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AP Psychology > Unit 3 > Flashcards

Unit 3 Flashcards

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1
Q

The scientific study of the links between biological (genetic, neural, hormonal) and psychological processes.

A

Biological Psychology

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2
Q

A nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system.

A

Neuron

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3
Q

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

A

Dendrites

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4
Q

The neuron extension that passes messages through its branches to other neurons or to muscles or glands.

A

Axon

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5
Q

A fatty tissue layer segmentally encasing the axons of some neurons; enables vastly greater transmission speed as neural impulses hop from one sausage-like node to the next.

A

Myelin Sheath

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6
Q

A neural impulses; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon.

A

Action Potential

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7
Q

A period of inactivity after a neuron has fired.

A

Refractory Period

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8
Q

The level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse.

A

Threshold

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9
Q

A neuron’s reaction of either firing or not firing.

A

All-or-Non Response

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10
Q

The junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron.

A

Synapse

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11
Q

Chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons.

A

Neurotransmitters

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12
Q

A neurotransmitter’s re-absorption by the sending neuron.

A

Reuptake

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13
Q

“Morphine within” - natural, opiate-like neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure.

A

Endorphins

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14
Q

A molecule that, by binding to a receptor sire, stimulates a response.

A

Agonist

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15
Q

A molecule that, by binding to a receptor site, inhibits or blocks a response.

A

Antagonist

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16
Q

The body’s speedy; electrochemical communication network, consisting of all the nerve cells of the peripheral and central nervous systems.

A

Nervous System

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17
Q

The brain and spinal cord.

A

Central Nervous System (CNS)

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18
Q

The sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system (CNS) to the rest of the body.

A

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

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19
Q

Bundled axons that form neural “cables” connecting the central nervous system with muscles, glands, and sense organs.

A

Nerves

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20
Q

Neurons that carry incoming information form the sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord.

A

Sensory (afferent) neurons

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21
Q

Neurons that carry outgoing information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands.

A

Motor (efferent) Neurons

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22
Q

Neurons within the brain and spinal cord that communicate internally and intervene between the sensory inputs and motor outputs.

A

Interneurons

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23
Q

The division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body’s skeletal muscles.

A

Somatic Nervous System

24
Q

The part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organs.

A

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

25
Q

The division of the automatic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy in stressful situations.

A

Sympathetic Nervous System

26
Q

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

A

Parasympathetic Nervous System

27
Q

A simple, automatic response to a sensory stimulus, such as the knee-jerk response.

A

Reflex

28
Q

The body’s “slow” chemical communication system; a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream.

A

Endocrine System

29
Q

Chemical messengers that are manufactured by the endocrine glands travel through the bloodstream and affect other tissues.

A

Hormones

30
Q

A pair of endocrine glands that sit just above the kidneys and secrete hormones that help arouse the body in times of stress.

A

Adrenal Glands

31
Q

The endocrine system’s most influential gland. Under the influence of the hypothalamus, the pituitary regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands.

A

Pituitary Gland

32
Q

Tissue destruction.

A

Lesion

33
Q

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

A

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

34
Q

A series of X-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by computer into a composite representation of a slice of the brain’s structure.

A

CT Scan

35
Q

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

A

PET Scan

36
Q

A technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images of soft tissue.

A

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

37
Q

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

A

fMRI (Functional MRI)

38
Q

The oldest part and central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull; the brainstem is responsible for automatic survival functions.

A

Brainstem

39
Q

The base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing.

A

Medulla

40
Q

The brain’s sensory control center, 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.

A

Thalamus

41
Q

A nerve network that travels through the brainstem and thalamus and plays an important role in controlling arousal.

A

Reticular Formation

42
Q

The “little brain” at the rear of the brainstem; functions include processing sensory input, coordinating movement output and balance, and enabling nonverbal learning and memory.

A

Cerebellum

43
Q

Neural system located below the cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions and drives.

A

Limbic System

44
Q

Two lima-bean-sized neural clusters in the limbic system; linked to emotion.

A

Amygdala

45
Q

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.

A

Hypothalamus

46
Q

The intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering the cerebral hemispheres; the body’s ultimate control and information-processing center.

A

Cerebral Cortex

47
Q

Cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons; they may also play a role in learning and thinking.

A

Glial Cells (Glia)

48
Q

Portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead; involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgments.

A

Frontal Lobes

49
Q

Portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head and toward the rear; receives sensory input for touch and body position.

A

Parietal Lobes

50
Q

Portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head; includes areas that receive information from the visual fields.

A

Occipital Lobes

51
Q

Portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears; includes the auditory areas, each receiving information primarily from the opposite ear.

A

Temporal Lobes

52
Q

An area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements.

A

Motor Cortex

53
Q

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

A

Somatosensory Cortex

54
Q

Areas of the cerebral cortex that are not involved in primary motor or sensory functions; rather, they are involved in higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking.

A

Association Areas

55
Q

The brain’s ability to change, especially during childhood, by reorganizing after damage or by building new pathways based on experience.

A

Plasticity

56
Q

The formation of new neurons

A

Neurogenesis

AP Psychology (13 decks)

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