AP PSYCH UNIT 1: part 1

biosychology

interaction of biology, behavior, and mental process

neuroscience

brain and our behavior

nature

biological and genes

identical twin studies

influences of biological parents

nurture

environment and family

twin studies

influences of adoptive parents

Heredity

never acts alone and acts in partnership

Sir Francis GALTON

notable for studies on the genetic influence on intelligence

leader in eugenics

eugenics

justification of eliminating “inferior” people/ traits

nervous system

works quickly

cerebrum, spinal cord, brachial plexus, sacral plexus

peripheral

autonomic

somatic

sympathetic

parasympathetic

autonomic

controls self regulated action of internal

somatic

controls voluntary movements of skeletal muscles

sympathetic

arousing

parasympathetic

calming

slows you down

parachute

endocrine system

HORMONES

works slowly

hypothalamus, pineal gland, pancreas, ovary/testicle, adrenal glands, thyroid

system of glands that secrete hormones

pituitary gland

tiny boss

controls the endocrine system

helps you grow, keep balance (energy)

endocrine system

adrenaline, leptin, ghrelin, melatonin, oxytocin

adrenaline

burst of energy when you need to be brave or run fast

leptin

tells your brain when you’re full; so stop eating

ghrelin

makes you feel hungry reminds you it’s time to eat

melatonin

helps you feel sleepy at night so you can get good rest

oxytocin

makes you feel happy and connected with people you love

neuron

nerve cell; “building block” of nervous system

3 tasks (receive info, carry info, pass info)

dendrites

branchy extensions that receive messages from other cells

soma

(cell body) contains the nucleus and the chemical “machinery” common to most cells

axon

passes messages away from cell body to other neurons; muscles or glands

myelin sheath

“fatty” substance; material that encases some axons; acts to speed up transmission

axons and branches

end in cluster of terminal buttons which are small “knobs” that secrete chemicals called neurotransmitters

3 types of neurons

sensory

motor

interneurons

sensory

touch, smell, taste, hearing

motor

from central nervous system- down (motor movement)

interneurons

bridges gap between sensory and motor

translates what sensory wants motor to do

sensory neurons

afferent neurons

act like one way streets that carry traffic from sense organs toward the brain

reflex arc

reflexes happen so quickly because the message neurons get to the brain

interneurons in spine→ emergency send messenger neuron straight to motor to save time

neuron firing

electrochemical process

electrical in the neurons; chemical outside the neuron (neurotransmitters)

3 stages to neuron firing

resting potential- (-70 millivolts) a neuron is charged but waiting for the next action potential to be generated

action potential- (-55 millivolts) neurons “fires”; travels from dendrites down axon to axon terminal

refractory period- recharging after previous action potential

reuptake

neurotransmitters that are not absorbed by a post synaptic receptor sites are typically
“reabsorbed” by the presynaptic neuron

the process of reabsorbing non-binding neurotransmitters in the synapse is called _

presynaptic

secondary neuron

postsynaptic

recieving neuron

Neurotransmitters

chemical messengers

works like lock and key senerio

postsynaptic potential

a voltage charge at a receptor site

2 types of messengers (excitatory and inhibatory)

Excitatory PSP

positive voltage shift that increases the likelihood that the postsynaptic neuron (fire action potential)

Inhibitory PSP

negative voltage shift that decreases the likelihood that the postsynaptic neuron will fire an action potential

Neurotransmitter Drugs

receptor sites are sometimes fooled by other chemical substances

agonists

mimics/blocks reuptake/ excites (encourage PSP)

antagonists

prevents release/ blocks/ inhibits PSP

reuptake inhibitors

blocks reuptake (antidepressants such as Lexapro, Paxil, Zoloft)

drug dependence

physical reliance on drug

psychological- mind thinks you need it

addiction

compulsive drug craving and use

tolerance

reduce responsiveness to a drug prompting to increase dosage to achieve desired affect

withdrawal

discomfort and distress that follows when a dependent person discontinues the use of a drug

serotonin

a neurotransmitter that contributes to feelings of well-being and happiness.

dopamine

a neurotransmitter linked to pleasure, reward, and motivation.

acetylcholine (ACh)

a neurotransmitter that activates muscles and is essential for memory.

glutamate

a neurotransmitter that plays a key role in learning and memory.

gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)

a neurotransmitter that inhibits nerve transmission in the brain and helps regulate anxiety.

Norepinephrine

a neurotransmitter involved in arousal, alertness, and stress response.

endorphins

Natural chemicals in the brain that act as painkillers and mood enhancers.