AP Psychology Vocabulary Terms

Study Notes

Biological Psychology

Studies the relationship between biological processes and psychological phenomena.
Examines how biology influences thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

Neuron

Basic unit of the nervous system, functioning as a nerve cell.
Responsible for transmitting signals throughout the body.

Dendrites

Branching extensions of neurons that receive information.
Conduct impulses toward the neuron’s cell body.

Axon

Long extension of a neuron that transmits messages to other neurons, muscles, or glands.
Involved in the relay of electrical impulses.

Myelin Sheath

Fatty tissue layer that surrounds and insulates certain axons, improving transmission speed.
Facilitates quicker communication between neurons by enabling the impulse to jump between nodes.

Action Potential

Brief electrical charge that travels down the axon, serving as a neural impulse.
Integral in neuronal communication.

Refractory Period

Recovery phase following neuron firing where it cannot fire again immediately.
Comprises absolute and relative refractory periods, defining the timing of subsequent impulses.

Threshold

Minimum stimulation required to trigger an action potential in a neuron.
Indicates the point at which a neuron will fire.

All-or-None Response

Describes a neuron's binary reaction to stimulation: it either fires completely or not at all.
Illustrates the decisive nature of neuronal responses.

Synapse

Connection point between the axon tip of sending neurons and dendrites of receiving neurons.
Serves as the site for neurotransmitter exchange.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers that transmit signals across synapses.
Play crucial roles in communication between neurons.

Reuptake

Process where neurotransmitters are reabsorbed by the sending neuron after transmitting signals.
Essential for recycling neurotransmitters and maintaining balance in communication.

Endorphins

Natural neurotransmitters that help control pain and promote pleasure.
Linked with feelings of happiness and stress relief.

Agonist

Molecule that stimulates a receptor site, enhancing a response.
Used in treatments to increase receptor activity.

Antagonist

Molecule that inhibits or blocks responses by binding to receptor sites.
Functions to counteract or mitigate the effects of agonists.

Nervous System

Comprehensive communication network of the body, encompassing central and peripheral systems.
Facilitates all communication processes within the body, enabling response to stimuli and coordination of actions.

Description

Explore key vocabulary terms in AP Psychology with this engaging quiz. From Biological Psychology to Neurons, each term is defined clearly and simply. Enhance your understanding of fundamental concepts that link biology and psychology.

AP Psychology Vocabulary Terms

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Questions and Answers

What is Biological Psychology?

What is a Neuron?

What are Dendrites?

What is an Axon?

What is the Myelin Sheath?

What is Action Potential?

What is the Refractory Period?

What is Threshold?

What is the All-or-None Response?

What is a Synapse?

What are Neurotransmitters?

What is Reuptake?

What are Endorphins?

What is an Agonist?

What is an Antagonist?

What is the Nervous System?