IM cooked

Biological Psychology

Study of the LINK between the body (biology) and the mind (behavior).

Neuron

Basic nerve cell; BUILDING BLOCK of the nervous system.

Sensory Neurons

Carries messages FROM BODY to the brain (AFFERENT).

Motor Neurons

Carries messages FROM BRAIN to the body/muscles (EFFERENT).

Interneuron

Neurons that process messages IN BRAIN and spinal cord.

Dendrite

Bushy fibers that RECEIVE messages from other cells.

Axon

Long cable that SENDS messages away to other neurons.

Myelin Sheath

Fatty tissue that INSULATES the axon and speeds up the impulse.

Action Potential

A brief electrical charge; the neuron FIRING (neural impulse).

Threshold

The level of stimulation needed to TRIGGER a neural impulse.

Synapse

Tiny GAP where neurons meet and chemical messengers cross.

Neurotransmitter

CHEMICAL MESSENGERS that cross the synaptic gap.

Reuptake

When the sending neuron REABSORBS excess neurotransmitters.

All-or-none response

A neuron either FIRES COMPLETELY or it doesn't fire at all.

Refractory Period

A brief period of INACTIVITY after a neuron has fired.

Endorphins

Natural, opiate-like chemicals that control PAIN and PLEASURE.

Nervous system

The body's entire ELECTROCHEMICAL communication network.

Central nervous system (CNS)

The body's PROCESSING CENTER: Brain and Spinal Cord.

Peripheral nervous system (PSN)

NERVES that connect the CNS to the rest of the body.

Nerves

BUNDLED AXONS that form cables in the PNS.

Somatic nervous system

PNS division that controls VOLUNTARY muscle movements.

Autonomic nervous system

PNS division that controls INVOLUNTARY functions (organs/glands).

Sympathetic nervous system

ANS division that AROUSES the body (FIGHT or FLIGHT).

Parasympathetic nervous system

ANS division that CALMS the body (REST and DIGEST).

Reflex

Simple, automatic response like the KNEE-JERK reaction.

Endocrine system

Body's SLOW chemical system; uses hormones.

Hormones

CHEMICAL MESSENGERS secreted by endocrine glands.

Adrenal glands

Glands above kidneys; secrete STRESS HORMONES (e.g., adrenaline).

Pituitary gland

The MASTER GLAND that controls other glands and growth.

Lesion

Experimental or natural DESTRUCTION of brain tissue.

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

Records WAVES OF ELECTRICAL ACTIVITY on the brain's surface.

CT (computer tomography) scan

Uses X-rays to show a 3D SLICE of the brain's structure.

PET (positron emission tomography) scan

Shows brain function by tracking GLUCOSE (radioactive sugar).

MRI (Magnetic resonance imagining)

Uses magnets to create detailed images of BRAIN STRUCTURE.

fMRI (functional MRI)

Shows brain function by tracking BLOOD FLOW during a task.

Brainstem

Central core; controls basic SURVIVAL functions (e.g., breathing).

Medulla

Base of brainstem; controls HEARTBEAT and BREATHING.

Reticular formation

Nerve network for AROUSAL and CONSCIOUSNESS.

Thalamus

Brain's SENSORY SWITCHBOARD (all senses EXCEPT smell).

Cerebellum

The 'little brain'; controls BALANCE, COORDINATION, and movement.

Limbic system

Neural system for EMOTIONS (fear, aggression) and drives.

Amygdala

Neural cluster linked to FEAR and AGGRESSION.

Hypothalamus

Controls MAINTENANCE (hunger, thirst, temperature) and REWARD.

Cerebral cortex

The wrinkled OUTER LAYER; ultimate control and info center.

Frontal lobes

Lobe for PLANNING, JUDGMENT, and speaking (front of head).

Pre-Frontal Cortex

Forward part of frontal lobe; handles COMPLEX DECISION-MAKING.

Parietal loves

Lobe for TOUCH and BODY POSITION (top of head).

Occipital lobes

Lobe for VISION (back of head).

Temporal lobes

Lobe for HEARING/AUDITORY (above the ears).

Motor cortex

Area that controls VOLUNTARY MOVEMENTS.

Sensory cortex

Area that registers BODY SENSATIONS (touch/temperature).

Association areas

Areas involved in HIGHER MENTAL FUNCTIONS (learning, thinking).

Plasticity

The brain's ability to CHANGE or reorganize after damage.

Neurogenesis

The FORMATION OF NEW NEURONS.

Corpus callosum

Large band that CONNECTS the two brain hemispheres.

Split brain

Condition after CUTTING the corpus callosum.

Cognitive neuroscience

Study of brain activity linked to MENTAL PROCESSES (cognition).

Nature-Nurture Issue

Debate over GENES vs. EXPERIENCE on traits.

Behavior Genetics

Study of how GENES AND ENVIRONMENT influence behavior.

Environment

Every NON-GENETIC influence (from parents to surroundings).

Chromosomes

Threadlike structures made of DNA that contain genes.

DNA

Complex molecule containing the GENETIC INSTRUCTIONS.

Genes

Biochemical units of HEREDITY.

Genome

The organism's complete set of GENETIC INSTRUCTIONS.

Identical twins

SINGLE EGG, GENETICALLY IDENTICAL (great for studying nature).

Fraternal twins

TWO SEPARATE EGGS; no more alike than normal siblings.

Heritability

Variation in a group due to GENES.

Molecular genetics

Study of the STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF GENES.

Evolutionary Psychology

Explains behavior using NATURAL SELECTION (survival/reproduction).

Natural Selection

Traits that aid SURVIVAL are passed on.

Mutation

A random ERROR in gene replication.

Epigenetics

Study of how ENVIRONMENT TURNS GENES ON or OFF (interaction).

Dopamine

Affects MOVEMENT, ATTENTION, and REWARD; linked to schizophrenia.

Acetylcholine

Enables MUSCLE ACTION, LEARNING, MEMORY; linked to Alzheimer's.

Serotonin

Affects MOOD, HUNGER, SLEEP; undersupply linked to depression.

Norepinephrine

Helps control ALERTNESS and AROUSAL.

GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)

Major INHIBITORY (calming) neurotransmitter.

Glutamate

Major EXCITATORY (stimulating) neurotransmitter; involved in memory.

Alcohol (Agonists for GABA)

DEPRESSANT; increases calming effects of GABA.

Cocaine (Agonists for Dopamine)

STIMULANT; blocks reuptake of dopamine (euphoria).

Ecstasy (Antagonists for Gulltony)

Primarily affects SEROTONIN and acts as a stimulant/hallucinogen.

Agonists

MIMICS a neurotransmitter to excite or stimulate.

Antagonists

BLOCKS a neurotransmitter to inhibit or prevent.

Stimulants

SPEED UP CNS activity (Caffeine, Cocaine).

Hallucinogens

DISTORT PERCEPTION (LSD, THC).