AP Psychology Chapter 2 Biological Psychology

Question 1

cells that process incoming signals and respond by sending out signals of their own

Answer 1

Neurons

Question 2

cells that aid in the transferring of a signal, help keep the basic structure of the nervous system intact, and provide nourishment to neurons

Answer 2

Glial Cells

Question 3

branch-like structures that receive information from adjacent neurons

Answer 3

dendrites

Question 4

the centerpiece of a neuron that contains information (DNA) that determine how a neuron will function.

Answer 4

Nucleus

Question 5

The cell body of the nucleus that produces neurotransmitter substances and helps protect the vital information contained in the nucleus.

Answer 5

Soma

Question 6

a gatekeeper-like structure that determines whether information will proceed down the neuron.

Answer 6

Axon Hillock

Question 7

The neural fiber that transmits or send information from the soma to the other end of the neuron.

Answer 7

Axon

Question 8

a fatty tissue substance that protects information stored inside the axon

Answer 8

Myelin

Question 9

gaps between sections of myelin that speed up the process of transmission

Answer 9

Nodes of Ranvier

Question 10

the ending part of the neuron that releases information

Answer 10

Axon terminal/buttons

Question 11

the space between the axon terminal of one neuron and the dendrites of an adjacent neuron

Answer 11

synapse/synaptic cleft

Question 12

chemicals that transfer information from one neuron to another.

Answer 12

Neurotransmitters

Question 13

an area on the dendrite that accepts neurotransmitters.

Answer 13

Receptor Site

Question 14

an area on the dendrite that returns unused neurotransmitters, where they wait until another signal allows them to reenter the synapse.

Answer 14

Reuptake Centers

Question 15

neurons that transmit information from the spinal cord to the brain.

Answer 15

Afferent (sensory) neurons

Question 16

neurons that transmit information from the brain to muscles and glands

Answer 16

Efferent (motor) neurons

Question 17

Negatively charged chloride ions exist with the axon, resulting in a negative charge

Answer 17

Polarization

Question 18

Negatively charged ions wait for stimulation within the axon. The neuron is said to be inactive and is waiting for another increase in electrical charge.

Answer 18

Resting Potential

Question 19

When stimulated, the channels along the axon allow positively charged sodium, which is on the outside of a resting neuron, and potassium ions to enter. This causes subsequent sodium and potassium channels to open, thus propelling the electrochemical process down the axon.

Answer 19

Depolarization

Question 20

A change in the balance of the overall charge of the neuron causes the electrochemical signal to travel (it is fired) along the axon.

Answer 20

Action Potential

Question 21

A point of excitation on the neuron that must be reached for an action potential to occur.

Answer 21

Threshold

Question 22

Once the threshold is reached the neuron will fire at full strength. If the threshold is not reached, the neuron will not fire.

Answer 22

All-or-none Principle

Question 23

The period after a neuron fires, at which time it is less susceptible to stimulation from other neurons. The neuron must recharge itself electrically until it reaches polarization. Once this occurs, the neuron is ready to fire again. This only takes a fraction of a second in the nervous system, as opposed to the endocrine system which is much slower.

Answer 23

Refractory Period

Question 24

Function: Memory, mood, voluntary muscle movement
Excess: Convulsions or excess shaking
Deficiency: Alzheimer’s disease, paralysis

Answer 24

Acetylcholine

Question 25

Function: Feelings of euphoria (reward), movement Excess: Schizophrenia Deficiency: Parkinson's disease

Answer 25

Dopamine

Question 26

Function: Mood, appetite, impulsiveness Excess: Tremors, headaches Deficiency: Depression, eating disorders, alcoholism, aggression.

Answer 26

Serotonin

Question 27

Function: Mood, sleep, movement Excess: Lethargy Deficiency: Anxiety disorders, Huntington's disease

Answer 27

GABA

Question 28

Function: Alertness, sleep, learning Excess: Fear, anxiety Deficiency: Depression

Answer 28

Norepinephrine

Question 29

Function: Memory Excess: Brain damage due to overstimulation Deficiency: Neurological disorders

Answer 29

Glutamate

Question 30

System responsible for processing and distributing information throughout the body.

Answer 30

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Question 31

Responsible for cognitive functioning

Answer 31

Brain

Question 32

Responsible for transmitting information throughout the body.

Answer 32

Spinal Cord

Question 33

System responsible for voluntary movement and regulation of vital processes.

Answer 33

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Question 34

System responsible for voluntary movement and contains afferent and efferent nerve fibers.

Answer 34

Somatic Nervous System

Question 35

Automatic regulation of vital human functioning (breathing, digestion, heartbeat, etc.)

Answer 35

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

Question 36

Spends reserved energy

Answer 36

Sympathetic Nervous System

Question 37

Restores and repairs spent energy

Answer 37

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Question 38

the tendency for one hemisphere to excel in the performance of certain tasks.

Answer 38

Laterization

Question 39

the neural tissue/fiber that connects the two halves of the brain.

Answer 39

Corpus Callosum

Question 40

areas of the brain that receive and combine information from multiple sources allowing for the performance of complicated tasks.

Answer 40

Association Areas

Question 41

Areas of the brain that are specialized in the production of certain tasks.

Answer 41

Functional Areas

Question 42

Located just behind the forehead and the largest of the four lobes. Responsible for controlling inhibitions, short-term memory, reasoning, and planning for the future. Damage to this are of the brain may result in the person being impulsive or profane, experiencing difficulty making decisions, and having trouble planning for future events.

Answer 42

Frontal Lobe

Question 43

Responsible for receiving and combining tactile stimuli from all over the body to allow the formation of a single concept Damage to this area may result in an inability to integrate sensations normally.

Answer 43

Parietal Lobe

Question 44

Responsible for processing visual stimuli, as well as maintaining balance Damage to this area of the brain may result in an inability to perceive movement, identify colors, and read or write words.

Answer 44

Occipital Lobe

Question 45

Responsible for processing auditory stimuli. Damage to this area of the brain may result in an inability to under spoken words and possible difficulty in the formation of memories.

Answer 45

Temporal Lobe

Question 46

Responsible for transforming spoken words into thoughts. Damage can cause aphasia, inability to understand speech. Those who suffer may have trouble understanding the words they say, making their speech long and incoherent.

Answer 46

Wernicke's Area

Question 47

Responsible for transferring thoughts into audible spoken words. Damage can result in Broca's aphasia, an inability to speak coherently. Those who suffer with this have difficulty expressing their thoughts into actual words.

Answer 47

Broca's Area

Question 48

Responsible for voluntary movements of the body; located in the back of the frontal lobe. Damage to this area of the brain can result in an inability to voluntarily move the body.

Answer 48

Motor Cortex

Question 49

Responsible for receiving sensory information; located at the front of the parietal lobe and adjacent to the motor cortex. Damage to this area of the brain can result in the loss of sensation from stimuli.

Answer 49

Somatosensory Cortex

Question 50

Considered the most primitive part of the brain, and is responsible for our basic life functioning (heartbeat, digestion, arousal, and balance/coordination)

Answer 50

Hindbrain

Question 51

Transmits signals from the hindbrain to the forebrain and helps process information relating to our sense.

Answer 51

Midbrain

Question 52

The last part of the brain to form, is the most complex part. It includes the brain structures that help regulate emotions, hunger levels, formation of long-term memories, growth hormones, and sense of smell.

Answer 52

Forebrain

Question 53

In the hindbrain Automatically controls basic life support functions (respiration, digestion, heartbeat, and blood pressure)

Answer 53

Medulla Oblongata

Question 54

In the Hindbrain Relays information between the cerebellum and the cerebrum (brain); helps control autonomic functions such as sleeping and dreaming

Answer 54

Pons

Question 55

In the Hindbrain Regulates alertness and arousal levels; damaging this area results in a coma

Answer 55

Reticular Formation

Question 56

Aids in balance and coordination of movement

Answer 56

Cerebellum

Question 57

Lower part of the brain that connects to the spinal cord to send and receive information.

Answer 57

Brain Stem

Question 58

In the Midbrain Controls smooth body movements

Answer 58

Striatum

Question 59

In the Forebrain Serves as a switchboard that relates information to the appropriate area of the brain for procession; doesn't not process the sense of smell.

Answer 59

Thalamus

Question 60

In the Forebrain Regulates hunger, thirst, the fight or flight response, sex drive, and body temperature; maintains homeostasis.

Answer 60

Hypothalamus

Question 61

Associated with fear and aggression; if removed, the subject will not experience fear or aggression.

Answer 61

Amygdala

Question 62

Controls the formation of new explicit memories; has the largest concentration of acetylcholine.

Answer 62

Hippocampus

Question 63

Structure that transmits smell from the nose to the brain bypassing the thalamus.

Answer 63

Olfactory Bulb

Question 64

Known as the "master gland" responsible for the production and distribution of hormones throughout the body.

Answer 64

Pituitary Gland

Question 65

Uses electrodes that are placed on the scalp to measure the brain's electrical activity. Can quickly measure changes in brain activity. Poor spatial resolution and has no ability to measure activity deep within the brain.

Answer 65

Electroencephalograph (EEG)

Question 66

produces two-dimensional image based on X-rays taken around a single axis. Gives in side view of the structures within the brain. It allows psychologists to view possible abnormalities that may exist but were undetectable by EEG. Does not allow the researcher to view the mental processes of the brain--essential to cognitive and experimental psychologists.

Answer 66

Computed Tomography (CT or CAT) Scan

Question 67

Provides a more detailed vies of the soft tissue found in the brain by using a large magnetic field to reconstruct the image within the body/brain. it does not use X-rays to produce an image and it provides a greater contrast within an image. It exposes the body to a strong magnetic field and it is unable to show what ares of the brain are active during a particular task.

Answer 67

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Question 68

Measures the structure and function of neural activity within the brain. Shows the area of the brain associated with cognitive functioning, as measured by blood flow. Does not accurately show the working of neural networks, which are the basis of thinking.

Answer 68

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)

Question 69

The connection and functioning of neurons

Answer 69

Neural Networks

Question 70

Use radioactive liquid to measure metabolic and glucose processing. Produces a three-dimensional view of the human body's or brain's metabolic processing of glucose. Shows the areas that are active during cognitive functioning. Does not show how neural networks process information, includes possible risks associated with injecting radioactive material into the bloodstream, do not provide the level of detail of MRIs, and do not show real-time brain activity, as an EEG does.

Answer 70

Positive Emission Tomography (PET) Scan

Question 71

Briefly excites neural activity, possibly causing neurons to become inactive temporarily due to overstimulation. Used to find which area of the brain is responsible for cognitive functioning. The overstimulation will cause the area of the brain to become inactive, if the subject is unable to complete a certain task, one can assume the inactive area is responsible for the task. Brief pain of discomfort at the region of the scalp exposed, possible onset of a seizure, especially for subjects with epilepsy.

Answer 71

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Scan

Question 72

Chemical signals carried through the bloodstream

Answer 72

Hormones

Question 73

Produces melatonin As melatonin levels rise, a person becomes more tired. Hormone levels should increase as darkness (nighttime) sets in.

Answer 73

Pineal Gland

Question 74

In the Neck; u-shaped, wraps around Adam's apple. Produces Thyroxin Metabolizes food to produce energy.

Answer 74

Thyroid Gland

Question 75

Above Kidneys Produces adrenalin, cortisol, and dopamine Used for alertness levels, regulating stress, and preparing body for fight or flight response

Answer 75

Adrenal Gland

Question 76

Located in lower torso Produces testosterone, estrogen Found in males in the testes. Responsible for production of sperm and male sex hormones. Found in females in the uterus and ovaries. Responsible for female sex characteristics.

Answer 76

Reproductive Glands

Question 77

Hormone Regulates a person's height

Answer 77

Growth Hormones

Question 78

Hormone Natural pain killer produced by body

Answer 78

Endorphins

Question 79

Hormone Stimulates production of breast milk

Answer 79

Prolactin

Question 80

Hormone Regulates sleep

Answer 80

Melatonin

Question 81

Hormone Controls basal metabolic rate of BMR

Answer 81

Thyroxin

Question 82

Hormone Boosts supply of oxygen to brain and muscles.

Answer 82

Adrenalin

Question 83

Hormone Released in response to stress, acts as a stress fighter

Answer 83

Cortisol

Question 84

Hormone Acts as both a neurotransmitter and a hormone, depending on where it is released; increases blood pressure.

Answer 84

Dopamine

Question 85

Hormone Increases size of muscles, growth of secondary sex characteristics, increased bone density.

Answer 85

Testosterone

Question 86

Hormone Growth of secondary sex characteristics, reduces muscle mass, increases height.

Answer 86

Estrogen

Question 87

The removal of tissue

Answer 87

Ablation

Question 88

Tissue damage resulting from disease

Answer 88

Lesion

Question 89

Changes that occur in the brain due to environmental factors

Answer 89

Plasticity

Question 90

Identified area in LEFT frontal lobe responsible for speech production

Answer 90

Paul Broca

Question 91

Furthered Broca's work, and demonstrated a separate area for language comprehension in left temporal lobe.

Answer 91

Carl Wernicke

Question 92

Identified the corpus callosum as an important structure connecting the brain's two hemisphere.

Answer 92

Konstantin Bykov

Question 93

Identified unique functions of each hemisphere by "splitting" brains of lab animals and later studying humans

Answer 93

Roger Sperry

Question 94

Worked with Sperry to learn about the special function of each hemishpere

Answer 94

Mike Gazzaniga

Question 95

motor movement and implicit memories including procedural memories

Answer 95

Basal Ganglia

Question 96

Voluntary movement, balance, implicit memories including classically conditioned responses.

Answer 96

Cerebellum

Question 97

In Spinal Cord: swift reflexes In Brain: cognitive functions

Answer 97

Interneurons

Question 98

Immune system attacks myelin of neurons in central nervous system; impacts thinking, mood, mobility.

Answer 98

Multiple Sclerosis

Question 99

Neuron transmitting an impulse

Answer 99

Presynaptic Neuron

Question 100

The receiving neuron after one transmits an impulse

Answer 100

Postsynaptic Neuron

Question 101

Increases the chance that the next neuron in the chain will "fire"

Answer 101

Excitatory Neuron

Question 102

Decrease the chance that the neuron in the chain will "fire", "brakes" of the nervous system.

Answer 102

Inhibitory Neurons

Question 103

Substances that mimic a neurotransmitter or block its reuptake. It can mimic the neurotransmitters at the receptor site and bind to the receptor sites, or it can blithe the reuptake channels so it keeps neurotransmitters in the synapse for a little longer.

Answer 103

Agonists

Question 104

Substances that block the actions of a neurotransmitter.

Answer 104

Antagonists

Question 105

Slows neural activity

Answer 105

Depressants

Question 106

Increase neural activity

Answer 106

Stimulants

Question 107

Increase activity on dopamine receptors

Answer 107

Hallucigens

Question 108

The birth of new neurons

Answer 108

Neurogenesis

Question 109

Our lifelong ability to recognize our neural pathways in response to learning or to brain damage.

Answer 109

Neuroplasticity