Ap psych unit 1

Action potential

a neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon

Addiction

an everyday term for compulsive substance use (and sometimes for dysfunctional behavior patterns, such as out-of-control gambling) that continue despite harmful consequences

Agonist

a molecule that increases a neurotransmitter's action

All-or-None Response

a neuron's reaction of either firing (with a full-strength response) or not firing

Antagonist

a molecule that inhibits or blocks a neurotransmitter's action

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). Its sympathetic division arouses; its parasympathetic division calms.

Axon

the segmented neuron extension that passes messages through its branches to other neurons or to muscles or glands

Barbiturates

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

Behavior Genetics

the study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior

Biological Psychology

the scientific study of the links between biological (genetic, neural, hormonal) and psychological processes. Some biological psychologists call themselves behavioral neuroscientists, neuropsychologists, behavior geneticists, physiological psychologists or biopsychologists.

Biopsychosocial Approach

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

CT (computed tomography) scan

a series of X-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by computer into a composite representation of a slice through the body. Also called CAT scan.

EEG (electroencephalogram)

An amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity that sweep across the brain's surface. These waves are measured by electrodes placed on the scalp.

fMRI (functional MRI)

A technique for revealing bloodflow and, therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans. fMRI scans show brain function.

Amygdala

two lima bean-sized neural clusters in the limbic system; linked to emotion.

MEG (magnetoencephalography)

a brain imaging technique that measures magnetic fields from the brain's natural electrical activity

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)

a technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images of soft tissue. MRI scans show brain anatomy.

PET (positron emission tomography)

a technique for detecting brain activity that displays where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task

Brainstem

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

Cell Body

the part of a neuron that contains the nucleus; the cell's life-support center

Central Nervous System (CNS)

brain and spinal cord

Cerebellum

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

Dendrites

a neuron's bushy, branching extensions that receive messages and integrate messages, conducting impulses toward the cell body

Depressants

drugs that reduce neural activity and slow body functions

Endocrine System

the body's "slow" chemical communication system; a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream

Cerebral Cortex

The intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering the cerebral hemispheres; the body's ultimate control and information-processing center.

Endorphins

"morphine within"—natural, opiate-like neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure.

Environment

every nongenetic influence, from prenatal nutrition to our experiences of the people and things around us

Epigenetics

the study of the molecular mechanisms by which environments can influence genetic expression (without a DNA change)

Eugenics

discriminatory and discredited practice of selectively breeding humans to promote certain characteristics.

Evolutionary Psychology

perspective that studies the evolution of behavior and the mind

Forebrain

consists of the cerebral cortex, thalamus, and hypothalamus; manages complex cognitive activities, sensory and associative functions, and voluntary motor activities

Fraternal twins (dizygotic)

individuals who developed from separate fertilized eggs. They are genetically no closer than ordinary siblings, but shared a prenatal environment.

Frontal Lobes

the portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead. They enable linguistic processing, muscle movements, higher-order thinking, and executive functioning (such as making plans and judgments).

Genes

biochemical units of heredity

Genome

the complete instructions for making an organism

Glial Cells (nanny/glue cells)

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

Hallucinogens

psychedelic ("mind-manifesting") drugs, such as LSD, that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input

Hemispheric specialization

the two hemispheres of the brain exhibit some degree of specialization (meaning each side is better at processing certain tasks). For example: the left hemisphere is better with language and the right hemisphere is better with spatial reasoning.

Heredity

the genetic transfer of characteristics from parents to offspring

Hindbrain

consists of the medulla, pons, and cerebellum; directs essential survival functions, such as breathing, sleeping, and wakefulness, as well as coordination and balance

Hippocampus

A neural center located in the limbic system that helps process explicit (conscious) memories - of facts and events - for storage.

Hormones

chemical messengers that are manufactured by the endocrine glands, travel through the bloodstream, and affect other tissues (example: adrenaline which affects heart rate, blood pressure, and blood sugar).

Hypothalamus

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

Identical twins (monozygotic)

individuals who developed from a single fertilized egg that split in two, creating two genetically identical organisms.

Interaction

the interplay that occurs when the effect of one factor (such as environment) depends on another factor (such as heredity)

Interneurons

neurons within the brain and spinal cord that communicate internally and process information between the sensory inputs and motor outputs

Lesion

tissue destruction. A brain lesion may occur naturally (from disease or trauma), during surgery, or experimentally (using electrodes to destroy brain cells).

Limbic System

neural system located mostly in the forebrain - below the cerebral hemispheres - that includes the amygdala, hypothalamus, hippocampus, thalamus, and pituitary gland; associat4ed with emotions and drives

Medulla

the hindbrain structure that is the brainstem's base; controls heartbeat and breathing

Motor (Efferent) Neurons

neurons that carry outgoing information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands

Mutation

a random error in gene replication that leads to a change

Myelin Sheath

a fatty tissue layer segmentally encasing the axons of some neurons; enables vastly greater transmission speed as neural impulses hop from one node to the next (degeneration leads to disease called multiple sclerosis where communication to muscles ad brain regions slow)

Motor Cortex

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

Natural Selection

the principle that the inherited traits enabling an organism to survive and reproduce in a particular environment will (in competition with other trait variations) most likely be passed on to succeeding generations.

Nature VS Nurture

the longstanding controversy over the relative contributions that genes and experience make to the development of psychological traits and behaviors Today's science views traits and behaviors as arising from the interaction of nature and nurture.

Nerves

bundled axons that form neural "cables" connecting the central nervous system with muscles, glands, and sense organs

Nervous System

the body's speedy, electrochemical communication network, consisting of all the nerve cells of the peripheral and central nervous systems

Neurons

a nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system

Neuroplasticity

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

Neurotransmitters

chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons. when released by the sending neuron, neurotransmitters travel across the synapse and bind to a receptor sites on the receiving neuron, thereby influencing whether that neuron will generate a neural impulse.

Acetylcholine (ACh)

enables muscle action, learning, and memory

Association Areas

areas of the cerebral cortex that are not involved in primary motor or sensory functions; rather, they are involved in higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking

Dopamine

influences movement, learning, attention, and emotion

Serotonin

Affects mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal

Norepinephrine

helps control alertness and arousal

Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA)

a major inhibitory neurotransmitter

Glutamate

A major excitatory neurotransmitter; involved in memory

Substance P

involved in pain perception and immune response

Occipital Lobes

the portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head; it includes areas that receive information from the visual fields.

Opiods

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

Parasympathetic Nervous System

the division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy

Parietal Lobes

portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head and toward the rear; receives sensory input for touch and body position

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

the sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system (CNS) to the rest of the body.

Pituitary Gland

most influencing endocrine (controlled by the hypothalamus)

Psychoactive Drugs

a chemical substance that alters the brain, causing changes in perceptions and moods.

Refractory Period

in neural processing, a brief resting pause that occurs after a neuron has fired; subsequent action potentials cannot occur until the axon returns to its resting state

Reflex

a simple, automatic response to a sensory stimulus, such as the knee-jerk response

Reuptake

a neurotransmitter's reabsorption by the sending neuron

Sensory (Afferent) Neurons

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

Somatic Nervous System

the division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body's skeletal muscles

Somatosensory Cortex

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

Somnambulism

sleepwalking

Stimulants

drugs that excite neural activity and speed up body functions

Substance Use Disorder

a disorder characterized by continued substance use despite significant life disruption

Suprachiasmatic Nucleus (SCN)

a pair of cell clusters in the hypothalamus that controls circadian rhythm. In response to light, the SCN causes the pineal gland to adjust melatonin production, thus modifying our feelings of sleepiness

Sympathetic Nervous System

the division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy in stressful situations

Synapse

the junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron. The tiny gap at this junction is called the synaptic gap or synaptic cleft.

Synesthesia

stimulation of one sense triggers an experience of another

Temporal Lobes

The portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears; includes the auditory areas, each of which receives information primarily from the opposite ear. They also enable language processing

Thalamus

the forebrain's sensory control center, located on top of the brainstem; it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla.

Threshold

the level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse

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

Withdrawal

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

Examples of depressants

alcohol, barbiturates, opiates

Examples of stimulants

caffeine, cocaine, amphetamines, methamphetamines and nicotine

Examples of hallucinogens

LSD, marijuana

Parts of a Brain Stem

Midbrain, Reticular Formation (nerve network within brainstem; filters information and plays a role in controlling arousal), Medulla, Pons (between midbrain and medulla; sleep cycle, pain, and balance)

Neurogenesis

the formation of new neurons

Corpus Callosum

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