Biological Psychology Lecture Notes

These flashcards cover key concepts and terms related to biological psychology, specifically focusing on hunger, thirst regulation, body temperature, and related mechanisms.

Homeostasis

The regulation of body temperature and maintenance of body variables within a fixed range.

Allostasis

The process of achieving stability through physiological or behavioral change.

Basal Metabolism

The energy expended while at rest in a neutrally temperate environment.

Poikilothermic

An organism whose internal temperature varies considerably.

Homeothermic

An organism that maintains a constant internal body temperature.

Vasopressin

Also known as antidiuretic hormone (ADH), it helps control water retention in the body.

Osmotic Thirst

Thirst resulting from eating salty foods that increases the concentration of solutes in the bloodstream.

Hypovolemic Thirst

Thirst that occurs from a loss of blood volume.

Leptin

A hormone that helps regulate energy balance by inhibiting hunger.

Ghrelin

A hormone associated with hunger signaling that stimulates appetite.

Cholecystokinin (CCK)

A hormone that stimulates digestion and reduces appetite.

Set-Point Theory

The theory that the body maintains a specific weight or body fat percentage.

Glucostatic Theory

The theory that hunger is triggered by low blood glucose levels.

Lipostatic Theory

The theory that hunger is regulated by the body's fat stores.

Hypothalamus

A brain region that regulates hunger and thirst, among other functions.

Binge Eating

Consuming an excessive amount of food in a short period.

Anorexia Nervosa

An eating disorder characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image.

Bulimia Nervosa

An eating disorder involving cycles of binge eating followed by purging.