PSYC 101- Exam 2

What are Sensory Neurons?

-afferent fibers (afferent means "moving toward") -PURPOSE: carry sensory information to the CNS

Define the semipermeable membrane

-allows smaller molecules and molecules without an electrical charge to pass through it, while stopping larger or highly charged molecules. (neuron's outer surface is made up of a semipermeable membrane)

Define the Somatic Nervous System

-associated with activities traditionally thought of as conscious or voluntary. -involved in the relay of sensory and motor information to and from the CNS; therefore, it consists of motor neurons and sensory neurons

Functions of the Spinal Cord

-connects the brain to the outside world. Because of it, the brain can act. -like a relay station, but a very smart one. -It not only routes messages to and from the brain, but it also has its own system of automatic processes, called reflexes. -organized into 30 segments, corresponding with the vertebrae -The top of the spinal cord merges with the brain stem, where the basic processes of life are controlled, such as breathing and digestion. -the spinal cord ends just below the ribs—contrary to what we might expect, it does not extend all the way to the base of the spine.

What are Motor Neurons?

-efferent fibers (efferent means "moving away from") -PURPOSE: carry instructions from the CNS to the muscles,

Define the Membrane Potential

-provides energy for the signal

Define the Synapse/purpose

-very small space between two neurons and is an important site where communication between neurons occurs. -once neurotransmitters are released into the synapse, they travel across the small space and bind with corresponding receptors on the dendrite of an adjacent neuron

Define the Resting Potential

Between signals, the neuron membrane's potential is held in a state of readiness -(Like a rubber band stretched out and waiting to spring into action, ions line up on either side of the cell membrane, ready to rush across the membrane when the neuron goes active and the membrane opens its gates)

What does the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) consist of?

Connects the CNS to the rest of the body; aka the rest of the nerves in the body -Made up of thick bundles of axons, called nerves, carrying messages back and forth between the CNS and the muscles, organs, and senses in the periphery of the body (i.e., everything outside the CNS)

Compare/Contrast Evolutionary and Behavioral Genetics

Evolutionary psychology focuses on how universal patterns of behavior and cognitive processes have evolved over time. Therefore, variations in cognition and behavior would make individuals more or less successful in reproducing and passing those genes to their offspring. Evolutionary psychologists study a variety of psychological phenomena that may have evolved as adaptations, including fear response, food preferences, mate selection, and cooperative behaviors (Confer et al., 2010). Whereas evolutionary psychologists focus on universal patterns that evolved over millions of years, behavioral geneticists study how individual differences arise, in the present, through the interaction of genes and the environment. When studying human behavior, behavioral geneticists often employ twin and adoption studies to research questions of interest. Twin studies compare the rates that a given behavioral trait is shared among identical and fraternal twins; adoption studies compare those rates among biologically related relatives and adopted relatives. Both approaches provide some insight into the relative importance of genes and environment for the expression of a given trait.

Define Evolutionary Psychology

Focuses on how universal patterns of behavior and cognitive processes have evolved over time

Definition of Genotype

Genetic makeup of an individual.based on the genetic material (DNA) inherited from one's parents ex.

Define Norepinephrine

Heart, Intestines, Alertness -Increased arousal, suppressed appetite

Define GABA

Involved in Brain Function/Sleep -Decreased anxiety, decreased tension

Define Dopamine

Involved in mood, sleep, learning -Increased pleasure, suppressed appetite -Overactive dopamine can result in schizophrenia -low levels can result in Parkinson's Disease

Define acetylcholine

Involved in muscle action, -Increased arousal, enhanced cognition

Define beta-endorphins

Involved in pain and pleasure -Decreased anxiety, decreased tension

Define Glutamate

Memory, learning -Increased learning, enhanced memory

Define Serotonin

Mood, Sleep -Modulated mood, suppressed appetite -Reduced Serotonin can result in Depression (treated with SSRIs)

Define Behavioral Genetics

Often employ twin and adoption studies to research questions of interest

The Nervous System is divided into what 2 major subdivisions?

The Central Nervous System (CNS) and The Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

What does the Central Nervous System (CNS) consist of?

The brain and the spinal cord

Define fight-or-flight

allows the body access to energy reserves and heightened sensory capacity so that it might fight off a threat or run away to safety

Define the Parasympathetic Nervous System

associated with returning the body to routine, day-to-day operations

Define Antagonist

blocks or impedes the normal activity of a neurotransmitter at the receptor

Define agonists

chemicals that mimic a neurotransmitter at the receptor site and, thus, strengthen its effects

What are Terminal Buttons

contain synaptic vesicles that house neurotransmitters

Define the Automatic Nervous System

controls our internal organs and glands and is generally considered to be outside the realm of voluntary control

Define psychotropic medications

drugs that treat psychiatric symptoms by restoring neurotransmitter balance

What are the myelin sheath

glial cells form a fatty substance known as the myelin sheath, which coats the axon and acts as an insulator, increasing the speed at which the signal travels. -crucial for the normal operation of the neurons within the nervous system: the loss of the insulation it provides can be detrimental to normal function ex. Multiple Sclerosis

Define the Sympathetic Nervous System

involved in preparing the body for stress-related activities

Define Reuptake

involves the neurotransmitter being pumped back into the neuron that released it, in order to clear the synapse

Purpose of the Receptors

proteins on the cell surface where neurotransmitters attach, vary in shape, with different shapes "matching" different neurotransmitters

Define Glial Cells/its function

provide scaffolding on which the nervous system is built, help neurons line up closely with each other to allow neuronal communication, provide insulation to neurons, transport nutrients and waste products, and mediate immune responses

Definition of Phenotype

refers to the individual's inherited physical characteristics ex. such as hair color, skin color, height, and build

What's the purpose of the dendrites

serve as input sites where signals are received from other neurons. These signals are transmitted electrically across the soma and down a major extension from the soma known as the axon, which ends at multiple terminal buttons

Define a Neuron/its function

serve as interconnected information processors that are essential for all of the tasks of the nervous system

Define Homeostasis

state of equilibrium, in which biological conditions (such as body temperature) are maintained at optimal levels

How many neurons are at birth?

the central building blocks of the nervous system, 100 billion strong

What are Neurotransmitters

the chemical messengers of the nervous system.

Define the Action Potential

the electrical signal that typically moves from the cell body down the axon to the axon terminals

What 2 subdivisions are located within the PNS?

the somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system

What 2 subdivisions are located in the Automatic Nervous System?

the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions -have complementary functions, operating in tandem to maintain the body's homeostasis

Define the Soma

where the nucleus of the neuron is located, or cell body. The soma has branching extensions known as dendrites