Unit 2 AP Psych

Unit 2-Biological basis of Behavior

Heritability

the proportion of variation among individuals that we can attribute to genes; may vary depending on population range and the environment

Endocrine System

the body's "slow" chemical communication system; a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream

Pituitary Gland

the most influential gland under the influence of the hypothalamus, it regulates stress, growth, reproduction and controls other glands --> Master Gland

Adrenal Glands

primarily hormones related to stress / anxiety (epinephrine, adrenaline, cortisol) and also androgens (sex hormones) developing male sex characteristics (converted into estrogen in females)

Pineal Gland

produces melatonin for regulating sleep patterns

Thyroid Gland

produces hormones that regulate metabolism, body heat, and bone growth - surrounds trachea in the neck

Central Nervous System (CNS)

the brain and the spinal cord - primarily involved in coordinating incoming sensory messages and outgoing motor messages

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

connects the brain and spinal cord to all other neurons in the muscles, organs and senses in the periphery of the body

Somatic Nervous System

part of the peripheral nervous system that controls voluntary movements, transmits and receives messages from the senses and is involved in reflex actions without the involvement of the CNS

Autonomic Nervous System

Part of the peripheral nervous system - controls vital functions (heartbeat, breathing) and acute stress response (fight or flight).

It's sympathetic system arouses, parasympathetic calms (PARents calm down their kids).

Parts of a Neuron

-Dendrites (branching extensions to receive messages)

-Soma (cell body)

-Axon (neuron extension passes electrical messages)

-Myelin Sheath (covers axon, speeds up messages)

-Terminal (sends neurotransmitters)

-Synapse (the gap between neurons)

Action Potential

a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon

Refractory Period

a period of inactivity following an action potential during which a new action potential cannot be initiated

All-or-None Response

a neuron either firing or not firing, it must reach -55 mV for action potential to begin

Neurotransmitters

chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gap to transmit information from one neuron to another

Reuptake

a neurotransmitter's reabsorption by the sending neuron

Agonist

A chemical that stimulates a response that mimics the action of a neurotransmitter by binding to a receptor site (heroin, oxycodone, morphine)

Antagonists

Chemical substances that block the action of a neurotransmitter (botox)

Sensory (afferent) and Motor (efferent) Neurons

sensory - neurons that carry incoming information from the sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord

motor - neurons that carry outgoing information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands

Glial Cells

cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons

Cerebral Cortex

the outer surface of the brain and associated with higher level processes with each cerebral hemisphere subdivided into four lobes with different functions

Frontal Lobes

part of the cerebral cortex that lies just behind the forehead; executive functioning (problem solving, reasoning, personality, willpower)

Motor Cortex

at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements