AP psych 1A

natural selection

the principle that, among the range of inherited trait variations, those contributing to reproduction and survival will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations

evolutionary perspective

the theory that seeks to identify behavior that is a result of our genetic inheritance from our ancestors (natural selection)

behavior genetics

the field that seeks to discover the influence of heredity and environment on individual differences in human traits and development

twin studies

a common method of investigating whether nature or nurture affects behavior

nature vs nurture

name for a controversy in which it is debated whether genetics or environment is responsible for driving behavior

environment

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

heredity

the transmission of traits from one generation to the next

eugenics

the science of improving a human population by controlled breeding to increase the occurrence of desirable heritable characteristics (breeding out diseases and disabilities)

CNS (central nervous system)

consists of the brain and spinal cord

PNS (peripheral nervous system)

the sensory and motor neurons that connect the CNS to the rest of the body

autonomic nervous system

the part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organs (such as the heart) (involuntary activity). Its sympathetic division arouses; its parasympathetic division calms.

somatic nervous system

A subdivision of the peripheral nervous system. Enables voluntary actions to be undertaken due to its control of skeletal muscles

sympathetic nervous system

the division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy in stressful situations

parasympathetic nervous system

the division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy

neuron

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

glial cells

support cells found in the nervous system

neuron labeled

sensory neurons

neurons that carry incoming information from the sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord (afferent)

motor neurons

neurons that carry outgoing information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands (efferent)

interneurons

Central nervous system neurons that internally communicate and intervene between the sensory inputs and motor outputs

all or nothing principle

Once action potential reaches threshold, either fires or doesn't

threshold

the level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse

action potential

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

resting potential

the state of the neuron when not firing a neural impulse

refractory period

a period of inactivity after a neuron has fired

depolarization

The process during the action potential when sodium is rushing into the cell causing the interior to become more positive.

repolarization

Return of the cell to resting state, caused by reentry of potassium into the cell while sodium exits the cell.

reuptake

a neurotransmitter's reabsorption by the sending neuron

reflex arc

a relatively direct connection between a sensory neuron and a motor neuron that allows an extremely rapid response to a stimulus, often without conscious brain involvement.

multiple sclerosis

A chronic disease of the central nervous system marked by damage to the myelin sheath. Plaques occur in the brain and spinal cord causing tremor, weakness, incoordination, paresthesia, and disturbances in vision and speech

myasthenia gravis

a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the neuromuscular junction and produces serious weakness of voluntary muscles

excitatory neurotransmitters

chemicals released from the terminal buttons of a neuron that excite the next neuron into firing

inhibitory neurotransmitters

chemicals released from the terminal buttons of a neuron that inhibit the next neuron from firing

endorphins

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

Acetylocholine

enables muscle action, learning, and memory (Alzheimer's)

dopamine

influences movement, learning, attention, and emotion (oversupply -> schizophrenia) (undersupply -> parkinson´s)

serotonin

Affects mood, hunger, sleep and arousal. Undersupply linked to depression.

norepinephrine

Helps control alertness and arousal. Under supply can depress mood.

GABA

A major inhibitory neurotransmitter. Undersupply linked to seizures, tremors, and insomnia.

glutamate

A major excitatory neurotransmitter; involved in memory. Oversupply can overstimulate the brain, producing migraines or seizures

substance P

A neurotransmitter involved in pain perception and immune response. (oversupply -> chronic pain)

agonists

drugs that increase the action of a neurotransmitter

antagonists

drugs that block the function of a neurotransmitter

hormones

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

adrenaline

a hormone released by the adrenal glands, especially in conditions of stress, increasing rates of blood circulation, breathing, and carbohydrate metabolism and preparing muscles for exertion.

oxytocin

a hormone released by the pituitary gland that causes increased contraction of the uterus during labor and stimulates the ejection of milk into the ducts of the breasts.

cortisol

stress hormone released by the adrenal glands

psychoactive drugs

chemicals that affect the central nervous system and alter activity in the brain that then alters perceptions and moods

reuptake inhibitor

Chemical that binds to the terminal buttons and prevents reuptake, thereby causing an excess of that NT

addiction

compulsive drug craving and use, despite adverse consequences

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

withdrawal

the discomfort and distress that follow discontinuing an addictive drug or behavior

depressants

drugs (such as alcohol, barbiturates, and opiates) that reduce neural activity and slow body functions

Opioids - Heroin and morphine

narcotics; drugs derived from opium

stimulants

Drugs (such as caffeine, nicotine, and the more powerful amphetamines, cocaine, and Ecstasy) that excite neural activity and speed up body functions.

hallucinogens

psychedelic drugs, such as LSD, that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input (marijuana/THC)

neuroplasticity

the ability within the brain to constantly change both the structure and function of many cells in response to experience or trauma

lesion

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

EEG (electroencephalogram)

An amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity that sweep across the brain's surface. These waves are measured by electrodes placed on the scalp.

fMRI (functional MRI)

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

medulla

the base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing

thalamus

the brain's sensory switchboard, located on top of the brainstem; it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla

reticular formation

a nerve network in the brainstem that plays an important role in controlling arousal

cerebellum

the "little brain" at the rear of the brainstem; functions include processing sensory input and coordinating movement output and balance

pituitary gland

master gland

hypothalamus

a neural structure lying below the thalamus; directs eating, drinking, body temperature; helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion

amygdala

A limbic system structure involved in memory and emotion, particularly fear and aggression.

hippocampus

A neural center located in the limbic system that helps process explicit memories for storage.

cerebral cortex

The intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering the cerebral hemispheres; the body's ultimate control and information-processing center.

frontal lobe

associated with reasoning, planning, parts of speech, movement, emotions, and problem solving

parietal lobe

receives sensory input for touch and body position

temporal lobe

An area on each hemisphere of the cerebral cortex near the temples that is the primary receiving area for auditory information

motor cortex

an area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements

prefrontal cortex

the frontmost portion of the frontal lobes, especially prominent in humans; important for attention, working memory, decision making, appropriate social behavior, and personality

Broca's area

speech production

aphasia

impairment of language, usually caused by left hemisphere damage either to Broca's area (impairing speaking) or to Wernicke's area (impairing understanding).

occipital lobe

A region of the cerebral cortex that processes visual information

somatosensory cortex

area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations

cortex specialization

The idea that different parts of the brain perform different tasks and are involved with different parts of the body

Wernicke's area

language comprehension

contralateral organization

left hemisphere controls right side of body and vice versa

corpus callosum

a broad band of nerve fibers joining the two hemispheres of the brain.

Split brain condition

a condition resulting from surgery that isolates the brain's two hemispheres by cutting the fibers (mainly those of the corpus callosum) connecting them

consciousness

our awareness of ourselves and our environment

circadian rhythm

the biological clock; regular bodily rhythms that occur on a 24-hour cycle

sleep stages

awake & alert - beta, relaxed - alpha, 1, 2, 3 - delta, REM

hypnagogic sensations

bizarre experiences, such as jerking or a feeling of falling or floating weightlessly, while transitioning to sleep (stage 1)

REM rebound

the tendency for REM sleep to increase following REM sleep deprivation (created by repeated awakenings during REM sleep)

activation synthesis

REM sleep triggers neural activity that evokes random visual memories, which our sleeping brain weaves into stories

consolidation

the process by which memories become stable in the brain

sleep apnea

a disorder in which the person stops breathing for brief periods while asleep

Somambulism

sleepwalking

insomnia

inability to sleep

Narcolepsy

uncontrollable sleep attacks

REM sleep behavior disorder

A sleep disorder in which the sleeper acts out his or her dreams.