, where individuals with favorable traits are more likely to survive and reproduce.

central nervous system

The part of the nervous system that includes the brain and spinal cord.

peripheral nervous system

The part of the nervous system that connects the central nervous system to the rest of the body.

somatic nervous system

The division of the peripheral nervous system that controls voluntary movements of skeletal muscles.

autonomic nervous system

The division of the peripheral nervous system that regulates involuntary bodily functions, such as heartbeat and digestion.