Unit 3A Flashcards
Explain why psychologists are concerned with human biology
Can help with learning psychological events such as sleeping, dreaming, depression, sex. Biological activity is linked with psychological events
Branch of psychology dealing with how biology is linked with behavior
Biological psychology
How are impulses generated?
Sodium ions flow into the membrane which depolarizes the section and so on. This keeps happening until the impulse travels down the axon
Carry info from sensory receptors to the CNS
Sensory neurons
Carry outgoing info from the CNS to muscles and glands
Motor neurons
Are sensory neurons afferent or efferent?
Afferent
Are motor neurons afferent or efferent?
Efferent
Neurons in the brain and spinal cord that communicate internally and intervene between sensory inputs and motor outputs
Interneuron
Receives messages and conducts impulses towards the cell body
Dendrite
Messages are passed down to other neurons, muscles, glands
Axon
The minimum length of time after an action potential during which another action potential cannot begin.
Refractory period
A brief change in a neuron’s electrical charge.
Action potential
Speeds up the time a message passes through the axon
Myelin
Level of stimulation to trigger a neural impulse
Threshold
Triggers a neural impulse to go
Excitatory
Triggers a neural impulse to stop
Inhibitory
How do nerve cells communicate?
Neurotransmitters are released at the axon terminal; the neurotransmitters then go on to the next neuron and absorbs the excess neurotransmitters
Junction between axon terminal and the next dendrite or cell body of the next neuron
Synapse
Chemical messengers that determine whether or not it’ll generate an impulse
Neurotransmitters
A process in which neurotransmitters are sponged up from the synaptic cleft by the presynaptic membrane.
Reuptake
How do neurotransmitters influence behavior?
There are different pathways neurotransmitters can go to affect emotions and behavior
How do drugs and chemicals affect neurotransmitters?
Drugs could prevent the brain from producing opiates. Can also slow down or block neurotransmitters
Enables muscle action, learning, memory
Acetylcholine
Natural neurotransmitter linked to pleasure and pain control
Endorphins
Similar to neurotransmitters and mimics its effects
Agonists
What chemical is linked to Alzheimer’s?
Acetylcholine
What chemical is linked to Parkinson’s and schizophrenia?
Endorphins
Enters information
Afferent
Receives information
Efferent
Influences movement, learning, attention, emotion
Dopamine
Blocks a neurotransmitter from functioning
Antagonists
Electrochemical communication throughout the body
Nervous system
Made up of the brain and spinal cord
CNS
Made up of sensory and motor neurons that connect the CNS to the body
PNS
Bundled axons that connect CNS to muscles, glands, sense organs
Nerves
Controls voluntary movements of skeletal muscles
Somatic
Self regulated action of internal organs and glands
Autonomic
Calms body and conserves energy
Parasympathetic
Mobilizes energy in stressful situations
Sympathetic
Automatic response to sensory stimulus
Reflex
Controls the hormones released in the body
Endocrine
Alertness and arousal
Norepinephrine
Mood, regulation of sleep and wakefullness
Serotonin
Slows
Gaba
Produced by the pineal gland; helps people to sleep
Melatonin
Chemical messengers that are made by endocrine glands and travel through the bloodstream affecting tissues
Hormones
Secretes epinephrine that arouse the body in times of stress
Adrenal glands
Influenced by the hypothalamus; regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands
Pituitary gland
