AP Psychology Unit 1
Neural Structure and Function
1. Neurons
- Nerve cells that are the building blocks of the nervous system.
2. Dendrites
- Branch-like structures that receive messages from other neurons.
3. Axon
- The long part of the neuron that transmits messages to other neurons, muscles, or glands.
4. Myelin Sheath
- A fatty layer that covers the axon of some neurons, helping to speed up neural impulses.
5. Action Potential
- A neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon.
6. Synapse
- The junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron.
7. Neurotransmitters
- Chemical messengers that cross synapses to transmit signals between neurons.
8. Reuptake
- A process in which neurotransmitters are absorbed back into the sending neuron.
9. Endorphins
- Neurotransmitters linked to pain control and pleasure.
10. Agonist
- A substance that mimics the effects of a neurotransmitter.
11. Antagonist
- A substance that blocks or inhibits the action of a neurotransmitter.
The Nervous System
12. Central Nervous System (CNS)
- Consists of the brain and spinal cord.
13. Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
- The sensory and motor neurons that connect the CNS to the rest of the body.
14. Somatic Nervous System
- Part of the PNS that controls voluntary movements of skeletal muscles.
15. Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
- Part of the PNS that controls involuntary functions such as heartbeat and digestion. Divided into:
- Sympathetic Nervous System: Arouses the body, mobilizing its energy in stressful situations (fight-or-flight response).
- Parasympathetic Nervous System: Calms the body, conserving energy.
The Endocrine System
16. Hormones
- Chemical messengers secreted by the endocrine glands that influence body functions.
17. Adrenal Glands
- A pair of glands that produce hormones (like adrenaline) involved in the fight-or-flight response.
18. Pituitary Gland
- The "master gland" of the endocrine system, influencing other glands and controlling growth.
Brain Structure and Function
19. Medulla
- The base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing.
20. Pons
- Helps coordinate movement and control sleep.
21. Reticular Formation
- A nerve network in the brainstem that plays a role in controlling arousal.
22. Thalamus
- The brain's sensory control center, directing messages to sensory areas in the cortex.
23. Cerebellum
- Located at the back of the brain; coordinates voluntary movements and balance.
24. Limbic System
- A neural system associated with emotions and drives, includes:
- Amygdala: Involved in emotion, especially fear and aggression.
- Hypothalamus: Regulates basic needs like hunger, thirst, and body temperature.
- Hippocampus: Involved in memory processing.
25. Cerebral Cortex
- The intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering the cerebral hemispheres; responsible for higher-level processes such as thinking, planning, and judgment.
26. Frontal Lobes
- Involved in speaking, planning, and controlling voluntary movements.
27. Parietal Lobes
- Receives sensory input for touch and body position.
28. Occipital Lobes
- Includes areas that receive information from the visual fields.
29. Temporal Lobes
- Includes areas responsible for hearing.
Sleep and Consciousness
30. Consciousness
- Our awareness of ourselves and our environment.
31. Circadian Rhythm
- The biological clock; regular bodily rhythms (e.g., of temperature and wakefulness) that occur on a 24-hour cycle.
32. REM Sleep
- A recurring sleep stage during which vivid dreams commonly occur. Known as paradoxical sleep because the muscles are relaxed, but other body systems are active.
33. NREM Sleep
- Non-rapid eye movement sleep; encompasses all sleep stages except for REM sleep.
34. Sleep Cycle
- The progression through various stages of sleep, typically lasting about 90 minutes.
35. Sleep Disorders
- Include:
- Insomnia: Recurring problems in falling or staying asleep.
- Narcolepsy: A sleep disorder characterized by uncontrollable sleep attacks.
- Sleep Apnea: A disorder in which the person stops breathing while asleep.
36. Dreams
- Sequences of images, emotions, and thoughts passing through a sleeping person's mind.
37. Psychoactive Drugs
- Chemical substances that alter perceptions and mood. Categories include:
- Depressants: Drugs like alcohol that reduce neural activity and slow body functions.
- Stimulants: Drugs like caffeine, nicotine, and amphetamines that excite neural activity and speed up body functions.
- Hallucinogens: Drugs like LSD that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images without sensory input.
Brain Imaging Techniques
38. EEG (Electroencephalogram)
- A device that records electrical activity in the brain.
39. MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
- A technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images of soft tissue in the brain.
40. fMRI (Functional MRI)
- A technique for revealing blood flow and brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans.