AP Psychology Unit 1: Biological Bases of Behavior and Sleep

Vocabulary flashcards covering Unit 1: Biological Bases of Behavior and Sleep from AP Psychology lecture notes.

Nature

Biologically determined aspects of behavior.

Nurture

Learned and societal influences on behavior.

Central Nervous System

The division of the nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral Nervous System

All parts of the nervous system outside of the brain and spinal cord.

Somatic Nervous System

The part of the peripheral nervous system that you can control on purpose, such as moving your hands.

Autonomic Nervous System

The part of the peripheral nervous system that controls automatic functions, such as the heart.

Sympathetic Nervous System

The branch of the autonomic nervous system that is arousing and triggers the fight or flight response.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

The branch of the autonomic nervous system that is calming and decreases heart rate.

Neurons

Brain cells categorized into sensory neurons, motor neurons, and interneurons.

Glial Cells

Helper cells located in the brain that support neurons like fatty tissue insulation.

Sensory Neurons

Neurons that allow you to feel sensory input.

Motor Neurons

Neurons that connect the brain to muscles and allow movement.

Reflex Arc

A neural pathway that allows you to pull your hand away without thinking.

Action Potential

A neural impulse that either fires or does not fire, described using a gun analogy.

All-or-none Principle

The rule stating that a neuron either fires completely or does not fire at all.

Depolarization

An electrical signal being sent across a neuron.

Refractory Period

The resting period of a neuron after firing, described using a toilet analogy.

Resting Potential

The charge at which neurons rest, measured at $-70\,mV$.

Neurotransmitters

Chemicals that facilitate neuronal communication.

Excitatory Neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters that increase the voltage of the receiving neuron to enhance communication.

Inhibitory Neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters that decrease voltage and decrease neuronal communication.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter that stimulates the brain, produces happiness, and rewards the brain.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter involved in mood regulation.

Norepinephrine

A neurotransmitter responsible for alertness.

Glutamate

An excitatory neurotransmitter.

GABA

The main inhibitory neurotransmitter that decreases neurotransmission.

Endorphins

The brain's natural painkiller.

Substance P

A chemical transmitter associated with pain.

Acetylcholine

A neurotransmitter involved in movement and memory.

Agonist

A substance that mimics a neurotransmitter, fits into the receptor site, and sends a message like a well-copied key.

Antagonist

A substance that fits into a receptor site and blocks the neurotransmitter from working.

Reuptake Inhibitor

A chemical that blocks reuptake, causing neurotransmitters to stay and build up in the synaptic gap.

Adrenaline

A hormone that provides strength, alertness, and numbs pain.

Ghrelin

A hormone that triggers hunger.

Leptin

A hormone that signals feeling full.

Oxytocin

A hormone associated with love.

Stimulant

A class of drugs, such as caffeine and cocaine, that stimulates the brain.

Depressant

A class of drugs, such as alcohol, that decreases neuron communication.

Hallucinogen

A class of drugs, such as marijuana, that causes a person to sense things that are not there.

Opioid

A class of drugs, such as heroin, that provides pain reduction and euphoria.

Tolerance

The increased amount of a drug required to feel the same way.

Addiction

The inability to stop using a substance.

Withdrawal

Negative physical symptoms experienced when stopping drug use.

Brain Stem

Structure that connects the spinal cord to the brain.

Medulla

Brain stem structure controlling heart beat and breathing.

Reticular Activating System

Brain structure that controls alertness and sleep.

Cerebellum

Structure located at the back bottom of the brain that controls balance and movement.

Thalamus

A routing area in the limbic system that connects all neurons.

Hypothalamus

A limbic system organ that regulates hunger and sleep.

Pituitary Gland

Gland that controls hormone production.

Hippocampus

Brain structure associated with memory.

Amygdala

Brain structure associated with aggression and fear.

Cerebral Cortex

The outer part of the brain containing neurons.

Corpus Callosum

Structure that connects the right and left hemispheres of the brain.

Contralateral Hemispheric Organization

Organization of the brain where the left hemisphere controls the right side of the body.

Frontal Lobe

Major brain region containing the prefrontal cortex and motor cortex, responsible for decision making and personality.

Parietal Lobe

Major brain region containing the somatosensory cortex, responsible for processing touch, temperature, and spatial awareness.

Temporal Lobe

Major brain region responsible for hearing, language, and memory.

Occipital Lobe

Major brain region responsible for processing visual information.

Wernicke's Area

Brain area responsible for language comprehension.

Broca's Area

Brain area responsible for speech production.

Aphasia

Language impairment resulting from brain injury that affects speech production or comprehension.

Brain Plasticity

The ability for the brain to form new connections.

Lesion

The destruction of brain tissue used as a research method.

Consciousness

The awareness of self.

Circadian Rhythm

The $24\,hrs$ sleep/wake cycle.

Sleep Spindle

A burst of brain activity that occurs during Stage 2 sleep.

REM

Rapid eye movement sleep stage characterized by dreaming.

Hypnagogic Sensations

Hallucinatory feelings experienced as a person falls asleep.

Insomnia

A sleep disorder characterized by the inability to sleep.

Narcolepsy

A sleep disorder where a person cannot control when they fall asleep.

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

A sleep disorder where a person acts out dreams because they are not paralyzed during REM sleep.

Sleep Apnea

A sleep disorder characterized by the inability to breathe while sleeping.

Somnambulism

A sleep disorder characterized by sleepwalking.