Chapter 3: Biopsychology Flashcards
Phrenology
Idea that people’s behaviors and characteristics were based on the shape of their skull
Neuron
Cell that receive chemical signals and transfer them into electrical messages and send them to the next cell
Resting Potential
Neuron is positive on the outside and negative on the inside. It is polarized.
Threshold
when there are enough neurotransmitters to fire
Action Potential
Electrical charge that travels down the axon. Chemical gates allow + ions to enter. One gate opens like dominoes. This is called depolarization.
All or None Law
either it fires or does not fire. There is no middle ground
Neurotransmitters Sent
End bulbs eject vesicles of neurotransmitters across the synapse to receptor sites.
Reuptake
sending neuron reabsorbs excess neurotransmitters
Refractory Period
time during which the neuron becomes polarized before it can fire again.
Afferent Neurons
“Sensory neurons” body-> brain
Efferent neurons
“motor neurons” brain -> body
Interneurons
neurons within the brain/spinal chord
Cell Body
where DNA and energy is stored
Dendrites
Receive chemical messages.
Axon
What message travels down
Myelin sheath
insulates and protects axon
Axon Terminals
send out message
Neurotransmitters
actual chemical messengers
Synapse
Space between neruons
Acetylcholine (ACh)
muscle movement/memory
low: Alzheimers High: paralysis
Dopamine
movement/alertness
low: parkinson’s high: schitzophrenia
Endorphins
painkiller
runner’s high
Serotonin
mood/sleep
low: depression & sleep/eating disorder
Norepinepherine
arousal/alertness/ like adrenaline
low: ADD/ADHD
GABA
inhibatory
low:insomnia &anxiety
Glutamate
Excitaty
high: migraines & siezures
Glial Cells
provide support fro neurons by nourishing, removing wast and providing insulation
Peripheral Nervous System
on sides (in legs/arms)
Central Nervous System
Brain/ spinal cord
Automatic NS
controls self regulated actions of internal organs and glands
Somatic NS
Voluntary movements of skeletal muscles
Sympathetic NS
Fight or flight
Parasympathetic NS
calming
Endocrine system
hormone system that involves glands throughout the body.
EEG
measures electrical waves. mostly used for sleep studies
CT Scans
uses x-rays to show the Brain structure
PET Scan
involves injecting radioactive solution into the blood. When the fluid is absorbed by the brain cells we can see the activity
MRI
creates a highly detailed picture using electromagnetic signals. Can see brain from every angle.
fMRI
allows you to see structure and activity together
Lesion
destroyed part of the brain. The results help us to understand what that part of the brain does
Neuroplasticity
brain’s ability to change
Cerebellum
coordination and balance
Medulla
life support system/ breathing and heartrate
Pons
sleep and relaxation
RAS
attention and allertness
Brain stem
consists of Medulla RAS and Pons
Thalamus
sensory switchboard
sends information where it needs to go
Hypothalamus
master regulator; it controls hunger, thirst, etc.
Pituitary Gland
Master gland; tells other glands what to do
Amygdala
emotional center; mostly fear and agression
Hippocampus
memory formation
Limbic System
amygdala, hippocampus and hypothalamus
