ap psych - unit 1

Amygdala

Involved in emotion, particularly fear and aggression.

Hypothalamus

Controls bodily maintenance functions, like hunger and temperature regulation.

Cerebral Cortex

The outer layer of the brain involved in higher-level thinking and processing.

Frontal Lobe

Involved in planning, decision-making, and movement.

Occipital Lobe

Processes visual information.

Parietal Lobe

Processes sensory information like touch and spatial awareness.

Temporal Lobe

Involved in hearing and language.

Brain Plasticity

The brain's ability to reorganize itself after injury or by learning.

Corpus Callosum

The large band of neural fibers connecting the two hemispheres of the brain.

Handedness

The preference for using one hand over the other.

Phineas Gage

A famous case study in psychology involving brain injury that provided insight into the role of the frontal lobe in personality and behavior.

Neuron

A nerve cell that transmits signals in the body.

Cell body

Part of the neuron containing the nucleus; keeps the neuron alive.

Dendrites

Branch-like structures that receive messages from other neurons.

Axon

Long fiber that carries messages away from the cell body to other neurons.

Myelin Sheath

Protective coating around axons that helps speed up signal transmission.

Terminal Branches

The ends of an axon where signals are sent to other cells.

Action Potential

A brief electrical charge that travels down the axon.

Depolarization

The process where the inside of a neuron becomes less negative, leading to action potential.

Hyperpolarization

When the inside of a neuron becomes more negative than the resting state.

Refractory Period

Time after a neuron fires when it can't fire again.

Threshold

The level of stimulation required to trigger an action potential.

Sodium-Potassium Pumps

Proteins that restore the resting state of the neuron by pumping sodium out and potassium in.

All-or-Nothing Response

Neuron either fires completely or not at all.

Synapse

The gap between neurons where chemical signals are exchanged.

Neurotransmitters

Chemicals that transmit messages between neurons.

Reuptake

The process of neurotransmitters being reabsorbed by the sending neuron.

Ach (Acetylcholine)

A neurotransmitter involved in muscle movement and memory.

GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid)

A neurotransmitter that inhibits neural activity.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter affecting mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal.

Antagonist

A substance that blocks the effects of a neurotransmitter.

Agonist

A substance that enhances the effects of a neurotransmitter.

Norepinephrine

A neurotransmitter involved in alertness and arousal.

Glutamate

The most common neurotransmitter in the brain, involved in memory.

Nervous System

The body's network for transmitting signals between the brain and the rest of the body.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Consists of the brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Nerves outside the CNS, connecting the CNS to the body.

Sensory Neurons (Afferent)

Neurons that carry information from the sensory receptors to the CNS.

Motor Neurons (Efferent)

Neurons that carry instructions from the CNS to muscles and glands.

Interneurons

Neurons within the CNS that communicate between sensory and motor neurons.

Cerebrum

The largest part of the brain, responsible for voluntary actions, speech, and thought.

Glial Cells

Support cells for neurons, providing nutrients and maintaining the environment.

Schwann Cells

Glial cells in the PNS that produce myelin.

Oligodendrocytes

Glial cells in the CNS that produce myelin.

Autonomic Nervous System

Controls involuntary bodily functions, like heart rate and digestion.

Somatic Nervous System

Controls voluntary movements of the skeletal muscles.

Sympathetic Nervous System

Part of the autonomic system that activates the fight-or-flight response.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Part of the autonomic system that calms the body after stress.

Endocrine System

Glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream.

Hormones

Chemical messengers that regulate bodily functions.

Pituitary Gland

The master gland that controls other glands in the endocrine system.

Thyroid/Parathyroid

Glands regulating metabolism and calcium levels.

Adrenal Glands

Glands that produce hormones like adrenaline in response to stress.

Gonads

Reproductive glands (ovaries in females, testes in males) that produce sex hormones.

EEG (Electroencephalogram)

A test that measures electrical activity in the brain.

PET Scan (Positron Emission Tomography)

A brain imaging technique that shows how tissues and organs are functioning.

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

A brain imaging technique that uses magnetic fields to create detailed images of brain structures.

Brainstem

The oldest part of the brain, responsible for automatic survival functions.

Medulla

Controls heartbeat and breathing.

Reticular Formation

A nerve network in the brainstem that controls arousal and alertness.

Thalamus

The brain's sensory control center.

Spinal Cord

The main communication link between the brain and the rest of the body.

Cerebellum

Controls balance and coordination.

Limbic System

A group of structures

Somnambulism

Sleepwalking, a behavior disorder that occurs during deep sleep.

Nightmares

Frightening dreams that often occur during REM sleep.

Night Terrors

Episodes of screaming, intense fear, and flailing while still asleep.

Narcolepsy

A condition where a person suddenly falls asleep at inappropriate times.

Sleep Apnea

A disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep.

Psychoactive Drugs

Substances that affect the brain and alter mood, perception, or behavior.

Tolerance

When the body becomes used to a drug, leading to a need for a higher dose to achieve the same effect.

Withdrawal

Physical or mental symptoms that occur after stopping or reducing the intake of a drug.

Dependence

A state where the body or mind becomes reliant on a drug to function normally.

Addiction

The compulsive need to use a substance, despite harmful consequences.

Stimulant

A type of drug that increases activity in the brain and body, making a person feel more alert or energetic.

Depressant

A drug that slows down the activity of the brain and body, often causing relaxation or drowsiness.

Hallucinogen

A drug that causes hallucinations, altering perception, thoughts, and feelings.

Alcohol

A depressant that slows down the central nervous system and impairs judgment and coordination.

Barbiturates

Depressant drugs that cause relaxation and sleepiness; can be dangerous in high doses.

Opium

A narcotic drug derived from the opium poppy, used for pain relief but highly addictive.

Stimulants

Drugs that speed up brain activity.

Caffeine

A mild stimulant found in coffee and tea, increasing alertness.

Nicotine

A stimulant found in tobacco, increasing alertness and heart rate.

Cocaine

A powerful stimulant that increases energy and euphoria, but highly addictive.

Ecstasy (MDMA)

A stimulant and hallucinogen that increases feelings of emotional closeness and energy.

Amphetamines

Strong stimulants that increase focus and alertness, used to treat ADHD but can be abused.

Meth (Methamphetamine)

A highly addictive stimulant that increases energy and alertness, with dangerous long-term effects.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

A type of depression that occurs at a specific time of year, usually in winter.

Circadian Rhythm

The body’s internal clock that regulates sleep-wake cycles.

Melatonin

A hormone that regulates sleep, usually increasing in the evening.

Beta Waves

(Awake) Brainwaves associated with an alert, awake state.

Theta Waves

(Light Sleep) Brainwaves seen during light sleep stages (stages 1 and 2).

Delta Waves

(Deep Sleep) Brainwaves seen during deep sleep (stages 3 and 4).

Alpha Waves

(Drowsy/Chill) Brainwaves associated with relaxation and calmness.

REM (Rapid Eye Movement)

The sleep stage where dreaming occurs, characterized by beta waves.

Range

The difference between the highest and lowest values in a data set.

Mean

The average of a data set, found by adding all values and dividing by the total number of values.

Median

The middle value in a sorted data set.

Standard Deviation

A measure of how spread out the numbers in a data set are.

Sample Size

The number of observations or individuals in a sample.