AP Psychology Unit 2 Review: Biological Basis of Behavior

Introduction

Presented by Mr. Sin
Focus: Biological basis of behavior in AP Psychology
Resources: Study guide, answer key, practice quizzes, and review resources available in the ultimate review packet.

Heredity: Passing traits from one generation to another.
Charles Darwin: Theory of evolution by natural selection.
Heritability: Mathematical estimate of genetic vs. environmental contributions to traits.
Nature vs. Nurture Debate: Impact of genetics (nature) vs. environment (nurture) on personal development.
Epigenetics: How environment and behavior affect gene expression.

Made up of glands producing hormones, regulating biological processes.
Nervous vs. Endocrine System:
- Nervous system: Uses neurons for fast, short messages.
- Endocrine system: Uses hormones for slower, broader messages.
Homeostasis: Body's ability to maintain internal stability.
Glands and Hormones:
- Hypothalamus: Controls pituitary gland.
- Pituitary: Releases growth hormones, oxytocin, vasopressin.
- Pineal: Regulates sleep cycles with melatonin.
- Thyroid/Parathyroid: Metabolism and calcium regulation.
- Adrenal: Regulates salt, blood pressure, oxygen intake.
- Pancreas: Manages blood sugar levels.
- Gonads (ovaries/testes): Produces sex hormones.

Composed of CNS (Central Nervous System) and PNS (Peripheral Nervous System).
CNS: Brain and spinal cord.
PNS: Nerves branching off CNS.
PNS Divisions:
- Sensory (afferent): Sends impulses to CNS.
- Motor (efferent): Sends impulses from CNS to muscles/glands.
Motor Division:
- Somatic: Voluntary muscle movement.
- Autonomic: Involuntary functions (heart, digestion).
Autonomic Divisions:
- Sympathetic: Prepares body for action.
- Parasympathetic: Calms body.
Neurons: Functional unit of nervous system, communicates via electrical and chemical signals.

Action Potential: Neuron fires impulse down axon.
Resting Potential: Negative ions inside neuron when inactive.
Depolarization: Required for action potential, based on threshold stimulus.
Refractory Period: Neuron resets post-action potential.
Synapses: Gap between neurons for message transmission.
- Chemical Synapses: Use neurotransmitters.
- Electrical Synapses: Quick signal transmission.
Neurotransmitters:
- Acetylcholine, Dopamine, Serotonin, Endorphins, Epinephrine, Norepinephrine, Glutamate, GABA.

Agonist Drugs: Increase neurotransmitter effectiveness.
Antagonist Drugs: Decrease neurotransmitter effectiveness.
Examples:
- Agonists: Xanax, Prozac, Opioids.
- Antagonists: Schizophrenia meds, Alcohol.

Broca's Area: Speech production.
Wernicke's Area: Language comprehension.
Medulla, Pons, Cerebellum, Brain Stem: Autonomic and coordination functions.
Midbrain, Reticular Formation, Forebrain: Visual and auditory processing, arousal.
Cerebrum, Cerebral Cortex: Higher brain functions.
Hippocampus, Amygdala, Hypothalamus: Memory, emotion, homeostasis regulation.
Neuroimaging Techniques: EEG, CT, PET, MRI, fMRI.

Consciousness: Awareness of internal and external stimuli.
Psychoactive Drugs:
- Depressants: Slow neural activity (e.g., alcohol).
- Stimulants: Increase neural activity (e.g., caffeine).
- Hallucinogens: Alter perception (e.g., LSD).

Circadian Rhythm: Biological clock regulating sleep-wake cycle.
Theories of Sleep:
- Restoration, Adaptive, Information Processing.
Sleep Stages:
- NREM Stages 1-3, REM.
Sleep Disorders: Insomnia, Sleep Apnea, Night Terrors, Narcolepsy.
Dream Theories:
- Activation-Synthesis, Cognitive Development, Activation Theory, Physiological Function.