AP Psych Unit 1 Matching

40 terms

fMRI (Functional MRI)

a technique for revealing blood flow and, therefore, brain activity. These scans show brain function as well as structure

Reuptake

a neurotransmitter’s reabsorption by the sending neuron

Hippocampus

a neural center in the limbic system that helps process explicit (conscious memories — of facts and events — for storage

Substance use disorder

a disorder characterized by continued substance use despite resulting life disruption

Split brain

a condition resulting from surgery that separates the brain’s 2 hemispheres by cutting the fibers connecting them

Motor cortex

a cerebral cortex area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements

Endorphins

“morphine within”, natural, opioid- like neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure

Lesion

tissues destruction. Brain lesions may occur naturally (from disease or trauma), during surgery, or experimentally (using electrodes to destroy brain cells).

Cerebellum

the hindbrain’s little brain at the rear of the brainstem, its functions include processing sensory input, coordinating movement output and balance, and enabling nonverbal learning and memory

Neurogenesis

the formation of new neurons

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

Genome

the complete instructions for making an organism

Neuroplasticity

the brain’s ability to change, especially during childhood, by reorganizing after damage or by building new pathways based on experience

Opioids

opium and its derivatives, they depress neural activity, temporarlly lessening pain and anxiety

Interneurons

neurons within the brain and spinal cord, they communicate internally and process information between the sensory input and motor outputs

Identical (monozygotic) twins

individuals who developed from a single fertilized egg that split into 2, creating 2 genetically identical organisms

Stimulants

drugs that excite neural activity and speed up body functions

Hormones

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

Glial cells

cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons, they may also play a role in learning, thinking and memory

Biopsychosocial approach

an integrated approach that incorporates biological, psychological, and social- cultural levels of analysis

EEG (electroencephalogram)

an amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity sweeping across the brain’s surface. These waves are measured by electrodes placed on the scalp

Amygdala

2 lima bean sized neural clusters in the limbic system linked to emotion

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

the sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system to the rest of the body

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

the part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organs (such as the heart)

Corpus Callosum

the large band of neural fibers connecting the 2 brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them

The cerebral cortex

the intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering the forebrain’s cerebral hemispheres, the body’s ultimate control and information processing center

Thalamus

the forebrain’s sensory center, located on top of the brainstem, it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits repels to the cerebellum and medulla

Sympathetic Nervous System

the division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy when a threat is perceived

Withdrawal

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

Brainstem

the central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull, it is responsible for automatic survival functions

Endocrine System

system the body’s “slow” chemical communication system, a set of glands and fat tissue that secrete hormones into the bloodstream

Sensory neurons

neurons that carry incoming information from the body’s tissues and sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord

Limbic System

neural system located mostly in the forebrain, below the cerebral hemisphere, that includes the amygdala, hypothalamus, hippocampus, thalamus, and pituitary glad, associated with emotions and drives

Depressants

drugs that reduce neural activity and slow body functions

Barbiturates

drugs that depress the central nervous system activity, reducing anxiety but impairing memory and judgment

Neurotransmitters

chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gap between neurons

Antagonist

a molecule that inhibits or blocks a neurotransmitters action

Hypothalamus

a limbic system neural structure lying below the thalamus, it directs several maintenance activities (eating, drinking, body temp) helps govern the endocrine system, and is linked to emotion and reward

Somatosensory cortex

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

Medulla

the hindbrain’s structure that us the brainstem’s base: controls heartbeat and breathing