ap psychology unit 1 vocab (part 1)

nervous system

the bodys speedy, electrochemical communication network, consisting of all nerve cells and is divided into several smaller systems based on function

central nervous system

brain and spinal cord

autonomic nervous system

controls involuntary functions such as heartbeat, digestion, breathing, etc

sympathetic nervous system

flight or fight response; automatically accelerates heart rate, breathing, dilates pupils, slows down digestion

peripheral nervous system

sensory and motor neurons that connect to brain and spinal cord

somatic nervous system

controls voluntary functions

neurons

a specialized cell transmitting nerve impulses; a nerve cell

glial cells

support cells for the nervous system, providing extra protection and nourishments to neurons

sensory neuron

a nerve cell that detects stimuli from the environment or body and transmits this sensory information as electrical signals towards the central nervous system

motor neuron

a nerve cell that carries commands from the brain and spinal cord to muscles and glands

interneurons

neurons in the brain and spinal cord that serve as an intermediary between sensory and motor neurons; carry info around the brain for processing

all-or-nothing principal

a neurons reaction of firing or not firing is not determined by the strength of stimulation, as long as the threshold is met

depolarization

a physiological process that occurs when the membrane potential of a neuron becomes less negative, or more positive

reuptake

the process by which neurotransmitters are transported back into a neuron after being released into the synaptic cleft, allowing for their recycling and reuse

excitatory neurotransmitters

a chemical messenger that stimulates a neuron, increasing the likelihood that it will fire an electrical signal (action potential)

inhibitory neurotransmitters

a chemical messenger that decreases the likelihood of a neuron firing an action potential

dopamine

influences voluntary movement, learning, attention and emotion; undersupply linked to Parkinson’s, oversupply linked to schizophrenia

norepinephrine

helps control alertness and arousal; undersupply linked to depression and oversupply is linked to anxiety/mania

GABA

inhibitory neurotransmitter; natural tranquilizer involved in calming you down; undersupply is linekd to seizures, tremors and insomnia

hormones

the chemical messengers of the endocrine system

leptin

adipose tissue (fat cells); helps regulate appetite and energy balance

melatonin

pineal gland; helps regulate the body’s sleep-wake cycle

refractory period

the brief pause between neuron firing

resting potential

when not firing (or at rest) a neuron has a slightly negative charge

absolute threshold

minimum stimulation needed to trigger a neural impulse

serotonin

affects mood, hunger, sleep and arousal; undersupply linked to depression

glutamate

excitatory neurotransmitter; involved in memoryl undersupply linked to concentration problems, oversupply linked to seizures and migraines

endorphins

neurotransmitters produced by the brain that act as the body’s natural painskillers

acetylcholine

enables muscle action, learning, and memory; undersupply linked to Alzheimer’s disease and oversupply is linked to paralysis (Black WIdow venom)

adrenaline

adrenal glands; prepare body for emergenices; flight or fight response

ghrelin

stomach cells; hormone that increases appetite

oxytocin

pituritary gland; facilitate lactation and improve relationships; bonding hormone

antagonist

block receptor sites

stimulants

excite neural activity; increase energy, decrease appetite, brief feelings of euphoria

agonist

increase/mimic a neurotransmitters action

reuptake inhibitor

a drug that blocks neurons from reabsorbing neurotransmitters

brain plasticity

the brains ability to change, build, and reorganize after damage or experience

EEG

electroencephalogram; electrodes placed on the scalp measure electrical activity in neurons

fMRI

functional magnetic resonance imaging; measures blood flow to brain regions which shows areas that are active durings specific tasks like thinking, feeling or learning

lesions

areas of damage brain tissue

brain stem

oldest part of the brain

medulla (oblongata)

the base of the brainsteam that controls breathing and heartbeat

reticular formation

a nerve network that travels through the brainstem into the thalamus and plays an important role in controlling arousal

cerebellum

“little brain”, coordinates movement and balance, processes sensory input, judgement of time, and enables nonverbal learning and memory

cerebral cortex

intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering the cerebral hemisphere that functions as the body’s ultimate control and information processing center. Plays a key role in memory, attention, perceptual awareness, thinking, speaking, and consciousness, and is organized into lobes based on function

parasympathetic nervous system

rest and digest; automatically slows the body down after a stressful event

thalamus

“sensory switchboard” ; top of the brainsteam ; directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla

hypothalamus

direct several maintenance behaviors, like eating, drinking, and maintaining optimal body temperature; helps regulate the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, is linked to emotion and reward

pituitary gland

controlled by the hypothalamus and is responsible for the release of hormones throughout the body by controlling all endocrine glands

hippcampus

responsible for processing and storing explicit memories of facts and events

amygdala

responsible for survival emotions of fear and aggression

corpus callosum

network of fibers connecting the two hemispheres of the brain together, allowing for communication between them

broca’s area

responsible for controlling muscles that produce speech

wernickes area

responsible for language comprehension