15006376741 | Biological Psychology | the scientific study of the links between biological (genetic, neural, hormonal) and psychological processes Ex: | 0 | |
15006376742 | Dendrites | a neurons bushy, branching extensions that receive messages and conduct impulses toward the cell body Ex: | 1 | |
15006376743 | Myelin Sheath | a fatty tissue layer segmentally encasing the axons of some neurons; enables vastly greater transmission speed as neural impulses hop from one node to the next Ex: | 2 | |
15006376744 | Refractory Period | a period of inactivity after a neuron has fired Ex: | 3 | |
15006376745 | All-or-Nothing Response | a neurons reaction of either firing (with a full strength response) or not firing | 4 | |
15006376746 | Neurotransmitter | chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons. when released by the sending neuron, neurotransmitters travel across the synapse and bind to receptors on the receiving neuron, thereby influencing whether that neuron will generate a neural impulse | 5 | |
15006376747 | Endorphins | "morphine within" - natural, opiate-like neurotransmitter linked to pain control and and pleasure | 6 | |
15006376748 | Antagonist | a molecule that, by binding to a receptor site, inhibits or blocks a response | 7 | |
15006376749 | Central Nervous System (CNS) | the brain and spinal cord | 8 | |
15006376750 | Nerves | bundled axons that form neural 'cables' connecting the central nervous system with muscles, glands, and sense organs | 9 | |
15006376751 | Motor (efferent) Neurons | neurons that carry outgoing information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands | 10 | |
15006376752 | Somatic Nervous System | the division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body's skeletal muscles | 11 | |
15006376753 | Sympathetic Nervous System | the division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy in stressful situations | 12 | |
15006376754 | Reflex | a simple, automatic response to a sensory stimulus Ex: knee jerk reaction | 13 | |
15006376755 | Hormones | chemical messengers that are manufactured by the endocrine glands, travel through the bloodstream, and affect others | 14 | |
15006376756 | Pituitary Glands | the endocrine systems most influential gland. under the influence of the hypothalamus, regulates growth and controls other other endocrine glands | 15 | |
15006376757 | Computed Tomography (CT) Scan | a series of X-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by a computer into into a composite representation of a slice of the brains structure | 16 | |
15006376758 | lesion | tissue destruction. A brain lesion is a naturally or experimentally caused destruction of brain tissue | 17 | |
15006376759 | Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan | a visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain is given a task | 18 | |
15006376760 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) | a technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce a computer-generated image of soft tissue and brain anatomy | 19 | |
15006376761 | Thalamus | the brains sensory control center, located on the top of the brainstem; it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla | 20 | |
15006376762 | Cerebellum | the "little brain" at the rear of the brainstem; functions include processing sensory input, coordinating movement output and balance, and enabling nonverbal learning and memory | 21 | |
15006376763 | Amygdala | two lima bean sized neural clusters in the limbic system; linked to emotion | 22 | |
15006376764 | Cerebral Cortex | the intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering the cerebral hemispheres; the body's ultimate control and information processing center | 23 | |
15006376765 | Frontal Lobes | portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead; involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgement | 24 | |
15006376766 | Motor Cortex | an area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements Ex: waving | 25 | |
15006376767 | Association Areas | areas of the cerebral cortex that are not involved in the primary motor and sensory functions; rather, they are involved in higher mental functions Ex: learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking | 26 | |
15006376768 | Corpus Callosum | the large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them | 27 | |
15006376769 | Consciousness | our awareness of ourselves and our environment | 28 | |
15006376770 | Dual Processing | the principle that information is often simultaneously processed on separate conscious and unconscious tracks | 29 | |
15006376771 | Environment | every external influence, from prenatal nutrition to the people and things around us | 30 | |
15006376772 | DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) | a complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes | 31 | |
15006376773 | Genome | the complete instructions for making an organism, consisting of all the genetic material in that organism's chromosomes | 32 | |
15006376774 | Fraternal Twins (Dizygotic Twins) | twins who develop from separate fertilized eggs. they are genetically no closer than brothers and sisters, but they share a fetal environment | 33 | |
15006376775 | Heritability | the proportion of variation among individuals that we can attribute to genes. the heritability of a trait may vary, depending on the range of populations and environments studied | 34 | |
15006376776 | Epigenetics | the study of environmental influences on gene expression that occur without a DNA change | 35 | |
15006376777 | Natural Selection | the principle that, among the range of inherited trait variations, those contributing to reproduction and survival will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations | 36 | |
15006376778 | Neuron | a nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system | 37 | |
15006376779 | Axon | the neuron extension that passes messages through its branches to other neurons or to muscles or glands | 38 | |
15006376780 | Action Potential | a neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon | 39 | |
15006376781 | Threshold | the level of stimulation required to trigger a neural response | 40 | |
15006376782 | Synapse | the junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron to the dendrites or cell body of the receiving neuron. the small gap at this site is called the synaptic gap or synaptic cleft | 41 | |
15006376783 | Reuptake | a neurotransmitter's reabsorption by the sending neuron | 42 | |
15006376784 | Agonist | a molecule that, by binding to a receptor site, stimulates a response | 43 | |
15006376785 | Nervous System | the body's speedy, electrochemical communication network, consisting of all the nerve cells of the peripheral and central nervous systems | 44 | |
15006376786 | Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) | the sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system (CNS) to the rest of the body | 45 | |
15006376787 | Sensory (afferent) Neurons | neurons that carry incoming information from the sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord | 46 | |
15006376788 | Interneurons | neurons within the brain and spinal cord that communicate internally and intervene between the sensory inputs and motor outputs | 47 | |
15006376789 | Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) | the part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organs. Its sympathetic division arouses; its parasympathetic division calms | 48 | |
15006376790 | Parasympathetic Nervous System | the division of the automatic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy | 49 | |
15006376791 | Endocrine System | the body's "slow" chemical communication; a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream | 50 | |
15006376792 | Adrenal Glands | a pair of endocrine glands that sit just above the kidneys and secrete hormones (epinephrine and norepinephrine) that help arouse the body in times of stress | 51 | |
15006376793 | Electroencephalogram (EEG) | an amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity sweeping across the brain's surface. these waves are measured by electrodes placed on the scalp | 52 | |
15006376794 | Functional MRI (fMRI) | a technique for revealing bloodflow and, therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans. fMRI scans show show brain function and structure | 53 | |
15006376795 | Brainstem | the oldest part and central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull; the brainstem is responsible for automatic survival functions | 54 | |
15006376796 | Medulla | the base of the brainstem; controls the heartbeat and breathing | 55 | |
15006376797 | Reticular Formation | a nerve network that travels through the brainstem and thalamus and plays an important part role in controlling arousal | 56 | |
15006376798 | Limbic System | neural system (including the hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus) located below the cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions and drives | 57 | |
15006376799 | Hypothalamus | a neural structure lying below the thalamus; it directs several maintenance activities, helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion and reward Ex: eating, drinking, body temperature | 58 | |
15006376800 | Glial Cells (glia) | cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons; they may also play a role in learning and thinking | 59 | |
15006376801 | Parietal Lobes | portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head and toward the rear; receives sensory input for touch and body position | 60 | |
15006376802 | Temporal Lobes | portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears; includes the auditory areas, each receiving information primarily from the opposite ear | 61 | |
15006376803 | Somatosensory Cortex | area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations | 62 | |
15006376804 | Plasticity | the brain's ability to change, especially during childhood, by reorganizing after damage or by building new pathways based on experience | 63 | |
15006376805 | Split Brain | a condition resulting from surgery that isolates tge brain's two hemispheres by cutting the fibers (mostly those of the corpus callosum) connecting them | 64 | |
15006376806 | Cognitive Neuroscience | the interdisciplinary study of the brain activity linked with cognition Ex: perception, thinking, memory, and language | 65 | |
15006376807 | Behavior Genetics | the study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior | 66 | |
15006376808 | Chromosomes | threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes | 67 | |
15006376809 | Genes | the biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosomes; segments of DNA capable of synthesizing proteins | 68 | |
15006376810 | Identical Twins (monozygotic twins) | twins who develop from a single fertilized egg that splits into two, creating two genetically identical organisms | 69 | |
15006376811 | Molecular Genetics | the subfield of biology that studies the molecular structure and function of genes | 70 | |
15006376812 | Interaction | the interplay that occurs when the effect of one factor depends on another factor Ex: environment and heredity | 71 | |
15006376813 | Evolutionary Psychology | the study of the evolution of behavior and mind, using principles of natural selection | 72 | |
15006376814 | Mutation | a random error in gene replication that leads to a change | 73 | |
15006376815 | Occipital Lobes | portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head; includes areas that receive information from the visual fields | 74 | |
15006376816 | Conscousness | our awareness of ourselves and our environment | 75 | |
15006376817 | hypnosis | a social interaction in which one person suggests to another that certain perceptions, feelings, thoughts, or behaviors will spontaneously occur | 76 | |
15006376818 | Postthypnotic suggestion | a suggestion, made during a hypnosis session, to be carried out after the subject is no longer hypnotized | 77 | |
15006376819 | Dissociation | a split in consciousness, which allows some thoughts and behaviors to occur simultaneously with others | 78 | |
15006376820 | circadian rhythm | the biological clock; regular bodily rhythms that occur on a 24-hour cycle | 79 | |
15006376821 | REM sleep | Rapid eye movement sleep, a recurring sleep stage during which vivid dreams commonly occur. Also known as paradoxical sleep, because the muscles are relaxed (except for minor twitches) but other body systems are active. | 80 | |
15006376822 | alpha waves | the relatively slow brain waves of a relaxed, awake state | 81 | |
15006376823 | sleep | periodic, natural loss of consciousness--as distinct from unconsciousness resulting from a coma, general anesthesia, or hibernation | 82 | |
15006376824 | Hallucinations | false sensory experiences, such as seeing something in the absence of an external visual stimulus | 83 | |
15006376825 | delta waves | the large, slow brain waves associated with deep sleep | 84 | |
15006376826 | NREM sleep | non-rapid eye movement sleep; encompasses all sleep stages except for REM sleep | 85 | |
15006376827 | suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) | a pair of cell clusters in the hypothalamus that controls circadian rhythm. In response to light, the SCN causes the pineal gland to adjust melatonin production, thus modifying our feelings of sleepiness | 86 | |
15006376828 | insomnia | recurring problems in falling or staying asleep | 87 | |
15006376829 | Narcolepsy | A sleep disorder characterized by uncontrollable sleep attacks. The sufferer may lapse directly into REM sleep, often at inopportune times. | 88 | |
15006376830 | sleep apnea | a sleep disorder characterized by temporary cessations of breathing during sleep and repeated momentary awakenings | 89 | |
15006376831 | night terrors | a sleep disorder characterized by high arousal and an appearance of being terrified; unlike nightmares, night terrors occur during Stage 4 sleep, within two or three hours of falling asleep, and are seldom remembered | 90 | |
15006376832 | dream | a sequence of images, emotions, and thoughts passing through a sleeping person's mind. Dreams are notable for their hallucinatory imagery, discontinuities, and incongruities, and for the dreamer's delusional acceptance of the content and later difficulties remembering it. | 91 | |
15006376833 | manifest content | according to Freud, the remembered story line of a dream (as distinct from its latent, or hidden, content) | 92 | |
15006376834 | latent content | according to Freud, the underlying meaning of a dream (as distinct from its manifest content) | 93 | |
15006376835 | REM rebound | the tendency for REM sleep to increase following REM sleep deprivation (created by repeated awakenings during REM sleep) | 94 | |
15006376836 | substance use disorder | continued substance craving and use despite significant life disruption and/or physical risk | 95 | |
15006376837 | psychoactive drug | a chemical substance that alters perceptions and moods | 96 | |
15006376838 | Tolerance | the diminishing effect with regular use of the same dose of a drug, requiring the user to take larger and larger doses before experiencing the drug's effect | 97 | |
15006376839 | addiction | compulsive drug craving and use, despite adverse consequences | 98 | |
15006376840 | withdrawal | the discomfort and distress that follow discontinuing an addictive drug or behavior | 99 | |
15006376841 | Depressants | drugs (such as alcohol, barbiturates, and opiates) that reduce neural activity and slow body functions | 100 | |
15006376842 | alcohol use disorder | alcohol use marked by tolerance, withdrawal, and a drive to continue problematic use | 101 | |
15006376843 | Barbiturates | drugs that depress the activity of the central nervous system, reducing anxiety but impairing memory and judgment | 102 | |
15006376844 | Opiates | opium and its derivatives, such as morphine and heroin; they depress neural activity, temporarily lessening pain and anxiety | 103 | |
15006376845 | Stimulants | Drugs (such as caffeine, nicotine, and the more powerful amphetamines, cocaine, and Ecstasy) that excite neural activity and speed up body functions. | 104 | |
15006376846 | Amphetamines | drugs that stimulate neural activity, causing speeded-up body functions and associated energy and mood changes | 105 | |
15006376847 | Nicotine | a stimulating and highly addictive psychoactive drug in tobacco | 106 | |
15006376848 | Cocaine | a powerful and addictive stimulant, derived from the coca plant, producing temporarily increased alertness and euphoria | 107 | |
15006376849 | Methamphetamine | a powerfully addictive drug that stimulates the central nervous system, with speeded-up body functions and associated energy and mood changes; over time, appears to reduce baseline dopamine levels | 108 | |
15006376850 | Ecstasy (MDMA) | a synthetic stimulant and mild hallucinogen. Produces euphoria and social intimacy, but with short-term health risks and longer-term harm to serotonin-producing neurons and to mood and cognition. | 109 | |
15006376851 | Hallucinogens | psychedelic ("mind-manifesting") drugs, such as LSD, that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input | 110 | |
15006376852 | LSD | a powerful hallucinogenic drug; also known as acid (lysergic acid diethylamide) | 111 | |
15006376853 | near-death experience | an altered state of consciousness reported after a close brush with death (such as through cardiac arrest); often similar to drug-induced hallucinations | 112 | |
15006376854 | THC | the major active ingredient in marijuana; triggers a variety of effects, including mild hallucinations | 113 | |
15006376855 | William James | founder of functionalism; studied how humans use perception to function in our environment | 114 | |
15006376856 | Ernest Hilgard | believed hypnosis involves not only social influences but also a special state of dissociation | 115 | |
15006376859 | Sigmund Freud | 116 |
AP Psychology Unit 2 Flashcards
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