Biopsychology, Brain Anatomy, Psychopharmacology, and Hormones

Flashcards covering biological psychology concepts, neuroanatomy, brain structures and lobes, split-brain conditions, psychopharmacology, and endocrinology.

Biological Psychology

The scientific study of how the brain, nervous system, hormones, and body processes influence behavior, thoughts, and feelings.

Operationalization

The process of defining abstract ideas into measurable biological terms, such as measuring heart rate or cortisol levels for anxiety.

Independent Variable (IV)

The factor in an experiment that is changed or manipulated by the researcher.

Dependent Variable (DV)

The variable in an experiment that is measured to assess the effect of the manipulation.

Neuroplasticity

The brain's ability to rewire itself and adapt, which is used in designing rehabilitation after brain injury, stroke, or epilepsy.

Replacement

An ethical principle in animal research stating that non-animal alternatives should be used whenever possible.

Reduction

An ethical principle in animal research stating that researchers should use the fewest animals needed.

Refinement

An ethical principle in animal research focused on minimizing pain and suffering in animal subjects.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The primary nervous system structure formed together by the brain and spinal cord.

Gray Matter

The darker, outer portion of the brain made mostly of neuron cell bodies (somas) that processes and interprets information.

White Matter

The lighter portion of the brain located under the gray matter, made mostly of myelin-wrapped axons that transmit information to other parts of the nervous system.

Cerebrum

The front and largest part of the brain that initiates movement, regulates sensory interpretation, and manages higher cognitive functions like reasoning, speech, and emotion.

Corpus Callosum

A thick white matter bridge that connects the left and right cerebral hemispheres.

Substantia Nigra

A midbrain structure containing dopamine neurons that is affected in Parkinson's disease.

Pons

A brainstem structure that acts as a bridge between the midbrain and medulla, controlling facial movement, blinking, balance, hearing, and tear production.

Medulla

The brainstem region most critical for survival, controlling heart rate, breathing, blood flow, and essential reflexes like coughing, sneezing, swallowing, and vomiting.

Cerebellum

Structure located at the back of the head below the occipital lobes that coordinates voluntary movement, posture, balance, and equilibrium.

Frontal Lobe

The largest lobe located at the front of the head, responsible for personality, decision-making, planning, movement, smell recognition, and speech production.

Broca's Area

A region in the frontal lobe that controls speech production.

Parietal Lobe

The middle part of the brain that interprets touch, pain, temperature, spatial awareness, object location, and spoken language comprehension.

Wernicke's Area

A region in the parietal lobe responsible for understanding spoken language.

Occipital Lobe

The region at the back of the brain responsible for vision and processing visual information.

Temporal Lobe

The region on the sides of the brain near the ears that manages short-term memory, hearing, speech understanding, music, and smell.

Pituitary Gland

A pea-sized structure below the brain known as the 'Master Gland' that regulates hormone flow and controls all other endocrine glands.

Hypothalamus

A structure located above the pituitary gland that acts as the body's thermostat and regulates temperature, hunger, thirst, sleep-wake cycles, and emotion.

Amygdala

An almond-shaped structure deep in the temporal lobe that acts as the emotion center, managing fear, anger, aggression, stress, and the fight-or-flight response.

Hippocampus

A seahorse-shaped structure under the temporal lobe involved in memory, learning, converting short-term to long-term memory, and spatial navigation.

Pineal Gland

A structure deep in the brain that senses light and dark to release melatonin, regulating the sleep-wake cycle.

Ventricles

Four hollow spaces inside the brain that produce cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Commissurotomy

A surgical procedure involving a partial cut of the corpus callosum.

Callosectomy

A surgical procedure involving a complete cut of the corpus callosum.

Psychopharmacology

The study of how drugs affect the brain, mood, and behavior.

Psychoactive Drug

A chemical substance that alters how a person feels, thinks, or acts.

Pharmacokinetics

The study of what the body does to a drug, encompassing absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion.

Pharmacodynamics

The study of what a drug does to the body, including its effects on brain chemicals and receptors.

Agonist

A drug type that mimics or boosts a neurotransmitter, turning the receptor signal ON.

Antagonist

A drug type that blocks a neurotransmitter, turning the receptor signal OFF.

Reuptake Inhibitor

A drug mechanism that stops neurotransmitter cleanup, producing a stronger and longer signal effect.

Enzyme Blocker

A drug mechanism that stops neurotransmitter breakdown, making more neurotransmitters available.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter involved in regulating mood, sleep, appetite, and anxiety.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter associated with reward, movement, and pleasure.

Norepinephrine

A neurotransmitter responsible for alertness, energy, and stress responses.

GABA

A neurotransmitter that calms, relaxes, and reduces anxiety.

Glutamate

A major neurotransmitter essential for learning, memory, and overall brain activity.

Pharmacogenomics

The study of how genetic differences alter an individual's response to drugs.

Polypharmacy

The concurrent use of multiple drugs, which increases the risk of side effects.

Hormones

Chemical messengers released by endocrine glands into the bloodstream that travel to target organs to influence body processes and behavior.

Endocrine System

A network of glands that produce and secrete hormones into the bloodstream.

Primary Sexual Characteristics

Reproductive organs present at birth directly involved in reproduction, such as testes and penis in males, or ovaries, uterus, and vagina in females.

Secondary Sexual Characteristics

Physical traits appearing at puberty that distinguish the sexes without being directly involved in reproduction.

Organizational Effect

An early-life hormonal influence occurring in the womb or infancy that permanently organizes brain and body structures.

Activational Effect

A temporary, reversible hormonal influence occurring later in life that triggers pre-existing structures to function.

Oxytocin

Known as the 'bonding hormone', it plays a key role in childbirth, breastfeeding, trust, and social attachment.

Prolactin

A hormone that stimulates milk production and is linked to caregiving behavior.