Unit 2 - Biopsychology Terms - AP Psychology

All terms for AP Psych revolving around biopsychology.

Behavior Genetics

The study of relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior

Ex: Attribute of a daughter of two celebrities who grows up to be a popular recording artist to her “super-star genes”

Nature and Nurture

The hereditary (nature) and environmental (nurture) effects on behavior and traits that shapes an individuals development

Heredity

The genetic transfer of characteristics from parents to offspring

Environment

Every non-genetic influence, from prenatal nutrition to the people and things around us

Chromosome

Threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)

A complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes

Genes

Small segments of the giant DNA molecules, capable of synthesizing proteins (make up chromosomes)

Genome

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

Twin Studies

Are used to research the effects of genes on individual behavior and mental processes

Identical (monozygotic) Twins

Develop from a single fertilized egg that splits in two, creating two genetically identical organisms

Fraternal (dizygotic) Twins

Develop from separate fertilized eggs, they are genetically related but hey share a prenatal environment

Heritability

The proportion of variation among individuals in a group that we can attribute to genes

Interacion

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

Molecular Genetics

The study of molecular structure and function of genes

Molecular Behavior Genetics

The study of how the structure and function of genes interact with our environment to influence behavior

Epigenetics

“Above” or “in addition of” genetics; the study of environmental influences on gene expression that occur without a DNA change

Genetic Predisposition

The increased likelihood of developing a particular disease due to genetic variants or family history leading to an increased risk. Does not mean they WILL get the disease as lifestyle and environmental factors can also affect risk of disease

Evolutionary Psychology (Evolutionary Perspective)

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

Natrual Selection

The process where organisms are best adopted to their environment. Tend to survive and reproduce, passing their advantages tails future generation. Survival of the fittest

Eugenics

Some theorists have sought to apply principles of the evolutionary perspective in ways thatt discriminate others

Mutation

A random error in gene replication that leads to a change

Social Script

A culturally modeled guide for how to act in various situations

Biopcychological Model

Individual development that comes from 3 influences: Biological influence, psychological influences and social-cultural influences.

Biological Influences: Shared human genes, individual genetic variation, prenatal environment, sex-related genes, hormones and physiology

Psychological Influence: Gene environmental interaction, neurological effect of early experiences, Responses evoked by our own temper-ant, gender, etc\beliefs, feelings and expectations

Social-Culture Influence: Parental influences, peer influences, cultural individualism or collectivism and culturalk] gender nrms

Neuron

A nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system

Cell Body

The part of a neuron that contains the nucleus; the cell’s life support center

Dendrites

A neurons often bushy, branching extensions that receive and integrate messages, conducting impulses toward the cell body

Axon

The neuron extension that passes messages through it’s branches to other neurons or to the muscles or glands

Myelin Sheath

A layer of fatty tissue that insulates axons and speeds their impulses

Multiple Sclcrosis

An autoimmune disorder that attacks the myelin sheath, leading to nerve damage and the inability for the brain to communicate with the body

Myasthenia Gravis

An autoimmune disorder that prevents acetylcholine from binding to muscles, which is needed for muscle contractions

Glial Cells

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

Action Potential

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

(Firing) Threshold

The level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse

Refectory Period

In neural processing, a brief resting pause that occurs after a neuron has fired; subsequent action potentials cannot occur until the axon returns to the resting state

All-Or-None Response

A neurons reaction of either firing (with a full strength response) 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 or cleft.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons. When released by the 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

Endorphins

“Morphine within” — natural, opiate-like neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure

Agonist

A molecule that increases a neurotransmitter’s action

Antagonist

A molecule that inhibits or blocks a neurotransmitters action

Nervous System

The body’s speedy, electrochemical communication network, consisting of all the nerve cells pf the peripheral and central nervous systems

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The brain and spinal cord

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

The sensory and molar neurons that connect the central neurons system (CNS) to the rest of the body

Nerves

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

Sensory (afferent) Neurons

Neurons that carry incoming information from the body’s tissues and sensory receptors to the brain and spiral cord

Molar (efferent) Neurons

Neurons that carry outgoing information form the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands

Interneurons

Neurons within the brain and spinal cord; they communicate internally and process information between the sensory inputs and molar outputs

Somatic Nervous System

The division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body’s skeletal muscles. Also known as the skeletal nervous sytem.

Autonomic Nervous System

The part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and the muscles of internal organs (such as the heart). It’s sympathetic division arouses;it’s parasympathetic division calms

Sympathetic Nervous System

The division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing it’s energy

Parasympathetic Nervous System

The division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the energy, conserving it’s energy

Reflex

A simple, automatic response to a sensory stimulus

Ex: Knee jerk response

Endocrine System

The body’s “slow” chemical communication system; a set of glands that secret hormones into the bloodstream

Hormones

Chemical messages that are manufactured by the endocrine glands, travel through the bloodstream, and affect other tissues

Adrenal

A pair of endocrine glands that sit just above the kidneys and secrete hormones (epinephrine and norepinephrine) that help arouse the body in times of stress

Melatonin

Hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles produced by the pineal gland in the brain

Oxcytocin

Hormone that plays a role in social bonding, trust and love

Lesion

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

Lesioning Procedure

The procedure intentionally damages a specific area of the brain to study it’s functions and effects

EEG (electroencephalogram)

An amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity sweeping across the brain surface. These waves are measured by electrodes placed on the scalp.

MEG (magnetoencephalography)

A brain imaging technique that measures magnetic field from the brains natural electrical activity.

CT (Computed Technology) Scan

A series of x-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by computer into a composite representation of a slice of the brains structure. (Also known as CAT scan)

PET (Position 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.

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

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

fMRI (functional MRI)

A technique for blood flow and brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans. fMRI scans show brain function as well as 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 brainstem. 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 brain stem into the 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 located below the cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions and drives

Amygdala

Two lima-bean-sized neural clusters in the limbic system

Hypothalamus

Vital brain region that regulates various bodily functions such as hunger, thirst, body temperature, and hormonal release

Hippocampus

neural center located in the limbic system; helps process for storage (conscious) explicit memories of facts and events

Reward Center

Key brain area associated with pleasure and reinforcement of behaviors through the release of dopamine

Cerebral Cortex

Body’s ultimate control and information processing center. The intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering the cerebral hemispheres.

Frontal Lobe ( & Brocas Area)

The portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead; involved in speaking, muscle movements and in making plans and judgments

Parietal Lobes

The portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head and toward the rear; receives sensory input for touch and body position

Aphasia

Language disorder caused by the damage to Broca/Wernick’s area

Occipital Lobes

The portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head; includes areas that receive information from the visual fields

Temporal Lobes (Wernickes Area)

The portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears; includes the auditory areas, each receiving information primarily from the opposite ear

Motor Cortex

An area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements

Somatosensory Cortex

An area at the front front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations

Association Areas

Areas of the cerebral cortex that are not involved in primary motor or sensory functions; rather, they are involved in a higher mental functions, such as learning, remembering, thinking and speaking

Neuroplasticity

The brains ability to change, especially during childhood, by re-organizing after damage or by building new pathways based on experience

Ex: Getting over trauma or learning from past mistakes

Neurogenesis

The formation of new neurons

Corpus Callosum

The large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them

Contralateral Organization

Phenomenon where each hemisphere of the brain processes sensory information from and controls motor functions of the opposite side of the body

Split Brain

A condition resulting from surgery that isolates the brains two hemispheres by cutting the fibers, (mainly those of the corpus callosum) connecting them

Consciousness

Our subjective awareness of ourselves and our environment

Dual Processing

The principal that information is often simultaneously processed on separate conscious and unconscious tracks

Blindsight

A condition in which a person can respond to a visual stimulus without consciously experiencing it

Parallel Processing

Processing many aspects of a problem simultaneously; generally used to process well-learned information or to solve easy problems

Sequential Processing

Processing one aspect of a problem at a time; generally used to process new information or to solve difficult problems

Reflex Arc

A neural pathway that controls a reflex action, allowing for rapid responses to stimuli without conscious thought

Psychoactive Drugs

A chemical substance that alters perceptions and moods

Substance Use Disorder

A disorder characterized by continued substance craving and use despite significant life disruption and/or physical risk

Tolerance

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

Withdrawal

The discomfort and distress that follow discontinuing an addictive drug or behavior