AP Psychology: Unit 3

-input fibers that carry electrical signals into a neuron from connected cells.

-control center of neuron -integrates inputs from all dendrites -determines whether neuron should fire or not

-output fiber carries electrical signal from a neuron to a neighboring cell. -neurons have one each -larger than dendrites -divide into branches at end called terminals

-a layer of fatty tissue that covers around the axon -enables greater transmission speed of neural impulses as impulses jump from node to node -composed of glial cells (glove)

-the junction between the axon tip and the dendrite of the receiving neuron. -called the synaptic gap or cleft as well

-a neuron has a slightly negative charge -negative ions mostly inside cell

-level of stimulation needed for electrochemical communication to occur.

-brief charge that travels down the axon as it becomes depolarized. -travels down to terminal where it causes neuro transmitters that bind to specific receptor sites on receiving neurons to fire.

-return to state of resting slightly negative charge (polarization) -no amount of stimulation can cause the neurons to fire again in this stage. -absolute refractory phase is followed by relative refractory phase in which neuron needs more stimulation to fire again.

-excite the cell into firing

-inhibit the nerve cell from firing

-regulates mood

-regulates movement and posture -particularly in basal ganglia -lack= Parkinson's or catatonic -overabundance

-regulates cognitive functioning and memory -Alzheimer's associated with loss of it in neurons that connect with hippocampus -nicotine is an agonist (mimics it)

-regulates alertness and wakefulness -too much=mania

(agamma amniobutyric acid) -inhibits the action of target cells -low levels: implicated in anxiety and epilepsy -alcohol and barbiturates raise levels

-"morphine within" -natural opiate-like neurotransmitter linked to pain control and pleasure -exercise linked to raising endorphin level

-most abundant excitatory n.t. -plays significant role in learning and memory

-takes info from senses to brain

-once info reaches brain

-takes instructions back to muscles

-made up of two major components: brain and spine -receives

-consists of nerves/tissue outside brain and spinal cord -two categories: somatic and autonomic nervous systems.

(skeletal) -consists of nerves that are connected to sensory receptors and to skeletal muscles that permit voluntary action -muscles

-controls autonomic functions of the body

• controls fight or flight response

-mobilizes body to respond to stress -accelerates some functions (heart

-responsible for slowing down body after stress response

-stimulated brain with electrical probes while patients underwent surgery for epilepsy -created maps of sensory and motor cortices

-major parts of brain perform different (though sometimes overlapping) tasks

-in cases of injury certain structures can take on new tasks

-consists of structures in the top part of the spinal cord -controls basic biological functions that keep us alive -primitive part of brain

(hindbrain) -regulates heart rate

(hindbrain) -connects the hindbrain with the mid and fore brains. -involved in control of facial expressions

(hindbrain) "little brain" -coordinates voluntary movement and balance -damaged in people with autism

-located just above the spinal cord

(midbrain) -body movements and speech -overactive: Tourrette's

(midbrain) -plays central role in rewards

(forebrain) -located on top of brain stem -responsible for receiving sensory signals and sending them to appropriate ares in the forebrain. -all senses except smell

(forebrain) -small structure below thalamus -controls metabolic functions: body temp.

(forebrain) -almond shaped near the front of brain -involved in the arousal and regulation of emotion and initial reaction to sensory info

(forebrain) -involved in storage of new info

-made up of thalamus

-grey

-logic and reasoning (detail oriented) -number manipulation

-spatial construction

-large area

-located behind frontal lobe -contains somato-sensory cortex: thin

-located at the very back of brain

-processes sound sensed by ears -sound waves processed

-system of glands that secrete hormones that affect many different biological functions in body -controlled by hypothalamus

-produces adrenaline

-regulates biological rhythm

-identical twins

-fraternal twins

-studied 100 identical twins