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psy 1003 > psy exam 2 chapter 3 > Flashcards

psy exam 2 chapter 3 Flashcards

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1
Q

Neurons

A

Special cells that receive, process, and transmit signals throughout the nervous system

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2
Q

Glia Cells

A

Non-neuronal cells in the nervous system that provide support and protection to neurons

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3
Q

(Neuron Structure) Dendrites:

A

Extension of the neuron that receive signals from other neurons or sensory receptors

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4
Q

(Neuron Structure) Soma:

A

Neuron main cell body, contains the nucleus and other organelles

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5
Q

(Neuron Structure) Axon:

A

A long, thin fiber that transmits signals away from the soma to other neurons, muscles, or glands.

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6
Q

(Neuron Structure) Myelin Sheath:

A

Fatty insulation layer around the axon the protects it and speeds up signal transmission

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7
Q

(Neuron Structure) Synapse:

A

The junction between the axon terminal of one neuron and the dendrite or soma of another neuron (neuron to neuron connection)

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8
Q

(Neuron Structure) Vesicles:

A

Small sacs in the axon terminal that store neurotransmitters

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9
Q

(Neuron Structure) Neurotransmitters:

A

Chemical messengers released from vesicles that cross the synapse and bind to receptors on the postsynaptic neuron

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10
Q

(Neuron Structure) Receptor Sites:

A

Proteins on the postsynaptic neuron that bind to neurotransmitters, initiating a response in the postsynaptic cell

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11
Q

Action Potential

A

A brief electrical signal that travels down the axon of a neuron. Its made when the neurons membrane potential reaches a certain threshold

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12
Q

All or Nothing Law

A

An Action Potential either happens fully or not at all. If the stimulus is strong enough to reach the threshold, an action potential of a fixed size will be made.

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13
Q

Post-Synaptic Potential (PSP)

A

A change in the membrane potential of the postsynaptic neuron caused by the binding of neurotransmitters to receptors. Happens after an action potential reaches the axon terminal of the presynaptic neuron, triggering the release of neurotransmitters.

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14
Q

Post-Synaptic Neuron

A

Neuron receiving the signal

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15
Q

Pre-Synaptic Neuron

A

Neuron sending the signal

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16
Q

Excitatory PSP (EPSP)

A

Depolarizes the postsynaptic neutron, making it more likely to fire an action potential

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17
Q

Inhibitory PSP (IPSP)

A

Hyperpolarizes the postsynaptic neuron, making it less likely to fire an action potential.

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18
Q

Acetylcholine

A

(Major Neurotransmitters)
Function: Muscle contraction, memory, learning
Disorders when lacking: Alzheimer’s Disease

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19
Q

Dopamine

A

(Major Neurotransmitters)
Function: Reward, motivation, movement, pleasure
Disorders when lacking: Parkinson disease, Schizophrenia, Addiction

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20
Q

Serotonin

A

(Major Neurotransmitters)
Function: Mood regulation, sleep, appetite
Disorders when lacking: Depression, anxiety

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21
Q

Norepinephrine

A

(Major Neurotransmitters)
Function: Alertness, arousal, stress response
Disorders when lacking: Depression, ADHD

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22
Q

GABA

A

(Major Neurotransmitters)
Function: Inhibition, Anxiety reduction
Disorders when lacking: Anxiety disorders, epilepsy

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23
Q

Glutamate

A

(Major Neurotransmitters)
Function: Excitation, learning, memory
Disorders when lacking: Epilepsy, Alzheimer’s, Schizophrenia

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24
Q

Endorphins

A

(Major Neurotransmitters)
Function: Pain relief, pleasure
Disorders when lacking: Chronic pain, addiction

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25
Central Nervous System
Consists of the brain and spinal cord. Responsible for processing information, making decision, and coordinating bodily functions.
26
Peripheral Nervous System
Consists of all the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. Connects the Central Nervous System to the rest of the body, carrying information to the CNS and motor commands from the CNS to muscles and organs.
27
Sympathetic Nervous System
Responsible for the "fight-or-flight" response, preparing the body for action in stressful situation. Increase heart rate, dilates pupils, and inhibits digestion.
28
Parasympathetic Nervous System
Responsible for the "rest-and-digest" response. Promotes relaxation and energy conservation. Slows heart rate, constricts pupils, and stimulates digestion.
29
Medulla
(Brain Parts) Controls vital functions like breathing, heart rate, and digestion.
30
Cerebellum
(Brain Parts) Coordinates movement, balance, and posture
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Thalamus
(Brain Parts) Relays sensory information to the cortex
32
Hypothalamus
(Brain Parts) Regulates body temp, hunger, thrist, and the endocrine system
33
Limbic System
(Brain Parts) Involved in emotions, memory, and motivation
34
Amygdala
(Brain Parts) Processes emotions, particularly fear and aggression.
35
Hippocampus
(Brain Parts) Crucial for memory formation and retrieval
36
Corpus Callosum
(Brain Parts) Connects the two hemispheres of the brain. Allowing them to communicate.
37
Brocas Area
(Brain Parts) Responsible for speech production
38
Wernicke's Area
Responsible for language comprehension
39
Frontal Lobe
(Cortex Lobes) Executive functions, planning, decision-making, personality
40
Parietal Lobe
(Cortex Lobes) Processes sensory information, spatial awareness
41
Temporal Lobe
(Cortex Lobes) Auditory processing, memory, emotion
42
Occipital Lobe
(Cortex Lobes) Visual Processing
43
Prefrontal Cortex
The most anterior part of the frontal lobe, involved in complex cognitives functions like planning, decision-making, and social behavior
44
Left Brain Hemisphere
Brain hemisphere that is generally dominant for language, logic, and analytical thinking.
45
Right Brain Hemisphere
Brain hemisphere that is generally dominant for spatial reasoning, creativity, and emotional processing.
46
Split-Brain Research
Involved studying individuals who had their corpus callosum severed. Outcomes: each hemisphere can function independently to some extent, but the are better at different things. Example: The left hemisphere may be able to name an object in the right visual field, but the right hemisphere may be able to draw the object or recognize it by touch.
47
Brain Plasticity
Refers to the brain's ability to change, adapt, and reorganize itself. Greatest during early childhood but continues throughout life. Allows the brain to adapt, learn new skills, and recover from injury.
48
Endocrine System
Network of glands that produce and secrete hormones into the bloodstream.
49
Hormones
Chemical messengers that travel through bloodstream to organs where they regulate bodily functions.
50
Pituitary Gland
The "Master Gland" of the endocrine system. Controls activity of many other glands in the system. Makes hormones that regulate growth, metabolism, reproduction, and stress response.
51
Behavioral Genetics
The study of the influence of genes and environment on behavior. Investigates how those two interact to create differences in behavior.
52
Research Methods used in Behavioral Genetics
Twin studies, adoption, studies, and family studies.
53
Evolutionary Psychology
Examines behavior in terms of how it adapts for survival and reproduction.
54
Charles Darwin
Thought that evolution occurs through natural selection.
55
Fitness
An organism's ability to survive and reproduce
56
Natural Selection
The process where individuals with traits that increase their fitness are more likely to survive, leading to the evolution of those traits in a population.
57
Adaptations
Traits that have evolved through natural selection because they increase an organism's fitness
58
Examples of Behavioral Adaptations
Fear of snakes and spiders, helped our ancestors avoid predators Mate preferences, evolved to increase the likelihood of successful reproduction Showing selfless concern for kin, evolved to increase the survival of relatives who share our genes
59
Image of Women Contrast Study
Male participants were shown slides of either highly attractive women or no images(control group) Afterward, both groups rated the attractiveness of an average-looking woman. Men exposed to the attractive images rated the average woman much less attractive relative to the control group.
60
Extrapolation
Process of extending a trend or pattern beyond known data to make predictions about the unknown
61
Examples of Over-Extrapolation
Assuming that a stock that has been increasing in value will continue to do so indefinitely Believing that a single study showing a positive effect of a certain intervention means it will show positive effects for everyone
62
Mozart Effect
Classic example of over-extrapolation. A study found the listening to classical music briefly improved spatial reasoning performance in college students. Led to belief that making babies listen to classical music made them smarter. Subsequent research failed to replicate original findings
63
Research Findings on over-extrapolation
Extrapolation can be useful but should be done cautiously
64
Does more synapses equate to higher intelligence?
No, it does not, research shows learning involves pruning unused connections. Quality over quantity.
65
Phantom Limb Syndrome
[Media Assignment] Condition where patient feels pain in a missing limb
66
Mirror box technique
[Media Assignment] Dr. R’s solution for the amputees pain
67
Blindsight
[Media Assignment] Graham's condition (where a blind person can see motion)
68
Amygdala
[Media Assignment] Called the gateway to the emotional centers
69
Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
[Media Assignment] John’s condition (where he experiences intense religious experiences)

psy 1003 (5 decks)

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