Unit 1 Biological Bases of Behavior AP Psych

Evolutionary Perspective

study of how psychological traits and behaviors have evolved over time *survival*

Natural Selection

organisms with traits that are better suited for their environment are more likely to survive

nature

“genes” inherit biological and genetic factors that influence an individuals development, traits, behaviors and cognitive abilities

nurture

environmental influences that shape an individuals development

twin studies

examines similar and differences between identical and fraternal twins

adoption studies

investigates similarities between adopted children and their biological and adaptive families

family studies

analyzes similarities and differences among family members

heredity

transmission of genetic information from biological parents to offspring

genetic predisposition

inherited likelihood of developing specific traits or conditions due to genetic factors

eugenics

belief in improving the genetic quality of a human population by controlling reproduction

the nervous system

bodys communication network

central nervous system

consists of the brain and spinal cord, command center, processing info

peripheral nervous system

consists of all the nerves and outside the brain and spinal cord, communication, sensory information

autonomic nervous system

division of the peripheral nervous system, regulates involuntary bodily functions, operates automatically without conscious control

sympathetic nervous system

responsible for activating the body’s “fight or flight” during stress or danger, increases heart rate, dilates airways, redirects blood flow to essential organs

parasympathetic nervous system

promoting relaxation, slows heart rate, constricts airways *parachute*

somatic nervous system

controlling voluntary movements

neurons

specialized cell that serves as the building block of the nervous system

glial cells

“support cells” of the nervous system, maintaining brain health and supporting functions

motor neurons

sending signals from brain to muscles, movement

sensory neurons

receive sensory information

interneurons

connectors between motor and sensory neurons

reflex arc

quick responses, controls reflex actions

Neural transmission

process when neurons communicate with each other through electrical and chemical signals

threshold

level of stimulation required to triger an action potential in a neuron

action potential

brief electrical impulse that travels along the axon of a neuron

all-or-none principle

once a neuron reaches its threshold of excitation, it will fire full strength

depolarization

inside of neuron becomes less negative compared to outside

refractory period

brief period following an action potential when a neuron cannot regenerate

resting potential

stable, negative charge that exists across the cell membrane, not actively transmitting signals

reuptake

process when neurotransmitters are released and reabsorbed, like recycling

multiple sclerosis

chronic autoimmune disease that affects central nervous system (brain, spinal cord)

myasthenia gravis

chronic autoimmune disorder that affects the neuromuscular junction (muscles)

neurotransmitters

chemical messengers that transmit signals between neurons, allowing for communication within the nervous system

excitatory neurotransmitter

chemicals released by neurons that increase likelihood of an action potential

glutamate

primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS, transmission and communication. learning, memory, neural plasticity, ability to change, adapt

inhibitory neurotransmitter

chemical released by neurons that decrease likelihood of an action potential

GABA

primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS, relaxation, reduces anxiety

Dopamine

neurotransmitter that regulates mood, reward, motivation, movement

serotonin

neurotransmitter that regulates mood, sleep, appetite, stress

endorphins

neurotransmitter produced by brain and cells, natural pain relieves, mood enhancer. released in response to stress, pain, intense physical activity

substance P

neurotransmitter, transmitting pain signals in nervous system

acetylcholine

neurotransmitter, plays role in both central and peripheral nervous system. muscle contraction, memory, learning

hormones

produced by glands in endocrine system that travel through bloodstream to target cells or organs, regulate various physiological processes and behaviors

ghrelin

hormone produced by stomach, stimulates appetite and promotes hunger

leptin

hormone produced by fat cells, regulates energy balance and appetite

melatonin

hormone regulates the sleep-wake cycle, ensuring restful sleep

oxytocin

hormone and neurotransmitter, social bonding, trust

adrenaline

hormone and neurotransmitter, bodys stress response, adrenaline levels surge during times of stress, fear, or excitement, helping the body to adopt

nonrepinephrine

hormone neurotransmitter “fight or flight” repsonce, regulaint arousal, attention, and stress, increase heart rate, blood pressure, alertness

Cerebral Cortex

outer layer of brain, controls thinking, perceiving, decision making

lobes of the brain

4 main regions into which the cerebral cortex and the outer layer of the brain are divided

association areas

parts of the brain that take info from all places, put it together so we understand

frontal lobe

front of the brain, decision making, problem solving, planning, personality, expression

prefrontal cortex

located in frontal lobe, higher level cognitive functions and executive functions

motor cortex

controls voluntary movements of the body, back side of the frontal lobe

parietal lobe

top of brain, process sensory info, touch, temperature, spatial awareness

somatosensory cortex

located in parietal lobe, processing sensations, touch, pressure, temperature only skin

occipital lobe

back of the brain, processing visual info, contains the primary visual cortex

temporal lobe

sides of the brain, processing auditory info, language, memory

corpus callosum

thick band of nerve fibers that connects left and right hemispheres of the brain communication

brainstem

oldest, basic life-sustaining functions, breathing, heart rate, sleep-cycles

medulla

base of brainstem, essential autonomic functions, heartbeat, breathing, blood pressure

reticular activating system

neurons in brainstem, regulating arousal, attention, consciousness. ability to focus, alertness

cerebellum

back of brain, coordinating movement, balance, posture

limbic system

beneath cerebral cortex, controls emotions, memory, motivation

reward center

processes pleasurable experiences and reinforces behaviors associated

thalamus

processes and relays sensory info, sight, sound, touch, taste

hypothalamus

below the thalamus, regulating essential bodily functions like hunger and thirst

pituitary gland

base of brain, central role in regulating hormone production

hippocampus

located in brains temporal lobe, forming new memories

amygdala

located in brains temporal lobe, processing emotions, particularly fear and aggression, triggers the fight or flight response during danger

plasticity

brains ability to reorganize and adapt throughout life

split brain research

studies individuals who have undergone a surgical procedure called corpus callosotomy (disconnects the two hemispheres of the brain)

contralateral hemispheric organization

each hemisphere of the brain controls the opposite side of the body

hemispheric specialization

explored through split brain research, each hemisphere has specialized functions and abilities

linguistic processing

complex cognitive processing, understanding and producing language

brocas area

located in the left hemisphere, frontal lobe, speech production and language

brocas aphasia

language disorder caused by damage to the broca’s area, have difficulty producing fluent speech and forming grammatically correct sentences

wernickes area

region located in the left hemisphere, temporal lobe, helps language comprehension and understanding spoken and written language

wernickes aphasia

language disorder cause by damage to wernickes area, resulting from stroke or brain injury, difficulty understanding spoken and written language

electroencephalogram “EEG“

non-invasive neuro-imaging technique to record electrical activity of brain, used to diagnose neurological disorders, epilepsy, sleep disorders, brain injuries

functional magnetic resonance imagine “MRI“

neuro-imaging technique used to measure brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow and oxygen levels, provides detailed images

lesioning

research technique to study brain function by intentionally damaging areas of the brain in experimental areas

Consiousness

state of being aware, able to perceive ones feelings

circadian rhythm

natural, internal process that regulates sleep wake cycle and repeats roughly every 24 hours, influences patterns of alertness

jet lag

temporary disruption of the body’s circadian rhythm due to different routines

shift work

employment schedules that require working outside typical daytime hours, disrupting the bodys circadian rhythm

nrem stage 1

the first stage of non-rapid eye movement, drifting in and out of sleep brain waves slow down, muscles relax, sudden muscle contraction

nrem stage 2

the second stage of non-rapid eye movement, light sleep, brain waves further slow down and sleep spindles (short bursts of brain activity)

nrem stage 3

deepest stage, presense of predominantly delta waves

restoration of resources

process during sleep where body and brain replenishes energy

rem sleep

“rapid eye movement” vivid dreams and muscle paralysis

rem rebound

phenomenoum where body increases the time spent in rem sleep

activiaiton-synthesis

theory that dreams are the result of random neural activity in the brainstem during rem sleep

consolidation theory

theory that dreams ply a role in memory consolidation

insomnia

sleep disorder, difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep

narcolepsy

sleep disorder, excessive daytime sleepiness, sudden episodes of muscle weakness

sleep apnea

sleep disorder, pauses in breathing during sleep

REM sleep behavior disorder

sleep disorder, physically act out their dreams during rem sleep