AP Psychlogy Unit 1 Biology

AP Psych Biology vocab and questions included

Dendrites

a neurons bushy, branching extensions that receive messages and conduct impulses toward the cell body

Axon

the neuron extension that passes messages through its branches to other neurons or to muscles or glands

myelin

the substance that forms the insulating sheath around the axons of many neurons

action potential

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

refractory period

a period of inactivity after a neuron has fired

endorphins

“moraphine within’ natural, opiate-like neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure

threshold

the level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse

all or none response

a neurons reaction of either firing or not firing

synapse

the junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron. The tiny gap at this junction is called the synaptic gap/cleft

neurotransmitters

chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons. When released by sending neuron, neurotransmitters travel across the synapse and bind to receptor sites, on the receiving neuron, thereby influencing whether that neuron will generate a neural impulse

reuptake

a neurotransmitters reabsorption by the sending neuron

nervous system

the body’s speedy, electrochemical communication network, consisting of all the nerve cells of th peripheral and central nervous system

antagonist

a molecule that by, binding to a receptor site, inhibits or blocks a response

central nervous system

the brain and spinal cord

peripheral nervous system

the sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system to the rest of the body

nerves

bundled axons that form neural “cables” connecting the central nervous system with muscles, glands and sense organs

Sensory neurons

neurons that carry incoming information form 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

autonomic nervous system

the part of the peripheral nervous system that controls glands and the muscles of the internal organs (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 in stressful situations

parasympathetic nervous system

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

reflex

a simple, automatic response to a sensory stimulus, such as knee-jerk response

evolutionary psychology

the study of the evolution of behavior and the mind, using principles of natural selection

natural selection

the principle that, among the range of inherited trait variations, those contributing to reproduction and survival will most likely be passed on to succeeding

mutation

a random error in gene replication that leads to a change

interaction

the interplay that occurs when the effect of one factor (such as environment) depends on another factor (such as heredity)

epigenetics

the study of environmental influences on gene expression that occur without a DNA change

hormones

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

behavior genetics

the study of the relative power and limits of genetics and environmental influences on behavior

environment

every external influence, from prenatal nutrition to the people and things around us

genes

the biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosomes; segments of DNA capable of synthesizing proteins

genomes

the complete instructions for making an organism consisting of all the genetic material in that organisms chromosomes

monozygotic (identical) twins

twins who develop form a single fertilized egg that splits in two, creating two genetically identical organisms

dizygotic (fraternal) twins

twins who develop from separate fertilized eggs. They are genetically no closer than brothers and sisters but they share a fetal environment

barbiturates

drugs that depress central nervous system activity, reducing anxiety but impairing memory and judgement

heritability

the proportion of variation among individuals that we can attribute to genes. The heritability of a trait may vary, depending on the range of populations and environments studied

Hallucinogens

psychedelic “mind-manifesting” drugs, such as LSD, that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input

glial cells

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

nature v. nuture

the longstanding controversy over the relative contributions that gene and experience make to the development of psychological traits and behaviors. Todays science sees traits and behaviors arising from the interaction of nature and nuture

psychoactive drug

a chemical substance that alters perceptions and moods

substance use disorder

continued substance craving and use despite significant life disruption and/or physical risk

stimulants

drugs (such as caffeine, nicotine, and the more powerful amphetamines, cosine, ecstasy, and methamphetamine) that excite neural activity and speed up body functions

tolerance

the diminishing effect with regular use of the sam e dose of a drug, requiring the user to take larger and larger doses before experiencing the drugs effect

withdraw

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

depression

a negative affective state, ranging from unhappiness and discontent to an extreme feeling or sadness, pessimism, and despondency, that interferes with daily life

opioids

any of group of compounds that include the naturally occurring opiates (morphine) and their semisynthetic derivatives (heroin) the synthetic opioid agonists, opioid antagonists and mixed agonist-antagonists and the endogenous opioids

cell body

the part of a neuron that contains the nucleus and most organelles

agonist

a drug or other chemical agent that birds to a particular receptor and produces a physiological effect, typically one similar to that of the body’s own neurotransmitter at that receptor

Twin studies show?

mental processes and behaviors

identical twins have the same?

DNA, sex, and egg

what 3 tasks do neurons perform?

receive information form the neurons that feed it, carry information down its length, and pass the information on to the next neuron

sensory neurons communicate what?

your sensory experiences to the brain including vision, hearing, taste, touch, smell, pain and balance

motor neurons do what?

transport messages away from the brain to the muscles, organs and glands

sensory and motor neurons look to what to communicate?

interneurons

dendrite

accepts incoming messages and passes them to the soma/cell body and is selectively permeable

what does the cell body hold?

cells nucleus and life-support machinery

where does the message go if the cell body passes on the message?

the axon

the axon is?

a single, larger “transmitter” fiber that extends from the soma that is the extension of the neuron through which the neural impulses are sent

when the neuron is resting it is?

negatively charged

when the neuron is firing it is?

positively charged

when the neuron is firing what is it called?

action potential

the myelin sheath does what?

protects the axon

Schwann cells are specific type of what?

glial cells

where does the axon gets its energy?

charged chemicals called ions

when ions are negatively charged it is?

resting potential

excitatory signal do what?

push the neuron to fire

inhibitory signals do what?

block the neuron from firing

action potential is followed by?

a refractory period that is a recharging period

can a neuron go back from firing?

no, once it fires it cannot go back, this is called an all or nothing response

depolarization is?

when action potential passes from the resting potential in the cell body into the action potential in the axon

the process of sending a signal across this small space is known as?

neurotransmission

Acetocholine (Ach) is what type of signal?

excitatory

Acetocholine (Ach) has what function?

stimulates muscle contraction; involved in attention, memory, learning and general intellectual functioning

Dopamine is what type of signal?

inhibitory

Dopamine has what functions?

pleasurable sensation involved in voluntary movement, attention, and learning

Serotonin is what type of signal?

inhibitory

Serotonin has what functions?

moods and emotional states, hunger regulation of sleep and wakefulness (arousal)

Norepinephrine is what type of signal?

excitatory

Norepinephrine has what functions?

used for arousal in the flight/fight response, modulation of mood, plays a role in learning and memory retrieval

GABA has what functions?

helps to offset excitatory messages and regulate daily sleep-wake cycles

GABA is what type of signal?

inhibitory

Endorphins is what type of signal?

Inhibitory

Endorphins has what functions?

involved in pain perceptions and positive emotions. Similar to opiate family of drugs

Glutamate is what type of signal?

excitatory

Glutamate has what functions?

Used in memory, learning, movement. Helps messages cross the synapse more efficiently

lesion

tissue destruction. A brain lesion is a naturally or experimentally caused destruction of brain tissue

electroencephalogram

an amplified recording of the waved of electrical activity sweeping across the brains surface. These waves are measured by electrodes placed on the scalp (EEG)

computed tomography scan

a series of x-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by computer into a composite representation of a slice of the brain structure (CT)

positron emission tomography scan

a visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task (PET)

magnetic resonance imaging

a technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images of soft tissue. MRI scans show brain anatomy

functional MRI

a technique for revealing blood flow and, therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans. fMRI scans show brain function as well as its structure

brainstem

the oldest part and central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull; the brainstem is responsible for automatic survival functions

medulla

the base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing

thalamus

the brains sensory control center, located on top of the brainstem; it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla

reticular formation

a nerve network that travels through the brainstem and thalamus and plays an important role in controlling arousal

cerebellum

the “little brain” at the rear of the brainstem; functions include processing sensory input, coordinating movement output and balance, and enabling nonverbal learning and memory

limbic system

neural system (including hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus) located below the cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions and drives

amygdala

two lima bean sized neural clusters in the limbic system; linked to emotions

hypothalamus

a neural structure lying below the thalamus it directs several maintenance activities (eating, drinking, body temperature), helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion and reward