Biopsychology & Neurotransmission Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards for biopsychology and neurotransmission terms.

Hormone

Secreted by endocrine glands; affect organs and tissues throughout the body over a longer period.

Neurotransmitter

Chemicals that relay signals between neurons across synapses.

Localization of function

Certain brain regions are specialized for specific psychological functions.

Reuptake

Reabsorption of neurotransmitters by the presynaptic neuron after transmitting a signal.

Sympathetic nervous system

Part of the autonomic nervous system; activates physiological changes during stress or threat.

Equipotential theory

Concept suggesting cognitive functions are not strictly localized; many brain parts can perform similar functions.

Plasticity

The brain’s ability to change and adapt structurally and functionally throughout life.

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

Produces high-resolution images of brain anatomy using magnetic fields and radio waves; detects structural abnormalities.

fMRI (Functional MRI)

Measures changes in blood oxygenation and flow to reveal brain activity during tasks.

Dendrites

Tree-like extensions from the neuron’s cell body that receive chemical signals from other neurons.

Synapse

Microscopic gap between neurons where communication occurs via neurotransmitters.

Excitatory molecule

Neurotransmitter that increases the likelihood of the receiving neuron firing by depolarizing its membrane (e.g., glutamate).

Inhibitory molecule

Neurotransmitter that reduces the likelihood of the postsynaptic neuron firing by hyperpolarizing the membrane (e.g., GABA).

Acetylcholine (ACh)

Plays a key role in muscle movement, attention, and memory; released at neuromuscular junctions and in the hippocampus.

Adrenaline (Epinephrine)

Hormone and neurotransmitter released by the adrenal glands during stress; heightens arousal and awareness.

Cortisol

Steroid hormone released by the adrenal cortex; helps maintain homeostasis in response to stress.

Schema

Cognitive frameworks that help individuals organize and interpret information based on past experiences.

STM (Short-Term Memory)

Holds a small amount of information temporarily (15–30 seconds); involved in working memory.

LTM (Long-Term Memory)

Relatively permanent and unlimited storage system including declarative, procedural, episodic and semantic memory.

Rehearsal

Repetition of information to keep it in STM or encode it into LTM; can be maintenance or elaborative.

Encoding

The process of converting sensory input into a memory trace (acoustic, visual, or semantic).

Storage

The process of maintaining encoded information over time; depends on the depth of processing and memory type.

Retrieval

Accessing stored information when needed; can involve recall, recognition, or relearning.

Semantic memory

Part of declarative/explicit memory; stores general knowledge not tied to specific time or place.

Procedural memory

A type of implicit memory for skills and habits; often resistant to forgetting.

Episodic memory

Memory for specific events in one’s life, including context like time and place.

Explicit memory

Memory with conscious recall—includes both semantic and episodic memories.

Implicit memory

Memory without conscious awareness, often tested through priming or skill performance.