AP Psychology Unit 1

nature

Genetics - biology influences who you are

Nurture

Your environment influences who you are

Nuture and Nature

Humans are a product of both

Epigenetics

How does our DNA and genetics change based on environment - nurture effect on nature

LTP

Neurons recall previously learned information

Identical Twins

Share the same DNA, single egg; monozygotic

Fraternal Twins

Dizygotic: Not identical genetic information

If identical twins raised in different environments...

the similarites acounted for are due to genes

If fraternal twins raised in different environments...

the similarities acounted for are due to environment

Heritability

Measurment of variation in individuals attributed to genes and DNA

How many divisions of Nervous System (NS)

2 - Central and Peripheral

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Brain and spinal cord

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Everything else, and brings information to the CNS

How many divisons of the peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

2 - Somatic and autonomic

somatic nervous system (SNS)

Controls body's skeletal muscle, and uses motor neurons to take information to the CNS, to be processed by the brain. IN short- controls body's skeletal muscle

autonomic nervous system (ANS)

Controls all the involuntary things (HR, blood pressure, digestion etc)

How many divisions of the ANS are there

2- parasympathetic and sympathetic

What does the parasympathetic nervous system do?

Its the rest and digest system. Returns body to a resting state after the body's responses were heightened and slowed after fight or flight, and autonomic functions resume

What does the sympathetic nervous system do?

Fight or flight response: Dilates pupils, increases heart rate, and autonomic functions are decreased

What are glial cells?

cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons. "Helper cells"

What are the three types of neurons

Motor, inter, and sensory

Motor neuron

a neuron that sends an impulse to a muscle or gland, causing the muscle or gland to react

Interneuron:

a neuron that carries nerve impulses from one neuron to another (sensory ----> motor)

Sensory neuron

neurons that carry incoming information from the sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord, then the brain sends a message that the motor neuron should do

What is the neural pathway?

Sensory neuron ---- interneuron ---- motor neuron

Spinal Reflex Arc

Sensory - Inter - motor

Sensory vs Motor

Sensory: DIfferent for each sense

Respond to NON-chemical stimuli

AFFerent signals (Arrive at the brain)

Motor: Connected to all muscles

Only way people can express thoughts into the world (gestures, actions, speech)

EFFerent signals (Exit the brain

Neuron

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

Anatomy of Neuron

Top

Dendrite : recieve messages

Soma: Body

Nucleus: holds information of nerve cell

Axon: the action potential goes down the length of the axon

Myelin sheath: Not all neurons have this, but the electrical charge goes faster with it

Terminal: end of neurson

Terminal buttons: Final point

Synapse: The message from presynaptic neuron passed to a postsynaptic neuron

All or nothing law

Neurons either fully fire or do not; if a neuron needs 3 neurotransmitters to bind to the dendrite, only 2 will not make it partially fire, 3 are needed to fire, and fires are consistent

excitatory neurotransmitters

excite the next cell into firing

inhibitory neurotransmitters

inhibit the next cell from firing

Resting potential

-70 mV, polarized, and positive outside the cell

Action potential

a neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon, 30 mV, depolarized

Refractory Period

A brief period of inactivity where the neuron can't fire after firing

Reuptake process

Neuron snatches all the neurotrasmitters after the postsynaptic neuron has fired. Some are lost, new ones are generated

Glutamate function

Excitatory neurotransmitter that strengthens synaptic connections.

Increases memory

GABA

Inhibitory neurotransmitte. Related to anxiety disorders

Acetylcholine (ACh)

All movements rely on its release. Triggers muscle contraction. Enables learning and memory

Dopamine

a neurotransmitter that regulates motor behavior, motivation, pleasure, and emotional arousal

Associated with Parkinsons disease and Alzheimers

Endorphins

Natural painkiller. ends pain

Epinephrine

Also known as adrenaline

Its a neurotransmitter and a hormone. Boosts energy in high fight or flight situation or just a high energy situation

Norepinephrine

Noradrenaline.

Arousal and alertness help

Associated with the sleep cycle - low levels

Serotonin

Affects mood hunger sleep and appetite. Associated with depression

What is an antagonist

Drug that is capable of binding to a receptor and blocking neurotransmitter activity by blocking the binding to post synaptic neuron

What is an agonist drug

Enhances the neurotransmitter's activity.

Direct agonists: Mimic the neurotransmitters and bind to receptor

Indirect agonists: Blocks the momentary reuptake period to constantly fire the neuron

Heroin

AGONIST

Enhances the activity of endorphins. The drug mimics the Neurotransmitter sop the receptor cannot distinguish between the two. Further lessens pain

NIcotine

AGONIST

Enhances the activity of acetylcholine (ACh)

Muscle spasms

Prozac

inhibits the reuptake process for seratonin so the neuron constantly fires

Cocaine

inhibits reuptake for dopamine, so dopamine neurotransmitters are always firing.

Botox

ANTAGONIST

Inhibits the function of acetlycholine, slows or stops muscle contraction and wrinkles. ACh cannot reach the receptors

Thorazine

ANTAGONIST

Inhibits function of dopamine. Could help with cases of scizofrenia

Tolerance

Increasing amounts of a drug neede after a while

Physical dependancy

repeated use needed to prevent withdrawal

Blood Human Barrier

allows for some chemicals to pass, but prevents others.

Similar to the plasma membrane of cells; semi-permeable

Depressants

slow or inhibit the nerbous system. Decreases anxiety and inhibitions, increases sleep

Combinations can be fatal

Example of depressant

Alcohol: agonist for GABA. Net slowing effect on the body, judgement, self control.

Opiods

agonist for endorphins

examples of opioids

Heroin, oxycodone, and fentanyl

Stimulants

Activate parasympathetic nervous system functions.

Increase in brain activity, arousal behavior, and mental alertness. Can crash after dose wears off

Examples of stimulants

Caffiene: awake, alert, and fast. Antagonist for adneosine (adenosine induces sleep)

Cocaine: reuptake inhibitor for dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin.

Halucinogens

psychedelic

Sensory and perceptual distortions

alter mood

affect thinking

Examples of halucinogens

THC: mild ingredient in marijuana. Well being, state of relaxation.

Interferes with muscle coordination learning memory and overall cognitive function

THE BRAIN

woah

Where is the Medulla, and what is its function

In the bottom portion of the brain.

Deals with all the autonomic functions of the body

(HR, blood pressure, breathing, digestion)

Where is the Pons, and what is its function

Connects the brainstem and the cerebellum.

Plays a role in dreams and sleep

Where is the Cerebellum and what is its function

Back of the brain

In implicit (no thought given) movements, such as walking. Also if in sports: swinging a bat, or a tennis raquet.

Many sequences of movements.

Balance and equilibrium

Where is the RAS, what is it, and what is its function

Reticular activating system

On the brainstem

Function: nerve for arousal alertness and attention

Where is the hippocampus and what is its function

Located above the Pons and Medulla

Function: Creates new memories. Does not store them. Any damage to the hippocampus will result in loss in function of creating new memories, but will not destroy old ones.

Dysfunction: Can cause Alzheimers or anterograde amnesia

Where is the amygdala, and what is its function

From a left hemisphere lateral view, amygdala is located to the left of the hippocampus

Function: Regulates the A's: Anger, agression and afriad. Emotional memories

Where is the thalamus and what is its function

Between the midbrain and cerebrum.

Function: Sensory switchboard. All senses go to the thalamus and then to the cortex. ALL senses but smell.

Where is the hypothalamus and what is its function

- Between midbrain and cerebrum, but below the thalamus

Fight or flight responses. Initiation when to eat and when we are full.

Fornication: sexual desire.

Regulates the sympathetic and parasympathetic NS

Recap of Amygdala, Hippocampus, Hypothalamus, and Thalamus

Amygdala: Someone is angry and agressive.

Hippocampus: Creates new memories

Hypothalamus: if damaged, causes you to keep eating and eating...

Thalamus: All incoming sensory information passes through it.