MHS AP Psychology Unit 1A

Epigenetics

the study of influences on gene expression that occur without a DNA change

Plasticity

the brain's large capacity for modification, as evident in brain reorganization following damage and in experiments on the effects of experience on brain development

Monozygotic Twins

identical twins that are genetically identical (from the same egg)

Dizygotic Twins (DZ)

non-identical twins by wombmates (from two different eggs) fraternal twins

Natural Selection

the principle that inherited traits that better enable an organism to survive and reproduce in a particular environment will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations

Evolutionary Psychology

the study of the evolution of behavior and the mind, using principles of natural selection

Behavior Genetics

the study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior

Nature-Nurture Issue

the longstanding controversy over the relative contributions that genes and experience make to the development of psychological traits and behaviors

Mutation

a random error in gene replication that leads to a change

Environment

every nongenetic influence, from prenatal nutrition to the people and things around us

Heredity

the genetic transfer of characterstics from parents to offspring

Genes

the biochemical units of heredity

Epigenetic Marks

chemical modifications to DNA that can turn genes on and off

Nervous System

the body's speedy, electrochemical communication network, consisting of all the nerve cells of the peripheral and central nervous systems

CNS

central nervous system; brain and spinal cord

PNS

peripheral nervous system; the sensory and motor neurons that connect the CNS to the rest of the body

Nerves

bundled axons that form neural "cables" connecting the central nervous system with muscles, glands, and sensory organs

Sensory Neurons

(afferent) neurons that carry incoming information from the body's tissues to the brain and spinal cord

Motor Neurons

efferent neurons; neurons that outgoing information from spinal cord/brain to the muscles and glands

Interneurons

association neurons within the brain and spinal cord; they communicate internally and process information between the sensory inputs and motor outputs

Neurotransmitters

chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons for neurons to communicate

Axons

a part of a neuron that carries impulses away from the cell body and into either the peripheral or central nerves

Homeostasis

the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems working together to keep our bodies in a steady internal state

True or False: Parasympathetic is arousing so you can expend energy, and Sympathetic is calming so you can save energy.

false; the sympathetic nervous system arouses and expends energy, and the parasympathetic nervous system calms and conserves energy

Somatic Nervous System

sns; the division of the PNS that controls the body's skeletal muscles.

Autonomic Nervous System

ans; the part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organs

Sympathetic Nervous System

sns; the division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body

Parasympathetic Nervous System

the division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body

Reflex

a simple, automatic response to a sensory stimulation, such ad the knee-jerk reflex

Neuron

a nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system

Cell Body

the part of a neuron that contains the nucleus; the cell's life-support center

Dendrites

a neuron's bushy, branching extensions that receive messages and conduct impulses toward the cell body

Axon

the segmented neuron extension that passes messages through its branches to other neurons or to muscles or glands

Myelin Sheath

a fatty tissue layer segmentally encasing the axons of some neurons; enables vastly greater transmission speed as neural impulses hop from one node to the next

Glial Cells

cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons; often playing a role in learning, thinking, and memory

Action Potential

a neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon

Threshold

the level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse

Refractory Period

a period of inactivity before firing, after a neuron has already fired

All-or-None Response

a neuron's reaction of either firing (with a full-strength response) or not firing.

The Function of the Dendrites

receive incoming signals from other neurons

The Function of the Axon

carries nerve impulses away from the cell body

The Function of the Cell Body

contains the nucleus of the neuron and controls all activity of the neuron cell

Synapse

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

Synaptic Gap (cleft)

space between the axon terminal of one neuron and the receptors of the next neuron

Neurotransmitters

chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons

Reuptake

a neurotransmitter's reabsorption by the sending neuron

The Function of Acetylcholine

enables muscle action, learning, and memory

The Function of Dopamine

influences movement, learning, attention, and emotion

The Function of Serotonin

affects mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal

Norepinephrine

helps control alertness and arousal

The Function of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)

a major inhibitory neurotransmitter

Glutamate

a major excitatory neurotransmitter; involved in memory

Endorphins

neurotransmitters that influence the perception of pain or pleasure

Substance P

involved in pain perception and immune response

Agonist Molecule

a molecule that mimics and increases the action of a neurotransmitter.

Antagonist Molecule

a molecule that inhibits or blocks a neurotransmitter's action

Acetycholine, Dopamine, Serotonin, Norepinephrine, GABA, Glutamate, Endorphines, and Substance P are all chemical messengers called *****************

neurotransmitters

3 multiple choice options

Endocrine System

the body's "slow" chemical communication system; a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream

Hormones

chemical messengers that are manufactured by the endocrine glands, travel through the bloodstream, and affect other tissues

Fight-or-Flight Response

activation of the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system, allowing access to energy reserves and heightened sensory capacity so that we might fight off a given threat or run away to safety

Adrenal Glands

a pair of endocrine glands that sit just above the kidneys and secrete hormones (epinephrine and norepinephrine) that help arouse the body in times of stress

True or False: Epinephrine AND Norepinephrine are hormones that increase heart rate, blood pressure, and blood sugar.

True; they are also known as adrenaline and noradrenaline

Pituitary Gland

endocrine gland at the base of the brain

Function of the Pituitary Gland

produces sex, growth and pleasure hormones

The Feedback System the Connects the Nervous & Endocrine Systems

hypothalamus -> pituitary -> other glands -> hormones -> body and brain

Psychoactive Drugs

chemicals that alter the brain, producing changes in perceptions and moods

Substance Use Disorder

continued substance use despite resulting life disruption

The 4 Characteristics of Substance Use Disorder

diminished control; diminished social functioning; hazardous use; drug action

3 multiple choice options

True or False: A drug's overall effect depends only on its biological effects, not the user's expectations.

False; A drug's overall effect depends not only on its biological effects but also on the user's expectations

Maddie is unable to regulate her use of cocaine; she craves the rush and spends more time than she should to use it and look for it. Because of this, she was put on academic probation and her sorority was put under investigation, causing her friends to ditch her. Her resting heart rate is sky high, but she doesn't feel her heart racing when she uses anymore. What disorder does Maddie have?

substance use disorder

3 multiple choice options

Three Major Categories of Psychoactive Drugs

depressants; stimulants; hallucinogens

What category of psychoactive drugs does Alcohol fall under?

depressants

3 multiple choice options

Depressants

drugs that reduce neural activity and slow body functions

Tolerance

the diminishing effect with regular use of the same dose of a drug, requiring the user to take larger and larger doses before experiencing the drug's effect

Addiction

compulsive drug craving and use, despite adverse consequences

Tolerance is another word for

neuroadaptation

3 multiple choice options

Withdrawl

the discomfort and distress that follow discontinuing the use of an addictive drug

Behavior Addictions

compulsion to continually engage in behaviors despite the negative impact on one's healthy or daily life (shopping, eating, gambling)

Opioids

opium and its derivatives; they depress neural activity, temporarily lessening pain and anxiety

Heroin, Methadone, Codeine, OxyContin, Morphine, and fentanyl, are all a type of

opioid

3 multiple choice options

Endorphins

natural, opiate-like neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure

True or False; Opioids interfere with the brain and cause it to stop producing endorphins, its own natural opioids.

true

Stimulants

drugs that excite neural activity and speed up body functions

Effects of Stimulants

Pupils dilate, heart and breathing rates increase, and blood sugar levels rise, reducing appetite in the process

Caffeine, Nicotine, Amphetamines, Methamphetamine, and Ecstacy, are all a type of

stimulant

3 multiple choice options

Psychological Effects of Nicotine

nicotine signals the cns to release epinephrine and norepinphrine, diminishing appetite and boosting alertness and mental efficiency. it also causes the body to release dopamine and opioids, temporarily calming anxiety and reducing pain sensitivity

Cocaine

a powerful and addictive stimulant, derived from the coca plant

The Effects of Cocaine

powerfully stimulates the brain's reward pathways; the effects vary user to user. Usually causes fidgeting and involuntary movements

Hallucinogens

psychedelic ("mind-manifesting") drugs, that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input

THC

a mild hallucinogen; the major active ingredient in marijuana; triggers a variety of effects, including mild hallucinations

Localization of Function

the idea that various brain regions have particular functions

Biological Psychology

the scientific study of the links between biological and psychological processes

Biopsychosocial Approach

an integrated approach that incorporates biological, psychological, and social-cultural levels of analysis

Levels of Analysis

the differing complementary views, from biological to psychological to social-cultural, for analyzing any given phenomenon

Neuroplasticity is greatest in childhood, but it persists throughout life. What is neuroplasticity?

the brain's ability to change, especially during childhood, by reorganizing after damage or by building new pathways based on experience

True or False: Scientists can selectively lesion (destroy) tiny clusters of normal or defective brain cells, observing any effect on brain function

True; such studies have revealed, for example, that damage to one area of a rat's hypothalamus reduces eating to the point of starvation, whereas damage to another area produces overeating.

Lesion

tissue destruction. A brain lesion is a naturally or experimentally caused destruction of brain tissue

Electroencephalography (EEG)

an amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity sweeping across the brain's surface, measured by electrodes placed on the scalp

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

a technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images that distinguish among different types of soft tissue

Functional MRI (fMRI)

A technique for revealing blood flow and, therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans