Unit 2 AP Psychology Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What is biological psychology?

The study of genetic influences on behavior
The study of the nervous system
The scientific study of the links between biological and psychological processes (correct)
The study of human behavior in society

What is a neuron?

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

What do dendrites do?

They receive messages and conduct impulses toward the cell body.

What is the function of an axon?

It passes electrical messages through its branches to other neurons or to muscles or glands. Signup and view all the answers

What is a myelin sheath?

A layer of fatty tissue that encases the fibers of many neurons. Signup and view all the answers

What is action potential?

A neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon. Signup and view all the answers

What is the refractory period?

A period of inactivity after a neuron has fired. Signup and view all the answers

What is the threshold in neuroscience?

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

What does an all-or-nothing response mean?

A neuron's reaction of either firing or not firing. Signup and view all the answers

What is a synapse?

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

What are neurotransmitters?

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

What is reuptake?

A neurotransmitter's reabsorption by the sending neuron. Signup and view all the answers

What are endorphins?

'Morphine within'—natural, opiate-like neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure. Signup and view all the answers

What is an agonist?

A chemical that mimics the action of a neurotransmitter. Signup and view all the answers

What are antagonists?

Chemical substances that block or reduce a cell's response to the action of other chemicals or neurotransmitters. Signup and view all the answers

What is the nervous system?

The body's speedy, electrochemical communication network, consisting of all the nerve cells of the peripheral and central nervous systems. Signup and view all the answers

What is the central nervous system (CNS)?

The brain and the spinal cord. Signup and view all the answers

What is the peripheral nervous system (PNS)?

The sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system to the rest of the body. Signup and view all the answers

What are nerves?

Bundled axons that form neural cables connecting the central nervous system with muscles, glands, and sense organs. Signup and view all the answers

What are sensory (afferent) neurons?

Neurons that carry incoming information from the sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord. Signup and view all the answers

What are motor (efferent) neurons?

Neurons that carry outgoing information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands. Signup and view all the answers

What are interneurons?

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

What is the somatic nervous system?

The division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body's skeletal muscles. Signup and view all the answers

What is the autonomic nervous system?

The part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organs. Signup and view all the answers

What is the sympathetic nervous system?

The division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body in stressful situations. Signup and view all the answers

What is the parasympathetic nervous system?

The division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy. Signup and view all the answers

What are reflexes?

Simple, automatic responses to sensory stimuli. Signup and view all the answers

What is the endocrine system?

The body's 'slow' chemical communication system consisting of glands that secrete hormones. Signup and view all the answers

What are hormones?

Chemical messengers that are manufactured by the endocrine glands. Signup and view all the answers

What are adrenal glands?

A pair of endocrine glands that secrete hormones to help arouse the body in times of stress. Signup and view all the answers

What is the pituitary gland?

'THE MASTER GLAND' that regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands. Signup and view all the answers

What is a lesion?

Tissue destruction that can occur naturally or experimentally. Signup and view all the answers

What is an Electroencephalogram (EEG)?

An amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity that sweep across the brain's surface. Signup and view all the answers

What is a CT (computed tomography) scan?

A series of x-ray photographs taken from different angles to create a composite representation of body slices. Signup and view all the answers

What is a PET (positron emission tomography) scan?

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

What is an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)?

A technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce images of the body's soft tissues. Signup and view all the answers

What is an fMRI (functional MRI)?

A technique for revealing blood flow and brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans. Signup and view all the answers

What is the brainstem?

The oldest part and central core of the brain, responsible for automatic survival functions. Signup and view all the answers

What does the medulla control?

Heartbeat and breathing. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the pons?

Regulating sleep and arousal. Signup and view all the answers

What is the thalamus known as?

The brain's 'sensory switchboard'. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the reticular formation?

Controlling arousal. Signup and view all the answers

What is the cerebellum responsible for?

Processing sensory input, coordinating movement output and balance. Signup and view all the answers

What is the limbic system associated with?

Emotions like fear, aggression, and drives such as those for food and sex. Signup and view all the answers

What is the amygdala linked to?

Emotions, including rage and fear. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the hippocampus?

Learning and memory. Signup and view all the answers

What does the hypothalamus direct?

Maintenance activities like eating and drinking. Signup and view all the answers

What is the cerebral cortex?

The fabric of interconnected neuron cells involved in higher order thinking. Signup and view all the answers

What are glial cells?

Cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons. Signup and view all the answers

What do the frontal lobes control?

Speaking, muscle movements, and planning. Signup and view all the answers

What do the parietal lobes receive?

Sensory input for touch and body position. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the occipital lobes?

Processing visual information. Signup and view all the answers

What do the temporal lobes process?

Auditory information. Signup and view all the answers

What does the motor cortex control?

Voluntary movements. Signup and view all the answers

What does the somatosensory cortex process?

Body touch and movement sensations. Signup and view all the answers

What are association areas involved in?

Higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking. Signup and view all the answers

What is plasticity in the brain?

The brain's ability to change and reorganize. Signup and view all the answers

What is neurogenesis?

The formation of new neurons. Signup and view all the answers

What is the corpus callosum?

A large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres. Signup and view all the answers

What does a split brain condition result from?

Surgery that isolates the brain's two hemispheres. Signup and view all the answers

What is consciousness?

Our awareness of ourselves and our environment. Signup and view all the answers

What is cognitive neuroscience?

The interdisciplinary study of brain activity linked with cognition. Signup and view all the answers

What does dual processing refer to?

Information processed on separate conscious and unconscious tracks. Signup and view all the answers

What is behavior genetics?

The study of genetic and environmental influences on behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term environment refer to in psychology?

Every nongenetic influence affecting behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What are chromosomes?

Threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain genes. Signup and view all the answers

What is DNA?

A complex molecule containing the genetic information. Signup and view all the answers

What are genes?

Biochemical units of heredity that make up chromosomes. Signup and view all the answers

What is a genome?

Complete instructions for making an organism. Signup and view all the answers

What are identical twins?

Twins who develop from a single fertilized egg that splits in two. Signup and view all the answers

What are fraternal twins?

Twins who develop from separate fertilized eggs. Signup and view all the answers

What do molecular geneticists study?

The molecular structure and function of genes. Signup and view all the answers

What is heritability?

The proportion of variation among individuals attributed to genes. Signup and view all the answers

What is interaction in genetics?

The interplay between environmental and hereditary factors. Signup and view all the answers

What is epigenetics?

The study of environmental influences on gene expression. Signup and view all the answers

What do evolutionary psychologists study?

The evolution of behavior and the mind using natural selection. Signup and view all the answers

What is natural selection?

The principle that traits leading to increased survival and reproduction are passed on. Signup and view all the answers

What are mutations?

Random errors in gene replication that lead to changes. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Biological Psychology

Biological psychologists investigate the relationship between biological and psychological processes.
Emphasizes the importance of the nervous system in behavior and mental processes.

Neurons

Neurons are nerve cells, fundamental building blocks of the nervous system.
Dendrites receive messages and conduct impulses toward the cell body.
Axons transmit electrical messages to other neurons or muscles.
Myelin sheath enhances transmission speeds by insulating axons.

Neural Communication

Action potential is the brief electrical charge traveling down an axon.
Refractory period occurs after a neuron fires, preventing immediate subsequent firing.
Threshold is the minimal level of stimulation needed to trigger a neural impulse.
All-or-nothing response indicates neurons either fire or do not fire.

Synapses and Neurotransmitters

Synapses are junctions where neurons communicate, involving the synaptic gap.
Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers influencing neural impulses across synapses.
Reuptake is the process where neurotransmitters are reabsorbed by the sending neuron.

Nervous System Overview

The nervous system is an electrochemical communication network made up of peripheral and central components.
Central nervous system (CNS) comprises the brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

PNS connects the CNS to the rest of the body, including sensory and motor neurons.
Somatic nervous system manages voluntary movements, while the autonomic system regulates involuntary functions.
Autonomic nervous system includes the sympathetic (arousing) and parasympathetic (calming) systems.

Reflexes

Reflexes are automatic responses to sensory stimuli, illustrating basic neural circuits.

Endocrine System

The endocrine system is a slower chemical communication system involving glands releasing hormones.
Hormones are substances that travel through the bloodstream and influence various bodily functions.

Brain Structure and Function

Brainstem coordinates automatic survival functions; includes the medulla (heartbeat, breathing) and pons (sleep, arousal).
Thalamus acts as the sensory switchboard, directing messages to cortical areas.
Limbic system, governing emotions and drives, includes the amygdala (fear, aggression) and hippocampus (memory).

Cerebral Cortex and Lobes

The cerebral cortex is the brain's outer layer responsible for higher-order thinking and processing information.
Frontal lobes involve planning, reasoning, and voluntary movement control.
Parietal lobes process sensory information regarding touch and body position.
Occipital lobes handle visual processing, while temporal lobes process auditory information.

Unique Brain Features

Neuroplasticity refers to the brain's capacity to reorganize and adapt, especially after injury.
Neurogenesis denotes the formation of new neurons, contributing to brain plasticity.
Corpus callosum connects both hemispheres, facilitating interhemispheric communication.

Consciousness and Cognition

Consciousness represents awareness of self and the environment.
Cognitive neuroscience explores brain activity related to cognitive functions.

Genetics and Behavior

Behavior genetics studies the influence of genetics and environment on behavior.
Chromosomes, made of DNA, contain genes that determine hereditary traits.
Identical twins (monozygotic) arise from a single fertilized egg, while fraternal twins (dizygotic) come from separate eggs.

Evolutionary Psychology

Evolutionary psychologists study behaviors' evolution and their relation to natural selection principles.
Mutations are genetic alterations that can influence evolution.

Lasting Concepts

Heritability measures genetic variation attributed to genes, influenced by environmental factors.
Epigenetics examines environmental impacts on gene expression without changing DNA.

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Description

Test your knowledge of key terms in Unit 2 of AP Psychology, focusing on the connections between biology and psychology. This set of flashcards covers essential concepts such as neurons, dendrites, and biological psychologists, providing a thorough review for your studies.