ap psyc quiz 9/25

Genome

All genetic information in an organism; all of an organism's chromosomes.

Eugenics

the science of improving a human population by controlled breeding to increase the occurrence of desirable heritable characteristics

Genetic Predisposition

An increased likelihood of developing a particular disease or trait based on genetic makeup.

Epigenetics

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

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The brain and spinal cord; the body's decision-making control center.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

The sensory and motor neurons connecting the central nervous system to the rest of the body.

Autonomic Nervous System

The part of the PNS. What your body does automatically. (Digesting, increasing saliva)

Somatic Nervous System

The division of the PNS. Controls voluntary movement.

Sympathetic Nervous System

The division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing energy in stressful situations. (fight or flight)

Parasympathetic Nervous System

The division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving energy. (after the fight or flight)

Neurons

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

Cell Body (Soma)

The part of a neuron that contains the nucleus and maintains the cell's health.

Dendrites

Branchlike parts of a neuron that are specialized to receive information.

Axon

A threadlike extension of a neuron that carries nerve impulses away from the cell body.

Myelin Sheath

A fatty tissue layer segmentally encasing axons, enabling vastly greater transmission speed.

Synapse

The junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron.

Glial Cells

Cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons.

Sensory Neurons

Neurons that carry incoming information from sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord.

Motor Neurons

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

Interneurons

Neurons within the brain and spinal cord that communicate internally and process information between sensory and motor inputs.

Action Potential

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

Resting Potential

The state of a polarized neuron when it is charged and waiting for an action potential.

Threshold

The level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse.

Refractory Period

A period of inactivity after a neuron has fired.

All-or-Nothing Principle

A neuron's reaction of either firing with a full-strength response or not firing at all.

Depolarization

The loss of the inside/outside charge difference, causing positive ions to flood into the axon.

Reuptake

The reabsorption of excess neurotransmitters by a sending neuron.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

A disease characterized by the degradation of the myelin sheath, leading to slowed neural communication.

Myasthenia Gravis

An autoimmune neuromuscular disorder affecting acetylcholine receptors, causing muscle weakness.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons.

Acetylcholine (ACh)

A neurotransmitter that enables muscle action, learning, and memory.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter influencing movement, learning, attention, and emotion.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter that affects mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal.

Norepinephrine

A neurotransmitter that helps control alertness and arousal.

GABA

A major inhibitory neurotransmitter.

Glutamate

A major excitatory neurotransmitter involved in memory.

Endorphins

Natural, opiate-like neurotransmitters linked to pain control and pleasure.

Substance P

A neurotransmitter and neuropeptide involved in transmitting pain signals to the brain.

Endocrine System

The body's slow chemical communication system; a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream.

Hormones

Chemical messengers manufactured by endocrine glands that travel through the bloodstream.

Adrenaline

A hormone secreted by the adrenal glands that helps trigger the fight-or-flight response.

Leptin

A hormone secreted by fat cells that signals the brain to decrease appetite.

Ghrelin

A hormone secreted by an empty stomach that sends hunger signals to the brain.

Melatonin

A hormone manufactured by the pineal gland that produces sleepiness.

Oxytocin

A hormone associated with social bonding, trust, and caregiving.

Psychoactive Drugs

Chemical substances that alter perceptions and moods through their action at neural synapses.

Tolerance

The diminishing effect with regular use of the same dose of a drug, requiring larger doses.

Agonist

A molecule that increases a neurotransmitter's action.

Antagonist

A molecule that inhibits or blocks a neurotransmitter's action.

Reuptake Inhibitor

A drug that blocks the reabsorption of a neurotransmitter, leaving more active in the synapse.

Stimulants

Drugs that excite neural activity and speed up body functions.

Cocaine

A powerful and addictive stimulant derived from the coca plant, producing increased alertness and euphoria.

Methamphetamines

A powerfully addictive drug that stimulates the CNS with speeded-up body functions.

Ecstasy (MDMA)

A synthetic stimulant and mild hallucinogen producing euphoria and social intimacy.

Depressants

Drugs that reduce neural activity and slow body functions.

Barbiturates

Drugs that depress CNS activity, reducing anxiety but impairing memory and judgment.

Opioids / Heroin

Drugs that depress neural activity, temporarily lessening pain and anxiety (heroin is a highly addictive derivative).

Hallucinogens

Psychedelic drugs that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input.

LSD

A powerful hallucinogenic drug also known as acid.