AP Psych Unit 1

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the lecture notes.

Heredity

The transmission of genetic traits from parents to offspring; basis of nature.

Nature

Genetic inheritance and biological factors that shape development.

Nurture

Environmental influences that shape behavior and development.

Central nervous system

Brain and spinal cord; processes and integrates information from the body.

Peripheral nervous system

Nerves outside the CNS that connect the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body.

Autonomic nervous system

Subdivision of the PNS that regulates involuntary functions; heartbeat, digestion.

Neurons

Nerve cells that transmit information via electrical and chemical signals.

Glial cells

Support cells for neurons that provide structure, nutrition, and insulation.

Reflex arc

Neural pathway for a reflex action, typically involving sensory, interneuron, and motor neurons.

Sensory neurons

Nerve cells that carry information from senses to the CNS.

Motor neurons

Nerve cells that carry signals from the CNS to muscles or glands.

Interneurons

Neurons within the CNS that connect sensory and motor neurons and process information.

Neural transmission

Communication between neurons via electrical impulses and neurotransmitters.

Action potential

A rapid, brief electrical charge that travels down an axon triggering neurotransmitter release.

All or nothing principle

Neurons fire fully at a fixed strength or not at all; intensity is not graded.

Depolarization

Reduction of the resting membrane potential, making the neuron more likely to fire.

Refractory period

Short period after firing when a neuron cannot fire again.

Resting potential

Baseline electrical charge of a neuron when it is not firing.

Reuptake

Reabsorption of neurotransmitters by the presynaptic neuron after signal transmission.

Threshold

Minimum stimulus level required to trigger an action potential.

Multiple sclerosis

Autoimmune disease damaging myelin, disrupting neural transmission.

Myasthenia gravis

Autoimmune disorder causing muscle weakness due to impaired acetylcholine signaling.

Brain stem

Lower part of the brain connecting to the spinal cord; regulates basic life functions.

Medulla

Brainstem region controlling autonomic functions like breathing and heart rate.

Reticular activating system

Network in the brainstem involved in arousal and attention.

Cerebellum

Brain region coordinating movement, balance, and motor learning.

Cerebral cortex

Outer layer of the brain involved in perception, thought, language, and planning.

Limbic system

Emotion and memory network including hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus.

Thalamus

Brain relay station directing sensory information to the cortex.

Hypothalamus

Regulates homeostasis and drives; linked to the pituitary gland.

Genetic predisposition

Inherited tendency that increases risk for a trait or disorder.

Evolutionary perspective

View that behavior and mental processes evolved to solve adaptive problems.

Natural selection

Process by which beneficial traits become more common over generations.

Sympathetic nervous system

Part of the autonomic system that prepares the body for fight-or-flight.

Excitatory neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters that increase the likelihood of a neural impulse.

Inhibitory neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters that decrease neural firing and dampen activity.

Eugenics

Discredited idea that the human species can be improved by controlled breeding.

Twin studies

Research comparing twins to determine the influence of genetics vs. environment.

Adoption studies

Research comparing adopted individuals with biological and adoptive families.

Parasympathetic nervous system

Part of the autonomic system that calms the body after stress; rest and digest.

Somatic nervous system

Division of the PNS controlling voluntary movements and conveying sensory info.

Psychoactive drugs

Substances that alter mood, perception, or consciousness.

Agonists

Drugs or substances that activate receptors to mimic neurotransmitters.

Antagonists

Drugs or substances that block receptor activity and inhibit neurotransmission.

Reuptake inhibitors

Substances that block reuptake, increasing neurotransmitter levels in synapse.

Stimulants

Drugs that increase CNS activity and arousal.

Caffeine

Stimulant that blocks adenosine receptors to increase alertness.

Dopamine

Neurotransmitter involved in reward, motivation, and movement.

Serotonin

Neurotransmitter linked to mood, sleep, appetite, and arousal.

Norepinephrine

Neurotransmitter involved in arousal and stress responses.

Glutamate

Primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS; involved in learning.

Cocaine

Stimulant that blocks reuptake of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin.

Depressants

Drugs that slow CNS activity; often calming or sedating.

Alcohol

Depressant that affects GABA and glutamate systems, altering mood and coordination.

GABA

Primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS; reduces neural activity.

Endorphins

Endogenous opioids that reduce pain and produce pleasure.

Substance P

Neurotransmitter involved in transmitting pain signals.

Acetylcholine

Neurotransmitter involved in muscle activation and memory; in both CNS and PNS.

Hormones

Chemical messengers released by glands into the bloodstream.

Adrenaline

Also called epinephrine; hormone/neurotransmitter involved in stress response.

Leptin

Hormone that signals fullness and helps regulate energy balance.

Ghrelin

Hormone that stimulates appetite.

Melatonin

Hormone regulating sleep-wake cycles.

Oxytocin

Hormone/neuropeptide involved in social bonding and childbirth.

Pituitary gland

Master endocrine gland that releases hormones affecting other glands.

Hippocampus

Brain structure essential for forming new memories.

Amygdala

Brain structure involved in emotion processing and fear responses.

Corpus callosum

Band of nerve fibers linking the two brain hemispheres.

Occipital lobes

Brain region responsible for visual processing; located at the back of the cortex.

Temporal lobes

Brain regions involved in hearing and memory.

Parietal lobes

Brain regions that process sensory information and spatial sense.

Association areas

Cortical regions involved in integrating information and higher-order processing.

Hallucinogens

Substances that distort perception and induce sensory experiences without stimuli.

Marijuana

Psychoactive drug with hallucinogenic and depressant effects; varied impacts.

Opioids

Drug class including morphine and heroin; highly addictive; depress CNS activity.

Heroin

Opioid drug with high addiction potential; potent pain relief and euphoria.

Tolerance

Diminished response to a drug requiring higher doses for same effect.

Addiction

Compulsive use of a drug despite harmful consequences.

Withdrawal

Discomfort and distress following cessation of drug use.

Somatosensory cortex

Cortical area processing touch and bodily sensations.

Frontal lobes

Brain regions involved in decision making, planning, and inhibition.

Linguistic processing

Brain processes involved in language, speech, and reading.

Higher-order thinking

Complex cognitive processes such as reasoning, problem-solving, and planning.

Executive functioning

Set of high-level cognitive skills including inhibition, working memory, and flexible thinking.

Prefrontal cortex

Part of the frontal lobes essential for planning, decision-making, and impulse control.

Motor cortex

Frontal lobe region controlling voluntary movements.

Split brain research

Studies of individuals with severed corpus callosum to examine hemispheric specialization.