Unit 1 AP Psych

What is heredity?

Genetic transmission of traits.

What does 'nature' refer to in psychology?

Genetic/biological influences.

What does 'nurture' refer to in psychology?

Environmental influences.

What is genetic predisposition?

Increased likelihood for a trait due to genes.

What is the evolutionary perspective?

Behavior shaped by survival needs.

What is natural selection?

Traits aiding survival get passed on.

What are eugenics?

Controlling reproduction to 'improve' genetics (unethical).

What are twin studies?

Compare identical vs fraternal twins.

What are family studies?

Examine traits in relatives.

What are adoption studies?

Compare adopted children to biological/adoptive parents.

What does the central nervous system consist of?

Brain and spinal cord.

What is the peripheral nervous system?

Nerves outside the central nervous system.

What does the autonomic nervous system control?

Involuntary functions.

What is the sympathetic nervous system's role?

Arouses the body for 'fight or flight'.

What does the parasympathetic nervous system do?

Calms the body for 'rest and digest'.

What is the function of the somatic nervous system?

Controls voluntary movement.

What are neurons?

Nerve cells.

What are glial cells?

Support and protect neurons.

What is a reflex arc?

Automatic response pathway.

What do sensory neurons do?

Carry information to the central nervous system.

What is the function of motor neurons?

Carry commands from the central nervous system.

What are interneurons?

Connect neurons within the central nervous system.

What is neural transmission?

Sending signals between neurons.

What is an action potential?

Electrical impulse that travels down a neuron.

What does the all-or-nothing principle state?

A neuron fires fully or not at all.

What happens during depolarization?

Positive charge enters the neuron.

What is the refractory period?

Rest period after a neuron fires.

What is resting potential?

Stable negative charge of a neuron.

What is reuptake in neuroscience?

Neurotransmitters are reabsorbed by neurons.

What is the threshold in the context of neurons?

Minimum stimulation required for a neuron to fire.

What does Multiple Sclerosis affect?

Damage to the myelin sheath.

What is Myasthenia Gravis?

A condition causing muscle weakness from blocked receptors.

What are excitatory neurotransmitters?

Substances that increase neuron firing.

What are inhibitory neurotransmitters?

Substances that decrease neuron firing.

What is dopamine associated with?

Reward and movement.

What is serotonin responsible for?

Regulating mood and sleep.

What role does norepinephrine play?

Arousal and alertness.

What is glutamate?

A major excitatory neurotransmitter.

What is GABA?

A major inhibitory neurotransmitter.

What are endorphins?

Natural painkillers produced by the body.

What is substance P?

A neurotransmitter involved in pain transmission.

What is the function of acetylcholine?

Involved in muscle movement and memory.

What are hormones?

Chemical messengers that travel in the bloodstream.

What is the pituitary gland known as?

The 'master gland' controlling hormones.

What does adrenaline do?

Acts as a fight-or-flight hormone.

What is leptin?

Signals fullness to the brain.

What does ghrelin signal?

Signals hunger.

What is melatonin's role?

Regulates sleep patterns.

What is oxytocin known for?

Facilitates bonding and trust.

What functions does the brainstem control?

Basic survival functions like heart rate and breathing.

What is the function of the medulla?

Regulates heart rate and breathing.

What does the reticular activating system influence?

Arousal and alertness.

What is the reward center in the brain?

A system that mediates pleasure and reinforcement.

What does the cerebellum control?

Balance and coordination.

What is the cerebral cortex responsible for?

Higher-order thinking and processing information.

What functions does the limbic system mediate?

Emotion and memory.

What role does the thalamus play?

Sensory relay station.

What does the hypothalamus regulate?

Homeostasis and drives.

What is the hippocampus critical for?

Memory formation.

What is the function of the amygdala?

Involved in fear and emotion.

What connects the two hemispheres of the brain?

The corpus callosum.

What is the function of the occipital lobes?

Processing vision.

What do temporal lobes handle?

Hearing and language.

What is function of the parietal lobes?

Touch and spatial awareness.

What do frontal lobes control?

Decision-making and personality.

What are association areas?

Regions that integrate information from various sources.

What does the somatosensory cortex do?

Processes touch sensations.

What is the motor cortex responsible for?

Controlling voluntary movement.

What is linguistic processing?

Understanding and using language.

What is higher-order thinking?

Complex reasoning.

What is executive functioning?

Planning and decision-making.

What does the prefrontal cortex assist with?

Judgment and impulse control.

What is studied in split-brain research?

Functions of separated brain hemispheres.

What is epilepsy?

A seizure disorder.

What is hemispheric specialization?

Each hemisphere of the brain has distinct functions.

What does Broca’s area control?

Speech production.

What is the role of Wernicke’s area?

Language comprehension.

What is aphasia?

Language impairment.

What does contralateral organization refer to?

Opposite side control of body functions.

What is plasticity in the brain?

The brain's ability to adapt and reorganize.

What does EEG measure?

Records electrical activity of the brain.

What does fMRI show?

Brain activity via blood flow.

What is lesioning in neuroscience?

Destroying brain tissue to study its function.

What are psychoactive drugs?

Substances that affect brain function and mood.

What is an agonist in neurotransmitter function?

A substance that mimics neurotransmitters.

What does an antagonist do?

Blocks neurotransmitter effects.

What are reuptake inhibitors?

Substances that block the reabsorption of neurotransmitters.

What do stimulants do?

Increase alertness and energy.

What type of substance is caffeine?

Mild stimulant.

What is cocaine?

A powerful stimulant.

What do depressants do?

Slow down the nervous system.

What is alcohol classified as?

A depressant.

What are hallucinogens?

Substances that alter perception.

What type of drug is marijuana?

A mild hallucinogen.

What are opioids used for?

Pain relief and euphoria.

What is heroin known for?

A highly addictive opioid.

What is tolerance in drug use?

Needing more of a substance for the same effect.

What is addiction?

Compulsive drug use despite harmful consequences.

What is withdrawal in the context of drug cessation?

Symptoms experienced when stopping a drug.

What is consciousness?

Awareness of self and environment.