Unit 1 AP Pyschology

behavior genetics

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

identical twins

monozygotic, from a single fertilized egg that then split in two

fraternal twins

they were fertilized at the same time but are not identical. Not any genetically diff from regular siblings

epigenetics

study of molecular mechanisms by which environments can influence genetic expression (child sleep deprived or nutritionally deprived might not reach full height)

nervous system

electrochemical communication network, all nerve cells of the peripheral and CNS

CNS

brain and spinal cord

PNS

sensory and motor neurons that connect CNS to the rest of the body. Everything not brain and spinal cord.

sensory nerves

carry incoming information from body’s tissues and sensory receptors to the brain

motor neurons

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

CNS

spinal cord, brain, and has reflexes

autonomic NS

division of the PNS that controls the glands and the muscles of internal organs. involuntary such as sweating, heartbeat, etc.

Sympathetic NS

Division of autonomic NS that arouses the body mobilizing its energy. basically fight or flight response initiator

Parasympathetic NS

Division of the autonomic NS that calms the body, conserving its energy

dendrites

receives msgs from other cells

terminal branches of axon

forms junctions w/ other cells

myelin sheath

covers the axon terminal of some neurons, helps speech neural impulses

glial cells

provides physical and chemical support to neurons and maintains their environment (glue of nervous system)

multiple sclerosis

body’s immune system attacks the myelin sheaths and causes bad muscle control as well as impair cognition

Synapse

junction btw axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron

reuptake

neurotransmitters re absorption by sending neuron back

agnoist

a molecule that increases a neurotransmitter’s action

antagonist

a molecule that inhibits or blocks a neurotransmitter’s action

Endocrine System

a body’s slow chemical communication system, a set of glands and fat tissue that secretes hormones into bloodstream

EEG

electrodes poached on the scalp measure electrical activity in neurons.

MRI

sit or lie down in a chamber that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to provide a map of brain structure.

FMIR

measures blood flow to brain regions by comparing continuous MRI scans

cerebral cortex

ultimate control and info processing center

corpus callosum

axon fibers connecting the two cerebral hemispheres

thalamus

relays messages between lower brain centers and cerebral cortex

hypothalamus

controls maintenance functions such as eating. Helps govern endocrine system linked to emotion and reward

pituitary

master endocrine gland, basically releases all hormones

reticular formation

helps control arousal

pons

helps coordinate movement and control sleep

medulla

controls heartbeat and breathing

spinal cord

pathway for neural fibers traveling to and from brain controls simple reflexes

cerebellum

coordinates voluntary movement and balance and supports learning and memories of such

amygdala

linked to emotion

hippocampus

linked to conscious memory

frontal cortex

problem solving, concentration and reasoning, planning and organizing, personality, behavior and mood, regulates emotion

brocas area

controls expressive speech. If broken then you can understand the speech but it sounds weird

occipital

vision

cerebellum

coordination, rhythm, posture, movement

somatosensory cortex

cortex that interprets tactile stimuli like touch, temperature, pain, and awareness of body position

motor cortex

involved in planning, controlling, and executing voluntary movements

Werninkles area

receptive speech so controls language comprehension (you are unable to understand and respond to what people are saying)

medulla

controls life functions like breathing, heartbeat, blood pressure, that you don’t even think about

frontal lobe

the largest lobe of the cerebrum, located in the front of the head, and is responsible for executive functions, personality, and voluntary movement

parietal lobe

processes sensory information including touch, temperature, pain, and spatial navigation

temporal lobe

a part of the brain located on both sides of the head, above the ears