Unit 2 : Flashcards
biological psychology
Study of links between biological (genetics, nerves, and hormones) and psychological processes
neuron
A nerve cell, basic building block of nervous system
dendrites
Neurons bushy, receives messages and conduct impulses toward cell body
axon
Fibers that pass the message through terminal branches to other neurons, muscles, and glands
Dendrites listen, axon speak
myelin shealth
Layer of fatty tissue that insulates + speeds their impulses
action potential
Brief electrical charge which travels down axon (impulse)
refractory period
Period of inactivity after neuron is fired, pumps sodium ions back outside
threshold
Level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse
all-or-non response
Neurons reaction of either firing (w full strength) or not. (Doesn’t affect strength or speed, but the amount of neurons fired)
synapse
Junction/ gap between axon tip (send) and dendrite cell body (receive)
neurotransmitters
Chemical messengers cross synaptic gap between neurons. Influence if neutral impulse will be generated
reuptake
Neurotransmitters reabsorption by the sending neuron
endorphins
Natural neurotransmitters liked to pain and pleasure
agonist
Molecule that binds and stimulates a response
antagonists
Molecule that binds and blocks response
nervous system
Body’s speedy electrochemical communication with nerves between peripheral and central nervous sustems
central nervous system (CNS)
Brain and spinal chord
Body’s decision maker
peripheral nervous system (PNS)
Sensory and motor neurons that connect the CNS to the rest of the body
nerves
Electrical cables formed of bundles of axons, link the CNS with body’s sensory receptors, muscles and glands
sensory neurons
Neurons that carry incoming info from the sensory receptors to the brain and spinal chord
motor neurons
Carry outgoing info from brain and spinal chord to muscles and glands
interneurons
Neurons within the brain and spinal chord that communicate and intervene between the sensory inputs and motor outputs
somatic nervous system
PNS; controls body’s skeletal muscles (skeletal nervous system)
autonomic nervous system (ANS)
PNS; controls glands and muscles of internal organs (controlled by sympathetic/parasympathetic)
Sympathetic Nervous System
ANS; arouses body, mobilizing it’s energy in stressful situations
parasympathetic nervous system
ANS; calms the body
reflex
Simple, automatic response to a sensory stimulus
Knee-jerk response
endocrine system
Slow chemical communication that secretes hormones through bloodstream
hormones
Chemical messengers produced by endocrine system, travel through bloodstream
adrenal glands
Endocrine glands that sit above kidneys and secrete hormones (epinephrine/adrenaline and norepinephrine/noradrenaline), help arouse body in stressful times
pituitary gland
Most influential gland, under hypothalamus influence. Influences growth and endocrine glands
lesion
Tissue destruction, occurs naturally or experimentsllh
electroencephalogram (EEG)
Amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity sweeping across brains surface
CT (computed tomography) scan
X-ray photographs taken at different angles and combined together to represent a slice of the brains structure
PET (positron emission tomography) scan
Visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task.
MRI (Magnetic Resonance imaging)
Uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer generated images of soft tissue
Shoes brain anatomy
fMRI (functionalMRI)
Reveals blood flow and brain activity by comparison
Show structure and function
brainstem
Automatic survival functions
Connects spinal cord to brain
medulla
Controls breathing and heartbeat
thalamus
Control center; sorts and sends out to proper brain area
Smell is not processed
reticular formation
Nerve network that travels through brainstem and thalamus
Controls arousal, if damaged permanent state of sleep
cerebellum
Little brain, rear of balance and muscle movement
Enabling nonverbal learning and memory
limbic system
Neural system (amygdala, hippocampus, hypothalamus) with emotions and drives
amygdala
Fear and aggression
hypothalamus
Governs endocrine system, regulates body temp, hunger, and thirst
cerebral cortex
Wrinkly matter, thin surface layer on brain
Divided into association areas (lobes)
glial cells
Nervous system that supports, nourishes, and protects neurons
Glue cells
occipital lobes
Visual processing
Visual cortex
Contains feature detectors like edges, lines, angles, shapes
frontal lobes
Speaking, muscle movement
Prefrontal cortex
making plans and good judgement, moral reasoning, guilt and remorse
parietal lobes
Sensory processing through senses (SENSORY CORTEX/SEMOTOSENSORY)
Touch body position (KINESTHESIA)
temporal lobe
Hearing
Facial recognition RIGHT SIDE ONLY prospoagnesia (face blindness) if damaged
motor cortex
In frontal cortex at the back, controls opposite side
Involves muscle movement
somatosensory cortex (SENSORY CORTEX)
Front of parietal lobe sensory processing
association areas
Areas of cerebral cortex not involved in primary motor/sensory functions, but involved in mental functions (learning, memory, thinking, speech)
plasticity
Brains ability to change esp during childhood by reorganizing after damage/building new pathways based on experiences and adjusting to mishaps
neurongensis
Formation of new neurons
corpus cullosum
Middle neuron fibers connecting 2 hemispheres and carrying messages between them
Facial recognition on R goes through CC on L where speech is produced, allows to say who you recognized
split brain
Surgery that isolates 2 hemispheres by cutting fibers between them (corpus cullusum)
consciousness
Awareness of oneself and environment
cognitive neuroscience
Study of brain activity linked with mental process
behavioral genetics
power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior
environment
external influence, from prenatural nutrition’s` to the people and things around
chromosomes
threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain genes
DNA
molecule that contains genetic code and makes up chromosome
genes
units of heredity that make up chromosomes; segments o DNA capable of synthesizing proteins
genome
instructions for making an organism
identical twins (monozygote)
twins who develop from 1 fertilized egg that split in 2, genetically identical organism
fraternal twins (dizygote)
develop from separate eggs and share fetal environment, no closer than brother and sister
molecular genetics
studies molecular structure and function of genes
interaction
interplay when effect of one factor depends on the other (env and heredity)
epigenetics
study influences on gene expression that occurs without a DNA change
evolutionary psychology
study evolution of behavior and mind through principles of natural selection
natural selection
inherited traits contributing to reproduction and survival will be passed down to future gens
mutations
random error in gene replication leading to change
cognition
mental processes
hypnosis
subject responds to hypnotists; possible perceptions, feelings, thoughts, behaviors will occur out of no where
posthypnotic suggestion
suggestion made during hypnosis, used to help control unwanted symptoms and behaviors
dissociation
split in consciousness, allows some thoughts and behavior to occur at the same time with others
circadian rhythm
biological clock; regulates temperature and wakefulness
REM sleep
rapid eye movement; dreams and nightmares, relaxed body inner systems active (paradoxical sleep)
alpha waves
slow brain waves of relaxed awake state
sleep
periodic, natural loss of consciousness
hallucinations
false sensory (visual + auditory stimulus)
delta waves
large and slow brain waves associated with deep sleep (NREM-3)
NREM sleep
non rapid eye movement sleep
suprachiasmatic nucleus
cell cluster pair in hypothalamus, contains circadian rhythm. SCH causes pineal gland to adjust melatonin levels depending on light
insomnia
trouble falling asleep/ staying asleep
narcolepsy
incontrollable sleep attacks; fall asleep at random times
sleep apnea
temporarily stop breathing while sleeping
night terrors
young kids, appear terrified and shrieking
dreams
images, emotions, and thoughts passing through persons mind, trouble remembering after time
manifest content
remembered story line of a dream (Freud)
latent content
underlying meaning of a dream (freud)
REM rebound
REM sleep increases following REM sleep deprive (created awakenings during REM sleep.)
substance use disorder
continued substance craving and use despite significant life disruption and physical risk
psychoactive drugs
chemical substance that alter perception and mood
tolerance
diminishing effect with regular use of the same dose of a drug; requires higher dose for same effect
addiction
compulsive craving of drugs/ behaviors (like gambling) despite knowing the consequences.
withdrawal
discomfort and distress that follows discontinuing an addictive drug/behavior
depressants
drugs that reduce neural activity and slow body functions
–> alcohol and heroine
alcohol use disorder
alcohol use marked by tolerance, withdrawal, and a drive to continue problematic use)
barbiturates
drugs that depress central nervous system activity, reducing anxiety, put impairing memory and judgement
opiates
opium (morphine and heroine) depress neural activity; temporary lessen anxiety and pain
stimulants
drugs (caffeine, nicotine, cocaine, amphetamines) excite neural activity and speed up body functions
amphetamines
excite neural activity and speed up body functions, associated energy, and mood changes (caffeine and nicotine)
nicotine
stimulant; stimulating and highly addictive psychoactive drug in tobacco
cocaine
stimulant; powerful and addictive stimulant from coca plant, produce temporary increase in alertness and euphoria
methamphetamine
stimulant; powerful and addictive drug that stimulates the central nervous system, with speeded body functions and associated energy and mood changes; overtime appear to reduce baseline dopamine levels
ecstasy (MDMA)
mild hallucinogen, produces euphoria and social intimacy. short term health risks and long term harm to serotonin producing neurons and to mood and cognition
halluginogens
psychedelic (mind manifesting) drugs, distort perceptions and evoke sensory images with no sensory input
LSD
hallucinogen; aka acid, loss of oxygen and extreme sensory deprivation
Near-Death experience
altered state pf consciousness reported after a close brush with death (cardiac arrest) similar to drug induced hallucinations
THC
major active ingredient in marijuana; trigger mild hallucinations and others
Dual processing
simultaneously processed on separate conscious and unconscious tracks.
Acetylcholine
Enables muscle action, learning and memory
Malfunction : Alzheimer’s disease
Dopamine
Brains natural cocaine, influences movement, learning, attention, and emotion (happy and excited)
Malfunction : schizophrenia and undersupply linked to ADHD
Serotonin
Closely connected to hypothalamus, affects mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal
Malfunction : Undersupply can lead to depression
Noremphrephrine
Helps control alertness and arousal (interest and reactions)
Malfunction : undersupply can depress mood (flow movement, reactions, and not alert)
GABA
Major inhibitory neurotransmitters (STOP)
Malfunction : undersupply linked to seizure, tremors, and insomnia
Glutamate
Excito rey neurotransmitter involved in memory (GO)
NREM-1
light sleep. 10 min hallucinations, experience of falling, slow breathing (10 min)
NREM-2
deeper sleep, sleep spindles; burst of rapid brain activity (20 min)
