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Psychology 100 > study guide 1 Psychology > Flashcards

study guide 1 Psychology Flashcards

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1
Q

Chromosomes

A

threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes

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2
Q

DNA

A

Complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes

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3
Q

Mutations

A

a random error in gene replication that leads to a change

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4
Q

Genotype

A

genetic makeup of an organism

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5
Q

phenotype

A

set of observable characteristics of an individual resulting from the interaction of its genotype with the environment

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6
Q

gene-environment interaction

A

impact of genes on behavior depends on the environment where the behavior develops

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7
Q

identical twins; fraternal twins

A

identical - develop from one zygote and splits to form 2
fraternal - 2 different eggs

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8
Q

glia cells

A

cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons

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9
Q

soma

A

contains the nucleus and keeps the entire cell alive and functioning

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10
Q

dendrites

A

neuron’s bushy, branching extensions that receive messages and conduct impulses toward the cell body

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11
Q

axon

A

extension of a neuron; ending in the branching terminal fibers, through which the messages pass to other neurons or to the muscles or glands

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12
Q

terminal buttons

A

small knobs at the end of axons that secrete chemicals called neurotransmitters

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13
Q

synaptic vesicles

A

membrane-bounded compartments in which synthesized neurotransmitters are kept

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14
Q

neurotransmitters

A

chemicals that transmit info from one neuron to another

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15
Q

neuron

A

a nerve cell

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16
Q

myelin sheath

A

a layer of fatty tissue segmentally encasing the fibers of many neurons; enables vastly greater transmission speed of neural impulses as the impulse hops from one node to the next

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17
Q

nodes of ranvier

A

gaps in the myelin sheath to which voltage-gated sodium channels are confined

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18
Q

PKU

A

human metabolic disease caused by a mutation in the gene coding for a phenylalaline enzyme, which leads to accumulation of phenylalanine and mental retardation if not treated; inherited as an autosomal recessive phenotype.

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19
Q

multiple sclerosis

A

A chronic disease of the central nervous system marked by damage to the myelin sheath. Plaques occur in the brain and spinal cord causing tremor, weakness, incoordination, paresthesia, and disturbances in vision and speech

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20
Q

synaptic cleft

A

The narrow gap that separates the presynaptic neuron from the postsynaptic cell.

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21
Q

receptors

A

parts of the cell membrane that receive the neurotransmitter and initiate or prevent a new electric signal

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22
Q

membrane potential

A

the voltage across a cell’s plasma membrane

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23
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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24
Q

resting potential

A

The difference in electric charge between the inside and outside of a neuron’s cell membrane

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25
Q

threshold of excitation

A

level of charge in the membrane that causes the neuron to become active

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26
Q

action potential

A

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

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27
Q

reuptake

A

a neurotransmitter’s reabsorption by the sending neuron

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28
Q

common neurotransmitters

A

serotonin: depression

dopamine: too much= schizophrenia, too little=parkinsons

acetylcholine: muscle contraction endorphine: body’s painkiller GABA: anxiety

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29
Q

serotonin

A

affects mood, hunger, sleep and arousal

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30
Q

dopamine

A

influences movement, learning, attention and emotion

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31
Q

GABA

A

a major inhibitory neurotransmitter

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32
Q

glutamate

A

a major excitatory neurotransmitter; involved with memory

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33
Q

beta-endorphins or endorphins

A

substances produced in the brain that create a feeling of well-being

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34
Q

epinephrine

A

adrenaline

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35
Q

norepinephrine

A

helps control alertness and arousal (also adrenaline)

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36
Q

agonist vs antagonist

A

Agonists = causes stimulation of receptors

Antagonists = binds to receptors and block other meds

37
Q

psychotropic

A

agent that affects mental processes

38
Q

schizophrenia

A

a psychological disorder characterized by delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, and/or diminished, inappropriate emotional expression

39
Q

parkinson’s disease

A

A disorder of the central nervous system that affects movement, often including tremors.

40
Q

SSRI medications

A

Citalopram (Celexa)

Escitalopram (Lexapro)

Fluoxetine (Prozac)

Paroxetine (Paxil)

Sertraline (Zoloft)

41
Q

central nervous system

A

consists of the brain and spinal cord

42
Q

peripheral nervous system

A

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

43
Q

PNS: somatic

A

controls voluntary movements of skeletal muscles

44
Q

PNS: Autonomic nervous system

A

An INVOLUNTARY system. Controls automatic body functions, like heartbeat and digestion. Includes the SYMPATHETIC nerves, and the PARASYMPATHETIC nerves.

45
Q

sympathetic nervous system

A

the part of the autonomic nervous system that controls active functions such as responding to fear

46
Q

parasympathetic nervous system

A

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

47
Q

homeostasis

A

process by which organisms maintain a relatively stable internal environment

48
Q

fight or flight response

A

Biological reaction to alarming stressors that musters the body’s resources (for example, blood flow and respiration) to resist or flee a threat.

49
Q

spinal cord

A

nerves that run up and down the length of the back and transmit most messages between the body and brain

50
Q

automatic reflexes

A

regulate the activity of smooth muscles, the heart, and glands

51
Q

neuroplasticity

A

the ability within the brain to constantly change both the structure and function of many cells in response to experience or trauma

52
Q

cerebral cortex

A

outside of cerebum that controls highest functions like reasoning, memory, conciousness, speech, voluntary mucles movement, vision, hearing, sensation, etc - part of brain therefore part of central nervous system

53
Q

gyri

A

ridges of the brain

54
Q

sulci

A

shallow grooves that separate gyri

55
Q

longitudial fissure

A

separates left and right hemispheres

56
Q

right and left hemisphere of the brain

A

The left side of the brain is responsible for controlling the right side of the body. It also performs tasks that have to do with logic, such as in science and mathematics. On the other hand, the right hemisphere coordinates the left side of the body, and performs tasks that have do with creativity and the arts.

57
Q

laterization

A

specialization of the two cerebral hemispheres for particular operations

58
Q

corpus callosum

A

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

59
Q

four lobes of the brain

A

frontal, parietal, occipital and temporal

60
Q

motor cortex

A

an area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements

61
Q

prefrontal cortex

A

part of the frontal lobe responsible for thinking, planning and language

62
Q

epliepsy

A

chronic brain disorder characterized by recurrent seizure activity

63
Q

Broca’s area

A

Controls language expression - an area of the frontal lobe, usually in the left hemisphere, that directs the muscle movements involved in speech.

64
Q

prefrontal cortex

A

located behind our forehead that is responsible for the executive function, meaning that it acts like a conductor communicating, guiding, and coordinating the functions of the different parts of the brain.

65
Q

Phineas Gage

A

Vermont railroad worker who survived a severe brain injury that changed his personality and behavior; his accident gave information on the brain and which parts are involved with emotional reasoning

66
Q

sensory cortex (somatosensory cortex)

A

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

67
Q

auditory cortex

A

the area of the temporal lobe responsible for processing sound information

68
Q

temporal lobe

A

A region of the cerebral cortex responsible for hearing and language.

69
Q

Wernicke’s area

A

controls language reception - a brain area involved in language comprehension and expression; usually in the left temporal lobe

70
Q

occipital lobe

A

A region of the cerebral cortex that processes visual information

71
Q

visual cortex

A

The visual processing areas of cortex in the occipital and temporal lobes.

72
Q

Thalamus

A

the brain’s sensory switchboard, located on top of the brainstem; it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla

73
Q

Hippocampus

A

a neural center located in the limbic system; helps process explicit memories for storage

74
Q

amygdala

A

A limbic system structure involved in memory and emotion, particularly fear and aggression.

75
Q

Hypothalamus

A

A neural structure lying below the thalamus; it directs several maintenance activities (eating, drinking, body temperature), helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion and reward.

76
Q

Case of HM

A

surgery which removed his hippocampus and amygdala to treat severe epilepsy

77
Q

reticular formation

A

a nerve network in the brainstem that plays an important role in controlling arousal

78
Q

Cerebellum

A

A large structure of the hindbrain that controls fine motor skills.

79
Q

CT Scan (CAT Scan) (computerized axial tomography)

A

a method of creating static images of the brain through X rays

80
Q

PET Scan

A

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

81
Q

MRI

A

a technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images that distinguish among different types of soft tissue; allows us to see structures within the brain

82
Q

fMRI

A

A technique for revealing blood flow and, therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans.

83
Q

EEG

A

An amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity that sweep across the brain’s surface. These waves are measured by electrodes placed on the scalp.

84
Q

Endocrine system: Hormones

A

The endocrine system is responsible for secreting hormones. The nervous system and the endocrine system work closely together. The hypothalamus (part of the brain) and the pituitary gland (The pituitary gland is a tiny organ, the size of a pea, found at the base of the brain.) coordinate with each other to serve as a neuroendocrine control center.

Hormone secretion is triggered by a variety of signals, including hormonal signs, chemical reactions, and environmental cues. Only cells with particular receptors (an organ or cell able to respond to light, heat, or other external stimulus and transmit a signal to a sensory nerve.) can benefit from hormonal influence.

Steroid hormones trigger gene activation and protein synthesis.

Hormones such as insulin work quickly when it is needed. Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas by the islets of Langerhans that regulates the amount of glucose in the blood. The lack of insulin causes a form of diabetes.

85
Q

estrogen

A

A sex hormone, secreted in greater amounts by females than by males. In nonhuman female mammals, estrogen levels peak during ovulation, promoting sexual receptivity.

86
Q

progesterone

A

A hormone produced by the ovaries which acts with estrogen to bring about the menstral cycle.

87
Q

testes

A

produce sperm (male)

88
Q

ovaries

A

glands that produce the egg cells and hormones (woman)

89
Q

testosterone

A

the most important of the male sex hormones. Both males and females have it, but the additional testosterone in males stimulates the growth of the male sex organs in the fetus and the development of the male sex characteristics during puberty

Psychology 100 (2 decks)

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