II. Biological Basis for Behavior Flashcards

1
Q

Neuron

A

basic building block of the nervous system

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2
Q

Dendrites

A

Receives messages from other neurons.

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3
Q

Axon terminal

A

Sends electrical signals(messages) to other neurons, muscles, or glands

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3
Q

Myelin Sheath

A

A fatty tissue layer that surrounds the axon, speeding up the process of neural impulses.

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4
Q

Action Potential

A

Basic way that neurons communicate.

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5
Q

Refractory period

A

A brief resting period, in which the action potential can not fire until the axon has returned to its resting state.

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6
Q

Threshold

A

The level of stimuli required for a neuron to charge

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7
Q

All or none response

A

The principle that a neuron will either charge with full force, or none.

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8
Q

Synapse

A

the place where two neurons meet to transmit information
Also known as the “Synaptic Cleft.”

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9
Q

Reuptake

A

Reabsorption of incoming neurons

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10
Q

Neurotransmitters

A

Chemical messengers that travel down the bloodstream

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11
Q

Endorphins

A

Reduce pain, relieve stress, and improves mood

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12
Q

Dopamine

A

Creates pleasure and motivation. However, too much dopamine can cause schizophrenia.

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13
Q

Serotonin

A

Regulates mood

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14
Q

Norepinephrine

A

Increases alertness, arousal, and attention.

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15
Q

Agonist

A

Chemicals that strengthen neurotransmitter activity

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15
Q

Antagonist

A

Chemicals that block neurotransmitter activity

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16
Q

Nervous system

A

The body’s speedy communication center

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17
Q

Central nervous system

A

The brain and spinal cord.

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18
Q

Interneurons

A
  • Neurons in between the central nervous system.
  • connect sensory neurons to motor neurons
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19
Q

Sensory neurons(afferent)

A

Sensations(information) from different parts of the body travel to the brain and spinal cord.

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20
Q

Autonomic nervous system

A

Regulates body functions including heart rate and blood pressure.

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20
Q

Sympathetic nervous system

A

Increases arousal during times of stress.

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21
Q

Parasympathetic nervous system

A

Decreases arousal after times of stress.

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22
Q

Motor neurons(efferent)

A

Messages from the brain and spinal cord travel to different parts of the body.

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23
Q

Peripheral nervous system

A

Everything besides the brain and spinal cord

23
Q

Somatic nervous system

A

Voluntary movement through skeletal muscles

24
Q

Electroencephalogram (EGG)

A

measures the amount of electrical activity in the brain while doing something

25
Q

CT scan

A

X-ray of the brain

26
Q

PET scan

A

Measures the radioactivity of glucose in the brain when a subject is given a performing task

27
Q

MRI

A

Gives a map of the brain
shows soft tissues

28
Q

Endocrine system

A

The body’s “slow” chemical communication center.

28
Q

Adrenal glands

A

Regulate metabolism and blood pressure.

29
Q

Pituitary gland

A

Master gland of the endocrine system. Under the influence of the hypothalamus, the gland controls sexual motivation and metabolism.

30
Q

fMRI

A

Utilizes MRI scans to measure blood flow in various brain regions

30
Q

Lesion

A

Tissue damage, being naturally or experimentally done through damage to the brain.

30
Q

Wernickes’s Areas

A

Impairment of ability to understand speech

31
Q

Brainstem

A

Connects the brain to the spinal cord.

32
Q

Medulla

A

Controls breathing and heartbeat.

32
Q

Thalamus

A

Processes every sense besides smell

33
Q

Reticular formation

A

Nerve network in the brainstem and controls arousal

34
Q

Cerebellum

A

Coordinates movement and balance

34
Q

Limbic system

A

Consists of the amygdala, hippocampus, and hypothalamus

35
Q

Amygdala

A

Controls emotions, includes fear and aggression

36
Q

Hippocampus

A

Creates long-term memories

37
Q

Hypothalamus

A

Controls metabolism and sex drives.

38
Q

glial cells

A

Provides support and protection for neurons in the central nervous system.

39
Q

Cerebral Cortex

A

Four parts of the brain that process information and thinking skills.

39
Q

frontal lobes

A

Makes judgment and decisions

39
Q

motor cortex

A

Generates signals that direct body movement.

40
Q

parietal lobes

A

Processes sensory information

41
Q

somatosensory cortex

A

Processes information from different parts of the body. When the cortex is devoted to a certain area, it becomes more sensitive.

42
Q

association areas

A

Takes information from other lobes, jointing it, thus making an individual understand complex things

43
Q

occipital lobes

A

Processes visual information.

44
Q

temporal lobes

A

Processes auditory information.

45
Q

Plasticity

A

The ability for the brain to recover after damage, often through building new experiences

46
Q

Neurogenesis

A

The ability to form new neurons

47
Q

corpus callosum

A

Neural fibers connecting the two hemispheres.

48
Q

split brain

A

Surgery done to the brain, cutting the neural fibers. The two hemispheres have their own function.

49
Q

dual processing

A

The idea that information is processed consciously and unconsciously simultaneously.

50
Q

Heritability

A

The measurement of how much genetics influence traits

51
Q

Mutation

A

A change in DNA

52
Q

Roger Sperry

A

Discovered that the brain’s hemispheres have two functions, with the right controlling creativity and the left controlling intelligence.

53
Q

Charles Darwin

A

Contributor to evolutionary psychology with “survival of the fittest.”