Unit 2 AP Psych Review

Neuron

Sends and receives messages in the brain

Dendrites

Part of neuron that receives messages

Cell body

Contains the nucleus

Myelin Sheath

Insulates axon, speeds up message

Nodes of Ranvier

Space between Myelin Sheath

Axon

Carries the message

Axon Terminal Branches

Endpoint of neural message

Resting potential

Neuron is not firing, -70V charge

Depolarization

Neuron has been fired, +30V charge

Action potential

Neuron is firing

All or Nothing

Neuron is firing or it is not firing

Refractory Period

Period of time when the neuron cannot fire

Neurotransmitters

Chemicals that cross the synapse to carry a message

Vesicles

Spaces in axon that hold neurotransmitters

Pre/Post Synapse

Sends and receives neurotransmitters respectively

Receptor Sites

Sites that receive neurotransmitters

Synapse

Open space between two neurons

Acetylcholine

Controls Movement and Memory, linked to Alzheimer’s Disease/Paralysis

Dopamine

Controls Reward System, linked to Parkinson’s Disease

Serotonin

Controls Appetite and Mood, linked to Depression

Norepinephrine

Controls Alertness, Rapid Heartbeat, Flight or Flight, linked to Depression

GABA

Calms the body, linked to Huntington’s Disease

Glutamate

Excites the body linked to Depression, Schizophrenia, Migraines

Endorphins

Natural bodily painkillers, linked to Depression

Peripheral Nervous System

Sensory and motor neurons

Somatic System

Voluntary Movements (moving arms and legs)

Autonomous System

Involuntary Movements (digestion)

Sympathetic System

Arouses the body and controls stress (increases heartbeat, respiration)

Parasympathetic System

Calms the body down (decreases heartbeat, respiration)

Central nervous system

Includes the brain and the spinal cord

Endocrine System

Communicates with the brain through the blood system and hormones

Pituitary Gland

Master gland, controls other 3 glands & controlled by hypothalamus

Thyroid Gland

Produces hormone Thyroxine, controls metabolism

Adrenal Gland

Releases chemicals that control adrenaline levels

Medulla

Controls Heartbeat and Breathing

Reticular Formation

Controls Arousal and Sleep

Pons

Controls sleep

Cerebellum

Controls balance and coordination

Thalamus

Central control center between all the parts of the brain

Hypothalamus

Controls maintenance activities such as hunger and hormone release

Amygdala

Controls emotions

Hippocampus

Controls information and memory

Corpus Callosum

Fibers connecting the left and right side of the brain

Cerebral Cortex

Outer covering of the brain

EEG

Shows electrical brainwaves

MRI

Highly complex 3D image of the brain

CAT

Uses x-rays to show brain

PET

Compares glucose and metabolic measures of the brain

fMRI

MRI with functioning

Frontal Lobe

Motor Cortex and controls voluntary movements

Parietal Lobe

Sensory Cortex, controls touch & taste

Temporal Lobe

Auditory Cortex, controls hearing

Occipital Lobe

Visual Cortex, controls seeing

Broca’s Area

In left frontal lobe, generates speech

Wernicke’s Area

In right temporal lobe, controls language comprehension

Left Hemisphere

Controls analysis, logic, ideas, facts, math, training

Right Hemisphere

Controls creativity, intuition, arts, creation, feeling, imagination

Neuroplasticity

Brain rewiring in response to experiences

Neurogenesis

Neurons being formed

Lateralization

Brain hemispheres affect each other

Split Brain

Can hinder a person when the corpus callosum is cut because of epilepsy issues

Sleep Cycle

5 Stages (NREM 1, 2, 3, 4, 5/REM)

Beta Waves

Super Fast brainwaves

Alpha Waves

Fast brainwaves

Theta Waves

Moderately fast brainwaves

Delta Waves

Slow brain waves

Insomnia

Can't fall asleep quickly

NREM 1

sleep stage, includes Myoclonic Jerks (involuntary muscle movement), Hallucinations (Brief hallucinations as you sleep)

NREM 2

sleep stage, Sleep spindles (bursts of rapid brainwave activity), K-Complexes (decreased metabolism, responsiveness, and motor activity)

NREM 3 & 4

sleep stage, Night Terrors (also known as nightmares), Sleep walking (motor actions while sleeping)

NREM 5/REM

Dreams occur during this sleep stage

Insomnia

Can't fall asleep quickly

Narcolepsy

Very tired during the day

Sleep Apnea

When a person doesn’t breathe in the sleep, usually snores or is obese

Night Terrors

“Extensive Nightmare” that includes crying and moving, but the victim doesn’t remember anything in the morning

Somnambulism

Sleepwalking

REM Rebound

Dreams for a long time after sleep deprivation

Wish fulfillment

Wishes appear unconsciously in our dreams (Psychoanalytic)

Manifest Content

Content of our dreams literally (Psychoanalytic)

Latent Content

meaning of our dreams (Psychoanalytic)

Psychoactive Drugs

Chemicals that alter mood and perception

Tolerance

 The more of something needed to achieve the same effect

Depressants

Slow down the body & mental activity (alcohol, barbiturates, opiates)

Stimulants

 Speed up the body & mental activity (Caffeine, amphetamines, Cocaine)

Hallucinogens

Cause hallucinations (LSD/Acid, Ecstasy, Marijuana)