Unit 1 AP Psych what i struggle with

Gene-environment interaction

Genes and environment work together to shape traits.

Central nervous system (CNS)

The brain and spinal cord.

Somatic nervous system

Controls voluntary muscle movements.

Sympathetic nervous system

Fight or flight: activates the body.

Parasympathetic nervous system

Rest and digest: calms the body.

Endocrine system

Glands release hormones into the blood.

Dendrites

Receive messages from other neurons.

All-or-none principle

A neuron fires fully or not at all.

Synaptic gap

The tiny space between neurons.

Agonist

Mimics or boosts a neurotransmitter.

Antagonist

Blocks or reduces a neurotransmitter's effect.

Reuptake

The sending neuron takes neurotransmitters back.

Dopamine

Reward, motivation, and movement.

Acetylcholine

Muscle movement and memory.

Serotonin

Mood and energy regulation.

(opposite of melatonin)

Cerebellum

Balance and coordination.

Axon

Carries messages away from the cell body.

Myelin sheath

Insulation that speeds up neural messages.

Threshold

The level needed to trigger a neuron firing.

Neurotransmitter

A chemical messenger between neurons.

what is an easier way on how you can remember the function of dendrites

• Dendrites = receive

what is an easier way to remember what the axon does

• axon = away

what is an easier way to remember the functions of parasympathetic and sympathetic

• Sympathetic = stress

• parasympathetic = peace

what is an easier way to remember what cerebellum helps with

• Cerebellum = coordination.

how does the somatic nervous system handle sensory input

somatic nervous system: carries sensory information from the skin / muscles / joints → central nervous system → processes stimuli = perception and response