AP Psychology - Unit 1.7-1.9

Phrenology

A popular early 1800s practice that studied bumps on the skull to determine mental abilities and character traits.

Localization of Function

The concept that different brain regions are responsible for specific functions.

Neurons

Neural cells designed to share information electrochemically with other neurons.

Cell Body (Soma)

The nucleus and life support center of a neuron.

Dendrites

Fibers that receive and integrate information, directing it toward the cell body.

Axon

The single lengthy fiber of a neuron that transmits messages to other neurons.

Myelin

A fatty tissue layer that insulates axons and speeds up neural impulses.

Multiple Sclerosis

A condition resulting from the degeneration of the myelin sheath, leading to slowed communication to muscles and loss of muscle control.

Glial Cells

Support cells that provide structure, insulation, communication, and clean up neurotransmitters in the nervous system.

Action Potential

An electrical impulse that a neuron sends down its axon when stimulated.

Excitatory Signals

Neural signals that promote the generation of an action potential.

Inhibitory Signals

Neural signals that regulate the activation of excitatory signals.

Threshold

The minimum intensity at which excitatory signals must exceed inhibitory signals to trigger an action potential.

Synapse

The gap or junction between two neurons where neurotransmitters are released.

Neurotransmitters (NTs)

Specialized biochemical messages that transmit signals across the synapse.

Reuptake

The process of a neurotransmitter being reabsorbed by the sending neuron.

Acetylcholine (ACh)

A neurotransmitter involved in muscle control and memory; linked to Myasthenia gravis when receptor sites are blocked.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter associated with reward, pleasure, emotion, motor behavior, and attention; imbalances can lead to Parkinson's disease or schizophrenia.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter that regulates sleep, mood, and appetite; low levels are linked to depression.

Norepinephrine

A neurotransmitter involved in alertness and the "Fight or Flight" response.

Endorphins

Neurotransmitters that have morphine-like effects, providing pain relief and pleasure.

Substance P

A neurotransmitter that transmits pain signals.

GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)

An inhibitory neurotransmitter that promotes tranquility; low levels are associated with seizures and insomnia.

Glutamate

A neurotransmitter involved in learning and memory; excess can lead to impulsive behavior and overstimulation of the brain.

Agonist

A molecule that mimics or increases a neurotransmitter's action.

Antagonist

A molecule that inhibits or blocks a neurotransmitter's action.

Reuptake Inhibitors

Molecules that block the reabsorption of neurotransmitters, leading to increased action potential.

Nervous System

The body's electrochemical communication network consisting of the nerve cells of the central and peripheral nervous systems.

Sensory Neurons

Neurons that carry incoming information from the body's tissues and sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord; also known as afferent neurons.

Motor Neurons

Neurons that carry outgoing information from the brain and spinal cord to the body's muscles and glands; also known as efferent neurons.

Interneurons

Neurons located within the brain and spinal cord that process information between sensory input and motor output.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The part of the nervous system comprised of the neurons of the brain and spinal cord.

Cerebrospinal Fluid

A fluid that bathes the brain and spinal cord, cushioning them, flushing waste products, and carrying some chemicals.

Neural Networks

Clusters of neurons in the brain that work together to process information.

Reflex

A simple, automatic response to a sensory stimulus.

Reflex Arc

The neural pathway that involves sensory neurons, interneurons in the spinal cord, and motor neurons to produce a reflex action.

Peripheral Nervous System

The part of the nervous system that includes all the other nerves of the body outside the CNS.

Somatic Nervous System

The part of the peripheral nervous system that transmits sensory messages to the CNS and allows voluntary movement.

Autonomic Nervous System

The part of the peripheral nervous system that regulates vital, automatic functions of internal organs.

Sympathetic Nervous System

The division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses and expends energy; associated with the "fight or flight" response.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

The division of the autonomic nervous system that conserves energy and returns the body's functions to normal levels.

Homeostasis

A state of equilibrium or normalcy for the body.

Endocrine System

A communication system that secretes hormones, influencing various bodily functions such as food interest and aggression.

Melatonin

A hormone produced by the brain that helps regulate sleep and maintain circadian rhythms.

Adrenaline

A hormone released during stress that aids in the fight or flight response by enhancing breathing and blood circulation.

Pituitary Gland

The most influential gland of the endocrine system, regulating growth hormones, cortisol, and oxytocin.

Lesion

tissue destruction or removal

Electroencephalograph (EEG) ~ function

Electrodes measure overall brain activity

Computerized [Axial] Tomography scans (CAT/CT) ~ anatomy

Beefed up X-Ray taken different angles

Positron Emission Tomography scans (PET) ~ function

Radioactive glucose … gobbled up during brain activity

functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) ~ function

Detectors transmit info about areas of naturally occurring oxygen metabolism via blood in the brain

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) ~ anatomy

Magnetic fields from water molecules show 2-D soft tissue scan of brain (density and location of brain material)

brainstem

•  oldest part and central core of the brain

  • Responsible for autonomic survival functions

medulla

• base of brainstem

• controls heartbeat and breathing

Thalamus

• top of brainstem

• sensory control center

  • It receives info from all the senses (except smell), and routes the information to the appropriate higher brain regions

reticular activating system

• Inside the brainstem (right between your ears)

  • It is a neural network extending from the spinal cord right up through the thalamus - controls sleep/wake transition and arousal

cerebellum

• extends from rear of brainstem

• baseball sized

• Function include coordinating movement and balance, enabling nonverbal learning and discriminating time

• Tied to well-rehearsed movements such a dancing/athletics or playing an instrument

• Under the influences of alcohol, coordination suffers

limbic system

a neural system located below the cerebral hemispheres; it is associated with emotions and drives

What does the limbic system contain?

contains the hypothalamus (which controls the nearby pituitary gland), the amygdala, and the hippocampus

Where is the hypothalamus?

right below the thalamus

hypothalamus

It directs maintenance activities (The 5 Fs: Food/Fight/Flight/Fahrenheit/Sex), helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion and reward; runs your biological clock

amygdala

two lima-bean-sized/almond shaped neural clusters linked to the emotions, especially fear and aggression

hippocampus

•  helps process memories of facts and events, before being sent to other locations in the cerebral

  • People who lose the hippocampus to surgery of injury show an inability to form new memories of facts and events