Unit 1 Quiz Review - Genetics, Nervous System, Neurons, Drugs

biological psychologists

the scientific study of the links between biological and psychological processes.

neuron

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

sensory neurons

Neurons that carry incoming information from the sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord. Afferent Neurons

motor neurons

Neurons that carry outgoing information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands. Efferent Neurons

interneurons

Neurons within the brain and spinal cord that communicate internally and intervene between the sensory inputs and motor outputs. In Spine and Brain.

dendrites

The bushy, branching extensions of a neuron that receive messages and conduct impulses toward the cell body.

axon

The neuron extension that passes and electrical messages through its branches to other neurons or to muscles or glands.

myelin sheath

Fatty tissue that covers the fibers of many neurons; helps with transmission speed of neural impulses as the impulse hops from one node to the next.

action potential

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

threshold

The level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse.

synapse

The space between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron. AKA synaptic gap or synaptic cleft.

neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons.

reuptake

A neurotransmitter's reabsorption by the sending neuron. Vacuum cleaner.

endorphins

Natural, opiate-like neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure.

nerves

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

refractory period

A period of inactivity after a neuron has fired. Considered hyperpolarized - unable to fire until it returns to the resting potential.

all-or-nothing response

A neuron's reaction of either firing or not firing. Like firing a gun-no going back once you pull the trigger.

Acetylcholine (ACH)

Enables muscle action, learning and memory. TOO LITTLE linked to Alzheimer's disease.

Dopamine

Influences movement, learning, reward, attention, and emotion. Oversupply linked to schizophrenia. Undersupply linked to Parkinson's.

Serotonin

Affects mood, hunger, sleep and arousal. Undersupply linked to depression.

Norepinephrine

Neurotransmitter-helps control alertness and arousal. Undersupply can depress mood.

GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)

A major inhibitory neurotransmitter.Has a calming effect on the body. Undersupply linked to seizures, tremors, and insomnia.

Glutamate

A major excitatory neurotransmitter; involved in memory. Oversupply can overstimulate the brain, pro ducting migraines or seizures (which is why some people avoid MSG, monosodium glutamate, in food.)

Substance P

A neurotransmitter that is involved in the transmission of pain messages to the brain.

Agonist

A chemical that MIMICS the action of a neurotransmitter.

Antagonists

A chemical that BLOCKS or reduce a cell's response to the action of a neurotransmitter.

Lesion

tissue destruction. It can occur naturally or experimentally by the caused distruction/remove of brain tissues

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

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.

CT (computed tomography) scan

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

(PET) Positron emission tomography scan

A visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task.

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)

a TECHNIQUE THAT USES MAGNETIC FIELDS AND RADIO WAVES TO PRODUCE COMPUTER generated images that distinguish among different types of soft tissues.

fMRI (functional MRI)

is a functional neuroimaging procedure using MRI technology that measures brain activity by detecting changes associated with blood flow. See structure and function

Nervous system

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

Central nervous system (CNS)

Consists of the brain and the spinal cord. Encased in bone.

Peripheral nervous system (PNS)

he sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system to the rest of the body. Not in bone.

Somatic nervous system

The division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body's skeletal muscles - voluntary movement.

Autonomic nervous system

The part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the "automatic" functions. Includes glands and the muscles of the internal organs. It's divided into the sympathetic system and parasympathetic.

Sympathetic nervous system

Prepares us for "fight or flight" arouses the body, mobilizing its energy in stressful situations. (If you get scared)

Parasympathetic nervous system

the division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy (Your PARents come home and calm you down)

Reflexes

Simple, automatic responses to sensory stimuli, such as the knee-jerk response.

Endocrine system

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

Hormones

Chemical messengers that are manufactured by the endocrine glands, travel through the bloodstream, and affect other tissues.

Adrenal glands

Pair of endocrine glands that sit just above the kidneys and secrete hormones (epinephrine and norepinephrine) that help arouse the body in times of stress

Pituitary gland

"THE MASTER GLAND" the endocrine system's most influential gland

under the influence of the hypothalamus, the pituitary regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands

behavior genetics

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

environment

every nongenetic influence, from prenatal nutrition to the people and things around us, Every nongenetic influence, from prenatal nutrition to the people and things around us.

fraternal twins

Twins who develop from separate fertilized eggs; no genetically closer than brothers and sisters, but they share a fetal environment

heritability

Inherited traits-the proportion of variation among individuals that we can attribute to genes; this may vary depending on population range and the environment being studied.

interaction

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

Evolutionary Psychologists

The study of the evolution of behavior and the mind, using principles of natural selection.

Natural Selection

The principle that, among range of inherited trait variations, those that lead to increased reproduction and survival will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations- Darwin's idea.

Mutations

A random error in gene replication that leads to a change

Charles Darwin

English natural scientist who formulated a theory of evolution by natural selection

Epigenetics

The study of environmental influences on gene expression that occur without a DNA change.

pineal gland

Produces melatonin, which helps maintain circadian rhythm

thyroid gland

produces hormones that regulate metabolism, body heat, and bone growth

pancreas

Regulates the level of sugar in the blood

fMRI (functional MRI)

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

Orexin

hunger-triggering hormone secreted by hypothalamus

Oxytocin

Often called the "love hormone" because it promotes feelings of attachment, trust, and intimacy.

Ghrelin

A hunger-arousing hormone secreted by an empty stomach

Leptin

A hormone produced by adipose (fat) cells that acts as a satiety (feeling satisfied) helps in regulating appetite.

DNA

(deoxyribonucleic acid) Complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes.

identical (monozygotic) twins

develop from a single fertilized egg that splits in two, creating two genetically identical organisms

genome

The complete instructions for making an organism, consisting of all the genetic material in that organism's chromosomes.

fraternal twins (dizygotic twins)

twins who develop from separate fertilized eggs. They are genetically no closer than brothers and sisters, but they share a fetal environment.

hallucinations

False sensory experiences, such as seeing something in the absence of an external visual stimulus.

psychoactive drug

a chemical substance that alters perceptions and moods

tolerance

The diminishing effect with regular use of the same dose of a drug, Causes the user to take larger and larger doses before experiencing the drug's effect.

addiction

Compulsive drug craving and use, despite adverse consequences.

withdrawal

The discomfort and distress that follow discontinuing the use of an addictive drug.

depressants

Drugs (such as alcohol, barbiturates, and opiates) that reduce neural activity and slow body functions.

opiates

A depressant drug that is used to lessen pain - they depress neural activity. Examples include morphine and heroine

stimulants

Drugs that excite neural activity and speed up body functions. (such as caffeine, nicotine, cocaine, and Ecstasy)

nicotine

A stimulating and highly addictive psychoactive drug in tobacco

hallucinogens

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

LSD

a powerful hallucinogenic drug; also known as acid (lysergic acid diethylamide)

MDMA (ecstasy)

Synthetic club drug - stimulant- that increases dopamine and greatly increases serotonin. Causes euphoria and an artificial feeling of social connectedness and intimacy. Can cause dehydration and over heating.

Agonists

drugs which mimic the activity of neurotransmitters

antagonist drugs

drugs that block or change the effects of an addictive drug

Reuptake inhibitors

Drugs that interfere with the reuptake of neurotransmitters in the synapse so that a greater amount remains in the synapse

substance abuse disorder

continued substance craving and use despite significant life disruption and/or physical risk

delusion

false belief

barbituates (tranquilizers)

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

Marijuana (THC)

a mild hallucinogen causing enhanced sensation, relief of pain, distortion of time, relaxation, but could adversely cause disrupted memory or lung damage from smoke

cocaine

a powerful and addictive stimulant, derived from the coca plant, producing temporarily increased alertness and euphoria