AP Psychology: Brain and Behavior Terms

Flashcards covering key vocabulary terms related to brain and behavior in AP Psychology.

Refractory Period

The period immediately following the firing of a nerve fiber when it cannot be stimulated regardless of stimulus intensity.

Acetylcholine (ACh)

A neurotransmitter that enables muscle action and is important for memory; its deficiency is linked to Alzheimer's disease.

Action Potential

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

Afferent Neurons

Sensory neurons that collect messages from sense organs and carry them to the spinal cord and brain.

All or Nothing Law

The principle that a neuron will only fire if it is sufficiently stimulated.

Antagonists

Substances that inhibit the actions of neurotransmitters.

Axon

The extension of a neuron that transmits messages to other neurons or to muscles or glands.

Broca's Area

A region in the frontal lobe associated with speech production.

Central Nervous System

The part of the nervous system that includes the brain and spinal cord.

Dendrite

Branchlike parts of a neuron that receive messages from other neurons.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter involved in reward, pleasure, and various behaviors; associated with mood and motivation.

Efferent Neurons

Motor neurons that carry messages from the spinal cord to muscles or glands.

Endorphins

Neurotransmitters that inhibit pain and are released during strenuous exercise.

GABA

A major inhibitory neurotransmitter that helps to calm neural activity.

Glutamate

A major excitatory neurotransmitter involved in cognitive functioning.

Limbic System

A neural system associated with emotions and drives, including structures like the hippocampus and amygdala.

Myelin Sheath

A fatty layer covering the axon of some neurons, which helps speed neural impulses.

Neural Plasticity

The brain's ability to modify itself by forming new connections throughout life.

Neurogenesis

The formation of new neurons from stem cells.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

The part of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body and conserves energy.

Synapse

The junction between two neurons where communication occurs.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter that affects mood, hunger, and sleep; lower levels are associated with depression.

Somatic Nervous System

Part of the peripheral nervous system that conveys sensory information to the central nervous system and sends motor messages to muscles.

Thalamus

The brain's major sensory relay center that transmits sensory information to the cortex.

Frontal Lobe

Region of the brain that coordinates messages from other lobes and is involved in executive functions.