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Biological Basis of Behavior Flashcards

(78 cards)

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1
Q

Instinctual behavior

A

Hard coded, shaped by genetics

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2
Q

Heritability

A

The proportion of variation in a trait (phenotype) that is due to variation in the genotype (0 = purely environmental, 1 = purely genetic)

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3
Q

Epigenetics

A

Changes that affect how genes work that do not involve changing the actual nucleotide content

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4
Q

Methylation

A

Adding methyl groups to DNA, silences it

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5
Q

Patellar reflex

A

Leg jerks in response to tapping on kneecap

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6
Q

Palmar grasp reflex

A

In babies; they will grab your finger if you stroke along an infant’s palm

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7
Q

Rooting reflexes

A

Babies will search for an object that brushes against its mouth or cheek

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8
Q

Sucking reflex

A

A baby will automatically make sucking motions when something grazes the top of its mouth

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9
Q

Moro reflex

A

Startle reflex in babies in response to sudden movement or loud sounds; baby will throw back its head, extends arms and legs and pulls them back in, and cries

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10
Q

Babinski reflex

A

Babies will bend up the big toe and fan out the others in response to the bottom of the foot being stroked

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11
Q

Critical period

A

Period in which early childhood experiences can have lifelong impacts

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12
Q

Adolescence

A

Transition from childhood to adulthood

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13
Q

Puberty

A

Biological changes that happen during adolescence

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14
Q

Secondary sex characteristics

A

Growth of pubic hair and body hair, growth of breasts and wider hips, growth of facial hair and Adam’s apple

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15
Q

Telomeres

A

Repeating nucleotide sequences at the end of chromosomes that protect them from losing nucleotides during DNA replication

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16
Q

Endocrine system

A

Network of organs distributed throughout the body that secrete signaling molecules (hormones) into the bloodstream

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17
Q

Direct hormones

A

Hormones that cause their target cells to make direct changes in some physiological function

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18
Q

Tropic hormones

A

Hormones that cause other hormones to be released

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19
Q

Thalamus

A

Information relay station; processes sensory information before sending it to the cerebral cortex for processing

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20
Q

Hypothalamus

A

Converts input from the nervous system into endocrine signals

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21
Q

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)

A

Acts on anterior pituitary to trigger the release of LH and FSH to regulate reproduction

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22
Q

Corticotropin-releasing factor

A

Promotes the release of ACTH from the anterior pituitary to stimulate the adrenal glands to release cortisol

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23
Q

Anterior pituitary

A

Located directly below the hypothalamus and receives hypothalamic input via hormones released into the hypophyseal portal system

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24
Q

Hypophyseal portal system

A

Blood vessels connecting the hypothalamus to the anterior pituitary

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25
Hormones secreted by the anterior pituitary
LH, FSH, ACTH, TSH, prolactin, endorphins, and growth hormone
26
Posterior pituitary
Receives input from the hypothalamus in the form of neuronal signals because it is composed of neurons itself
27
Thyroid and parathyroid glands
Small organs located in the throat, thyroid releases calcitonin and thyroid hormone
28
Adrenal glands
Small glands located on top of the kidneys, divided into adrenal cortex and adrenal medulla
29
Adrenal cortex
Secretes steroid hormones like glucocorticoids and cortisol
30
Adrenal medulla
Secretes epinephrine and norepinephrine
31
Estrogen and testosterone
Secreted by ovaries and testes, respectively, help coordinate reproductive processes and orchestrate changes during puberty
32
Oxytocin
Hormone that promotes uterine contractions during labor (positive feedback) and has an effect on bonding, affection, and mood
33
Prolactin
Hormone that induces lactation for breastfeeding and modulates the stress response
34
Melatonin
Hormone produced by the pineal gland that regulates wakefulness
35
Leptin
Hormone that reduces hunger; secreted primarily by adipose cells; acts on the hypothalamus
36
Ghrelin
Hormone that promotes hunger; released by cells in the GI tract when the stomach is empty; acts on the hypothalamus
37
Neuropeptide Y
Stimulates appetite
38
Epinephrine and norepinephrine
Hormones secreted by the adrenal medulla, responsible for the acute stress response
39
Cortisol
Hormone that mediates the chronic stress response; released by the adrenal cortex
40
Thyroid hormone
Promotes metabolism
41
Acetylcholine
Neurotransmitter responsible for activating muscle contraction at the neuromuscular junction
42
Glutamate
Excitatory neurotransmitter that depolarizes postsynaptic neurons
43
GABA
Inhibitory neurotransmitter that hyperpolarizes postsynaptic neurons
44
Dopamine
Neurotransmitter involved in reward pathways and motor functions
45
Serotonin
Neurotransmitter that regulates mood, appetite, sleep, and intestinal movement in the GI tract
46
Endorphins
Neurotransmitter that suppresses pain and can produce a euphoric response
47
Agonist
Compound that activates a certain receptor, causing some kind of response
48
Antagonist
Compound that binds a receptor, but does not activate it or cause a response
49
First division of the nervous system
Central and peripheral nervous systems
50
Divisions of the peripheral nervous system
Somatic and autonomic nervous systems
51
Type of neurons in somatic NS
Efferent (motor)
52
Divisions of the autonomic nervous system
Sympathetic and parasympathetic
53
Cerebellum
Part of the hindbrain, responsible for coordinated movement
54
Medulla oblongata
Controls autonomic functions like breathing, HR, and blood pressure
55
Pons
Relay station between the cerebellum, medulla, and the rest of the brain
56
Hindbrain
Cerebellum, medulla oblongata, pons
57
Inferior colliculus
Processes auditory input
58
Superior colliculus
Processes visual input
59
Substantia nigra
Helps coordinate voluntary movement
60
Brainstem
Midbrain, medulla oblongata, pons
61
Reticular activating system
Regulates alertness and arousal
62
Diencephalon
Thalamus, hypothalamus, pineal gland, posterior pituitary
63
Telencephalon
Cerebrum
64
Cerebrum divisions
Cerebral cortex and subcortical structures
65
Cerebral cortex
Thin outer layer of the brain divided into left and right hemispheres
66
Hippocampus
Consolidates short term memory into long term
67
Basal ganglia
Eye and other voluntary movements, procedural and habitual movement
68
Limbic system
Hypothalamus, hippocampus, thalamus, amygdala
69
Amygdala
Involved in episodic memory, attention, and emotion
70
Nucleus accumbens
Involved in reward, motivation, and learning
71
Cerebral cortex lobes
Frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital
72
Frontal lobe
Involved in voluntary movement, memory processing, planning, motivation, and attention
73
Parietal lobe
Involved in sensory processing (except vision)
74
Occipital lobe
Processes visual input
75
Temporal lobe
Involved in making visual memories, attaching meaning to information, and language
76
Wernicke's Area
Part of the temporal lobe involved in language comprehension
77
Broca's Area
Part of the frontal lobe involved in language production
78
Lateralization
Tendency for the left and right hemispheres of the brain to specialize in different functions

Biology (2 decks)

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