Sleep,Visual, Olfaction

Consciousness

awareness of unique thoughts, memories, feelings, sensations, and environments

Circadian rhythm

the biological clock; regular bodily rhythms that occur on a 24-hour cycle

REM sleep

characterized by rapid eye movements and a high level of brain activity; accounts for about 25% of a person's total sleep. Called paradoxical stage as brain waves are similar to "woke" waves but the body is paralyzed by the brain stem.

REM rebound

the tendency for REM sleep to increase following REM sleep deprivation (created by repeated awakenings during REM sleep)

NREM stage 1

a transition period between wakefulness and sleep ("nodding off") characterized by relaxation and easy arousal

NREM stage 2

characterized by continued slowing of heartbeat, breathing, muscle activity, and eye movements; accounts for about half of a person's total sleep

NREM stage 3

characterized by muscle relaxation, lowered blood pressure, and slower breathing; deepest sleep occurs in this stage

Hypnagogic sensations

imaginary images or sensations (e.g., falling or floating) that seem real and occur as a person is falling asleep

Activation-synthesis (dreams)

the theory that dreams are the result of the cerebral cortex interpreting and organizing random neural firing, originating in the lower brain structures, especially the pons.. states that dreams are meaningless

Consolidation theory (dreams)

the theory that during sleep the brain is best able to integrate newly encoded memory into long-term storage and that dreaming is influenced by this process

Insomnia

recurring problems in falling or staying asleep.. can be temporary or chronic

Narcolepsy

a sleep disorder characterized by unmanageable drowsiness and/or uncontrollably falling into REM sleep during the day

REM sleep behavior disorder

a disorder in which a person physically acts out vivid, often unpleasant dreams with vocal sounds and sudden, often violent, arm and leg movements during REM sleep

Sleep apnea

a disorder in which a person stops breathing for brief periods while asleep

Somnambulism

the condition of walking or performing some other activity without awakening, usually during NREM 3.. also known as sleepwalking

circadian rhythm disruptions

out-of-sync sleep/wake cycle caused by jet lag, shift work, time change, or sleep deprivation

unconscious

according to Freud, a reservoir of mostly unacceptable thoughts, wishes, feelings, and memories. According to contemporary psychologists, information processing of which we are unaware.

Transduction

Conversion of one form of energy into another

Wavelength

Determines Hue

Amplitude

Determines Brightness

Pupil

A small adjustable opening in the center of the eye through which light enters

Iris

A ring of muscle tissue that forms the colored portion of the eye around the pupil and controls the size of the pupil's opening

Cornea

Protects the eye and bends light to provide focus

Lens

The transparent structure behind the pupil that changes shape to help focus objects on the retina

Accomodation

Lens changes shape to focus near or far images on the retina

Retina

Light sensitive inner surface of the eye containing the receptor rods and cones plus layers of neurons that begin the processing of visual information

Optic Nerve

The nerve that carries neural impulses from the eye to the brain

Blind Spot

The point at which the optic nerve leaves the eye

No receptor cells

Brain fills the "hole" without permission

Fovea

The central focal point in the retina

Acuity

Resolution

Nearsightedness

Too much curvature of the cornea/lens

Near objects are more clear

Farsightedness

Not enough curvature of the cornea/lens

Far objects are more clear

Rods

Retinal receptors that detect black, white, and grey

Necessary for peripheral vision

Cones

Retinal receptors that are concentrated near the center of the retina

Detect fine detail and give rise to color sensations

Feature Detectors

Nerve cells in the brain the respond to specific features of the stimulus, such as shape, angles, or movement

Parallel Processing

The processing of many aspects of a problem simultaneously

Trichromatic Theory of Color Vision

The eye has 3 types of color receptors (red, green, and blue)

Cones work in 3's

Color Blind

People who lack a chemical produced by one or more types of cones

Opponent Process Theory of Color Vision

Certain neurons can be either excited or inhibited depending on the wavelength of light

Complementary wavelengths have opposite effects.

Wavelength

Pitch

Measured in Hz (Hertz)

Amplitude

Loudness

Decibels

Unit of measurement for sound

(dB)

Transduction in the Ear

Vibration/mechanical energy -> neural impulses

Hair Cells

Bent by the vibrations and transduce mechanical energy to neural impulses

In the cochlea

Frequency Theory

The theory that the rate of nerve impulses travelling up the auditory nerve matches the frequency of a sound

(Explains low-pitch)

Place Theory

The theory that links pitch with the place where the cochlea's membrane is stimulated.

Conduction Deafness

Caused by damage to the mechanical system that conducts sound waves to the cochlea

Sensorineural Deafness

Caused by damage to the cochlea's receptor cells or to the auditory nerves

Four Skin Senses

Pressure, Warmth, Cold, and Pain

Gate Control Theory of Pain

The spinal cord contains a neurological "gate" that blocks pain signals or allows them to pass onto the brain

Six Taste Sensations

Sweet. Salty, Bitter, Sour, Umami, Oleogustus

Papillae

Tiny bumps on the surface of the tongue covered in taste buds

6 Taste Sensations

Sweet, salty, bitter, sour, umami oleogustus

Olfactory Bulb

Brain structure responsible for our sense of smell

Processes info about odors after receiving sensory input form the nose

Vestibular Sense

The sense of body movement and position, including the sense of balance

Decibels

Unit of measurement for sound

(dB)

Transduction in the Ear

The process by which sound waves are converted into electrical signals in the inner ear, allowing the brain to perceive sound.