Physiological Psychology and Psychopharmacology Lecture Notes

A collection of vocabulary flashcards from the physiological psychology and psychopharmacology lecture notes.

Neuron

A specialized cell responsible for communicating within the nervous system.

Glial cells

Cells that provide structural support, insulation, and nutrients to neurons.

Synapse

The small space between a presynaptic neuron’s axon and a receptor on a postsynaptic neuron.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter that contributes to movement, learning, mood, sleep, and reinforcement effects of certain drugs.

Acetylcholine

A neurotransmitter that controls voluntary movement and is involved in arousal, attention, and memory.

Glutamate

A primary excitatory neurotransmitter involved in movement, emotions, learning, and memory.

Norepinephrine

A neurotransmitter involved in arousal, attention, sleep, learning, memory, and mood.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter that affects arousal, sleep, mood, and several behavioral functions.

GABA (Gamma-aminobutyric acid)

A primary inhibitory neurotransmitter that helps control anxiety and sleep.

Endorphins

Neurotransmitters that contribute to feelings of pleasure and help relieve pain.

Agonists

Drugs that mimic or increase the effects of a neurotransmitter at its receptor.

Antagonists

Drugs that block or reduce the effects of a neurotransmitter or agonist.

Hindbrain

The part of the brain that includes the medulla, pons, and cerebellum, responsible for basic life functions.

Midbrain

The region of the brain connecting the hindbrain and forebrain, which includes the reticular activating system.

Forebrain

The largest and most complex region of the human brain, involved in higher cognitive functions.

Cerebellum

Part of the hindbrain that coordinates voluntary movements, posture, and balance.

Medulla oblongata

An area in the hindbrain responsible for regulating autonomic functions like breathing and heart rate.

Pons

A structure in the hindbrain that connects the cerebellum and medulla and is involved in regulating sleep.

Sympathetic nervous system

The division of the autonomic nervous system responsible for the fight or flight response.

Parasympathetic nervous system

The division of the autonomic nervous system responsible for rest and relaxation responses.

General adaptation syndrome

A model describing the body's reaction to stress, consisting of alarm, resistance, and exhaustion stages.

Multiple sclerosis

A neurological disease caused by the destruction of myelin sheaths around axons.

Long-term potentiation

A process associated with the strengthening of synapses based on recent patterns of activity.

Action potential

An electrical impulse that travels along the axon of a neuron, triggering neurotransmitter release.