Summary
Highlights
This section introduces Unit 2 of AP Psychology, focusing on the biological basis of behavior. It highlights the importance of the accompanying study guide and the Ultimate Review Packet for comprehensive learning and preparation for the AP exam and college-level psychology courses.
This segment discusses how heredity (genetic inheritance) and environment interact to shape individuals. It introduces Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection and defines 'heritability' as a mathematical measure of genetic variation in a population. The discussion also touches on the nature vs. nurture debate and epigenetics, emphasizing that both play crucial roles in development.
This part details the endocrine system, comprising glands that produce hormones to regulate biological processes. It differentiates the endocrine system from the nervous system by their speed and target areas, and explains homeostasis. Various glands like the hypothalamus, pituitary, pineal, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, pancreas, and gonads are described along with their hormones and functions.
This section breaks down the nervous system into the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and the peripheral nervous system. The peripheral nervous system is further divided into sensory (afferent) and motor (efferent) divisions, and the motor division into somatic and autonomic systems. The autonomic system is then split into sympathetic (fight or flight) and parasympathetic (rest and digest) divisions. Finally, it briefly introduces glial cells and neurons.
This segment explains how neurons communicate. It covers the action potential, resting potential, depolarization, threshold, repolarization, and refractory period. The process of signal transmission across synapses, involving neurotransmitters in chemical synapses and the roles of pre- and post-synaptic terminals and reuptake, is detailed. It also distinguishes between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters and lists major neurotransmitters and their functions.
This part explores how drugs impact neural firing, distinguishing between agonist and antagonist drugs. Agonists increase neurotransmitter effectiveness by mimicking them or blocking reuptake, while antagonists decrease effectiveness by blocking release or receptor binding. Examples for both types of drugs are provided, such as Xanax and Prozac as agonists, and schizophrenia medication and alcohol as antagonists.
This section provides a rapid overview of various brain structures and their functions. It covers Broca's area, Wernicke's area, medulla oblongata, pons, cerebellum, brainstem, spinal cord, midbrain, reticular formation, and reticular activating system. It then moves to the forebrain, discussing the cerebrum, cerebral cortex, corpus callosum, and the four lobes (frontal, parietal, occipital, temporal) including specialized areas like the prefrontal cortex, motor cortex, somatosensory cortex, angular gyrus, and auditory cortex. Lastly, it describes the limbic system, hippocampus, amygdala, hypothalamus, nucleus accumbens, and basal ganglia.
This segment discusses how we gain insight into brain function through case studies like Phineas Gage and Roger Sperry's split-brain research, as well as lesion studies and autopsies. It then details various neuroimaging techniques: EEG (records electrical signals), CT (X-ray for brain damage/tumors), PET (tracks radioactive glucose for activity), MRI (detailed pictures using magnetic fields), and fMRI (shows metabolic functions and brain activity).
This part explores neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to change and repair itself, and its connection to learning and brain damage. It then discusses consciousness, comparing William James' 'stream' concept with Freud's conscious, subconscious, and unconscious minds. Finally, it categorizes psychoactive drugs based on their impact on consciousness: depressants (alcohol, opioids), stimulants (caffeine, nicotine, cocaine), and hallucinogens (marijuana, LSD).
The final section covers sleep and dreaming, starting with the circadian rhythm. It presents theories for why we sleep: restoration, adaptive, and information processing. Brain waves (Alpha, Beta, Theta, Delta) are explained using EEG. Different sleep stages (non-REM stages 1, 2, 3, and REM) are described, along with hypnogogic sensations. Various theories of dreaming (activation-synthesis, cognitive development, activation theory, physiological function) are introduced. Finally, common sleep disorders like insomnia, sleep apnea, night terrors, and narcolepsy are outlined.