Chapter 1:

Question 1

Biological Psychology

Answer 1

Branch of psychology concerned with the links between biology and behavior

Question 2

Neuron

Answer 2

The basic building block of the nervous system

Question 3

Action Potential

Answer 3

A neural impulse

A brief electrical charge that travels down an axon

Question 4

Threshold

Answer 4

The level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse

Question 5

Agonist

Answer 5

Enhance the activity of neurotransmitters

Question 6

Antagonists

Answer 6

Inhibit the activity of neurotransmitters

Question 7

GABA

Answer 7

Inhibits the firing of motor neurons

*Barbiturates, anti-anxiety drugs, and alcohol enhance GABA’s effects thereby calming anxiety

Question 8

Acetycholine

Answer 8

• A motor stimulant
• Botox example
• Curare example

Question 9

Dopamine

Answer 9

Very active in the brain’s pleasure centers

*Most pleasurable drugs (heroin, cocaine, cigarettes, caffeine) enhance dopamine’s effect

Question 10

Endorphins

Answer 10

Another neurotransmitters associated with the brain’s pleasure centers

Question 11

Drug Withdrawl

Answer 11

Receptor sites that have been bombarded become less sensitive

Question 12

Nervous System

Answer 12

The body’s speedy, electrochemical communication system

Question 13

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Answer 13

The brain and spinal cord

Question 14

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Answer 14

The sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system (CNS) to the rest of the body

Question 15

Sensory Neurons

Answer 15

Neurons that carry incoming information from the sense receptors to the central nervous system

Question 16

Motor Neurons

Answer 16

Carry outgoing messages to the muscles and glands

Question 17

Interneurons

Answer 17

Process info in the brain

Question 18

Glial Cells (“glue cells”)

Answer 18

Hold neuron in place and provide nutrients

Question 19

Hormones

Answer 19

Chemical messengers, mostly those manufactured by the endocrine glands, that are produced in one tissue and affect another

Question 20

Adrenal Glands

Answer 20

A pair of endocrine glands just above the kidneys

Question 21

Pituitary Glands

Answer 21

Under the influence of the hypothalamus, the pituitary regulates growth and controls other endocrine gland

Question 22

Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis (HPA)

Answer 22

The HPA is the key element in the flight-or-fight response (sympathetic nervous system arousal)

Question 23

Brainstem

Answer 23

Primitive central core

Question 24

Limbic System

Answer 24

Associated with emotions and drives

Question 25

Hippocampus

Answer 25

Critical for the encodes new events as lasting memories but not necessary for the retrieval of old memories

Question 26

Nucleus Accumbens

Answer 26

A major “pleasure centers” of the brain. Sex, pornography, drugs, food, even music activate the Nucleus Accumbens

Question 27

Amygdala

Answer 27

Key role in emotional behavior

Question 28

Lesion

Answer 28

Tissue destruction

Question 29

Electroencephalogram

Answer 29

An amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity

* Example: Seizures