Unit 3a Flashcards
Biological psychology
Branch of psychology studying the links between biology and behavior
Other names for biological psychologists
Behavioral neuroscientists Neuropsychologist Behavior geneticist Physiological psychologist Biopsychologist
Neuron
Nerve cell
Basic building block of nervous system
Sensory neuron
Neurons that carry incoming info from sensory receptors to brain and spinal cord
Moto neurons
Neurons that carry outgoing info from brain/spinal cord to muscles and glands
Interneurons
Neurons in brain and spinal that communicate internally, intervene between the sensory inputs and motor outputs
Dendrite
Bushy branch extension to neuron that receives messages and conducts impulses towards cell body
Axon
Extension of neuron, ending in branch terminal fibers, through which messages pass to other neurons or muscles or glands
Myelin sheath
Fatty tissue encasing neuron fibers that enables greater transmission speed of neural impulses
Action potential
Neural impulse, electrical charge that travels down the axon
Threshold
Level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse
Synapse
Junction between axon tip of sending neuron and dendrite of receiving neuron.
Tiny gap of synapse
Synaptic gap or synaptic cleft
Neurotransmitters
Chemical messengers
How neurotransmitters travel after impulse down axon
Cross synaptic gap, when released by sending neuron, they travel across the synapse and bind to the receptor sites in the receiving neuron, therefore influencing whether the neuron will generate a neural impulse
Reuptake
A neurotransmitters reabsorption by the sending neuron
Acetylcholine (ACh) function
Enables muscle action, learning, and memory
Examples of malfunctions with ACh
Alzheimer’s disease, ACh producing neurons deteriorate
Dopamine function
Influences movement, learning, attention, and emotion
Examples of malfunctions with dopamine
Excess dopamine-receptor activity is linked to schizophrenia
Lack dopamine- the brain produces the tremors and decreased mobility of Parkinson’s disease
Serotonin function
Affects mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal
Examples of malfunctions with serotonin
Under supply linked to depression. Prozac and some other antidepressant drugs raise serotonin levels
Norepinephrine function
Helps control alertness and arousal
Examples of malfunctions with norepinephrine
Under supply can depress mood
GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid) function
A major inhibitory neurotransmitter
Examples of malfunctions with GABA
Under supply linked to seizures, tremors, and insomnia
Glutamate function
A major excitatory neurotransmitter, involved in memory
Examples of malfunctions with glutamate
Oversupply can overstimulate brain, producing migraines or seizures
Endorphins
Morphin within
Natural, opiatelike neurotransmitters linked to pain control and pleasure
Nervous system
Body’s speedy electrochemical communication network. Consists of all nerve cells of the peripheral and central nervous systems
Central nervous system
Brain and spinal cord
Peripheral nervous system
Sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system to the rest of the body
Nerves
Bundled axons that form neural cables connecting the central nervous system with muscles, glands, and sense organs
Somatic nervous system
The diversion of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body’s voluntary movements of skeletal muscles
Autonomic nervous system
Controls self regulated action of internal organs and glands
Sympathetic nervous system
Division of autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy in stressful situations
Parasympathetic nervous system
Autonomic nervous system that calms the body conserving its energy
Reflex
A simple, automatic response to a sensory stimulus, such as a knee jerk response
Endocrine
Slow chemical communication system, a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream
Adrenal glands
A pair of endocrine glands that sit just above the kidneys and secrete hormones that help arouse the body in times of stress
Pituitary gland
The endocrine systems most influential gland. Under the influence of the hypothalamus the pituitary I regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands
What releases epinephrine and norepinephrine
Adrenal glands
What are epinephrine and norepinephrine hormones called and do
adrenaline and noradrenaline in flight or fight responses, increase heart rate, blood pressure, and blood sugar proving with surge of energy,
What system has the feelings that linger
Endocrine
Sympathetic nervous system parts of body
Dilated pupil Accelerates heart Pauses digestion Stimulates glucose release by liver Secretes hormones (kidney) Relaxes bladder Stimulates make ejaculation
Parasympathetic nervous system
Contract pupil Slow heart Starts digestion Starts gallbladder Contract bladder Blood flow to sex organs
Nervous system two parts
Peripheral, central
Peripheral system two parts
Autonomic, somatic
Autonomic two parts
Sympathetic and parasympathetic
Agonist
Excited
Mimics neurotransmitter effects on receiving neuron, ex morphine
Antagonist
Inhibits
Blocks neurotransmitter, ex curare poisoning paralyzed
Inhibitory
Like pushing brake
Are against triggering action potential
Excitatory
Like pushing accelerator
Are for triggering action potential
