Unit 3 Flashcards
neuron
cell in the nervous system that receives, integrates, and transmits info
dendrites
branches on the neuron that receives messages from other neurons
soma
is the cell body that contains the cell nucleus
the cell nucleus
is the life support of the neuron
axon
long, thin fiber that transmits signals
Myelin sheath
insulating material that coats axons and speeds transmission of info
Terminal buttons
small knobs that produce neurotransmitters to transmit the neuron’s message
Synapse
small gap between neurons where info is transmitted
Neurotransmitters
chemical messages released from terminal buttons that travel across the synapse to receptors on dendrites of other neuron
Reuptake
the process of reabsorbing unused neurotransmitters
Agonists
a chemical that mimics the action of neurotransmitters causing similar effects
What stops reuptake
agonists
Antagonists
a chemical that opposes the action of a neurotransmitter
gilia cells
cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons
gilia cell duties:
- stores glucose from the blood
- gets rid of waste
- cleans up dead neurons
- provides insulation
what takes up more of our brain: neurons or gilia cells
gilia cells make up a larger portion of our brain than neurons
What kind of system is the nervous system
electro-chemical communication system
What are the 2 main branches of the nervous system
- The Central System
- The Peripheral System
What are the parts of the body that are a part of the Central Nervous System
the brain and spinal cord
What is part of the Peripheral Nervous System
all the other nerves outside the brain and spinal cord
What are the 2 parts of the Peripheral Nervous System
the somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system
What are the two parts of the autonomic nervous system
the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system
What is the somatic nervous system?
nerves that connect to voluntary skeletal muscles and sensory receptors
What is the autonomic nervous system?
made up of nerves that connect to the heart, blood, vessels, organs, glands
What is the sympathetic nervous system
involved in stress-related functions and activities
What is the parasympathetic nervous system
associated with routine operations of the body
what does the spinal cord do
it is the messenger b/t the body and the brain, and is in charge of our reflexes
Which nervous system is the spinal cord connected to
It has 30 sections called the vertebrae, and is part of the central nervous system, but is connected to the peripheral nervous system
T/F: The brain is why we can react and feel sensations
false, the spinal cord is why we can react and feel sensations
What is the medulla
it is part of the hindbrain that controls the automatic processes of the autonomic nervous system
What is the pons
Serves as the bridge to connect the hindbrain to the rest of the brain
What is the cerebellum
part of the hindbrain that receives messages to control our balance, coordination, movement, and motor skills, while also being associated with processing certain types of memories
What is the reticular formation
a structure that is centered in the midbrain and is associated with the sleep/wake cycle, arousal, alertness, and motor activity
what is the thalamus
where all our senses (except smell) are routed before going to other areas of the brain to be processed
what is the hypothalamus
a forebrain structure that regulates body temperature, appetite, & blood pressure, & serves as an interface b/t the nervous system and the endocrine system and in the regulation of sexual motivation and behavior.
What is the hippocampus
a part of our temporal lobe that is associated with our learning and memory
What is the amygdala
A part of the limbic system that is why we feel emotions and can tie emotions to our memories
What is Corpus Callosum
a thick band of neural fibers that connect the left and right hemispheres of the brain allowing the 2 hemispheres to be able to interchange info with each other
What are the occipital lobes
a part of the brain that is located on the back and is associated with visual processing and where the primary visual cortex is.
What are the parietal lobes
the top part of the brain right behind the frontal lobe processes the body’s senses and contains the somatosensory cortex
what are the temporal lobes
the part of the brain that is located near your temples & is associated with hearing, memory, emotions, and some aspects of language. The auditory cortex and Wernicke’s Area are located here.
What are the frontal lobes
the part of the brain that extends from the front of the brain to the central sulcus and is involved in reasoning, motor control, and language
What is the Somatosensory Cortex
a part of the parietal lobes that processes touch and sensations
What is the motor cortex
a part of the frontal lobe that plans and coordinates movements
What is the Broca’s Area
part of the frontal lobe that is in charge of language production
What is the Wernicke’s Area
the area of the brain associated with speech comprehension
Difference between Broca’s Area and Wernicke’s Area
A person with damage in the Wernicke’s area can produce sensible language but is unable to understand it, while damage in the Broca’s Area can understand language but cannot produce sensible language
T/F: Classic depressants affect the serotonin system
false, classic hallucinogens affect the serotonin system
consciousness
our awareness of internal and external sensations
what is consciousness often studied with
An electroencephalogram (EEG)
what kind of waves are associated with the beta stage
beta waves
describe beta waves
highest frequency, lowest amplitude
what is the beta stage
when an individual is alert and awake
What is the alpha stage
when the individual is awake and drowsy
what kind of waves are associated with alpha stage
alpha waves
describe alpha waves
lower frequency, higher amplitude, and more rhythmic
what is stage 1 of the non-rem sleep stages
transition from wakefulness
what do the brain waves look like in stage 1 of the non-rem sleep stages
theta waves
what do the brain waves look like in stage 2 of the non-rem sleep stages
theta waves and sleep spindles
what are sleep spindles
bursts of high-frequency waves
how does an individual react in stage 2 of the non-rem sleep stages
Tension, heart rate, BP, temp, respiration decrease
what is stage 3 of the non-rem sleep stages
deep sleep/ slow-wave sleep
what waves are in stage 3 of the non-rem sleep stages
delta waves
what are delta waves
low frequency, high amplitude waves
how does one’s body react in the stage 3 of the non-rem sleep stages
The body is very relaxed; BP, temp, breathing, and blood to the brain reduced
what does REM stand for
rapid eye movements
what waves occur during REM cycle
active brain waves, similar to beta waves (high in frequency, and low in amplitude)
how does our body react in the REM cycle
our body is “paralyzed” but is at its highest level of psychological arousal
In the REM cycles, there are more liekly to be dreams that are more memorable than in the NREM cycles
True!
3 traits about dreams
- Dreams usually include familiar people and places
- Dreams are usually affected by our daily experiences and cultures
- A majority of dreams contain negative content
What is the Freud Psychoanalytic Theory
The idea that dreams represent subconscious desires
What is manifest content
the actual content of the dream
What is the latent content
the underlying meaning behind the dream
manifest: ___________ as latent: ____________
denotation; connotation
What is the activation-synthesis theory
dreams are just a by-product of neural activity
What is the threat simulation theory
dreams allow us to rehearse survival strategies
What is the social simulation theory
dreams allow us to rehearse strategies for dealing with social/behavioral situations
Hypnosis
the state of consciousness where people’s relaxation has been heightened
5 things you need in order to be able to be hypnotized
- good concentration
- suggestibility
- ability to relax
- strong visual imagery
- desire to be hypnotized
T/F: people can do “amazing feats” when they are hypnotized
false
Hypnotic anesthesia
reductions in pain after receiving suggestions during hypnosis
T/F: Hypnotic anesthesia works
true, it can be used to treat acute and/or chronic pain
T/F: Hypnosis enhances memory
false, and suggestibility during hypnosis can lead to false memories
T/F: Age regression works
false, hypnotees will act whatever age is given but they will not relive their childhood
T/F: Hypnosis can help quit smoking, eight loss, etc
could be true, but the evidence for it is weak
difference between somnambulism and REM Behavior disorder
REM BD is when the person acts out their dream whereas somnambulism doesn’t have to do with dreams
Sleep paralysis
waking up feeling paralyzed
cause of sleep paralysis
the brain becomes aware before the deep relaxation of muscles during the REM stage stops
when does sleep paralysis usually occur
when waking-up or falling asleep
Hypnogogic Sleep Paralysis
sleep paralysis + hallucinogens
what 3 factors increase the likelihood of sleep paralysis
- stress
- sleep deprivation
- alcohol
how do hallucinogens have a dramatic effect on the senses
sensations intensified, hallucinations, time distortion, synesthesia
Hallucinogens
a class of drugs that affects our perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory stimulation
synesthesia
crossing of sensory perceptions (ex. when you can taste colors)
how do hallucinogens affect mood
- highly emotional
- can cause a dream-like state
- can cause a “bad trip”
what are 3 possible medical uses for hallucinogens
- treatment of alcohol, nicotine, and cocaine addiction
- In terminally ill patients, it can treat anxiety, depression, and the fear of death
- treatment of “treatment-resistant” depression
do hallucinogens have a high chance of dependency
no, they actually have a low chance, but tolerance develops quickly
What is the most widely used illegal drug in the US
Marijuana
What kinds of effects can marijuana have on the brain
relaxation, euphoria, time distortion, appetite increases, enhancement of sensations/ feelings, memory impairment
What are some medical uses for marijuana
- pain relief
- appetite stimulation
- control of nausea
- reduction of tremors/seizures
harmful effects of marijuana
- lung damage from the smoke
- High doses can cause paranoia, panic, fast heart rate nausea, vomiting
- slowed reaction times
- memory problems
T/F: the main cause of amotivational syndrome is marijuana
false
T/F: marijuana is not a gateway drug
true
T/F: people can become dependent on marijuana
true, but only ~5% of people develop dependency
effects of MDMA
energizing, creating feelings of euphoria, aphrodisiac properties (associated with riskier sexual practices)
MDMA is an empathogen. What is an empathogen
enhances social intimacy, empathy, trust, feelings of safety
What is a medical use for MDMA
treatment for PTSD
Concerns/Risks of using MDMA
- dehydration (or overhydration due to fear of dehydration)
- impossible to know how pure it is
- tolerance can build quickly but the dependency rates are low
- Long-term heavy users have an increased risk of depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, memory & cognitive deficits due to damage to serotonin systems - though these effects may not be permanent
What drugs have low dependency rates, but develops tolerance easily
- MDMA
- Hallucinogens
difference between physical and psychological dependencies
physical involves changes in normal bodily functions and the user undergoes withdrawal, whereas psychological, the user’s need for the drug is to relieve psychological distress
how do stimulants effect the body
increased heart rate, blood pressure, & body temp
how do sedative-hypnotics/depressants effect the body
suppresses the CNS activity and decreases heart rate/ blood pressure
how do opiates effect the body
decreased pain, pupil dilation, decreased gut mobility, decreased respiratory function, mild euphoria
T/F: substance abuse rates are high for depressants
true because users tend to have physical dependencies for it and in turn build tolerance and withdrawal
What do stimulants act like
agonists of the dopamine neurotransmitter system
T/F: caffeine is an example of a hallucinogen
false, it is a stimulant
what does acetylcholine function as
a neurotransmitter in motor neurons
Methadone
a synthetic opioid that is less euphorigenic than heroin and similar drugs.
how do methadone clinics help people
they help people who previously struggled with opioid addiction manage withdrawal symptoms through the use of methadone.
Meditation
the act of focusing on a single target to increase awareness of the moment
benefits of meditation
reduced blood pressure, better sleep management, sleep quality, and pain management. It can also possibly help to manage hypertension
insomnia
a type of sleep disorder that makes it difficult to fall/stay asleep
parasomnias
a type of sleep disorder that provokes unwanted motor movements throughout the sleep cycle
narcalepsy
a type of sleep disorder that makes people feel extremely sleepy during the day, potentially causing them to suddenly fall asleep in the middle of their activities.
Drugs that may lead to substance use disorder are
CNS depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens, analgesics, and opiates
sensation
stimulation of sense organs; gathering raw data from the world around you
perception
the process of organizing and interpreting sensory information
absolute threshold
lowest intensity at which participant notices stimuli 50% of the time
difference threshold (noticeable difference)
the smallest difference between 2 stimuli that is needed for a person to notice 50% of the time
Weber’s Law
differences between bigger/more intense stimuli need to be larger to be noticed
selective attention
the art of focusing on a specific stimulus while ignoring others
inattentional blindness
failure to notice unexpected events while working on a task
sensory adaptation
the change in responsiveness of the sensory system based on the avg level of surrounding sensation
bottoms-up processing
using individual sensory pieces to build and perceive a whole sensory event
top-down processing
using context, expectations, etc to perceive a whole sensory event
example of bottoms-up processing
stubbing your toe on a chiar
example of top-down processing
if you see the chair you have stubbed your toe on before and you avoid it to make sure it does not happen again.
which is the most dominant sense for humans
visual
the mcgurk effect
an auditory-visual illusion that illustrates how perceivers merge information for speech sounds across the senses.
“ba” vs “fa” video
Myopia
(nearsightedness) far away object are blurry bc the eye is too long
Hyperopia
(farsightedness) close objects are blurry bc the eye is too small or the lens does not thicken enough
Presbyopia
(old people vision) Nearby objects are blurry because the lens is less elastic with age
