AP Psych Unit 2: Biology

Glial cells

Non-neuronal cells in the central nervous system that provide support and protection for neurons.

Neurons

Specialized cells that transmit nerve impulses, facilitating communication within the nervous system.

Reflex arc

A neural pathway that mediates a reflex action, consisting of a sensory neuron, an interneuron, and a motor neuron.

Sensory neurons

Specialized neurons that carry sensory information from receptors to the central nervous system.

Motor neurons

Specialized neurons that transmit motor commands from the central nervous system to muscles and glands.

Interneurons

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

Neural transmission

The process by which neurons communicate with each other through electrical impulses and neurotransmitters.

All-or-nothing principle

The concept that a neuron either fires completely or not at all.

Action potential

The change in electrical potential that occurs when a neuron is activated.

Depolarization

The initial phase of an action potential where the neuron's membrane potential becomes less negative.

Repolarization

The phase following depolarization where the membrane potential is restored to its resting state.

Refractory period

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

Resting potential

The state of a neuron when it is not actively firing an action potential.

Reuptake

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

Firing threshold

The level of depolarization that must be reached for a neuron to initiate an action potential.

Multiple sclerosis

A chronic autoimmune disease that damages the myelin sheath surrounding nerve fibers.

Myasthenia gravis

An autoimmune disorder characterized by weakness of voluntary muscles due to acetylcholine receptor attack.

Neurotransmitters

Chemicals that transmit signals across synapses in the nervous system.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter involved in reward, motivation, and motor control.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter that regulates mood, sleep, and appetite.

Norepinephrine

A neurotransmitter involved in attention and the body's stress response.

Glutamate

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

GABA

The main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, reducing neuronal excitability.

Endorphins

Neurotransmitters that relieve pain and induce feelings of pleasure.

Substance P

A neurotransmitter associated with the pain perception pathway.

Acetylcholine

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

Agonist

A substance that enhances the effect of a neurotransmitter.

Antagonist

A substance that inhibits the action of a neurotransmitter.

Adrenaline

A hormone that prepares the body for fight-or-flight responses.

Oxytocin

A hormone associated with social bonding, reproduction, and childbirth.

Brainstem

The part of the brain that connects the brain to the spinal cord and controls basic life functions.

Medulla

The lower portion of the brainstem that regulates vital functions such as heartbeat.

Cerebellum

A structure at the back of the brain that coordinates voluntary movements and balance.

Cerebral cortex

The outer layer of the brain responsible for higher cognitive functions.

Limbic system

A set of brain structures involved in emotions, memory processing, and motivation.

Thalamus

The brain's relay station for sensory information.

Hypothalamus

A small region of the brain that regulates autonomic processes and controls the pituitary gland.

Pituitary gland

A gland at the base of the brain that controls hormone production.

Amygdala

A part of the limbic system involved in emotion regulation.

Hippocampus

A region of the brain essential for memory formation.

Corpus callosum

A thick band of nerve fibers that connects the left and right hemispheres.

Occipital lobes

Divisions of the cerebral cortex responsible for visual processing.

Frontal lobes

Involved in reasoning, planning, movement, and problem-solving.

Temporal lobes

Responsible for processing auditory information and memory.

Parietal lobes

Processes sensory information and spatial orientation.

Broca’s area

A region in the frontal lobe crucial for language production.

Wernicke's area

A region in the temporal lobe important for language comprehension.

Aphasia

A language disorder resulting from brain damage.

Plasticity

The brain's ability to change and adapt in response to experience.

EEG

A test that measures electrical activity in the brain.

fMRI

A neuroimaging technique that measures brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow.

Case studies

Detailed investigations of a single entity used to explore complex phenomena.

Lesioning procedure

A method used in research to study the effects of damage to specific brain areas.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Comprises the brain and spinal cord, processing information and controlling body activities.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Consists of all nerves outside the CNS, connecting it to the rest of the body.

Somatic Nervous System

A part of the PNS that controls voluntary movements and relays sensory information to the CNS.

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

Regulates involuntary bodily functions such as heart rate and digestion.

Sympathetic Nervous System

A branch of the ANS responsible for the 'fight-or-flight' response.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

A branch of the ANS that promotes the 'rest-and-digest' response.