AP Psychology
UNIT 2: BIOLOGICAL BASES OF BEHAVIOR
MONDAY
24
TUESDAY
25
WEDNESDAY
26
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
27
28
HW: Read & notes
p.51-53 (The
Neuron)
Neurons &
Synapse
HW: Read & notes
p.55-63
31
FEB. 1
2
3
4
Neurotransmitters
Brain Imaging
Nervous & Endocrine
Systems
Parts of the Brain
The Cortex of the
Brain
The Divided Brain
& Brain Plasticity
“Secrets of the
Mind” Video
HW: Read & notes
p.82-89
HW: Read & notes
pages 94-110 for
Monday
HW: Read & notes
pages 94-110 for
Monday
9
Late Start
10
11
Attribution Theory
Attitudes &
Attitude Change
Obedience &
Conformity
HW: Read & notes
p.646-650
HW: Read & notes
p.650-657
HW: Read & notes
678-684
HW: Read & notes
p.66-73
7
Genetics & the Brain
HW: Read & notes
p.74-81
8
BIO PSYCH
EXAM
HW: Read & notes
p.643-645
The Neural Synapse (p.55-56): Explain how a message is sent between neurons.
Synapse:
Axon terminal (button) of
presynaptic neuron
Neurotransmitters:
Neurotransmitter
Reuptake:
Synaptic Cleft
Receptor sites:
Receptor site on
dendrite of
postsynaptic
neuron
The Neural Impulse (p.53-55): Explain how a message is transmitted within a neuron.
Neurons transmit messages when….
Action Potential:
Resting Potential:
Depolarization:
Repolarization:
Refractory Period:
When signals are excitatory….
When signals are inhibitory….
Threshold:
All-or-None Principle:
Neurotransmitters (p.55-58): Discuss the impact of different neurotransmitters on our body and
behavior.
Neurotransmitter
Acetylcholine (ACh)
Dopamine (DA)
Serotonin
Endorphins
GABA
Norepinephrine
Glutamate
Agonist:
Antagonist:
Excitatory:
Inhibitory:
Function
Problems if Imbalanced
The Nervous System (p.59-62):
Classify and explain the roles of the major divisions of the nervous system.
Peripheral Nervous System
Description:
Autonomic Nervous System
Description:
Sympathetic Nervous System
Description:
Neural networks:
Reflex arc:
Central Nervous System
Description:
Somatic Nervous System
Description:
Parasympathetic Nervous System
Description:
The Endocrine System (p.62-63): Describe the nature of the endocrine system and its interaction
with the nervous system.
1) What is the role of the endocrine system?
2) What are hormones and how do they work?
ENDOCRINE
SYSTEM Part
Hypothalamus
Pituitary Gland
Thyroid
Adrenal Glands
Pancreas
Function
Explain Where it is Located
(brain, throat, etc.)
Brain Imaging Techniques (p.66-68): Explain the techniques used to investigate the structures and
functions of the brain.
Lesion:
Neuroimaging Technique: How it Works & What it Tells
Us
Electroencephalogram (EEG):
Computed Tomography Scan (CT Scan):
Positron Emission Tomography Scan (PET Scan):
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI):
Functional MRI (fMRI):
What it Looks Like
Parts of the Brain (p.69-73): Describe the function of each part of the brain and generate a symbol or
mnemonic device to assist in remembering this function.
Part of the Brain
Brainstem
Medulla
Pons
Reticular Formation
Cerebellum
Limbic System
Thalamus
Hypothalamus
Amygdala
Hippocampus
Description/Function
Symbol/Mnemonic Device
The Cerebral Cortex (p.74-82): Identify the lobes and association areas of the cerebral cortex and
their functions.
Glial cells:
SEE HANDOUT (last page of packet)
The Divided Brain & Brain Plasticity (p.82-88): Explain brain lateralization and the split-brain
studies.
Plasticity:
Neurogenesis:
Left Hemisphere
Description/Specialties:
Corpus Callosum
Description/Function:
Right Hemisphere
Description/Specialties:
Mnemonic device:
Mnemonic device:
Mnemonic device:
What is done to the brain in a split-brain procedure and why?
What were effects of the split-brain operation on patients?
What has it taught us about the hemispheres of the brain?
Genetics, Evolutionary Ψ, & the Brain (p.94-110): Discuss the interaction between our genetics,
brain, and behavior.
1.
Identify the types of questions that interest behavior geneticists, and describe the elements
of heredity: chromosome, DNA, genes, and genome.
2.
Describe how twin and adoption studies help us differentiate hereditary and environmental
influences on human behavior.
3.
Explain what is meant by heritability, and give examples of the interaction of gene and
environment on specific traits.
4.
Identify the potential uses of molecular genetics research.
5.
Describe the area of psychology that interests evolutionary psychologists, and point out
some possible effects of natural selection in the development of human characteristics.
6.
Identify some gender differences in sexuality and mating preferences, and describe
evolutionary explanations for those differences.
7.
Summarize the criticisms of evolutionary explanations of human behaviors, and describe
the evolutionary psychologists’ responses to those criticisms.
8.
Discuss some of the ways heredity and environment interact to both “control” who we are
and allow us to become who we want to be.