AP Psych Unit 2 Flashcards
Neuron
nerve cells
Dendrite
RECEIVE info from other neurons
Axons
PASS info along to other neurons
Myelin Sheath
encases some axons and helps speed up impulses
Action Potential (impulses)
brief electrical charge that travels down the axon
refractory period
limits the amount of action potentials that can be sent
neurotransmitters
chemical messages that cross the synaptic gap between neurons
synapse
tiny space/gap between neurons
reuptake
absorption of excess neurotransmitter molecules by sending neurons
endorphins
key neurotransmitter/natural opiate - when it feels pain or stress endorphins get released
antagonists
substances that bind to synaptic receptors and increase the effect of the neurotransmitter
The Nervous System
includes the brain, spinal cord, and a complex network of nerves - that sends messages back and forth between the brain and the body
Central Nervous System
brain and spinal cord - reflexes simple automatic response to stimuli involving the spinal cord
Peripheral Nervous system
all the nerves that communicate with the body - carries messages to CNS from body sense receptors, muscles and glands
sensory neurons
carry signals to your brain to help you touch, taste, smell and see
Somatic Nervous System
Voluntary control of skeletal muscles
Motor Neurons
Directions to your brain, muscles and glands
what two small nervous systems are included in the Autonomic Nervous System
Sympathetic nervous system and Parasympathetic nervous system
Autonomic Nervous System
the part of the nervous system responsible for control of the bodily functions not consciously directed, such as breathing, the heartbeat, and digestive processes.
Sympathetic nervous system
AROUSES (heartbeat increases, pupils dilate etc)
Parasympathetic nervous system
CALMS (heartbeat slows, pupils contract etc)
Neural networks
a series of connected neurons that allow the processing and transmitting of information
Reflexes
automatic response to a sensory stimulus - EX: the knee-jerk response
Endocrine system
The glands and organs that make hormones and release them directly into the blood so they can travel to tissues and organs all over the body.
Hormones
One of many substances made by glands in the body - circulate in the bloodstream and control the actions of certain cells or organs
Adrenal Glands
small gland that makes steroid hormones, adrenaline, and noradrenaline
The Epinephrine (flight or fight)
plays an important role in your body’s “fight-or-flight” response
Pituitary gland
monitors and regulates many bodily functions through the hormones that it produces, including: Growth and sexual/reproductive development and function
brainstem
responsible for the automatic survival functions
medulla
heartbeat and breathing
reticular formation
controls arousal in nervous system
thalamus
receives info from all senses except smell - sends them to higher regions of brain
cerebellum
processes sensory info - nonverbal learning and memory
limbic system
linked to memory, emotions and drives
hippocampus
processes conscious memory
amygdala
influences aggression and fear
hypothalamus
linked to bodily maintenance functions and pleasurable rewards - influences pituitary glands, linking to nervous and endocrine system
cerebral cortex
protected and nourished by glial cells (white matter)
frontal lobe
voluntary movement, personaloty, emotions, thinking, and speech
parietal lobe
understanding language, thought expressions, and sensations
occipital lobe
vision (eye)
temporal lobes
hearing
motor cortex
controls voluntary movements on the OPPOSITE side of our body - located in rear of frontal lobes
sensory cortext
processes sensations - located in the front parietal lobes
association areas
sections of the cerebral cortex that are connected to the function of a primary part of the cerebral cortex
association areas
sections of the cerebral cortex that are connected to the function of a primary part of the cerebral cortex
plasticity
brain reorganizes in response to damage - esp[ecially with children
neurogenesis
formation of new neurons is completely possible
split brain
two cerebral hemispheres have been separated by partial or complete destruction of the corpus callosum
corpus callosum
ensures both sides of the brain can communicate and send signals to each other
lateralization
each brain half has specific functions
Function of the right side of the brain?
visual perception/creative/art
Function of the left side of the brain?
Verbal language/math/facts
