AP Psych 1.1-1.3

Nature

Genes

Nurture

Environment

Twin Studies

Test individual genetic differences

Family Studies

Test traits that run in families

Adoption Studies

Helps discover Nature vs Nurture influences

Central Nervous System

Brain + Spinal Cord

Peripheral Nervous System

connect CNS to limbs+ organs, allowing communication

Somatic NS

Skeletal muscles

Autonomic

Controls glands + muscles

Sympathetic

“Fight or Flight” arouses body in scary situations

Parasympathetic

Calms after “Fight or Flight” called “Rest + Digest”

Sensory + Afferent neurons

carry messages to the CNS

Motor + Effert neurons

carry messages from CNS

Interneurons

communicate within CNS

Neuron

basic building block of nervous system

dendrites

receive messages from other cells

Axon

passes messages away from the cell body to other neurons, muscles, glands

Myelin Sheath

judgement, self-control

glial cells

glue/cells- holds neurons and provides nutrients + myelin

Myasthenia gravis

destruction of communication between nerves+ muscles

Neral Impulse

Electrical charge, action potential

more sensation

more neurons firing more often

Synapse

space between the axon + dendrite of two neurons

Neurotransmitters

chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gap between neurons

Reuptake

unused neurotransmitters reabsorbed into the sending neuron

Agonist

Molecule that increases a neurotransmitters action

Antagonist

molecule that inhibits or blocks a neurotransmitters action

Agonists

mimics neurotransmitters + bind the postsynaptic neuron

Reuptake inhibitors

prevent neurotransmitters from absorbing into the sending neuron, forces them into pastsymation neuron

Excitatory

increase neural messages

Inhibitory

slow down neural messages

Norepinphrine

neurotransmitter, blood pressure, continuous release

Epinephrine

mainly hormone, effect all body tissue

Substance P

stress response, immune system

Hormones and Neurotransmitters

are both molecules that act on receptors

hormones are

endocrine

neurotransmitters are

nervous

hypothalamus

brain that controls pituitary

hypothalamus is responsilble for

growth hormones, controlling other glands, master gland

When is substance use a disorder

Diminished control- cravings, fails regulation, increased usage, great time, effort aquiring

Diminished Social functioning

reduced social engagement, disrupts home/work commitments

Hazardous use

putting self/others in dangers while using/ acquiring

Tolerance

brain chemistry adapts to the drug

depressants

reduced neural activity

opiods

mimic opium, pain relief, sedation

Stimulants

excites neural activities

halllucinogens

psychedelic, distort perceptions of reality