AP Psychology Unit 2

Biopsychology

The specialty in psychology that studies the interaction of biology, behavior, and mental processes.

Innate abilities

Abilities that are present from birth.

Evolution

The gradual process of biological change that occurs in a species as it adapts to its environment.

Natural Selection

Individuals best adapted to the environment are more likely to flourish and reproduce.

Genotype

An organism's genetic makeup. (The blueprint for what an organism is.)

Phenotype

An organism's physical characteristics. (Includes the chemistry and "wiring" in our brains)

Genes

A segment of chromosome that encodes the directions for the inherited physical and mental characteristics of an organism.

Chromosomes

Threadlike structures consisting of mostly DNA along which the genes are organized.

Dendrite (Receiver)

Part of the neuron, which accepts the incoming messages. (Consists of finely branched fibers)

Soma (Cell Body)

Contains the cells nucleus and life-support machinery. Function is to asses all messages the cell receives and pass on appropriate information, at the appropriate time.

Axon

A single, larger "transmitter" fiber that extends from the soma. (One way street)

Myelin Sheath

Protects and insulates the axon and the electrical signal.

Synapse

The junction (space) between the axon of one neuron and the dendrite of another.

Neurotransmitter

Chemicals that carry messages across the synapse from one neuron to another.

Sensory Neurons (afferent)

Act like one-way streets that carry traffic from the sense organs toward the brain. Communicate all of your sensory experience to the brain, including vision, hearing, taste, touch, smell, pain, and balance.

Motor Neurons (efferent)

Form the one-way routes that transport messages away from the brain to the muscles, organs, and glands.

Interneurons

Make up a majority of our neurons. Relay messages from sensory neurons to other interneurons or motor neurons in complex pathways.

Long-term potentiation (LTP)

A persistent increase in synaptic strength following high-frequency stimulation of a chemical synapse.

Receptor Sites

Location of receptor neuron for specific neurotransmitters

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The brain and spinal cord

Peripheral Nervous System

All nerves that are not encased in bone. Everything but the brain and spinal cord.

Somatic nervous System

Controls voluntary muscle movements. Uses motor (efferent) neurons.

Autonomic Nervous System

Controls the autonomic functions of the body.

Sympathetic Nervous System

Fight or Flight response. Automatically accelerates heart rate breathing, dilates pupils, slows down digestion.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Automatically slows down the body after a stressful event. Hear rate and breathing slowdown, pupils constrict and digestion speeds up.

Glial Cells

Cells that insulate and support neurons.

Lesioning

Destroying a piece of brain.

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

Monitors electrical activity of the brain over time by mean of recording electrodes attached to the surface of the scalp. (Invented by Hans Burger)

Electrical Stimulation of the Brain (ESB)

Involves sending a weak electric current into a brain structure to activate it.

Computerized Tomography Scan (CT)

Computer enhanced x-ray of brain structure. Multiple x-rays shot.

Positron Emission Tomography Scan (PET)

Examine brain function, mapping out actual activity in the brain over time.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scan (MRI)

Uses magnetic fields, radio waves, and computerized enhancements to map out brain structure.

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scan (fMRI)

Consists of several variations of MRI technology that monitor blood and oxygen flow in the brain to identify areas of high activity.

Spinal Cord

Complex cable of nerves that connects brain to the rest of body.

Brain Stem

Connects brain to spinal cord. Made up of Medulla, pons, reticular formation, and the thalamus.

Hindbrain

Structures on top of our spinal cord. Controls basic biological functions.

Medulla Oblongata

Located just above the spinal cord. Heart rate, breathing, blood pressure. Operates on autopilot without our conscious awareness.

Pons

Locate above the medulla. Connects hindbrain, midbrain, and forebrain together.

Cerebellum

Bottom rear of the brain. Means "little brain". Coordinates fine muscles and body movements.

Midbrain

Coordinates simple movements with sensory information. Contains the reticular formation: arousal and the ability to focus attention.

Forebrain

Makes us human. Largest part of the brain. Made up of the thalamus, limbic system, and cerebral cortex.

Thalamus

In forebrain. receives sensory information and sends it to appropriate areas of forebrain. Everything but smell.

Limbic System

Emotional control center

Hypothlamus

Body temperature, hunger, thirst, sexual arousal (libido). Endocrine system.

Hippocampus

Involved in memory processing.

Amygdala

Vital for our basic emotions. More involved in volatile emotions like anger.

Cerebral Cortex

Top layer of our brain. Contains wrinkles called fissures.

Frontal Lobe

Abstract thought and emotional control.

Motor Cortex

Sends signals to our body controlling muscle movements.

Broca's area

Responsible for controlling muscles that produce speech.

Broca's Aphasia

Unable to make movements to talk.

Neural plasticity

The brain can be changed, both structurally and chemically, by experience.

Occipital Lobes

In the back of our head. Handles visual input form our eyes.

Parietal Lobes

Contains sensory cortex: receives incoming touch sensation from rest of the body.

Temporal Lobes

Process sound sensed by our ears.

Wernicke's Area

Interprets written and spoken speech.

Wernicke's Aphasia

Unable to understand language the syntax and grammar jumbled.

Contralateral (opposite side)

controlled- left controls right side of body and vice versa.

Corpus Callosum

Attaches the two hemispheres of cerebral cortex.

Pituitary Gland

Master gland of the endocrine system.

Endocrine System

Controlled by the hypothalamus. Helps coordinate and integrate complex psychological reactions.

Thyroid Gland

Secretes hormones (primarily thyroxin) that control metabolism.

Parathyroid Glands

Control levels of calcium and phosphate which in turn controls levels of excitability.

Pineal gland

Secrete melatonin which regulates the sleep-wake cycle.

Pancreas

Regulates blood-sugar levels. Secretes insulin and glucagon.

Gonads

Ovaries and testes secrete estrogens and androgens.

Adrenal Glands

Secretes hormones in reaction to stress.

Psychoactive Drug

A chemical substance that alters perceptions and mood.

Amphetamines

Drugs that stimulate neural activity, causing speeded-up body functions and associated energy and mood changes.

Barbiturates

Drugs that depress the activity of the central nervous system, reducing anxiety but impairing memory and judgment.

Opiates

Depress neural activity, temporarily lessening pain and anxiety

Circadian Rhythm

Often referred to as the "body clock", the circadian rhythm is a 24-hour cycle.

Ultradian Rhythms

Biological rhythms that occur more than once a day

Alpha Waves

Slowed waves of a relaxed, awake brain.

Delta Waves

Large, slow waves of deep sleep.

Hallucinations

False sensory experiences.

REM (Rapid eye movement) Sleep (Paradoxical)

A reoccurring sleep stage during which vivid dreams often occur. Muscles of the body are relaxed, but the other body systems are active.