AP Psychology Unit #3-A, Section #2 Study Guide

What may happen when we flood our brains with artificial opiates, thereby intensifying the brains our "feel-good" chemistry?

When we flood our brains with artificial opiates, our brain may stop producing its own natural opiates thereby intensifying the brain's feel-good chemistry.

Describe a "reflex," what is meant by "automatic" response? Does a body that's been dead for a short while still have reflexes?

A reflex is the body's natural reaction/response to stimuli. The neural pathways governing our reflexes, our automatic responses to stimuli, illustrate the spinal cord's work. An automatic response is when you do something that feels as though it is not by choice, but really is performed on your own. Yes, a body that has been dead for a short while does still have reflexes. When you die, unless you have severed your spinal cord, which ensures that the brain remains in touch with the body, the body still has reflexes.

What does an agonist molecule do? What does an antagonist molecule do?

An agonist molecule may be similar enough to a neurotransmitter to bind its receptor and mimic its effects. Antagonists also bind to receptors but their effect is to block a neurotransmitter's functioning. If you were to be bitten by a black widow, agonists would be activated.

Inside your spinal cord, what do the, "ascending/descending"neural fibers do?

Ascending neural fibers sends up sensory information, and descending fibers send back motor-control information.

What are endorphins? What is their function when we experience pain?

Endorphins are opiate-like neurotransmitters linked to pain control and pleasure. Endorphins, as we call them, help explain good feelings such as the runner's high, the painkilling effects of acupuncture, and the indifference to pain in some severely injured people. Our body releases several types of neurotransmitter molecules similar to morphine in response to pain and vigorous exercise. Endorphins reduce pain and increase pleasure.

What are "hormones"? What are the main female/male hormones?

Hormones are chemical messengers that are manufactured by the endocrine glands. Hormones travel through the bloodstream and affect other tissues. Testosterone is the main male hormone. Estrogen and progesterone are the main female hormones.

What does the peripheral nervous system do?

It receives information from the environment and relays commands from the CNS to glands and organs.The peripheral nervous system is the sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system (CNS) to the rest of the body. The brain and spinal cord form the central nervous system, which communicates with the body's sensory receptors, muscles, and glands via the peripheral nervous system.

Define nerves.

Nerves are the bundled axons that form neural "cables" connecting the central nervous system with muscles, glands, and sense organs.

Define neural network.

Neural networks are the work groups in which the brain's neurons cluster. A neural network is a model for information processing based on how neurons and synapses work in the human brain.

What does the "adrenal gland" do and where is it located?

The adrenal glands are 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.

Define the autonomic nervous system.

The autonomic nervous system is the division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and muscles of the internal organs (such as the heart). Its sympathetic division arouses; its parasympathetic division calms.

What is the central nervous system (CNS)?

The central nervous system consists of the spinal cord and the brain.

Describe the endocrine system?

The endocrine system is the body's "slow" chemical communication system; a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream. The endocrine system was interconnected with the nervous system and is the second communication system.

What is the "most influential" endocrine gland? Where is it located?

The most influential endocrine gland is the pituitary gland, a pea-sized structure located at the core of the brain, where it is controlled by an adjacent brain area, the hypothalamus.

Define the somatic nervous system.

The somatic nervous system is the division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body's skeletal muscles. Also called the skeletal nervous system.

What's the difference between the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system?

The sympathetic nervous system arouses and expends energy. If something alarms, enrages, or challenges you, your sympathetic system will accelerate your heartbeat, raise your blood pressure, slow your digestion, raise your blood sugar, and cool you with perspiration, making you alert and ready for action. When the stress subsides, your parasympathetic nervous system produces opposite effects. It conserves energy as it calms you by decreasing your heartbeat, lowering your blood sugar and so forth.