Psychology LAP 2: Biological Psychology, Sleep, and Dreams

Vocabulary review flashcards covering key biological psychology terms, neural structures, neurotransmitters, sleep stages, and dream theories.

Neuron

A specialized cell that transmits nerve impulses and serves as the basic building block of the nervous system.

Dendrite

The branch-like extension of a neuron that receives messages from other neurons and conducts impulses toward the cell body.

Synapse

The microscopic gap or space between neurons across which chemical signals are transmitted.

Myelin Sheath

The fatty covering surrounding the axon of some neurons that speeds up the transmission of neural impulses.

Cerebrum

The largest and highest section of the brain, responsible for higher-level cognitive processing and voluntary muscle actions.

Acetylcholine (ACh)

A neurotransmitter that enables muscle control, learning, and memory; its deterioration is strongly linked to Alzheimer's disease.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The core part of the nervous system consisting of the brain and the spinal cord.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter involved in movement, learning, attention, and emotion; excess receptor activity is linked to schizophrenia, while deficiency is linked to Parkinson's disease.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter involved in regulating mood, sleep, and appetite; commonly targeted by antidepressant medications.

Axon Terminal

The specialized end structure of a neuron that secretes neurotransmitters into the synaptic gap to communicate with adjacent neurons.

Antipsychotics

A class of psychotropic medications that primarily act on the dopamine neurotransmitter system to alleviate psychiatric symptoms.

Cypress Hill

The original hip-hop group behind the track 'Insane In The Brain'.

Cerebellum

The structure at the rear of the brain stem responsible for maintaining balance, equilibrium, and motor coordination.

Medulla

The lowest section of the brain stem that regulates essential vital functions including heart rate, respiration, and blood pressure.

Hypothalamus

A neural structure situated below the thalamus that controls autonomic nervous activities, body temperature, hunger, and thirst.

Cerebral Lobes

The main anatomical divisions of the cerebrum: frontal, parietal, occipital, and temporal lobes.

Motor Cortex

An area located at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary bodily movements.

Parietal Lobes

The cerebral lobes involved in receiving and processing sensory input for touch and body position.

Occipital Lobes

The cerebral lobes located at the back of the head, primarily dedicated to visual processing.

Temporal Lobes

The cerebral lobes located above the ears, responsible for processing auditory information and hearing.

Corpus Callosum

A thick band of neural axon fibers connecting the left and right cerebral hemispheres, facilitating interhemispheric communication.

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

A recording instrument used by sleep researchers to measure electrophysiological brain wave activity and define sleep stages.

Sleep Spindles

Short bursts of rapid, rhythmic brain activity observed on an EEG during Stage 2 (NREM-2) sleep.

Paradoxical Sleep

A name for REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep because internal brain systems are active while external voluntary muscles are paralyzed.

Delta Waves

Large, slow electrical brain waves associated with deep stage NREM-3 sleep.

Latent Content

In Sigmund Freud's dream analysis, the underlying, symbolic, and unconscious meaning of a dream.

Information Processing Theory

A sleep theory proposing that dreams function to re-organize, sort, and consolidate daily experiences into long-term memory.

Narcolepsy

A sleep disorder characterized by uncontrollable, sudden sleep attacks and daytime drowsiness.

Sleep Apnea

A sleep disorder characterized by repeated temporary cessations of breathing during sleep and frequent nighttime awakenings.

Sleepwalking (Somnambulism)

A sleep phenomenon that involves walking or carrying out actions during deep slow-wave NREM sleep.