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Psychology 100 > study guide 1 Psychology > Flashcards

study guide 1 Psychology Flashcards

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
threshold of excitation
level of charge in the membrane that causes the neuron to become active
26
action potential
a neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon
27
reuptake
a neurotransmitter's reabsorption by the sending neuron
28
common neurotransmitters
serotonin: depression dopamine: too much= schizophrenia, too little=parkinsons acetylcholine: muscle contraction endorphine: body's painkiller GABA: anxiety
29
serotonin
affects mood, hunger, sleep and arousal
30
dopamine
influences movement, learning, attention and emotion
31
GABA
a major inhibitory neurotransmitter
32
glutamate
a major excitatory neurotransmitter; involved with memory
33
beta-endorphins or endorphins
substances produced in the brain that create a feeling of well-being
34
epinephrine
adrenaline
35
norepinephrine
helps control alertness and arousal (also adrenaline)
36
agonist vs antagonist
Agonists = causes stimulation of receptors Antagonists = binds to receptors and block other meds
37
psychotropic
agent that affects mental processes
38
schizophrenia
a psychological disorder characterized by delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, and/or diminished, inappropriate emotional expression
39
parkinson's disease
A disorder of the central nervous system that affects movement, often including tremors.
40
SSRI medications
Citalopram (Celexa) Escitalopram (Lexapro) Fluoxetine (Prozac) Paroxetine (Paxil) Sertraline (Zoloft)
41
central nervous system
consists of the brain and spinal cord
42
peripheral nervous system
the sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system to the rest of the body
43
PNS: somatic
controls voluntary movements of skeletal muscles
44
PNS: Autonomic nervous system
An INVOLUNTARY system. Controls automatic body functions, like heartbeat and digestion. Includes the SYMPATHETIC nerves, and the PARASYMPATHETIC nerves.
45
sympathetic nervous system
the part of the autonomic nervous system that controls active functions such as responding to fear
46
parasympathetic nervous system
the division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy
47
homeostasis
process by which organisms maintain a relatively stable internal environment
48
fight or flight response
Biological reaction to alarming stressors that musters the body's resources (for example, blood flow and respiration) to resist or flee a threat.
49
spinal cord
nerves that run up and down the length of the back and transmit most messages between the body and brain
50
automatic reflexes
regulate the activity of smooth muscles, the heart, and glands
51
neuroplasticity
the ability within the brain to constantly change both the structure and function of many cells in response to experience or trauma
52
cerebral cortex
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
gyri
ridges of the brain
54
sulci
shallow grooves that separate gyri
55
longitudial fissure
separates left and right hemispheres
56
right and left hemisphere of the brain
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
laterization
specialization of the two cerebral hemispheres for particular operations
58
corpus callosum
the large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them
59
four lobes of the brain
frontal, parietal, occipital and temporal
60
motor cortex
an area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements
61
prefrontal cortex
part of the frontal lobe responsible for thinking, planning and language
62
epliepsy
chronic brain disorder characterized by recurrent seizure activity
63
Broca's area
Controls language expression - an area of the frontal lobe, usually in the left hemisphere, that directs the muscle movements involved in speech.
64
prefrontal cortex
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
Phineas Gage
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
sensory cortex (somatosensory cortex)
area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations
67
auditory cortex
the area of the temporal lobe responsible for processing sound information
68
temporal lobe
A region of the cerebral cortex responsible for hearing and language.
69
Wernicke's area
controls language reception - a brain area involved in language comprehension and expression; usually in the left temporal lobe
70
occipital lobe
A region of the cerebral cortex that processes visual information
71
visual cortex
The visual processing areas of cortex in the occipital and temporal lobes.
72
Thalamus
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
Hippocampus
a neural center located in the limbic system; helps process explicit memories for storage
74
amygdala
A limbic system structure involved in memory and emotion, particularly fear and aggression.
75
Hypothalamus
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
Case of HM
surgery which removed his hippocampus and amygdala to treat severe epilepsy
77
reticular formation
a nerve network in the brainstem that plays an important role in controlling arousal
78
Cerebellum
A large structure of the hindbrain that controls fine motor skills.
79
CT Scan (CAT Scan) (computerized axial tomography)
a method of creating static images of the brain through X rays
80
PET Scan
a visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task
81
MRI
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
fMRI
A technique for revealing blood flow and, therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans.
83
EEG
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
Endocrine system: Hormones
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
estrogen
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
progesterone
A hormone produced by the ovaries which acts with estrogen to bring about the menstral cycle.
87
testes
produce sperm (male)
88
ovaries
glands that produce the egg cells and hormones (woman)
89
testosterone
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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