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AP Psychology Biological Basis Of Behaviors Pt 1 Myers
Covers Biological Basis Of Behavior vocabulary and graphs from the new AP Psychology textbook
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11th Grade
11/05/2024

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Term
Neuron
Definition
A nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system
Term
cell body
Definition
the part of a neuron that contains the nucleus; the cell's life support center
Term
dendrites
Definition
a neuron's often bushy, branching extensions that receive and integrate messages, conducting impulses towards the cell body
Term
Axon
Definition
the segmented neuron extension that passes messages through its branches to other neurons or other muscles or glands
Term
myelin sheath
Definition
a fatty tissue layer segmentally encasing the axons of some neurons; It enables vastly greater transmission speed as neural impulses hop from one node to the next
Term
glial cells (glia)
Definition
cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons. They may also play a role in thinking, learning, and memory.
Term
action potential
Definition
A neural impulse; A brief electrical charge that travels down the axon
Term
Threshold
Definition
The level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse.
Term
Refractory Period
Definition
in neural processing, a brief resting pause that occurs after a neuron has fired; subsequent action potentials cannot occur until the axon returns to it's resting state
Term
all-or-none response
Definition
a neuron's reaction of either firing (with a full strength response) or not firing.
Term
synapse
Definition
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 cliff.
Term
neurotransmitters
Definition
Chemical messengers that cross the snyaptic gap between neurons. When released by the sending neuron, neurotransmitters travel across the synapse and bind to receptor sites on the receiving neuron, thereby influencing wether that neuron will generate a neural impulse.
Term
reuptake
Definition
a neurotransmitter's reabsorption by a sending neuron
Term
Receptor sites
Definition
Where neurotransmitters bind on the receiving neuron
Term
Acetylcholine (ACh)
Definition
Neurotransmitter that enables muscle action, learning and memory. Ex of malfunction: With Alzheimer's disease, ACh producing neurons deteriorate.
Term
Dopamine
Definition
Neurotransmitter that influences movement , learning, attention, and emotion. Ex. of malfunction: Oversupply linked to schizophrenia. Undersupply linked to tremors and decreased mobility in Parkinson's disease
Term
Serotonin
Definition
Neurotransmitter that affects mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal. Ex. of Malfunction: Undersupply linked to depression.
Term
Norepinephrine
Definition
Neurotransmitter linked to controlling alertness + arousal. Ex. of malfunction: Undersupply can depress mood
Term
GABA (Gamma Aminobutyric Acid)
Definition
Major inhibitory Neurotransmitter known for calming the body. Ex. of Malfunction: Undersupply linked to insomnia, tremors, and seizures
Term
Glutamine
Definition
A major excitatory neurotransmitter involved in memory. Ex. of Malfunction:Oversupply can overstimulate the brain, leading to migraines or seizures
Term
Endorphines
Definition
Neurotransmitters that influence the perception of pain and pleasure. Oversupply with opiate drugs can supress the body's natural supply
Term
Substance P
Definition
Involved in pain perception and memory. Ex. Of malfunction: Oversupply can lead to chronic pain.
Term
Agonist
Definition
A molecule that increases a neurotransmitter's action by either increasing production or release of neurotransmitters, or by blocking synaptic uptake, or even by mimicking the neurotransmitter and binding to it's receptor.
Term
Antagonist
Definition
A molecule that inhibits or blocks a neurotransmitter's action by blocking production or release, or by blocking the recptor site but not activating it
Term
Endocrine system
Definition
the body's "slow" chemical communication system: a set of glands and fat tissue that secrete hormones into the bloodstream.
Term
hormones
Definition
chemical messengers that are manufactured by the endocrine glands, travel through the bloodstream and affect other tissues
Term
Pituitary Gland
Definition
Most influential endocrine gland that controls growth hormones, sends messages to other parts of the endocrine system. Controlled itself by the hypothalumus.
Term
psychoactive drug
Definition
a chemical substance that alters the brain, causing changes in perception and mood.
Term
substance use disorder
Definition
a disorder characterized by the continued use of a substance despite resulting life disruption
Term
Depressants
Definition
Drugs such as alcohol, barbiturates(tranquilizers), and opioids that calm the nervous system
Term
Alcohol
Definition
A depressant and a disinhibitor that slows neural processing, disrupts memory, and reduces self-awareness,
Term
Barbiturates (Tranquilizers)
Definition
Depressant that is sometimes prescribed to induce sleep or reduce anxiety. In larger doses, can impair memory and judgement
Term
Opioids
Definition
Depress neural functioning, includes heroin, methadone, and narcotics. After repeated use, the brain stops producing it's own endorphins
Term
Stimulants
Definition
Drugs that excite neural activity and seed up body functions
Term
Nicotine
Definition
Highly addictive stimulant that over the short term calms anxiety, boosts mental efficiency, and reduces sensitivity to pain. Found in tobacco products
Term
Cocaine
Definition
powerfully addictive stimulant. Enters the bloodstream quickly and produces a rush of euphoria. Within the hour, the user crashes. Powerfully stimulates the brain's reward pathways.
Term
Methamphetamine
Definition
Triggers the release of the neurotransmitter dopamine, stimulating brain cells that enhance energy and mod for around 8 hours. Overtime use reduces baseline dopamine levels in users
Term
Ecstasy
Definition
Stimulant and mild hallucinogen.
Term
LSD
Definition
Hallucinogen that causes a range of emotions that vary based on user's mood and expectations. Also causes intense visual and auditory hallucinations.
Term
Marijuana
Definition
Hallucinogen that relaxes and disinhibits while also amplifying senses and distorting time.
Term
Tolerance
Definition
When a user of a drug needs more and more to achieve the same effect
Term
Withdrawal
Definition
Unpleasant mental or physical symptoms when discontinuing a drug
Term
Addiction
Definition
psychological or physical dependance on a drug
Term
Biological influences
Definition
Looks at link between biological factors and the resulting behavior or mental process. Includes genetic predispositions, genetic mutations, natural selection's influence, and epigenetics
Term
Psychological Influences
Definition
Looks at link between psychological influences and the resulting behavior or mental process. Includes learned fears/responses, emotional responses, and cognitive processing and perceptual interpretations
Term
Social-Cultural Infleunces
Definition
Looks at link between social-cultural influences and the resulting behavior or mental process. Includes presence of others, cultural, societal, and family expectations, peer/group influences, and compelling models (Ex. The media)
Term
Biopsychosocial Approach to psychology
Definition
integrates three levels of analysis into one(biological, psychological, and socio-cultural)
Term
Neuroplasticity
Definition
The brain's ability to change and adapt, especially during childhood, by repairing or building new pathways
Term
lesion
Definition
tissue destruction. Brain lesions can occur from disease, surgery, or experimentally.
Term
EEG
Definition
an amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity sweeping across the brain's surface measured by electrodes placed on the scalp.
Term
MEG scan
Definition
a brain imaging technique by isolating and measuring the brain's natural magnetic waves
Term
CT scan
Definition
takes X-ray photographs to measure brain structure
Term
PET scan
Definition
detects brain activity by displays where a radioactive form of glucose goes in the brain when preforming a certain task
Term
MRI
Definition
uses magnetic fields and radiowaves to show brain structure
Term
fMRI scan
Definition
Reveals blood flow in the brain by comparing various MRI scans, thereby showing brain structure and function
Term
Brain Stem
Definition
central innermost core of the brain Responsible for automatic survival functions. Crossover point for nerves to and from the body
Term
Medulla
Definition
The slight swelling part of the spinal cord as it enters the skull at the base of the brainstem that controls breathing and heartbeat
Term
Pons
Definition
Area of the brainstem right above the medulla that helps coordinate movements and control sleep
Term
Thalamus
Definition
Right above the brainstem, acts as the brain's sensory control center/hub . Receives all senses except smell, and routes that to the other respective brain regions. Also receives some of the replies from those regions, which it directs to the medulla and cerebellum.
Term
The Reticular Formation
Definition
Nerve network that extends from the spinal cord through the thalamus. Filters some of the brainstem's incoming information and routes important info to other brain areas. Also controls arousal/ our state of alertness.
Term
The Cerebellum
Definition
At the rear of the brainstem. Processes sensory input, coordinate movement output and balance, and enabling nonverbal learning and memory.
Term
Limbic System
Definition
Neural system located mostly in the forebrain (below the cerebral hemispheres) that includes the amygdala, hypothalamus, hippocampus, thalamus, and pituitary gland. It is assosiated with emotions and drives
Term
Amygdala
Definition
Neural clusters in the limbic system linked to emotion, fear, and rage.
Term
Hypothalamus
Definition
Just below the thalamus in the limbic system. Helps regulate a homeostatic state, helps govern the endocrine system, and is linked to emotion and reward.
Term
Hippocampus
Definition
Neural center in the limbic system that helps process explicit (conscious) Memories of facts and events for storage
Term
Cerebral cortex
Definition
Around the back and top-most portion of the brain that is the ultimate control and information processing center.
Term
Corpus Callosum
Definition
Connects the two hemispheres of the brain
Term
Frontal lobes
Definition
Portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead. Enables linguistic processing, muscle movements, higher order thinking, and executive functioning
Term
Parietal lobes
Definition
Portion of the cerebral cortex lying towards the top rear of the head, receives sensory input for touch and body position
Term
Occipital Lobes
Definition
the portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head, includes areas that receive information form the visual fields
Term
Temporal Lobes
Definition
Portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears. Includes auditory areas, each of which primarily receives information form the opposite ear. Also enables language processing.
Term
Somatosensory cortex
Definition
A cerebral cortex area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations
Term
Association Areas
Definition
Large in intelligent animals, Areas of the cerebral cortex that are not involved in primary motor or sensory functions, but rather are involved in higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking
Term
conciousness
Definition
our subjective awareness of ourselves and our enviroment
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