AP Psychology Unit

Epigenetics

Epigenetics

Particular genes that get turned on or off from the environment.

Central Nervous System

Composed of the brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral Nervous System

Anything you can control; consists of voluntary (somatic) and involuntary (autonomic) systems.

Sympathetic Nervous System

Part of the autonomic nervous system activated during times of stress, leading to 'fight or flight' responses.

Action Potential

The state when a neuron is active, involving a positive charge inside and outside the cell.

Polarization

The state where the electrical charge inside the membrane is negative while the outside is positive.

Depolarization

The process where the inside membrane becomes positive and the outside becomes negative due to ion exchange.

Refractory Period

The time during which a neuron cannot fire an action potential.

Acetylcholine

A neurotransmitter involved in memory; lower levels are associated with Alzheimer's.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter related to the reward system and movement; imbalance can lead to hallucinations or Parkinson's disease.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter associated with mood; under supply can lead to depression.

Threshold Level

The point at which the neuron has enough stimulation to fire an action potential.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers that transmit signals across a synapse from one neuron to another.

Synapse

The junction between two neurons where signals are transmitted.

Myelin Sheath

A fatty layer that insulates axons, speeding up electrical transmission.

Resting Potential

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

Nervous System

The body's communication network, transmitting signals throughout the body.

Brainstem

The part of the brain responsible for basic life functions like breathing and heartbeat.

Cerebral Cortex

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

Neuron

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

Glial Cells

Cells that support, nourish, and protect neurons; they also play a role in neurotransmission.

Somatic Nervous System

A part of the peripheral nervous system that controls voluntary movements of the skeletal muscles.

Autonomic Nervous System

A part of the peripheral nervous system that controls involuntary functions like heart rate and digestion.

Endorphins

Neurotransmitters that act as natural painkillers and are associated with pleasure.

Cerebellum

Part of the brain that coordinates movement and balance.

Limbic System

A group of structures involved in emotion, memory, and arousal, including the amygdala and hippocampus.

Cortex

The brain's outer layer that is involved in higher cognitive functions, sensory perception, and decision making.

Reflex Arc

The neural pathway that controls a reflex action, allowing quick responses without conscious thought.

Plasticity

The brain's ability to reorganize itself and form new connections, particularly after injury.

Hippocampus

A part of the limbic system essential for memory formation and spatial navigation.

Amygdala

An almond-shaped structure in the limbic system involved in emotional responses and processing fear.

Neuroplasticity

The ability of neural networks in the brain to change through growth and reorganization.

Sensory Neurons

Nerve cells that transmit sensory information from receptors to the central nervous system.

Motor Neurons

Nerve cells that carry signals from the central nervous system to muscles to facilitate movement.

Interneurons

Neurons that connect sensory and motor neurons within the central nervous system.

Corpus Callosum

The bundle of nerve fibers connecting the left and right hemispheres of the brain.

Cerebral Hemispheres

The two halves of the brain, each responsible for different functions and processes.

Thalamus

The brain's relay station for sensory information, directing it to the appropriate areas.

Hypothalamus

A small region of the brain that regulates temperature, hunger, thirst, and circadian rhythms.