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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.
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