UNIT 1 AP PSYCH REVIEW

(The Hindbrain) Medulla

Located at the top of the spinal cord. Responsible for life-sustaining functions such as breathing, swallowing, and heart rate. Sensory neurons cross at this point.

(The Hindbrain) Pons

Connects top brain to the bottom. Plays a part in sleeping, dreaming, left-right body coordination, and alertness. Made up of motor neurons.

(The Hindbrain) Reticular Formation

Area of neurons going through the Medulla and the Pons. Responsible for selective attention.

(The Hindbrain) Cerebellum

Lower brain located behind the Pons (AKA little brain). Controls and coordinates involuntary and rapid motor functions. Learning takes place in this area.

Ex. Sitting on chair, Learning how to play an instrument, riding a bike.

(The Emotional Brain) Limbic System

Several brain structures under cortex. Controls learning, emotion, memory, and motivation.

(The Emotional Brain) Thalamus

Located in the center of the brain. Processes sensory information before sending it to the proper area. Smell does NOT pass through this area.

(The Emotional Brain) Amygdala

Located near hippocampus. Responsible for fear responses and memory of fear. Information from senses goes here first to respond to danger.

(The Emotional Brain) Hippocampus

Curved structure in the temporal lobes. Responsible for long-term memories and storage of memory for objects or locations.

(The Emotional Brain) Cingulate Cortex

Limbic structure INSIDE cortex. Plays a role in cognitive and emotional processing.

(The Emotional Brain) Hypothalamus

Located below Thalamus. Responsible for behaviors such as sleep, hunger, thirst, sex, etc. Regulates body temperature.

(The Cortex) Left Hemisphere

Detail, reading, calculations, written language.

(The Cortex) Right Hemisphere

Emotional thought, facial recognition, artistic & musical recognition, processes the ”whole.”

(The Cortex) Corpus Callosum

Transfers information between hemispheres such as sensory, motor, and cognitive information.

(The Cortex) Occipital Lobe

Located at the rear and bottom of each hemisphere. Processes visual information from eyes.

(The Cortex) Parietal Lobe

Located at the top and back of each hemisphere. Contains center for perception, spelling, and math. Processes body part movement, pain, and touch.

(The Cortex) Temporal Lobe

Located behind temples. Contains neurons responsible for hearing and speech.

(The Cortex) Frontal Lobe

Located at the top and front of the brain. Responsible for decision making and fluent speech.

(The Cortex) Somatosensory Cortex

Area of neurons running down the front of Parietal Lobe. Responsible for processing information from the skin and internal receptors for body position, temperature, and possibly taste.

(The Cortex) Motor Cortex

Section of the Frontal Lobe located at the back. Responsible for sending motor commands to muscles of the somatic neuron system.

(Language Areas) Broca’s Area

The “planning” of what to say. Damage to this area causes speech delay.

(Language Areas) Wernicke’s Area

Responsible for comprehending language and speaking comprehensively. Damage to this area causes speech that can not be understood.

(Brain Mapping) Computed Tomography - CT

A method for taking X-ray images of the brain using a computer.

(Brain Mapping) Magnetic Resonance Imaging - MRI

A method for taking picture of the brain using radio waves and magnetic fields.

(Brain Mapping) Electroencephalogram - EEG

Records electrical activity of the brain below certain areas of the skull. Measures sleep and seizures. Shows tumors, injuries, abnormal structures.

(Brain Mapping) Positron Emission Tomography - PET

Radioactive sugar is injected into the subject to measure color-coded brain activity. Lighter colors means more activity. Measures metabolism, blood flow, oxygen use.

(Brain Mapping) Functional MRI - fMRI

A “movie” that shows change in brain activity during different periods of time. Can identify Alzheimers.

(Brain Mapping) Lesioning Studies

Case study of people with brain damage. The cases vary heavily from one another.

(Brain Mapping) Electrical Stimulation of the Brain

Weak electrical current that stimulates neurons.

(Structure of a Neuron and how it fires) Dendrites

Branch-like structures that receive message from other neurons.

(Structure of a Neuron and how it fires) Soma

Responsible for maintaining the life of the cell. The cell body of the neuron

(Structure of a Neuron and how it fires) Axon

Tube-like structure that carries message through the neurons.

(Structure of a Neuron and how it fires) Glial Cells

Grey fatty cells that deliver nutrients to neurons, provide support for the neurons to grow, and produce myelin to coat axons.

(Structure of a Neuron and how it fires) Myelin

Protect, insulate, and speed up the neural impulse in neurons.

(Structure of a Neuron and how it fires) Nerves

Groups of axons in the peripheral nervous system.

(Structure of a Neuron and how it fires) Axon Terminal

Rounded areas at the end of the branches that communicate with other nerve cells.

(Structure of a Neuron and how it fires) Synaptic Vesicles

Sack-like structure found inside axon terminal containing neurotransmitters.

(Structure of a Neuron and how it fires) Synapse

Space between axon terminal and the surface of the next cell.

(Structure of a Neuron and how it fires) Receptor Sites

Holes in the dendrites shaped to fit certain neurotransmitters.

(Structure of a Neuron and how it fires) Axon Buttons

Small knobs found at the end of the axon. Release neurotransmitters that send signals to other neurons.

(Structure of a Neuron and how it fires) Diffusion

The process of moving ions form areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration.

(Structure of a Neuron and how it fires) Resting Potential

The state of the neuron when it is not firing a signal.

(Structure of a Neuron and how it fires) Action Potential

When a signal fires, causing the reversal of the ions within the axon. Allows sodium ions to enter the cell.

(Structure of a Neuron and how it fires) Refractory Period

After a neuron fires, it takes a split second break to recharge.

(Structure of a Neuron and how it fires) Ions - Sodium

Responsible for initiating electrical signals by moving into the cell.

(Structure of a Neuron and how it fires) Ions - Potassium

Responsible for amplifying electrical signals, helping them move down the cell.

(Neurotransmitters) Excitatory Synapse

Neurotransmitter that causes the cell to fire.

(Neurotransmitters) Inhibitory Synapse

Neurotransmitter that causes the cell to STOP firing.

(Neurotransmitters) Antagonist

Blocks or reduces the effects of a neurotransmitter. Blocks receptor site.

(Neurotransmitters) Agonist

mimics or enhances the effects of a neurotransmitter. Blocks the reuptake. Have the same molecular shape.

(Neurotransmitters) Acetylcholine - ACH

Responsible for controlling muscles. Located in the hippocampus. Associated with Alzheimer’s.

(Neurotransmitters) Curare

An antagonist to ACH and paralyzes the target.

(Neurotransmitters) Dopamine

Controls mood, attention, sensory perception. Located at the Basal Ganglia. Too little = Parkinson’s. Too much = Schizophrenia.

(Neurotransmitters) Serotonin

Controls sleep, mood, appetite, and anxiety. Located in the lower part of the brain. Too little = depression.

(Neurotransmitters) Glutamate

Responsible for learning & memory, nervous system development, and is connected to synaptic plasticity. Too much = head injury, stroke, and Alzheimers.

(Neurotransmitters) GABA

Controls sleep, inhibits movement, anti-anxiety. Located in the brain. Alcohol acts as an agonist.

(Neurotransmitters) Neuropeptide

(Neurotransmitters) Endorphins

Involved in pain relief.

(Neurotransmitters) Reuptake

Regulates neurotransmitter levels by “cleaning up” after neuron has fired.

(Endocrine System) Endocrine Glands

Glands that secrete hormones into bloodstream.

(Endocrine System) Hormones

The chemicals RELEASED by Endocrine Glands.

(Endocrine System) Pituitary Glands

Gland that controls all other glands. Secrets oxytocin, a stress hormone. located in brain and is known as the master gland.

(Endocrine System) Pineal Gland

Secretes melatonin. Located near the cerebellum.

(Endocrine System) Thyroid Gland

Regulates metabolism. Located near the neck. Too much = hyperthyroidism. Too little = hypothyroidism

(Endocrine System) Pancreas

Controls blood sugar levels by secreting insulin and glucagon. Too little insulin = diabetes. Too much = hypoglycemia.

(Endocrine System) Gonads

Secrete hormones that control sexual development, behavior, as well as reproduction.

(Endocrine System) Ovaries

The female gonad. Estrogen.

(Endocrine System) Testes

The male gonads. Testosterone.

(Endocrine System) Adrenal Gland

Secretes hormones called corticoids (steroids) to help deal with stress and regulates salt intake. Helps kickstart puberty. Located on top of the kidneys.

(The Nervous System) Central Nervous System

Part of the nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord.

(The Nervous System) Sensory Neurons - Afferent

Neuron that carries information from the senses to the central nervous system.

(The Nervous System) Motor Neurons - Efferent

Carries message from the CNS to the muscles of the body.

(The Nervous System) Interneuron

Neuron found in the center of the spinal cord that receives information from the sensory neurons and sends commands to the muscles.

(The Nervous System) Neuroplasticity

The ability to change the structure and function of the brain in response to experience or trauma.

(The Nervous System) Peripheral Nervous System

The nerves in the body itself, not the brain or spinal cord. Divides into Somatic Nervous System and Autonomic Nervous System.

(The Nervous System) Somatic Nervous System

Division of the PNS that carries sensory information from the CNS to the muscles of the body.

(The Nervous System) Sensory Pathway

Nerves from the sensory organs (Ears, eyes, mouth) to the CNS.

(The Nervous System) Motor Pathway

Nerves coming from the CNS to the voluntary muscles. Consists of motor neurons

(The Nervous System) Autonomic Nervous System

Division of PNS consisting of nerves that control all muscles, glands, and organs. Controls the automatic functions of the body

(The Nervous System) Sympathetic Nervous System

Part of the ANS that is responsible for responding to stressful events. Flight or fight response.

(The Nervous System) Parasympathetic Nervous System

Part of the ANS that calms the body and is responsible for day-to-day functions of organs and glands

Consciousness

How aware someone is about the space around them at a given moment.

Sleep

The process of rest.

Circadian Rhythm

A 24 hour cycle that tells you when to go to sleep and when to wake up.

REM Sleep

Stage of sleep where the eyes move rapidly and most people dream. Occurs more after an emotional or stressful day.

NREM Sleep

N1: Light sleep. Body jerks occur.

N2: Body temp lower, heart rate slows.

N3: Deep sleep. Growth hormone releases.

Sleep Cycle

The whole process between being awake and entering REM sleep.

Brain Waves

Wake stage: Alpha & Beta

N1: Alpha & Theta

N2: Theta

N3: Delta

REM: Alpha & Beta

Hypnagogic Sensations

Hallucinations that occur when someone is falling asleep.

Ex. Feeling like you’re falling when sleeping.

Suprachiasmatic Nucleus

Part of the Brain that is affected by light/dark, cues for night and day. Controls the Circadian Rhythm.

Theories of Why We Sleep

Sleep Protects: It keeps you still while you rest.

Sleep Restores: Cleans toxic waste that can lead to Alzheimer’s, heals body, and restores neurons.

Sleep Aids Memory: Sleep strengthens neural connections, helping us learn faster by placing memories in a permanent storage in the cortex.

Sleep Supports Growth: Pituitary gland releases growth hormones that helps muscles develop.

Sleep Conserves Energy: Sleep preserves energy.

Sleep Helps Creative Thinking: Sleep boosts creative learning and solving. Pondering about a problem before bed helps you solve it faster the next day.

Melatonin

Hormone that makes you sleepy.

Insomnia

The inability to fall asleep or get good quality sleep.

Narcolepsy

When a person randomly falls asleep.

Sleep Apnea

When a person stops breathing for half a minute while sleeping.

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

When muscles are still active during sleep. Allows for a person to get up or act out nightmares.

Sleep Walking

Moving around or walking around in one’s sleep.

Theories of Dream

Info. Processing: Solidifies our memories

Physiological Function: Preserve neural pathways

Activation Synthesis: Neural activities evoke random visuals, which our brain turns into stories.

Cognitive Development: Reflect knowledge and understanding. Dreams simulate our lives.

Sleep Deprivation

Trembling hands, droopy eyelids, inattention, day dreaming, discomfort, memory issues, delay of puberty, and diabetes.

Sensory Receptors

Specialized forms of neurons that are stimulated by different kinds of energy rather then neurotransmitters.

Transduction

The process by which sensory receptors convert stimuli from the environment into neural signals that the brain can interpret.