Psych Test - Chapter 3

Biological psychology

study of how biology influences behavior and mental processes → linking brain chemicals to emotions

Neuron

a nerve cell that sends and receives messages → like an electrical wire sending signals

Dendrites

branch-like extensions that receive messages → like tree branches catching signals

Axon

long fiber that sends messages away from the neuron → like a cable carrying info outward

Myelin sheath

fatty coating that speeds up neural messages → like insulation on a wire

Action potential

an electrical signal traveling down an axon → like pressing “send” on a text

Refractory period

time after a neuron fires when it can’t fire again → like waiting before sending another text

Threshold

level of stimulation needed to trigger a neural impulse → like pushing a button hard enough to activate it

All-or-none response

neuron either fires fully or not at all → like a light switch being on or off

Synapse

the gap between neurons where messages pass → like a space between plugs transferring energy

Neurotransmitters

chemical messengers between neurons → like keys fitting into locks

Reuptake

reabsorption of leftover neurotransmitters → like recycling unused messages

Endorphins

natural painkillers that boost pleasure → runner’s high after exercise

Agonist

molecule that mimics a neurotransmitter’s effect → morphine acting like endorphins

Antagonist

molecule that blocks neurotransmitters → Botox blocking muscle signals

Nervous system

body’s communication network → like the internet connecting everything

Central nervous system (CNS)

brain and spinal cord controlling the body → the main command center

Peripheral nervous system (PNS)

nerves outside brain and spinal cord → the messenger network

Nerves

bundles of axons carrying signals → like data cables

Sensory (afferent) neurons

carry info from body to brain → sensing a hot stove

Motor (efferent) neurons

carry info from brain to muscles → moving your hand away from heat

Interneurons

connect sensory and motor neurons in the CNS → translator between input and action

Somatic nervous system

controls voluntary movements → deciding to wave

Autonomic nervous system (ANS)

controls automatic body functions → heartbeat and digestion

Sympathetic nervous system

arouses the body for action → fight-or-flight response

Parasympathetic nervous system

calms the body down → rest and digest mode

Reflex

automatic response to a stimulus → pulling your hand off something hot

Endocrine system

glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream → hormone control of mood and growth

Hormones

chemical messengers of the endocrine system → adrenaline boosting energy

Adrenal glands

release adrenaline and cortisol for stress → body’s emergency alarm

Pituitary gland

master gland controlling others and growth → boss of the endocrine system

Lesion

tissue destruction used to study brain function → studying effects of damaged areas

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

records brain waves via scalp electrodes → tracking sleep or seizures

CT scan

X-ray images showing brain structure → locating brain injury

PET scan

tracks brain activity through glucose use → seeing active brain areas

MRI

magnetic imaging showing brain anatomy → detailed brain picture

fMRI

shows brain function through blood flow → watching the brain “light up” during tasks

Brainstem

oldest brain region controlling vital functions → keeps you breathing and alive

Medulla

controls heartbeat and breathing → vital life support center

Thalamus

sensory relay station of the brain → directs incoming messages

Reticular formation

controls arousal and alertness → wakes you up from sleep

Cerebellum

coordinates movement and balance → riding a bike smoothly

Limbic system

emotional and memory center → feeling fear or pleasure

Amygdala

processes emotions like fear and anger → why you jump at scary movies

Hypothalamus

regulates hunger

Cerebral cortex

outer brain layer for thinking and planning → decision-making and problem-solving

Glial cells (glia)

support and protect neurons → brain’s maintenance crew

Frontal lobes

control judgment

Parietal lobes

process touch and body position → feeling textures or pressure

Occipital lobes

process visual information → recognizing faces

Temporal lobes

process hearing and language → understanding music or speech

Motor cortex

controls voluntary movements → moving your arm to write

Somatosensory cortex

registers body touch and sensations → feeling a tap on your shoulder

Association areas

integrate information for learning and reasoning → connecting ideas while studying

Plasticity

brain’s ability to reorganize after damage → learning new skills after injury

Neurogenesis

creation of new neurons → brain growing new cells as you learn

Corpus callosum

connects brain hemispheres → allows sides to communicate

Split brain

condition where hemispheres are separated → each side acts independently

Consciousness

awareness of self and environment → being awake and aware

Cognitive neuroscience

study of brain activity linked with thinking → exploring how thoughts happen

Dual processing

mind works on conscious and unconscious levels → driving while daydreaming

Behavior genetics

study of how genes and environment shape behavior → explaining family resemblances

Environment

all non-genetic influences → culture

Chromosomes

threadlike structures made of DNA → genetic filing cabinets

DNA

molecule holding genetic information → blueprint of life

Genes

DNA segments coding for traits → instructions for eye color or height

Genome

complete set of genetic material → body’s full instruction manual

Identical twins

develop from one egg

Fraternal twins

develop from two eggs

Molecular genetics

study of how genes influence behavior → finding genes tied to disorders

Heritability

extent to which variation is due to genes → height is highly heritable

Interaction

how genes and environment influence each other → talent shaped by practice

Epigenetics

how environment affects gene expression → stress turning genes on or off

Evolutionary psychology

study of how natural selection shaped behavior → fear of snakes aiding survival

Natural selection

traits aiding survival are passed on → giraffes’ long necks helping them thrive

Mutation

random genetic change → new trait appearing in offspring