Psych Unit 1

Psychology

The scientific study of behavior and mental processes.

Nature

The influence of genetics and biology on behavior and mental processes.

Evolutionary Perspective

A theoretical approach that explains mental processes and behavior in terms of their adaptive value over time.

Natural Selection

The process by which traits that enhance survival and reproduction are passed on to future generations.

Behavior Genetics

The study of how genetics and environment interact to influence behavior.

Mutations

Changes in DNA sequences that can lead to variations in traits.

Environment

External factors that influence development, behavior, and mental processes.

Heredity

The passing of traits from parents to offspring through genes.

Genes

Units of heredity that contribute to an individual's traits and characteristics.

Genome

The complete set of genetic material in an organism.

Nurture

The influence of external factors, such as upbringing and environment, on behavior and mental processes.

Eugenics

A controversial social philosophy advocating for the improvement of human genetic traits through selective breeding.

Identical (Monozygotic) Twins

Twins that develop from a single fertilized egg, sharing 100% of their genes.

Fraternal (Dizygotic) Twins

Twins that develop from two separate eggs, sharing about 50% of their genes.

Epigenetics

The study of changes in gene expression that do not involve alterations to the DNA sequence itself.

Nervous System

The network of nerve cells and fibers that transmits impulses between parts of the body.

Central Nervous System

Composed of the brain and spinal cord; responsible for processing information.

Peripheral Nervous System

The part of the nervous system outside the central nervous system; links the CNS to the rest of the body.

Somatic Nervous System

Controls voluntary movements and transmits sensory information to the CNS.

Autonomic Nervous System

Regulates involuntary bodily functions, such as heart rate and digestion.

Sympathetic Nervous System

Part of the autonomic nervous system that prepares the body for 'fight or flight' response.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Part of the autonomic nervous system that restores the body to a state of calm.

Homeostasis

The body's ability to maintain stable internal conditions.

Fight or Flight Response

The physiological reaction that occurs in response to a perceived harmful event, attack, or threat to survival.

Reflex Arc

The neural pathway that controls a reflex action.

Sensory Neurons

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

Motor Neurons

Neurons that carry outgoing information from the CNS to muscles and glands.

Interneurons

Neurons that communicate internally within the CNS and intervene between sensory inputs and motor outputs.

Efferent Neurons

Neurons that carry signals away from the CNS to effectors (muscles and glands).

Afferent Neurons

Neurons that carry signals toward the CNS from sensory receptors.

Glial Cells

Supportive cells in the nervous system that assist neurons.

Neurons

The basic building blocks of the nervous system, responsible for transmitting information.

Semipermeable Membrane

A membrane that allows certain molecules or ions to pass through it but not others.

Soma (Cell Body)

The part of the neuron that contains the nucleus and organelles.

Dendrites

Branch-like structures that receive messages from other neurons.

Axon

The long, slender projection of a neuron that conducts electrical impulses away from the cell body.

Terminal Buttons

Small structures at the end of an axon that release neurotransmitters into the synapse.

Synapse/Synaptic Cleft

The gap between neurons where neurotransmitters are released.

Synaptic Vesicles

Small sacs that store neurotransmitters in a neuron.

Myelin Sheath

A fatty layer that surrounds the axon, insulating it and speeding up signal transmission.

Nodes of Ranvier

Gaps in the myelin sheath that facilitate rapid signal conduction.

PKU (Phenylketonuria)

A genetic disorder that results in the inability to metabolize phenylalanine, leading to brain damage if untreated.

Multiple Sclerosis

A disease that affects the myelin sheath of neurons, impairing communication between the brain and body.

Receptor Proteins

Proteins that bind to neurotransmitters and initiate cellular responses.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers that transmit signals across synapses between neurons.

Membrane Potential

The electrical potential difference across the membrane of a neuron.

Resting Potential

The state of a neuron when it is not transmitting a signal, typically around -70mV.

Threshold of Excitation

The level of stimulation required to trigger an action potential.

Action Potential

A brief electrical charge that travels down an axon.

All-or-Nothing Principle

A neuron either fires completely or not at all, depending on whether the threshold is reached.

Depolarization

The process during which the membrane potential becomes less negative (more positive).

Reuptake

The process by which neurotransmitters are reabsorbed by the presynaptic neuron.

Hyperpolarization

An increase in the membrane potential that makes it more negative than resting potential.

Refractory Period

The time following an action potential during which a neuron is less responsive to further stimulation.

Excitatory Neurotransmitters

Chemicals that increase the likelihood of a neuron firing.

Inhibitory Neurotransmitters

Chemicals that decrease the likelihood of a neuron firing.

Acetylcholine

A neurotransmitter involved in learning, memory, and muscle movement.

Beta-Endorphin

A neurotransmitter that acts as a natural painkiller and is associated with feelings of pleasure.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter associated with reward, motivation, and motor control.

GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid)

The main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain.

Glutamate

The main excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain, important for synaptic plasticity and memory.

Norepinephrine

A neurotransmitter involved in arousal and alertness.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter that regulates mood, appetite, and sleep.

Substance P

A neurotransmitter involved in the transmission of pain signals.

Myasthenia Gravis

An autoimmune disorder that affects communication between nerves and muscles.

Psychotropic Medications

Drugs that affect mood, perception, and behavior.

Substance Use Disorder

A condition characterized by an individual's inability to stop using a substance despite negative consequences.

Agonist

A substance that mimics or enhances the effects of a neurotransmitter.

Antagonist

A substance that blocks or inhibits the action of a neurotransmitter.

Reuptake Inhibitor

A substance that inhibits the reabsorption of neurotransmitters, increasing their availability in the synapse.

Spinal Cord

The part of the CNS that transmits signals between the brain and the rest of the body.

Brain Stem

The part of the brain that controls basic life functions such as breathing and heartbeat.

Brain Plasticity (Neuroplasticity)

The brain's ability to change and adapt as a result of experience.

Cerebral Cortex

The outer layer of the brain involved in complex functions like thought and action.

Gyri

The ridges or folds on the surface of the brain.

Sulci

The grooves or indentations on the surface of the brain.

Longitudinal Fissure

The deep groove that separates the two hemispheres of the brain.

Hemispheres

The left and right halves of the brain, each responsible for different functions.

Lateralization

The specialization of certain functions in one hemisphere of the brain.

Contralateral Hemispheric Organization

The principle that each hemisphere of the brain controls the opposite side of the body.

Michael Gazzaniga

A neuroscientist known for his work in cognitive neuroscience and split-brain research.

Corpus Callosum

The bundle of neural fibers connecting the two hemispheres of the brain.

Split Brain

A condition resulting from the severing of the corpus callosum, often used to study lateralization of brain function.

Forebrain

The largest part of the brain, involved in complex behaviors and higher mental processes.

Frontal Lobe

The part of the brain responsible for reasoning, planning, and voluntary movement.

Prefrontal Cortex

The area of the frontal lobe associated with complex cognitive behavior and decision-making.

Motor Cortex

The region of the cerebral cortex that controls voluntary movements.

Broca's Area

A region in the frontal lobe associated with speech production.

Parietal Lobe

The area of the brain responsible for processing sensory information related to touch and body position.

Somatosensory Cortex

The region of the parietal lobe that processes sensory input from the body.

Temporal Lobe

The area of the brain involved in processing auditory information and memory.

Auditory Cortex

The region of the temporal lobe responsible for processing sound.

Wernicke's Area

A region in the temporal lobe associated with language comprehension.

Occipital Lobe

The area of the brain responsible for visual processing.

Limbic System

A complex set of structures involved in emotion, memory, and motivation.

Thalamus

The brain's relay station for sensory and motor signals.

Hypothalamus

A region of the brain that regulates bodily functions and homeostasis.

Pituitary Gland

The 'master gland' that regulates hormone production in other glands.

Hippocampus

A region of the brain associated with memory formation.

Amygdala

A structure involved in emotion regulation, particularly fear and pleasure.