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AP Psychology > AP Psychology Unit 3: Biological Psychology and Neurotransmission > Flashcards

AP Psychology Unit 3: Biological Psychology and Neurotransmission Flashcards

1
Q

Neuron

A

A nerve cell; The basic building block of the nervous system

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2
Q

Cell body

A

The part of a neuron that contains the nucleus; the cell’s life-support center

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3
Q

Dendrites

A

A neuron’s often bushy, branching extensions that receive and integrate messages, conducting impulses toward the cell body

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4
Q

Axon

A

The neuron extension that passes messages through its branches to other neurons or to muscles or glands

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5
Q

Myelin Sheath

A

A fatty tissue layer segmentally encasing the axons of some neurons; enables vastly greater transmission speed as neural impulses hop from one node to the next. It is not fully developed until the age of 25 and is very important to behavior, movement, and thought.
Deterioration of the myelin sheath can lead to multiple sclerosis

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6
Q

Glial Cells

A

Cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons; they also play a role in learning, thinking, and memory

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7
Q

Action Potential

A

A neural impulse; A brief electrical charge that travels down an axon

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8
Q

Threshold

A

The level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse (-55 mV)
When excitatory signals outnumber inhibitory signals, the threshold has been reached and an action potential occurs

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9
Q

Refractory Period

A

In neural processing, a brief resting pause that occurs after a neuron has fired; subsequent action potentials cannot occur until the axon returns to its resting state

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10
Q

All-or-None Response

A

A neuron’s reaction of either firing (with a full-strength response) or not firing

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11
Q

Synapse

A

The junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron. The tiny gap at this junction is called the “synaptic gap” or “synaptic cleft”

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12
Q

Neurotransmitters

A

Chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons. When released by the sending neuron, neurotransmitters travel across the synapse and bind to receptor sites on the receiving neuron, thereby influencing whether that neuron will generate a neural impulse

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13
Q

Reuptake

A

A neurotransmitter’s reabsorption be the sending neuron

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14
Q

Acetylcholine (ACh)

A

Function: Enables muscle action, learning, and memory
Malfunction: Associated with Alzheimer’s disease or paralysis

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15
Q

Dopamine

A

Function: Movement, thought process, reward
Malfunction: Oversupply linked to schizophrenia, undersupply linked to Parkinson’s disease

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16
Q

Serotonin

A

Function: Affects mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal
Malfunction: Undersupply linked to depression and stress. Some drugs that raise serotonin levels are used to treat depression

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17
Q

Norepinephrine

A

Function: Physical arousal, learning, and memory
Malfunction: Undersupply can depress mood

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18
Q

GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)

A

Function: A major inhibitory neurotransmitter
Malfunction: Undersupply linked to seizures, tremors, anxiety disorders, and insomnia

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19
Q

Glutamate

A

Function: A major excitatory neurotransmitter; involved in memory
Malfunction: Oversupply can overstimulate the brain, producing migraines or seizures

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20
Q

Endorphins

A

“morphine within”- natural, opiate-like neurotransmitters linked to pain control and pleasure

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21
Q

Agonist

A

A molecule that increases a neurotransmitter’s action

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22
Q

Antagonist

A

A molecule that inhibits or blocks a neurotransmitter’s action

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23
Q

Nervous System

A

The body’s speedy, electrochemical communication network, consisting of all the nerve cells of the peripheral and central nervous systems

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24
Q

Central Nervous System (CNS)

A

The brain and spinal cord. It is the decision maker, responsible for coordinating incoming sensory messages and outgoing mmotor messages

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25
Q

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

A

The sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system to the rest of the body by gathering information from the senses and transmitting messages from the CNS

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26
Q

Nerves

A

Bundled axons that form neural cables connecting the central nervous system with muscles, glands, and organs

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27
Q

Sensory (afferent) neurons

A

Neurons that carry incoming information from the body’s tissues and sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord

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28
Q

Motor (efferent) neurons

A

Neurons that carry outgoing information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands

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29
Q

Interneurons

A

Neurons within the brain and spinal cord; they communicate internally and process information between the sensory inputs and motor outputs

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30
Q

Somatic Nervous System

A

The division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body’s skeletal muscles. Also called the skeletal nervous system

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31
Q

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

A

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

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32
Q

Sympathetic Nervous System

A

The division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy (accelerates heartbeat, raises blood pressure, slows digestion, etc…)

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33
Q

Parasympathetic Nervous System

A

The division of the. autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy (decelerates heartbeat, lowers blood pressure, stimulates digestion, etc…)

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34
Q

Reflex

A

A simple, automatic response to a sensory stimulus, such as the knee-jerk response

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35
Q

Endocrine System

A

The body’s “slow” chemical communication system; a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream

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36
Q

Hormones

A

Chemical messengers that are manufactured by the endocrine glands, travel through the bloodstream, and affect other tissues

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37
Q

Adrenal Glands

A

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

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38
Q

Pituitary Gland

A

The endocrine system’s most influential gland. Under the influence of the hypothalamus, the pituitary regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands. It is known as the “master gland.”
Secretes growth hormones and Oxytocin

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39
Q

Lesion

A

Tissue destruction. A brain lesion is a naturally or experimentally cause destruction of brain tissue

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40
Q

EEG

A

Description: 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
How it works: Electrodes are placed on the scalp to measure electrical activity in neurons

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41
Q

MEG

A

Description: A brain imaging technique that measures magnetic fields from the brain’s natural electrical activity
How it works: A head coil records magnetic fields from the brain’s natural electrical currents

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42
Q

CT scan

A

Description: 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 a CAT scan)
How it works: x-rays of the head generate images that may locate brain damage

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43
Q

PET

A

Description: A visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task. Shows activity
How it works: Tracks where a temporarily radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain of the person given it performs a given task

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44
Q

MRI

A

Description: A technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images of soft tissue. MRI scans show brain anatomy and are more detailed than CT scans
How it works: People sit or lie down in a chamber that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to provide a map of brain structure

45
Q

fMRI

A

Description: A technique for revealing bloodflow and, therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans. fMRI scans show brain function, structure, and damage
How it works: Measures bloodflow to brain regions by comparing continuous MRI scans

46
Q

Brainstem

A

The oldest part and central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull; the brainstem is responsible for automatic survival functions. A crossover point where most nerves to and from each side of the brain connect with the body’s opposite side

47
Q

Medulla

A

The base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing

48
Q

Thalamus

A

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 and medulla

49
Q

Reticular Formation

A

A nerve network that travels through the brainstem into the thalamus and plays an important role in controlling arousal and filtering sensory stimuli

50
Q

Cerebellum

A

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

51
Q

Limbic System

A

Neural system (including the amygdala, hypothalamus, and hippocampus) located below the cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions and drives

52
Q

Amygdala

A

Two lima-bean-sized neural clusters in the limbic system; linked to emotion (fear and anger)

53
Q

Hypothalamus

A

A neural structure lying below the thalamus; it directs several maintenance activities (eating, drinking, body temperature), helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion and reward

54
Q

Hippocampus

A

A neural cluster located in the limbic system wrapping around the thalamus; helps process for storage explicit (conscious) memories of facts and events

55
Q

Corpus Callosum

A

The large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them

56
Q

Pons

A

Helps coordinate movement and control sleep. Located in the brainstem above the medulla

57
Q

Spinal Cord

A

Pathway for neural fibers traveling to and from the brain; controls simple reflexes

58
Q

Cerebral Cortex

A

The intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering the cerebral hemispheres; The body’s ultimate control and information-processing center

59
Q

Optogenetics

A

A new tool that uses light to control the activity of individual neurons. This allows scientists to examine the biological bases of fear, small, memory, and various diseases.

60
Q

Default Network

A

A set of regions more active during passive tasks than tasks demanding focused external attention. Default networks support mind wandering and daydreaming.

61
Q

Diffusion Spectrum Imaging

A

A type of MRI technology that maps long-distance brain fiber connections

62
Q

Frontal Lobe

A

The portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead; involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgments

63
Q

Parietal Lobe

A

The portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back/middle of the head; includes areas that receive and process sensory input for touch and body position

64
Q

Temporal Lobe

A

The portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ear; includes the auditory areas, each receiving information primarily from the opposite ear

65
Q

Motor Cortex

A

An area at the rear of the frontal lobe that controls voluntary movements

66
Q

Somatosensory Cortex

A

An area at the front of the parietal lobe that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations

67
Q

Association Areas

A

Areas of the cerebral cortex that are not involved in primary motor or sensory functions; rather, they are involved in higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking

68
Q

Plasticity

A

The brain’s ability to change, especially during childhood, by reorganizing after damage or by building new pathways based on experience

69
Q

Neurogenesis

A

The formation of new neurons

70
Q

Split Brain

A

A condition resulting from surgery that isolates the brain’s two hemispheres by cutting the fibers (mainly those of the corpus callosum) connecting them. Cross-transference does not occur

71
Q

Consciousness

A

Our subjective awareness of ourselves and our environment. Helps us cope with novelty and act in out best interest

72
Q

Cognitive Neuroscience

A

The interdisciplinary study of the brain activity linked with cognition (including perception, thinking, memory, and language)

73
Q

Dual Processing

A

The principle that information is often simultaneously processed on separate conscious and unconscious tracks

74
Q

Blindsight

A

A condition in which a person can respond to a visual stimulus without consciously experiencing it

75
Q

Parallel Processing

A

Processing many aspects of a problem simultaneously; generally used to process well-learned information or solve easy problems

76
Q

Sequential Processing

A

Processing one aspect of a problem at a time; generally used to process new information or to solve difficult problems

77
Q

Polarization

A

The ressting state of the neuron, charge is more positive outside the membrane (Na+) and more negative inside (K-)

78
Q

Depolarization

A

The action potential; the rushing in and out of positively charged ions

79
Q

Repolarization

A

The refractory period; the closing of the membrane and reestablishing a more negative charge inside

80
Q

Brain

A

Comprised of the cortex and subcortical structures carrying out various functions. Nerves arranged into neural networks

81
Q

Oxytocin

A

Stimulates the uterine contractions of childbirth and milk secretion during breastfeeding; also promotes pair bonding, group cohesion and trust.

82
Q

Stimulation

A

Brain regions are stimulated electrically, chemically, or magnetically and researchers study the impact on functioning

83
Q

Occipital Lobe

A

A part of the brain lying at the back of the cerebral cortex that receives visual information, primarily from the opposite visual field

84
Q

Broca’s Area

A

Language center located in the left frontal lobe. Involved in expression and the production of language

85
Q

Wernicke’s Area

A

Language center located in the left temporal lobe. Involved in receptive language

86
Q

Left Hemisphere

A

Involved in speaking and language, math calculations, making literal interpretations, and controlling the right side of the body

87
Q

Right Hemisphere

A

Involved in perceptual tasks, making inferences, modulating speech, visual perception, recognition of emotion, and controlling the left side of the body

88
Q

Behavior Genetics

A

The study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior

89
Q

Heredity

A

The genetic transfer of characteristics from parent to offspring

90
Q

Environment

A

Every non-genetic influence, from prenatal nutrition to the people and things around us

91
Q

Chromosomes

A

Threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes. We have 46 total - 23 from your mom and 23 from your dad.

92
Q

DNA

A

A complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes

93
Q

Genes

A

The biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosomes; segments of DNA capable of synthesizing proteins

94
Q

Genome

A

The complete instructions for making an organism, consisting of all the genetic material in that organism’s chromosomes

95
Q

Identical (Monozygotic) Twins

A

Develop from a single fertilized egg that splits in two, creating two genetically identical organisms

96
Q

Fraternal (Dizygotic) Twins

A

Develop from separate fertilized eggs. They are genetically no closer than brothers and sisters, but they share a prenatal environment

97
Q

Heritability

A

The proportion of variation among individuals in a group that we can attribute to genes. The heritability of a trait may vary depending on the range of populations and environments studied

98
Q

Interaction

A

The interplay that occurs when the effect of one factor (such as environment) depends on another factor (such as heredity)

99
Q

Molecular Genetics

A

The subfield of biology that studies the molecular structure and function of genes

100
Q

Molecular Behavior Genetics

A

The study of how the structure and function of genes interact with our environment to influence behavior

101
Q

Epigenetics

A

“Above” or “in addition to” (epi) genetics; the study of environmental influences on gene expression that occur without a DNA change

102
Q

Evolutionary Psychology

A

The study of the evolution of behavior and the mind using principles of natural selection

103
Q

Natural Selection

A

The principle that inherited traits that better enable an organism to survive and reproduce in a particular environment will (in competition with other trait variations) most likely be passed on to succeeding generations

104
Q

Mutation

A

A random error in gene replication that leads to a change

105
Q

Social Script

A

A culturally modled guide for how to act in certain situations

106
Q

Males

A

May be more likely to initiate sexual activity. May perceive women’s friendliness for sexual interest.

107
Q

Females

A

Tendency toward tall men with slim waists and broad shoulders. May prefer men who are mature, dominant, and bold.

108
Q

Criticism and Responses of the Evolutionary Perspective on Sexuality

A
  1. Start with the effect and work backward to explain what happened.
  2. Try to explain today’s behavior with decisions made thousands of years ago.
  3. There are social consequences to accepting evolutionary explanations.

AP Psychology (16 decks)

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