🧠 AP Psychology Ultimate Guide

AP Psych Ultimate Guide Flashcards

Paul Broca

Performed an autopsy revealing the connection between Broca's area and expressive aphasia.

Broca's area

Part of the left frontal lobe associated with the ability to speak.

Expressive aphasia

Loss of the ability to produce spoken language due to damage in Broca's area.

Carl Wernicke

Identified Wernicke's area, linked to the comprehension of language.

Wernicke's area

Region in the left temporal lobe involved in understanding spoken and written language.

Receptive aphasia

Loss of ability to comprehend language resulting from damage to Wernicke's area.

Lesions

Precise destruction of brain tissue used to study functional loss due to injury.

Ablation

Surgical removal of brain tissue to study its functions.

Split brains

Research by Sperry and Gazzaniga showing different functions of brain hemispheres.

Brain lateralization

The specialization of the left and right hemispheres for different tasks.

Computerized axial tomography (CAT)

Imaging technique using X-rays to create 2D slices of the brain.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Technique using magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images of brain structures.

EEG (electroencephalogram)

Recording of brain electrical activity used to study brain function.

Evoked potentials

Amplified EEG signals corresponding to brain responses to stimuli.

Positron emission tomography (PET)

Imaging technique that shows metabolic activity in the brain through color graphics.

Functional MRI (fMRI)

High-resolution imaging technique that measures brain activity through blood oxygen levels.

Magnetoencephalography (MEG)

Technique measuring magnetic fields produced by brain activity.

Central nervous system

Consists of the brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral nervous system

Nervous system outside the CNS, including the somatic and autonomic systems.

Somatic nervous system

Controls voluntary muscle movements.

Autonomic nervous system

Regulates involuntary bodily functions.

Sympathetic nervous system

Part of ANS that triggers fight or flight response.

Parasympathetic nervous system

Part of ANS that calms the body and restores normal functions.

Meninges

Protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.

Triune brain

Model suggesting the brain has three parts: reptilian, old mammalian, new mammalian.

Reptilian brain

Part of the brain responsible for basic instincts and survival functions.

Limbic system

Old mammalian brain structure involved in emotions and memory.

Neocortex

The newest part of the brain responsible for higher functions such as abstract thought and reasoning.

Gyri and sulci

Peaks (gyri) and valleys (sulci) of the cerebral cortex that increase its surface area.

Fissures

Deep sulci in the brain, marking significant divisions.

Localization

Specialization of different brain regions for various functions.

Association areas

Cortex regions involved in higher mental functions, not specific to sensory or motor tasks.

Medulla oblongata

Regulates vital functions such as heart rate and breathing.

Pons

Connects various brain structures and is involved in arousal.

Cerebellum

Coordinates voluntary movements and balance.

Basal ganglia

Regulates movement initiation and balance.

Thalamus

Relay center for sensory information to the cortex.

Hypothalamus

Controls hormone secretion and regulates bodily functions like hunger and temperature.

Hippocampus

Critical for the formation of new long-term memories.

Cerebral cortex

Area responsible for higher-order processes like thought and sensory processing.

Plasticity

The brain's ability to reorganize itself after damage.

Glial cells

Support cells that provide nourishment and protection for neurons.

Neuron

The basic unit of the nervous system, responsible for transmitting information.

Cell body (soma)

Contains the nucleus and organelles of the neuron.

Dendrites

Branching structures that receive signals from other neurons.

Axon

Long fiber that carries signals away from the cell body.

Myelin sheath

Insulation around the axon that speeds up signal transmission.

Neurogenesis

The process of generating new neurons throughout life.

Neurotransmitters

Chemicals that transmit signals between neurons.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and movement.

Glutamate

Major excitatory neurotransmitter involved in memory and learning.

Serotonin

Neurotransmitter that regulates mood, appetite, and sleep.

Opioid peptides

Natural painkillers produced by the brain.

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)

Inhibitory neurotransmitter that reduces neuronal excitability.

Norepinephrine

A neurotransmitter involved in arousal and attention.

Agonists

Substances that mimic the action of neurotransmitters.

Antagonists

Substances that block neurotransmitter receptors.

Resting potential

The electrical charge difference across a neuron's membrane when not firing.

Action potential

Rapid change in electrical charge that travels along the axon.

All-or-none principle

A neuron either fires at full strength or not at all.

Saltatory conduction

Fast conduction of action potentials along myelinated axons, jumping between nodes.

Reflex action

Automatic response to stimuli, mediated by a reflex arc.

Reflex arc

Pathway followed by signals in a reflex action.

Sensory neurons

Transmit information from sensory receptors to the CNS.

Interneurons

Neurons that connect sensory and motor neurons in the CNS.

Motor neurons

Transmit signals from the CNS to muscles and glands.

Effectors

Muscle or gland cells that respond to motor neuron signals.

Endocrine system

Glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream.

Hormones

Chemical messengers that travel through the blood to influence tissues.

Pineal gland

Secretes melatonin, regulating sleep-wake cycles.

Hypothalamus

Regulates the autonomic nervous system and hormone secretion.

Pituitary gland

Known as the 'master gland' that controls other endocrine glands.

Thyroid gland

Produces hormones that regulate metabolism.

Adrenal glands

Produce hormones for stress response and metabolism.

Pancreas

Regulates blood sugar levels through insulin and glucagon.

Ovaries and testes

Reproductive glands producing sex hormones.

Nature-nurture controversy

Debate over the influence of genetics and environment on behavior.

Evolutionary psychology

Studies how evolutionary principles shape human behavior.

Behavioral geneticists

Investigate how genetics and environment influence behavior.

Identical twins

Monozygotic twins sharing all genes.

Fraternal twins

Dizygotic twins sharing about half of their genes.

Heritability

Estimate of how much variation in a trait can be attributed to genetics.

Gene

Segmentation of DNA that determines a specific trait.

Chromosomes

Structures carrying genetic information, humans have 46.

Turner syndrome

Genetic disorder in females characterized by only one X chromosome.

Klinefelter’s syndrome

Genetic disorder in males with an extra X chromosome.

Down syndrome

Condition caused by an extra 21st chromosome, affecting physical and cognitive development.

Genotype

The genetic makeup of an individual.

Phenotype

The observable traits of an individual influenced by genotype.

Dominant gene

Gene that expresses its trait even if only one copy is present.

Recessive gene

Gene that only expresses its trait if two copies are present.

Tay-Sachs syndrome

Genetic disorder leading to progressive nervous system degeneration.

Phenylketonuria (PKU)

Condition caused by inability to process phenylalanine, leading to developmental issues.

Huntington’s disease

A genetic disorder causing progressive degeneration of the nervous system.

Levels of consciousness

Different states of awareness ranging from conscious to unconscious.

Preconscious

Level of awareness that can be easily accessed.

Nonconscious

Processes completely inaccessible to conscious awareness.

Unconscious

Contains often unacceptable feelings and memories not available to awareness.

Dual processing

Simultaneous processing of information on conscious and unconscious levels.

Circadian rhythm

Biological clock governing sleep-wake cycles over approximately 24 hours.