AP Psychology Chapter 2 Notecards

Questions and Answers

What is a neuron?

A type of skin cell

A nerve cell (correct)

A type of blood cell

A type of muscle cell

What do dendrites do?

Receive messages and conduct impulses toward the cell body (correct)

Protect neurons from damage

Generate action potentials

Send signals away from the cell body

What is the function of the axon?

Protect the neuron

Transmit messages to other neurons or muscles (correct)

Receive information

Store neurotransmitters

What does the myelin sheath do?

Increases transmission speed of neural impulses Signup and view all the answers

What is the threshold?

The level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse. Signup and view all the answers

Synapse is the junction between sending and receiving neurons.

True Signup and view all the answers

What are neurotransmitters?

Chemical messengers that traverse the synaptic gaps between neurons Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of acetylcholine?

It enables learning and memory and triggers muscle contraction. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of dopamine?

Plays important roles in the brain and body Signup and view all the answers

GABA inhibits excitatory responses.

True Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the somatic nervous system?

Controls the body's skeletal muscles Signup and view all the answers

The autonomic nervous system is responsible for:

Regulating involuntary bodily functions Signup and view all the answers

The brainstem connects the brain to the spinal cord.

True Signup and view all the answers

What is neurogenesis?

Formation of new neurons. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the cerebral cortex?

Control and information processing center Signup and view all the answers

Match the following parts of the brain with their functions:

Hindbrain = Coordinates information coming into and out of the spinal cord Midbrain = Integrates sensory information Forebrain = Includes the thalamus and hypothalamus Cerebellum = Processes sensory input and coordinates movement Signup and view all the answers

What is plasticity in the brain?

The brain's capacity for modification. Signup and view all the answers

The corpus callosum connects the two brain hemispheres.

True Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Neurons and Communication

Neurons are the fundamental units of the nervous system, responsible for transmitting information.
Dendrites receive signals and conduct impulses toward the neuron's cell body.
Axons transmit messages away from the cell body to other neurons, muscles, or glands.
The myelin sheath accelerates neural impulse transmission by insulating axons.

Neural Activity

Action potential represents a brief electrical charge that travels along the axon, initiated by movement of ions.
Threshold is the necessary level of stimulation to trigger an action potential.
Synapses facilitate communication between neurons, with synaptic gaps allowing neurotransmitters to cross.

Neurotransmitters Functions

Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that transmit signals across synapses, influencing whether neurons will fire.
Acetylcholine is crucial for learning, memory, and muscle contraction.
Dopamine regulates movement, reward, and pleasure; it's linked to various mental health disorders.
Serotonin affects mood, sleep, and appetite, while norepinephrine influences stress response.

Neural Regulation

GABA is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, reducing neuronal excitability.
Glutamate is an excitatory neurotransmitter vital for cognitive functions but can be toxic in excessive amounts.
Endorphins act as natural pain relievers and are linked to pleasure sensations.

Nervous System Structure

The nervous system comprises the central nervous system (CNS) - brain and spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system (PNS).
Sensory neurons relay incoming sensory information to the CNS, while motor neurons transmit signals from the CNS to muscles and glands.
Interneurons connect sensory inputs with motor outputs within the CNS.

Autonomic Functions

The autonomic nervous system oversees involuntary actions and regulates internal organs.
The sympathetic nervous system activates fight-or-flight responses; the parasympathetic system supports rest-and-digest functions.

Brain Structure and Function

Hindbrain coordinates data from the body and plays a role in basic functions like heart rate and breathing.
The limbic system influences emotions and drives; it includes the amygdala (emotion), hypothalamus (hormonal regulation), and more.
The cerebral cortex is involved in high-level functions like reasoning, planning, and language processing.

Brain Areas

The frontal lobes manage executive functions and voluntary motor activity.
The parietal lobes process sensory information from the body.
Temporal lobes are key for auditory processing and language comprehension.

Language and Development

Broca's area is essential for speech production, while Wernicke's area enables language comprehension.
Aphasia is a condition affecting language due to damage in these areas.
Plasticity allows the brain to adapt and rewire after injury or experience.

Brain Hemispheres

The corpus callosum connects the left and right hemispheres, facilitating communication.
Split-brain procedures highlight how hemispheric specialization occurs, with the left side associated with logic and language, and the right side with creativity and spatial reasoning.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Explore key terms from Chapter 2 of AP Psychology with these flashcards. This quiz covers important concepts such as neurons, dendrites, and axons that are fundamental to understanding the nervous system. Perfect for quick revision or study sessions!