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AP Psychology > Unit 2 > Flashcards

Unit 2 Flashcards

1
Q

localization of function

A

the idea that various brain regions have particular functions

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2
Q

neuron

A

a nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system

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3
Q

cell body

A

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

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4
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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5
Q

axon

A

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

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6
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

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7
Q

glial cells(glia)

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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8
Q

action potential

A

a neural impulses; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon

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9
Q

threshold

A

the level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse

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10
Q

refractory period

A

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

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11
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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12
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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13
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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14
Q

reuptake

A

a neurotransmitters reabsorption by the sending neuron

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15
Q

endorphins

A

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

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16
Q

agonist

A

a molecule that increases a neurotransmitter’s action

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17
Q

antagonist

A

a molecule that inhibits or blocks a neurotransmitter’s action

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18
Q

reflex arc

A

signal is sent from a sensory organ to the spinal cord, which processes the information instead of passing it on to the brain

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19
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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20
Q

central nervous system(CNS)

A

the brain and spinal cord

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21
Q

peripheral nervous system(PNS)

A

the sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system to the rest of the body

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22
Q

nerves

A

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

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23
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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24
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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25
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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26
Q

somatic nervous system

A

the division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body’s skeletal muscles

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27
Q

autonomic nervous system

A

the part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organs

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28
Q

sympathetic nervous system

A

the division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy

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29
Q

parasympathetic nervous system

A

the division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy

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30
Q

reflex

A

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

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31
Q

endocrine system

A

the body’s “slow” chemical communication system

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32
Q

hormones

A

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

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33
Q

adrenal glands

A

a pair of endocrine glands that sit just above the kidneys and secrete hormones that help arouse the body in times of stress

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34
Q

pituitary gland

A

the endocrine system’s most influential gold. Under the influence of the hypothalamus, the pituitary regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands

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35
Q

lesion

A

tissue destruction; a brain lesion is naturally or experimentally caused destruction of tissue

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36
Q

EEG(electroencephalogram)

A

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

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37
Q

MEG(magnetoencephalography)

A

a brain imaging technique that measures magnetic fields from the brain’s natural electrical activity

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38
Q

CT(computed tomography) scan

A

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

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39
Q

PET(positron emission tomography) scan

A

a visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task

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40
Q

MRI(magnetic resonance imaging)

A

a technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images of soft tissue; shows brain anatomy)

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41
Q

fMRI(functional MRI)

A

a technique for revealing blood flow and, therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans; shows brain function

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42
Q

limbic system

A

neural system located below the cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions and drives

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43
Q

amygdala

A

linked to emotion

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44
Q

hippocampus

A

linked to conscious memory

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45
Q

corpus callosum

A

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

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46
Q

thalamus

A

relays messages between lower brain centers and cerebral cortex

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47
Q

hypthalamus

A

controls maintenance functions such as eating; helps govern endocrine system; linked to emotion and reward

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48
Q

pituitary gland

A

master endocrine gland

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49
Q

reticular formation

A

helps control arousal

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50
Q

pons

A

helps coordinate movement and control sleep

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51
Q

medulla

A

controls heartbeat and breathing

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52
Q

spinal cord

A

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

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53
Q

cerebellum

A

coordinates voluntary movement and balance and supports learning and memories of such

54
Q

cerebral cortex

A

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

55
Q

brain stem

A

the oldest part and central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull; responsible for automatic survival functions

56
Q

scans that show anatomy

A

CT & MRI

57
Q

scans that show function

A

EEG, MEG, PET, fMRI

58
Q

frontal lobes

A

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

59
Q

parietal lobes

A

the portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head & toward the rear; receives sensory input for touch and body position

60
Q

somatosensory cortex

A

an area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations

61
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

62
Q

plasticity

A

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

63
Q

neurogenesis

A

the formation of new neurons

64
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 callous) connecting them

65
Q

consciousness

A

our subjective awareness of ourselves and our environment

66
Q

cognitive neuroscience

A

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

67
Q

dual processing

A

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

68
Q

blindsight

A

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

69
Q

parallel processing

A

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

70
Q

sequential processing

A

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

71
Q

behavior genetics

A

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

72
Q

hereditary

A

the genetic transfer of characteristics from parents to their offspring

73
Q

environment

A

every nongenetic influence, from prenatal nutrition to the people and things around us

74
Q

chromosomes

A

threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes

75
Q

DNA(deoxyribonucleic acid)

A

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

76
Q

genes

A

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

77
Q

identical(monozygotic) twins

A

develop from a singe fertilized egg that splits in two, creating two genetically identical organisms

78
Q

fraternal(dizygotic) twins

A

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

79
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.

80
Q

interaction

A

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

81
Q

molecular genetics

A

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

82
Q

molecular behavior genetics

A

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

83
Q

epigenetics

A

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

84
Q

genotype

A

set of genes we’re born with

85
Q

phenotype

A

set of traits that are expressed

86
Q

increased heritability=

A

decreased environmental variability

87
Q

decreased heritability=

A

increased environmental variability

88
Q

evolutionary psychology

A

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

89
Q

natural selection

A

the principles that inherited traits that netter enable an organism to survive and reproduce in a particular environment will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations

90
Q

mutation

A

a random error in gene replication that leads to a change

91
Q

social script

A

a culturally modeled guide for how to act in various situations

92
Q

sleep

A

a periodic, natural loss of consciousness- as distinct from unconsciousness resulting from a coma, general anesthesia, or hibernation

93
Q

circadian rhythm

A

our biological clock; regular bodily rhythms that occur on a 24-hour cycle

94
Q

REM sleep

A

rapid eye movement sleep; a recurring sleep stage during which vivid dreams commonly occur. Also know as paradoxical sleep, because the muscles are relaxed but other systems are active

95
Q

alpha waves

A

the relatively slow brain waves of a relaxed, awake state

96
Q

NREM sleep

A

non-rapid eye movement sleep; encompasses all sleep stages except for REM sleep

97
Q

hallucinations

A

false sensory experiences, such as seeing something in the absence of an external visual stimulus

98
Q

hypnagogic sensations

A

bizarre experiences such as jerking or a feeling of falling or floating weightlessly, while transitioning to sleep

99
Q

delta waves

A

the large, slow brain waves associated with the deep sleep of NREM-3

100
Q

suprachiasmatic nucleus(SCN)

A

a pair of cell clusters in the hypothalamus that controls circadian rhythm. In response to light, the SCN causes the pineal gland to adjust melatonin productions, thus modifying our feelings of sleepiness

101
Q

insomnia

A

recurring problems in falling or staying asleep

102
Q

narcolepsy

A

a sleep disorder characterized by uncontrollable sleep attacks. The sufferer may lapse directly into REM sleep, often at inopportune times

103
Q

sleep apnea

A

a sleep disorder characterized by temporary cessations of breathing during sleep and repeated momentary awakenings

104
Q

night terrors

A

a sleep disorder characterized by high arousal and an appearance of being terrified; unlike nightmares, night terrors occur during NREM-3 sleep, within two or three hours of falling asleep, and are seldom remembered

105
Q

dream

A

a sequence of images, emotions, and thoughts passing through a sleeping person’s mind

106
Q

manifest content

A

according to Freud, the symbolic, remembered story line of a dream(as distinct from its latent, or hidden content)

107
Q

latent content

A

according to freud, the underlying meaning of a dream(as distinct from its manifest content)

108
Q

REM rebound

A

the tendency for REM sleep to increase following REM sleep deprivation

109
Q

psychoactive drug

A

a chemical substance that alters perceptions and moods

110
Q

substance abuse disorder

A

a disorder characterized by continued substance craving and use despite significant life disruption and/or physical risk

111
Q

tolerance

A

the diminishing effect with regular use of the same dose of a drug, requiring the user to take larger and larger doses before experiencing he drug’s effect

112
Q

withdrawl

A

the discomfort and distress that follow discontinuing an addictive drug or behavior

113
Q

depressants

A

drugs(such as alcohol, barbiturates, and opiates) that reduce neural activity and slow body functions

114
Q

alcohol use disorder

A

alcoholism; alcohol use marked by tolerance, withdrawal, and a drive to continue problematic use

115
Q

barbiturates

A

drugs that depress central nervous system activity, reducing anxiety but impairing memory and judgement

116
Q

opiates

A

opium and its derivatives, such as morphine and heroin; depress neural activity, temporarily lessening pain and anxiety

117
Q

stimulants

A

drugs(such as caffeine, nicotine, and the more powerful cocaine, amphetamines, methamphetamine, and ecstasy) that excite neural activity and speed up brain functions

118
Q

nicotine

A

a stimulating and highly addictive psychoactive drug in tobacco

119
Q

cocaine

A

a powerful and addictive stimulant derived from the coca plant; produces temporarily increased alertness and euphoria

120
Q

amphetamines

A

drugs, such as methamphetamine, that stimulate neural activity, causing accelerated body functions and associated energy and mood changes

121
Q

methampetamine

A

a powerfully addictive drug that stimulates the central nervous system, with accelerated body functions and associated energy and mood changes; over time, appears to reduce baseline dopamine levels

122
Q

ecstasy(MDMA)

A

a synthetic stimulant and mild hallucinogen, but with short-term health risks and longer term harm to serotonin-producing neurons and to mood and cognition

123
Q

hallucinogens

A

psychedelic drugs, such as LSD, that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input

124
Q

near-death experience

A

an altered state of consciousness reported after a close brush with death; ofter similar to drug-induced hallucinations

125
Q

LSD

A

a powerful hallucinogenic drug; also known as acid

126
Q

THC

A

the major active ingredient in marijuana; triggers a variety of effects, including mild hallucinations

127
Q

consciousness

A

our subjective awareness of ourselves and our environment

128
Q

hypnosis

A

a social interaction in which one person suggests to another that certain perceptions, feelings, thoughts, or behaviors will spontaneously occur

129
Q

post hypnotic suggestion

A

a suggestion, made during a hypnosis session, to be carried out after the subject is no longer hypnotized; used by some clinicians to help control undesired symptoms and behaviors

130
Q

dissociation

A

a split in consciousness, which allows some thoughts and behaviors to occur simultaneously with others

AP Psychology (9 decks)

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