AP Psych Unit 1 Quiz Review

central nervous system

the brain and the spinal cord; the body’s decision-maker

peripheral nervous system

the sensory and motor neurons that connect the CNS to the rest of the body

nerves

bundles of axons that form neural “cables,” connecting the CNS with muscles, glands, and sense organs

sensory neurons

neurons that carry incoming information from the sensory receptors to the CNS

motor neurons

neurons that carry outgoing information from the CNS to the muscles and glands

interneurons

neurons within the CNS that communicate internally and intervene between the sensory inputs and motor outputs

somatic nervous system

the system responsible for voluntary control of skeletal muscles, such as walking or lifting an object

autonomic nervous system

the division of the nervous system that controls involuntary functions of our glands and internal organs, like heart rate and digestion

sympathetic nervous system

the body’s “fight or flight” response, mobilizing energy resources and increasing heart rate and breathing in stressful situations

parasympathetic nervous system

the body’s “rest and digest” response, conserving energy and calming the body after a stressful event

reflex

a simple, automatic, and unlearned response to a sensory stimulus

reflex arc

the communication pathway of neurons that allows a reflex to occur, often bypassing the brain for a faster response

acetylcholine

muscle action, learning, memory; Alzheimer’s

dopamine

movement, learning, attention, emotion; schizophrenia/Parkinson’s

serotonin

mood, hunger, sleep, arousal; depression

norepinephrine

alertness/arousal; mood depressant

GABA

inhibitory neurotransmitter; seizures, tremors, insomnia (undersupply)

glutamate

excitatory neurotransmitter, memory; migraines, seizures (oversupply)

endorphins

pain/pleasure perception; suppress natural endorphin supply (opioids)

substance P

pain perception/immune response; chronic pain

adrenaline

excitatory, fight/flight. HORMONE

leptin

makes you not hungry. HORMONE

ghrelin

makes you hungry. HORMONE

melatonin

sleep, activated when dark. HORMONE

oxytocin

love hormone

alcohol

depressant; depression, memory loss, organ damage, impaired reactions

heroin

depression; depressed physiology, loss of natural endorphin function

caffeine

stimulant; anxiety, restlessness, insomnia (high doses)

nicotine

stimulant; heart disease, cancer

cocaine

stimulant; cardiovascular stress, suspiciousness, depressive crash

meth

stimulant; irritability, insomnia, hypertension, seizures

ecstasy

stimulant/mild hallucinogen; dehydration, overheating, depressed mood, impaired cognitive/immune functioning

LSD

hallucinogen; risk of panic

marijuana (THC)

mild hallucinogen; impaired learning/memory, increased risk of psychological disorders