AP Psych Unit 1 Flashcards - Sheet1

Question 1

Dendrites

Answer 1

Rootlike parts of the cell that stretch out from the cell body and grow to make synaptic connections with other neurons.

Question 2

Cell body (Soma)

Answer 2

Contains the nucleus and other parts of the cell needed to sustain its life.

Question 3

Axon

Answer 3

Wirelike structure ending in the terminal buttons that extends from the cell body.

Question 4

Myelin Sheath

Answer 4

A fatty covering around the axon of some neurons that speeds neural impulses.

Question 5

Terminal Buttons

Answer 5

The branched end of the axon that contain neurotransmitters.

Question 6

Neurotransmitters

Answer 6

Chemicals contained in terminal buttons that enable neurons to communicate.

Question 7

Synapse

Answer 7

The space between the terminal buttons of one neuron and the dendrites of the next neuron.

Question 8

Threshold

Answer 8

The level of neurotransmitters required to be received for a neuron to become permeable, allowing positive ions to rush in and change the charge.

Question 9

Action Potential

Answer 9

The change in charge that spreads down the length of a neuron like a bullet from a gun when enough neurotransmitters are received.

Question 10

All-or-none Principle

Answer 10

A neuron either fires completely or it does not fire.

Question 11

Neural Firing

Answer 11

An electrochemical process; electricity travels within the cell, and chemicals (neurotransmitters) travel between cells in the synapse.

Question 12

Excitatory Neurotransmitters

Answer 12

Neurotransmitters that excite the next cell into firing.

Question 13

Inhibitory Neurotransmitters

Answer 13

Neurotransmitters that inhibit the next cell from firing.

Question 14

Acetylcholine

Answer 14

A neurotransmitter involved in muscle movement. Lack of acetylcholine is associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

Question 15

Dopamine

Answer 15

A neurotransmitter involved in motor movement and alertness. Lack of dopamine is associated with Parkinson’s disease; an overabundance is linked to schizophrenia.

Question 16

Endorphins

Answer 16

Neurotransmitters involved in pain control and addiction.

Question 17

Serotonin

Answer 17

A neurotransmitter involved in mood control. Lack of serotonin is associated with clinical depression.

Question 18

GABA

Answer 18

An important inhibitory neurotransmitter. Associated with seizures and sleep problems.

Question 19

Glutamate

Answer 19

An excitatory neurotransmitter involved in memory. Associated with migraines and seizures.

Question 20

Norepinephrine

Answer 20

A neurotransmitter involved in alertness and arousal. Associated with depression.

Question 21

Afferent Neurons

Answer 21

Sensory neurons that take information from the senses to the brain.

Question 22

Interneurons

Answer 22

Neurons that take messages from afferent neurons and send them elsewhere in the brain or to efferent neurons.

Question 23

Efferent Neurons

Answer 23

Motor neurons that take information from the brain to the rest of the body.

Question 24

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Answer 24

Consists of the brain and spinal cord.

Question 25

Spinal Cord

Answer 25

A bundle of nerves that runs through the center of the spine and transmits information from the body to the brain.

Question 26

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Answer 26

Consists of all the nerves in the body not encased in bone.

Question 27

Somatic Nervous System

Answer 27

Controls voluntary muscle movements.

Question 28

Autonomic Nervous System

Answer 28

Controls automatic functions of the body such as breathing, heart rate, and digestion.

Question 29

Sympathetic Nervous System

Answer 29

Mobilizes our body to respond to stress.

Question 30

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Answer 30

Responsible for slowing down our body after a stress response.

Question 31

Reflexes

Answer 31

Specific, inborn, automatic responses to certain stimuli.

Question 32

Accidents

Answer 32

Studying accidental brain damage can provide insights into brain function.

Question 33

Lesions

Answer 33

The removal or destruction of brain tissue; researchers study the effects on function.

Question 34

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

Answer 34

Measures brain waves.

Question 35

CAT/CT Scan

Answer 35

Uses X-rays to create 3D images of the brain.

Question 36

MRI Scan

Answer 36

Uses magnetic fields to create detailed images of brain structure.

Question 37

PET Scan

Answer 37

Measures brain activity by detecting radioactive glucose.

Question 38

fMRI

Answer 38

Combines elements of MRI and PET scans to show brain activity in detail.

Question 39

Hindbrain

Answer 39

Controls basic biological functions that keep us alive.

Question 40

Medulla

Answer 40

Controls blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing. Located above spinal cord

Question 41

Pons

Answer 41

Connects forebrain and midbrain with hindbrain. Also controls facial expressions.

Question 42

Cerebellum

Answer 42

Coordinates habitual muscle movements. Smaller brain in bottom rear of brain.

Question 43

Midbrain

Answer 43

Integrates sensory information and muscle movements.

Question 44

Reticular Formation

Answer 44

Controls arousal and attention.

Question 45

Forebrain

Answer 45

Controls thought and reason.

Question 46

Thalamus

Answer 46

Receives sensory signals and sends them to appropriate forebrain areas.

Question 47

Hypothalamus

Answer 47

Controls metabolic functions like temperature, hunger, and the endocrine system.

Question 48

Amygdala

Answer 48

Involved in fear and emotions.

Question 49

Hippocampus

Answer 49

Vital to memory processing.

Question 50

Limbic System

Answer 50

Includes the thalamus, hypothalamus, amygdala, and hippocampus; deals with emotion and memory.

Question 51

Cerebral Cortex

Answer 51

The brain's outer layer, divided into two hemispheres.

Question 52

Contralateral Control

Answer 52

Each hemisphere controls the opposite side of the body.

Question 53

Corpus Callosum

Answer 53

The nerve bundle connecting the hemispheres.

Question 54

Split-brain Patients

Answer 54

Patients with severed corpus callosum to treat epilepsy.

Question 55

Frontal Lobes

Answer 55

Responsible for higher-level thinking and planning.

Question 56

Broca's Area

Answer 56

Controls muscles involved in speech.

Question 57

Parietal Lobes

Answer 57

Processes sensory information.

Question 58

Occipital Lobes

Answer 58

Processes visual information.

Question 59

Temporal Lobes

Answer 59

Processes auditory information.

Question 60

Wernicke's Area

Answer 60

Interprets speech and written language.

Question 61

Brain Plasticity

Answer 61

The brain's ability to adapt to experience.

Question 62

Endocrine System

Answer 62

System of glands that secrete hormones.

Question 63

Adrenal Glands

Answer 63

Produce adrenaline for the fight-or-flight response.

Question 64

Chromosomes

Answer 64

Structures containing genetic material.

Question 65

DNA

Answer 65

The genetic material making up chromosomes.

Question 66

Genes

Answer 66

Segments of DNA controlling protein production.

Question 67

Dominant Gene

Answer 67

A gene expressed if present.

Question 68

Recessive Gene

Answer 68

A gene expressed only if two copies are present.

Question 69

Monozygotic Twins

Answer 69

Identical twins from one zygote.

Question 70

Roger Sperry

Answer 70

Pioneered split-brain research.

Question 71

Michael Gazzaniga

Answer 71

Studied split-brain patients.

Question 72

Paul Broca

Answer 72

Discovered the speech-production area.

Question 73

Carl Wernicke

Answer 73

Discovered the speech-interpretation area.

Question 74

Thomas Bouchard

Answer 74

Studied identical twins separated at birth.