AP Psych unit 3
| biological psychology | the scientific study of the links between biological (genetic, neural, hormonal) and psychological processes. (Some biological psychologists call themselves behavioral neuroscientists, neuropsychologists, behavior geneticists, physiological psychologists, or biopsychologists.) |
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| neuron | A nerve that is in the brain and throughout your body |
| dendrites | Receive incoming messages from other neurons and send it to the soma The listeners, shoots an electrical signal through the axon |
| Soma | the part of the neuron that contains the nucleus, the cell’s life support center |
| axon | The longest part of the neuron extension that passes messages through its branches to other neurons or to muscles or glands. |
| myelin [MY-uh-lin] sheath | They are fatty tissue that insulate the axon and speeds up the message Deteriorating of the myelin sheath can lead to motor impairments (MS) |
| Resting potential | When a neuron is not firing, it has a negative charge- not being used (think of a giant negative sign) Potassium on inside, sodium outside |
| Homeostasis | Normal, happy state |
| Depolarization | When opposites are ni long away from each other This happens with action potential down the axonDomino effect: sodium rushes in, potassium leaves |
| Polarized/ polarization | When opposites are away from each other |
| action potential | a neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon |
| refractory period | The period of time after firing that the neuron is focused on resetting and therefore is unable to fire again Neuron is tired and hungover lol |
| threshold | The level of stimulation required to trigger a reaction or impulse |
| all-or-none response | a neuron’s reaction of either firing (with a full-strength response) or not firing Like guns, neurons either fire or don't. Squeezing the trigger harder wont make the bullets go out |
| synapse [SIN-aps] | The open space between the terminal bud and the dendrite |
| neurotransmitters | chemical messengers that travel across the synapse and bind to receptor sites on the receiving neuron |
| reuptake | a neurotransmitter’s reabsorption by the sending neuron |
| endorphins [en-DOR-fins] | “morphine within”—natural, opiate- like neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure. |
| agonist | a molecule that, by binding to receptor site, stimulates a response |
| antagonist | a molecule that, by binding to a receptor site, inhibits or blocks a response Fitting in the receptor site like a fake key, preventing neurotransmitter from getting to its receptor site and doing its job Botox block acetylcholine |
| Agonists | Mimic neurotransmitter activity Fitting in the receptor site just like a master key- it works just like the original key but is not exactly the same Morphine mimic endorphins |
| nervous system | the body’s speedy, electrochemical communication network, consisting of all the nerve cells of the peripheral and central nervous system |
| central nervous system (CNS) | the brain communicates and coordinates the actions between other parts of the body. The most complex organ in the body. The CNS:organize our movements create our thoughtsform our emotionsproduce our behaviors |
| peripheral nervous system (PNS) | is a bundle of nerves outside of the central nervous system which transmits information between the brain and the rest of the body |
| nerves | bundled axons that form neural “cables” connecting the central nervous system with muscles,glands, and sense organs |
| sensory (afferent) neurons | neurons that cary incoming information from the sensory receptors tot he brain and the spinal cord |
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| motor (efferent) neurons | neurons that carry outgoing information front he brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands |
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| interneurons | neurons within the brain and spinal cord that communicate internally and intervene between the sensory inputs and motor outputs |
| somatic nervous system | is a system of sensory nerves which controls voluntary movements of the skeletal muscles. ex: writing |
| autonomic [aw-tuh-mahm-ik] nervous system (ANS) | the part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organs (such as the heart). Its sympathetic division arouses; its parasympathetic division calms. ex: your breathing, heart rate, digestian, and every daily function |
| sympathetic nervous system | the emergency response system which allows one to respond to situations which requires alertness (immediate reaction) |
| parasympathetic nervous system | As the calm down and default allows one to relax after an emergency has occured (a few moments after something has happened) |
| reflex | a simple, automatic response to a sensory stimulus, such as the knee-jerk response |
| endocrine [EN-duh-krin] system | the body’s “slow” chemical communication system; a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstreamThe adrenal glands send adrenaline through the bloodstream during emergency Why does it release adrenaline? Because the hypothalamus told it to! |
| hormones | |
| adrenal [ah-DREEN-el] glands | a pair of endocrine glands that sit just above the kidneys and secrete hormones (epinephrine and norepinephrine) that help arouse the body in times of stress. |
| pituitary glands | Helps to communicate with other glands |
| lesion [LEE-zhuhn] | |
| electroencephalogram (EEG) | an amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity sweeping across the brain’s surface. These waves are measured by electrodes placed on the scalp. |
| CT (computed technology) scan | a series of X-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by computer into a composite representation of a slice of the brain’s structure. (Also called CAT scan.) |
| PET(positron emission tomography) scan | Detects the hotspots of brain cellular activity Hot spots are neural activity Sees radioactive glucose |
| MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) | Placing a person in a machine Low level magnetic field sends a pulse which distorts the atoms in your bodyThe machine produces images of the brain and slices of the brain Gives info about anatomy of the brain |
| fMRI (functional MRI) | a technique for revealing blood flow and, therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans. fMRI scans show brain function as well as its structure. |
| brainstem | the oldest part and central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull; the brainstem isresponsible for automatic survival functions. |
| medulla [muh-DUL-uh] | the base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing |
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| thalamus [THAL-uh-muss] | the brain’s sensory control center, located on top of the brainstem; it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum |
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| reticular formation | a nerve network that travels though the brainstem and thalamus and plays an important role in controlling arousal |
| cerebellum [sehr-uh-BELL-um] \n | the “little brain” at the rear of the brainstem; functions include processing sensory input, coordinating movement output, and balance, and enabling nonverbal learning and memory. |
| limbic system | neural system( including the hippocampus, amygdala, and the hypothalamus) Located below the cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions and drives |
| amygdala [uh-MIG-duh-la] | two lima-bean-sized neural clustersin the limbic system; linked to emotion. |
| hypothalamus [hi-po-THAL-uh-muss] | A neural structure lying below the thalamus; it directs several maintenance activities( eating, drinking, body temperature), help govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion and reward |
| cerebral [seh-REE-bruhl] cortex | the intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering the cerebral hemispheres; the body’s ultimate control and information-processing center. |
| glial cells (glia) | cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons; they may also play a role in learning and thinking.The worker bee, and they clean up the mess around the other neurons (support cells!) |
| frontal lobes | portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead; involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgments. |
| parietal [puh-rye-uh-tuhl] lobes | portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head and toward the rear; receives sensory input for touch and body postition |
| occipital [ahk-SIP-uh-tuhl] lobes | Portion of the cerebral cortex line at the back of the head; includes areas that receive information from the visual field |
| temporal lobes | Above the ears- Process sounds including speech and comprehension |
| motor cortex | Rear of frontal lobe- sends messages from the brain out to the body- movement |
| somatosensory cortex | area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations |
| association areas | areas of the cerebral cortex that are not involved in primary motor or sensory functions; rather, they are involved inhigher mental functions such as learning, remembering, thinking,and speaking. |
| plasticity | the brain's ability to change, especially during childhood, by reorganizing after damage or by building new Pathways based on experience |
| neurogenesis | the formation of new neurons |
| corpus callosum [KOR-pus kah-LOW-sum] | the large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them. |
| split brain | a condition resulting from surgery that isolates the brain two hemispheres by cutting the fibers (mainly those of the corpus callosum) connecting them |
| consciousness | our awareness of ourselves and our environment. |
| cognitive neuroscience | the interdisciplinary study of the brain ac-activity linked with cognition (including perception, thinking, memory, and language). |
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| dual processing | the principle that information is often simultaneously processed on separate conscious and unconscious tracks. |
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| behavior genetics | the study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior. |
| environment | every external influence, from prenatal nutrition to the people and things around us. |
| chromosomes | threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes. |
| DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) | a complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes. |
| genes | the biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosomes; segments of DNA capable of synthesizing proteins. |
| genome | the complete instructions for making an organism, consisting of all the genetic material in that organism’s chromosomes. |
| identical twins | twins who develop from a single fertilized egg that splits in two, creating two genetically identical organisms. |
| fraternal twins | twins who develop from separate fertilized eggs. They are genetically no closer than brothers and sisters, but they share a fetal environment. |
| molecular genetics | the subfield of biology that studies the molecular structure and function of genes |
| heritability | The proportion A variation among individuals that we can attribute to genes. the Heretics ability of a trait may vary, depending on the range of populations and environments studied |
| interaction | The interplay that occurs when the effect of 1 factor (such as environment) depends on another (Factor such as heredity) |
| epigenetics | the study of environmental influences on gene expression that occurs without a DNA change. |
| evolutionary psychology | the study of the evolution of behavior and mind, using principles of natural selection. |
| natural selection | the principle that among the range of inherited train variations, those contributing to reproduction and survival will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations |
| mutation | a random error in gene replication that leads to a change |
| Paul Broca | famous for his discovery of the speech production center of the brain located in the ventroposterior region of the frontal lobes (now known as the Broca's area). |
| Carl Wernicke | is best known to speech-language pathologists for his study of aphasia and for his discovery of the area in the cerebrum responsible for receptive language/speech phenomena in the superior gyrus of the temporal lobe (Wernicke aphasia). |
| Roger Sperry | discovered that human beings are of two minds. He found that the human brain has specialized functions on the right and left and that the two sides can operate practically independently. |
| Michael Gazzaniga | discovered that the two halves of the brain experience the world quite differently. |
| Charles Darwin | natural selection-Individuals with adaptive traits—traits that give them some advantage—are more likely to survive and reproduce. |
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Notes:
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Neurons transmit messages
- Endorphins: happy
- Excitatory neurotransmitters: fires up neurons
- Inhibitory: like the brake pedal on the car, signals depress action
- Hormones affect moods and make up attraction and appetite
- Nodes of
- Schwann cells
- Axon terminal buds- releases neurotransmitters to synapses and send the message onto the next neuron
- Neuron is similar to a toilet:
- The axon has little gates
- Acetylcholine: muscle contractions and memory and learning * Malfunctions: alzheimer's
- Dopamine: movement through process, attentions and emotions * Oversupply: schizophrenia * Undersupply: parkinsens
- Serotonin: sleep, hunger, mood, arousal * Undersupply: depression
- Norepinephrine: adrenaline, alertness * Undersupply: depression
- Gaba: inhibits brain activity * Undersupply: tremors, seizures, insomnia * Overstimulate: migraines
- Endorphins: pain perception * Oversupply: suppress the body's natural supply if taking drugs
- The ions? contains voltage gated ion channels that either open to allow ion enhanced
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Spinal cord:
- Transmits messages from the brain to the muscles to the glands throughout the body
- Nerves as thick as a thumb
- Protected by the bones of the spine called vertebrae
- Spinal reflex is an automatic response to something
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