Biopsychology

biopsychology

mental processes and observable behaviors are linked to biological structures and processes

neurons

highly specialized cells that communicate info in electrical chemical forms; we have 100 billion, extremely small, look like snow flakes

dendrites

1. thybers that receive info; goes into cell body - info travels to myelin sheath

axons

4. "away"; fiber that carries neurons message to other body areas.

A long, tube-like structure that conveys impulses away from a neuron’s cell body toward other neurons or to muscles or glands.

myelin sheath

3. white, fatty substance that allows increase in neuron communication speed

action potential

brief electrical impulse by which info is transmitted along the axon of the neuron

synapse

point of communication, area for the transfer of signals; "jump"

cell body

2. contains nucleus, provides energy

central nervous system

contains the brain and spinal cord

peripheral nervous system

carries messages to and from the CNS

somatic nervous system

controls voluntary muscles and transmits sensory info to the CNS

autonomic nervous system

controls involuntary body functions - self governing

sympathetic nervous system

arouses body to expend energy - "gas pedal"

parasympathetic nervous system

calms body to conserve and maintain energy - "brakes"

neurogenesis

birth of new neurons; inhibited by stress; killed off by nicotine

excitatory neurotransmitter

increase the possibility that the next neuron will fire

acetylcholine

makes your stomach contract when you vomit; primary roles: learning, memory,cognition, muscle contractions; associated disorders: too little - alzheimers

dopamines

primary roles: movement (voluntary), thought processes, rewarding sensations; associated disorders: parkinson's, schizophrenia, and drug addiction

serotonin

primary roles: emotional states, sleep, appetite, pain surpressor; associated disorders: too little - depression

norepinephrine

primary roles: physical arousal; increases heartbeat, learning, memory; associated disorders: depression, stress

GABA

primary roles: inhibition of brain activity; associated disorders: anxiety disorders, epilepsy

endorphins

natural high; primary roles: pain perception, appetite, positive emotions, blood pressure, sexual activity; associated disorders: too much - opiate addiction

hypothalamus

emotion and motivation, stress reactions, biological clock that controls bodies daily rhythm

Broca's area

(1861) damage results in difficulty in articulating words and faulty grammar; in the frontal lobe

Wernicke's area

damage results in inappropriate or nonsensical word choice; makes speech fluid and understandable or make sense; in temporal lobe

temporal lobe

by your ears and temples; contain areas involved in hearing, memory, perception, emotion, and language

parietal lobe

located at the top of the head; contain areas that receive info on pressure, pain, touch, and temperature

occipital lobe

located at the lower part of the head; contains areas that receive visual info

frontal lobe

located at the front of the brain; contains areas involved in short-term memory, higher-order thinking, initiative, social judgment, and speech production

localization of function

specialization of particular brain areas

cerebral cortex

gray matter; 3 mm thick, 3/4 of neurons are here

amygdala

initial evaluation of sensory info to determine its importance; mediation of anxiety and depression; emotions, particularly anger

hippocampus

memory; formation of new memories about facts and events

corpus callosum

nerve fibers that join left and right hemispheres

pons

regulates sleep wake cycle and dreaming

medulla

regulates heartbeat and breathing

cerebellum

regulates balance and coordination; also contains memory for simple skills and learned reflexes

thalamus

relay of impulses from higher centers to the spinal cord, and of incoming sensory info to other brain centers.

This forebrain structure is like the “switchboard in an air traffic control center.” It receives input from all sensory systems, except smell, and then directs the information to the appropriate cortical areas.

primary somatosensory

deals mostly with senses in the hands and face

pituitary gland

MASTER GLAND; regulates activites of several other glands; produces growth hormones; size of a cherry

thyroid gland

controls body metabolism rate

pineal gland

produces melatonin, which helps regulate sleep-wake cycles

hormones

chemical messengers secreted into the bloodstream by endocrine glands and effect functioning of target organs and tissues

endocrine system

system of glands located throughout the body that secrete hormones into the bloodstream; controlled by hypothalamus

adrenal glands

produce epinephrine and norepinephrine which cause physical arousal in response to danger, fear, anger, stress, and other strong emotions; fight./flight, stress, and sympathetic nervous system

pancreas

regulates blood sugar and insulin levels; involved in hunger; if this isn't functioning, diabetes

plasticity

the brain is flexible and parts adapt to perform functions if needed

primary motor actions

deals w/ 600 muscles of action movement

hindbrain

structures on top of the spinal cord; "lifesupport system"; last part of your brain to die

midbrain

coordinates simple movements w/ sensory info; small

forebrain

"BIG GUY"; thought, memories, personality, and ability to reason are here

right hemisphere

nonverbal, perceptual and spacial skills, emotion, art and music, and face recognition

left hemisphere

language, speech, math calculations, and writing

brain stem

part of the brain at the top of the spinal cord, consisting of the medulla and pons

phrenology

"read" from bumps on the skull

prefrontal cortex

located in the front of the brain; implicated in planning complex cognitive behaviors, personality expressions, decision making and moderating correct social behavior

Limbic System

A complex system of structures in the brain that regulates emotions, memory, and behavior, including the hippocampus and amygdala.

The interconnected group of forebrain structures generally responsible for emotions, drives, and memory.

Acute Stress

Short-Term stress

Chronic Stress

Long-term stress that persists over time, potentially leading to negative health effects.

General Adaptation Syndrome

A three-stage response to stress identified by Hans Selye, consisting of alarm, resistance, and exhaustion phases.

Problem-Focused coping strategy

A method of managing stress by addressing the problem directly to reduce or eliminate the source of stress.

Emotion-Focused coping strategy

A method of managing stress by focusing on emotions and emotional responses rather than addressing the problem directly, often involving seeking support or using distraction techniques.

Social Support

The perception or reality of having assistance from others, which can help individuals cope with stress and improve mental health.

Health effects of stress

Weakened Immune system, Increased risk of heart disease, Mental Health issues.

Panic Monster

The Panic Monster is a metaphorical representation of the overwhelming anxiety that motivates procrastinators to finally take action when faced with imminent deadlines.

• Is your friend.

Agonist

Enhances neurotransmitter action

Antagonist

Blocks neurotransmitter action

Afferent Nerves

These nerves carry sensory information towards the central nervous system

Efferent Nerves

while these nerves carry motor commands away from the CNS to muscles and glands

Stem Cells

Rare, immature cells that can grow and develop into any type of cell.

Gilal Cells

The part of the neuron that performs cleanup tasks and insulates one neuron from another so that neural messages do not get “scrambled.”

In light of its effects on Adenosine, what kind of drug is caffeine?

Antagonist

Reticular Formation

This runs through the core of the hindbrain, midbrain, and brainstem and is responsible for screening information and managing our levels of alertness.

An axon normally has a slightly ______ charge when it's resting.

Negative