ap psych unit 1 vocab 1-64

heredity

the genetic transfer of characteristics from parents to offspring.

natural selection

the principle that the inherited traits enabling an organism to survive and reproduce in a particular environment will (in competition with other trait variations) most likely be passed on to succeeding generations.

central nervous system

the brain and spinal cord.

peripheral nervous system

the sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system (CNS) to the rest of the body.

autonomic nervous system

the part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organs (such as the heart). Its sympathetic division arouses; its parasympathetic division calms.

sympathetic nervous system

the division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy.

parasympathetic nervous system

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

somatic nervous system

the division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body’s skeletal muscles. Also called the skeletal nervous system.

neurons

nerve cells; the basic building block of the nervous system.

glial cells

cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons; they may also play a role in learning, thinking, and memory.

sensory neurons

neurons that carry incoming information from the body’s tissues and 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; they communicate internally and process information between the sensory inputs and motor outputs.

action potential

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

refractory period

in neural processing, a brief resting pause that occurs after a neuron has fired; subsequent action potentials cannot occur until the axon returns to its resting state.

reuptake

a neurotransmitter’s reabsorption by the sending neuron.

threshold

the level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse.

endorphins

“morphine within”; natural, opioid-like neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure.

hormones

chemical messengers that are manufactured by the endocrine glands, travel through the bloodstream, and affect other tissues.

psychoactive drugs

a chemical substance that alters the brain, causing changes in perceptions and moods.

agonist

a molecule that increases a neurotransmitter’s action.

antagonist

a molecule that inhibits or blocks a neurotransmitter’s action.

stimulants

drugs that excite neural activity and speed up body functions.

depressants

drugs that reduce neural activity and slow body functions.

hallucinogens

psychedelic (“mind-manifesting”) drugs that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input.

opioids

opium and its derivatives; they depress neural activity, temporarily lessening pain and anxiety.

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

an everyday term for compulsive substance use (and sometimes for dysfunctional behavior patterns, such as out-of-control gambling) that continue despite harmful consequences. (See also substance use disorder.)

withdrawal

the discomfort and distress that follow discontinuing an addictive drug or behavior.

nature

dna

nurture

environment

eugenics

people in favor promote reproduction of those with positive genetic traits (intelligence, attractiveness, height, etc) and fewer offspring for those with undesirable traits

genetic predisposition

the susceptibility to develop a certain disease, emotional response, or condition due to genetic makeup

evolutionary perspective

an approach to psychology, in which knowledge and principles from evolutionary biology are put to use in research on the structure of the human mind

twin studies

a research design that studies the difference between nature and nurture in individual psychology by observing the differences between twins, both identical and fraternal

family studies

an area of psychological study and research that examines how individuals change and grow and how those changes interact within the family matrix

adoption studies

a research method in which genetically related family members who were adopted are compared with each other in order to tease apart genetic and environmental influences

reflex arc

a neural pathway that controls a reflex

neural transmission

the process of transferring a signal or activity from a neuron to another neuron or cell

all-or-nothing principle

the physical reaction of a nerve or muscle to an outside stimulus will be the same regardless of the comparative strength of the stimulus; there's either a complete response or no response at all

depolarization

a change in the difference between the electric charge on the inside and the outside of the cell membrane and is when the cell becomes positively charged (or less negative)

resting potential

the electrical charge difference across the membrane of a neuron when it is not actively transmitting a signal

multiple sclerosis

a disorder in which the body's immune system attacks the protective covering of the nerve cells

myasthenia gravis

the deterioration of the nerves and muscles

excitatory neurotransmitters

a neurotransmitter chemical whose function it is to "excite" or activate a post-synaptic neuron (a neuron on the far side of synapse) that is conveying an electrochemical signal to the body

inhibitory neurotransmitters

a neurotransmitter that blocks or prevents the chemical message from being passed along any farther

dopamine

both a neurotransmitter and a neurohormone produced in multiple areas of the brain. As a hormone it is often associated with pleasant experiences. As a neurotransmitter it transmits signals associated with concentration and motor skills

serotonin

a neurotransmitter with functions in various systems of the body. In the central nervous system works to regulate mood, appetite, sleep, memory and learning. When present, the neurotransmitter acts as something of a connector between cells, and is associated with a feeling of happiness or decreased anxiety

norepinephrine

a neurotransmitter and as a stress hormone, controlling the body’s “fight or flight” response

glutamate

an amino acid that acts as a neurotransmitter. sends chemical messages in the brain by "exciting" neurons that are sensitive to it

GABA

both a neurotransmitter and amino acid produced in the brain. It has an inhibitory function as it blocks nerve impulses

substance p

a neuropeptide that plays a role in many physiological functions, including pain, inflammation, and mood regulation

acetylcholine

the most common type of neurotransmitter, and the most well understood. In the peripheral nervous system, activates muscles that help the body move

adrenaline

a stress hormone that helps people prepare for dangerous or stressful situations

leptin

a hormone that is primarily secreted by fat cells that regulates body fat amounts through regulation of hunger and energy expenditure throughout the body

ghrelin

a hormone that increases appetite by signaling hunger to the brain

melatonin

a naturally occurring compound found in the body that has many vital functions; maintaining the circadian rhythm (sleep/wake cycles), light dependence, antioxidant functions, support of the immune system, and dreaming. also believed to play a crucial role in autism and aging

oxytocin

a hormone produced in the hypothalamus and secreted by the pituitary gland’s posterior lobe. This chemical messenger is also referred to as the “love hormone” or “cuddle hormone” because it is being released when people become intimate with each other

reuptake inhibitors

a substance that prevents nerve cells from reabsorbing neurotransmitters

caffeine

a psychoactive stimulant that speeds up the central nervous system and has many effects on the mind and body

cocaine

excitatory and stimulates the release of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine

alcohol

a depressant, which can disrupt the balance of neurotransmitters (chemical messengers) in your brain and affect your feelings, thoughts and behavior

marijuana

a psychoactive drug derived from the cannabis plant

heroin

a drug that comes from a flower, the opium poppy