AP PYSCH MODS 4-7

What is phrenology?

The study of bumps on the skull and their relationship to mental abilities and character traits.

What significant idea did phrenology yield?

The brain might have different areas that do different things, known as localization of function.

What does biological psychology encompass?

Neuroscience, behavior genetics, neuropsychology, and evolutionary psychology.

What is the primary function of neurons?

To communicate signals throughout the body.

What is an action potential?

A neural impulse that travels down an axon like a wave.

How does an action potential maintain its strength?

The axon regenerates an impulse at each point along the way.

What is resting potential in a neuron?

The electrical potential difference maintained by a neuron when it is not actively transmitting a signal.

What causes the resting potential in a neuron?

Negatively charged proteins inside the cell and a higher concentration of positively charged sodium ions outside the cell.

What is the threshold in neuronal communication?

The level of stimulation required to trigger an action potential.

What is the all-or-none response in neurons?

A neuron either fires an action potential or it does not, regardless of the intensity of the stimulus.

What is a synapse?

The junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron.

What occurs during the refractory period?

The neuron resists the production of further action potentials immediately after firing.

What are neurotransmitters?

Chemicals used to send signals across the synaptic gap.

What is reuptake in the context of neurotransmitters?

The process of recycling neurotransmitters by taking them back into the sending neuron after they have stimulated the receiving neuron.

What role do dopamine pathways play?

They are involved in focusing attention and controlling movement.

What role do serotonin pathways play?

They help regulate mood.

What is an agonist molecule?

A molecule that fills the receptor site and activates it, acting like the neurotransmitter.

What is an antagonist molecule?

A molecule that fills the lock of a receptor site so that the neurotransmitter cannot activate it.

What does the peripheral nervous system (PNS) do?

It gathers and sends information to and from the rest of the body.

What are the two main components of the Central Nervous System (CNS)?

The brain and spinal cord.

What is the primary function of sensory neurons?

To carry messages into the CNS from the body's tissues and sensory receptors.

What role do motor neurons play in the nervous system?

They carry instructions out from the CNS to the body's tissues.

What are interneurons and where are they located?

Interneurons process information between sensory input and motor output and are located in the brain and spinal cord.

How do nerves differ from neurons?

Nerves consist of neural cables containing many axons, while neurons are individual nerve cells.

What are the two divisions of the Autonomic Nervous System?

The sympathetic nervous system (arouses the body) and the parasympathetic nervous system (calms the body).

What is the function of the adrenal glands?

They produce hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol, which respond to stress.

What is the role of the pituitary gland in the endocrine system?

It is the 'master gland' that regulates other glands and produces hormones like growth hormone and oxytocin.

What does the phrase 'neurons that fire together, wire together' imply?

It suggests that interconnected neurons strengthen their connections through repeated activation.

What is a reflex action and how is it demonstrated?

A reflex action is an automatic response to a stimulus, such as pulling away from a fire, triggered by interneurons in the spine.

What does an EEG measure?

An EEG records the electrical waves sweeping across the brain's surface.

How does a PET scan function?

A PET scan traces where a radioactive form of glucose goes in the brain during a task to show active areas.

What distinguishes MRI from fMRI?

MRI provides structural images of the brain, while fMRI reveals brain activity by showing changes in blood flow.

What are the main functions of the brainstem?

The brainstem controls basic functions such as heartbeat and breathing.

What is the role of the thalamus in the brain?

The thalamus acts as the 'sensory switchboard,' routing sensory messages to the cortex.

What does the reticular formation regulate?

It enables alertness and filters incoming sensory information.

What functions does the cerebellum serve?

The cerebellum coordinates voluntary movement and is involved in nonverbal learning and memory.

What are the primary functions of the limbic system?

It coordinates emotions, basic drives, and the formation of episodic memories.

What is the function of the hippocampus?

The hippocampus processes conscious, episodic memories and works with the amygdala for emotionally charged memories.

What role does the amygdala play in emotion?

The amygdala processes emotions, especially fear and aggression.

What reaction does electrical stimulation of a cat's amygdala provoke?

Aggressive reactions.

What is the primary function of the hypothalamus?

Regulates body temperature, ensures adequate food and water intake, and is involved in sex drive.

How does the hypothalamus interact with the endocrine system?

It directs the endocrine system via messages to the pituitary gland.

What is the structure of the cerebral cortex?

It consists of an outer grey 'bark' structure and inner white matter with axons linking parts of the brain.

What are the four lobes of the cerebral cortex?

Frontal lobes, parietal lobes, occipital lobes, and temporal lobes.

What is the role of the frontal lobes?

Involved in speaking, muscle movements, planning, judgment, and impulse control.

What is the function of the sensory strip in the brain?

It deals with information from touch stimuli.

What does the occipital lobe process?

Visual information.

What is the significance of Phineas Gage's case study?

It demonstrated that damage to the frontal lobes can result in personality changes and loss of impulse control.

What abilities are managed by the temporal lobe association areas?

Recognizing faces and processing auditory information.

What is whole-brain association activity responsible for?

Complex activities such as memory, language, attention, and consciousness.

What does brain plasticity refer to?

The brain's ability to form new connections and restore some functions after damage.

What are the main differences between the left and right hemispheres of the brain?

The left hemisphere is involved in language and logical reasoning, while the right hemisphere is associated with intuition and big-picture thinking.

What is the corpus callosum?

A band of axons connecting the two hemispheres of the brain.

What happens when the corpus callosum is severed?

Each hemisphere operates independently, leading to divided awareness and inability to coordinate visual fields.

What is the role of lesions in brain research?

Lesions are used to study brain functions by surgically destroying brain tissue, although modern techniques can achieve similar insights without surgery.

What is the future of brain research focused on?

Understanding whether every part of the mind's functioning can be mapped to brain activity.