neuroscience ap psych

biopsychosocial

Study of links between biological and psychological processes

Genetic Predisposition

Increased chance of developing a specific trait because of our genetic code (Ex: Mental illness)

Neural Communication

The body’s information system of interconnected neuron cells

Glial

Type of neuron that acts as a support system for other neurons

Resting potential

Electrical charge that exists between the inside and outside of a neuron, and has a slightly negative charge

Synapces

Space between the end of a nerve cell and another cell

Cell Body (Soma)

Life support center of a neuron

Dendrites

Receives messages from other neurons

Axon

Long, single extension of a neuron that sends messages to other neurons throughout the body

Myelin Sheath

Layer of fatty tissue that insulates and speeds up messages through neurons

Mirror Neurons

A class of neurons that modulate their activity when they observe the same or similar act performed by another individual

Excitatory signals

Push like an excelerator from neuron to neuron

Inhibitory signals

Signals like pushing on a brake

All or none response

Involves a stimulus is strong enough to trigger an action potential or a muscle contraction, causing a complete and full response

Interneurons

Interconnected clusters of neurons within brain and spinal cord that communicate internally and intervene between sensory inputs and motor outputs

Shwann Cells

Cells of peripheral nervous system responsible for production of myelin sheath

(Efferent) Motor Neurons

Conducting cells that carry information from central nervous system to muscles and organs

Sensory neurons

Carry impulses from receptors in muscle, organs, and glands to the central nervous system

Sodium Ions

Positively charged particles that are more concentrated outside the neurons that enter the cell during an action potential

Potassium Ions

Influences electrical signals, nerve impulse transmission, and maintains the brain’s resting membrane potential

Threshhold

Minimum level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse in a neuron

Action potential or spikes

A brief electrical charge that travels down an axon

Refractory period

Brief resting pause that occurs after a neuron has fired

Hyperpolarization

Inhibits action potentials by increasing the stimulus required to move the membrane potential to the action potential threshhold

Depolarization

Change in difference between electric charge on the inside and outside of a cell membrane, when cell becomes positively charged or less negative

Repolarization

Process where a cell’s electrical charge returns to its negative resting state after being depolarized by a positive moving signal

Neuromodulator

A chemical released by neurons that alters their responsiveness to neurotransmitters

Reuptake

The process in the brain of neurons to retrieve chemicals that weren’t received by the next neuron

Terminal Buttons

Small knobs at the end of an axon that releases neurotransmitters. They send the signal on to other neurons.

ACH

A neurotransmitter that supports cognitive functions in the central nervous systems. Triggers muscle contractions when released from neurons

Serotonin

Neurotransmitter that plays a role in emotional regulation, digestion, sexual function, and sleep. Low levels can cause depression

GABA

Inhibitory neurotransmitter that inhibits certain brain signals and decreases activity in the sympathetic nervous system

Dopamine

Neurotransmitter that contributes to feelings of satisfaction and pleasure

Glutamate

An excitatory neurotransmitter that stimulates cells into action. An oversupply can cause migraines and seizures

Endorphins

Released by pituitary gland and hypothalamus in response to pain or stress to act as natural painkillers

Substance P

A mediator of pain transmission in the central nervous system, released by sensory neurons in damaged tissue.

Norepinephrine

Controls a persons alertness and arousal, such as caffeine intake

Cell membranes

Controls the passage of ions and neurotransmitters into and out of the cell

Myasthenia Gravis

Autoimmune disorder that causes muscle weakness by attacking the body’s own AChRs, interrupting communication between nerves and muscles where the nerve signals trigger muscle contractions

Lock and key method

How neurotransmitters bind to specific receptor sites on a neuron to transmit a signal in the brain

Agonists

Drugs or substances that bind to a neurons receptor sites and mimics or enhances the effect of a naturally occurring neurotransmitter

Antagonists

Block the action of neurotransmitters preventing them from binding to receptors and exerting their effects

Nervous System

Consists of all the nerve cells, and is the body’s communication system

Meninges

The three protective membranes that surround and enclose the nervous system

Peripheral Nervous System

Sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system to the rest of the body

Somatic Nervous System

Division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body’s skeletal muscles

Autonomic nervous system

Control system of the body that regulates breathing, heart rate, and digestion

Sympathetic nervous system

Division of the ANS that arouses the body and mobilizes its energy in stressful situations

Glymphatic system

System in the central nervous system that removes waste

The Endocrine System

Utilizes glands located throughout the body that regulates a variety of things like metabolism, digestion, blood pressure, and growth.

Hormones

Chemicals synthesized by the endocrine glands that are secreted in the bloodstream, like Estrogen and Testosterone

Epinephrine

This is adrenaline, and it increases heart rate and blood pressure during emergency situations

Pituitary gland

Secretes flow of hormones during pair-bonding interactions

Adrenal Glands

Type of endocrine glands that are located on top of kidneys, and release hormones like testosterone and cortisol

Brain Lesion or Ablation

Experimentally destroys brain tissue to study animal behaviors after such destruction

Prefrontal Cortex

Brain’s central executive and is believed to be important in predicting consequences, maintaining emotional control, and engaging in higher-level cognitive processes

MRI Scan

Shows structure not function of the brain

PET Scan

An imaging test that uses a radioactive substance called a tracer to look for disease in the body

EEG

Detects brain wave functions by examining what type of waves the brain produces during stages of conciousness

Brain stem

Connects the cerebrum to the spinal cord

Hindbrain

Part of brain stem that contains pons, cerebellum and medulla, and regulates basic human functions

Midbrain

Part of brain stem located just above the medulla and pons and contains basic vision and hearing functions, and is also the input center for muscle movement

Forebrain

Composed of the thalamus and hypothalamus which develops into the cerebrum, and controls body temperature and reproductive functions

Pons

A structure in the brain stem that acts as a bridge between the cerebrum and the cerebellum, and it regulates the sleep cycle and controls face expressions

Medulla ablongata

Controls heartbeat and breathing

Reticular formation

Nerve network in the brain stem that plays an important role in controlling arousal, sleep cycles, and consciousness

Spinal cord

Extends from the bottom of the medulla and through a large opening in the bottom of the skull, carries messages to and from the brain

Cerebellum

Helps coordinate voluntary movements, balance and thinking processes EX: Walking the line

Thalamus

The brains sensory switchboard, it receives sensory signals that come up the spinal cord and send them around the forebrain

Hypothalamus

Under thalamus that controls eating and hunger

Amygdala

Part of the brain that is the center for emotional responses

Hippocampus

Part of the brain that processes memories and sends them to other locations in the cerebral cortex for storage

Pineal Gland

Responds to light and dark and secretes melatonin, which regulates sleep cycle

Frontal Lobe

Part of your brain involved with speech, reasoning, and personality

Parietal Lobe

Top to rear head, helps a person identify objects and responds to touch, heat, cold, and pain

Occipital Lobe

Located in the back of the head and is related to vision

Temporal Lobe

Located on the side of the head and is involved with hearing, short term memory, and understanding language

Motor Cortex

Back of the frontal lobe, sends signals to your muscles

Somatosensory Cortex

Located in parietal lobe, and receives all sensory input from the body

Aphasia

An impariment of language, usually by left hemisphere damage

Broca

Area in left frontal lobe that is important for production of spoken language

Wernicke

Damage in a specific area in temporal lobe that disrupts the ability to comprehend or produce spoken or written language

Fusiform Gyrus

Part temporal lobe to recognize faces

Angular Gyrus

Hub for language processing, and involved in attention and number processing

Plasticity

Brain’s ability to change during childhood by reorganizing and refixing after damage

Left himsphere

Part of brain proccessing language, speaking, math, and comprehension skills

Right hemsiphere

Part of brain controlling spatial abilities and creativity

Contralateral Hemisphere Organization

Connects the two hemisphere’s of the brain