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Psychology/Sociology - MCAT > Biological Basis of Behavior > Flashcards

Biological Basis of Behavior Flashcards

(68 cards)

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1
Q

neurons

A

specialized cells that pick up electrical impulse information and transmit that information throughout the body

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2
Q

reflex arc

A

set of neurons that are responsible for your reflexes

move more rapidly to respond than normal neurons - by the time signal has reached your brain, response has already occurred

ex: when you touch a hot stove - your reflex arc will cause you to quickly remove your hand from the stove

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3
Q

Neurotransmitters

A

chemicals utilized by neurons to communicate and transfer nerve impulses to other structures in the body

chemicals released at the synapse that will go attach to receptors and cause either a depolarization or a re-polarization of the neuron

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4
Q

excitatory neurotransmitters

A

acetylcholine
glutamate
norepinephrine

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5
Q

inhibitory neurotransmitters

A

GABA
dopamine
seratonin

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6
Q

Peripheral Nervous System

A

is everything outside of the CNS (spinal cord and brain)

The PNS functions to send nerve impulses from our limbs (skin, muscles) and trunk (organs) to the central nervous system for processing.

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7
Q

Central Nervous System

A

our brain and spinal cord

receive input from the PNS and will process that information and send it out to the PNS again to act of that signal

responsible for thought process and body movement

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8
Q

Forebrain

A

includes
thalamus
hypothalamus
cerebrum
limbic system (learning, emotion, and memory)
-includes amygdala, cingulate gyrus, hypothalamus, and hippocampus

responsible for abstract thinking, logic, and emotion

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9
Q

Midbrain

A

consists of tegmentum, tectum, and cerebral peduncles

produces dopamine - reward pathway

plays role in vision and hearing

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10
Q

Hindbrain

A

consists of cerebellum, pons, and medulla

responsible for motor control, respiratory and digestive reflexes, and sexual arousal

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11
Q

left brain functions

A

analytical
language
processing the right visual field, grammar, positive emotions, speech, and writing

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12
Q

right brain functions

A

processing the left visual field, negative emotions, recognition of emotions, and spatial skills (e.g. facial recognition)

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13
Q

What test to study brain structures

A

CT/CAT - computerized axial tomography
-combines XRAYS to create a detailed image

MRI - magnetic resonance imaging
-uses magnetic fields and radio waves to generate images of organs in the body

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14
Q

What to test to see images of brain function

A

PET scans - positron emission tomography
-injects radioactive glucose to see where the glucose is used in the brain

fMRI - functional magnetic resonance imaging

  • maps brain function by looking at blood flow and oxygenated vs deoxygenated blood
  • more oxygen rich areas means more blood flow and more function
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15
Q

Spinal cord

A

bundle of nerve fibers located in the spinal column - connects the majority of the body with the brain

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16
Q

Dopaminergic neurons

A

stimulated by dopamine

defective dopamine neurons can cause Parkinson’s (impaired motor movements, loss of feeling)
and Alzehimer’s disease

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17
Q

grey matter

A

cell bodies (somas)

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18
Q

white matter

A

contains myelinated axons
located on the outside in the spinal cord
located on the inside in the brain

axons move down tracts of white matter

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19
Q

lower motor neurons

A

control muscles of limbs and trunks

ones that pass through cranial nerves control head and neck

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20
Q

upper motor neurons

A

stat at the cerebral cortex and travel down through the brainstem where it meets the spinal cord and usually crosses over until it reaches the lower motor neurons

corticospinal tract

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21
Q

frontal lobe

A

motor, prefrontal (executive function), broca’s area (speech production)

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22
Q

parietal lobe

A

somatosensory cortex, spatial manipulation

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23
Q

occipital lobe

A

vision

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24
Q

temporal cortex

A

sound, wernicke’s area (sound comprehension)

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25
cerebellum
coordinates movement motor plan information is sent to the cerebellum, also receives information about position middle of the cerebellum controls middle body movement and walking, the sides of the cerebellum is responsible for arms and legs, speech, and movement of eyes
26
brainstem
connects all parts of the brain together
27
reticular formation
neuron somas scattered throughout the brainstem role in autonomic functions - controlling respiration, digestion, and sexual arousal
28
Glutamate
excitatory NT required for consciousness
29
GABA and glycine
most common inhibitory NT GABA found in brain glycine found in spinal cord deficiency of GABA can lead to anxiety and depression
30
Acetylcholine
chief NT in the Parasympathetic NS contracts smooth muscles, dilates blood vessels, increases bodily secretions, and slows heart rate regulates memory, sleep, and plays a role in learning (deficiency is associated with dementia)
31
Dopamine
released from the VTA and substantia Nigra important for the reward pathway and for inhibition of unnecessary movements and for concentration
32
EEG
tells us about brain seizures, sleep stages, and cognitive tasks
33
endorphins
released during extreme pleasure or pain - can be numbing
34
Norepinephrine
released from the adrenal medulla regulates alertness, learning, and long-term memory
35
Serotonin
regulates mood, sleep, libido deficiency can cause anxiety and depression
36
Hypothalamus
controls the actions of the endocrine system
37
adrenal gland
has both adrenal medulla which releases adrenaline (epinephrine) and also adrenal cortex which is responsible for sex, salts, and sugar
38
Pituitary gland
secrets growth and reproductive hormones FLAT PEG follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) lutinizing hormone (LH) adrenocorticotropic releasing hormone (ACTH) thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) prolactin (inhibited) endorphins growth hormone
39
Reproductive organs hormones
ovaries - estrogen and progesterone | testes - testosterone
40
Thyroid gland
consumption of energy/metabolism
41
Parathyroid gland
controls release of PTH and levels of calcium within the body low levels of calcium cause Parathyroid gland to release PTH which will increase the levels of calcium and phosphorous by increasing osteoclasts which chew up the bone to release calcium
42
Pineal body
regulates levels of melatonin which plays a role in sleep cycles
43
Pancreas
secretes digestive enzymes and insulin
44
epigenetics
changes to gene expression but not changes to the gene includes methylation which reduces gene expression and acetylation which increases gene expression
45
consummate
fully developed traits that occur right away, at first performance ex: nausea in women during pregnancy helps them avoid toxic foods in critical period of development
46
Prenatal development
ovulation/conception --> zygote (single celled organism that has been fertilized) --> blastocyte (ball of cells after zygote divides) --> embryo (early stage where organs are developed, once zygote blastocyte has implanted) --> fetus (after 11 weeks of gestation) --> baby
47
stepping reflex
babies will place once foot in front of the other when their foot touches a flat surface
48
tonic neck reflex
if baby's head is turned to one side, they will lift that arm and bend the other arm
49
rooting reflex
if you stroke a baby's cheek - they will turn in that direction and open their mouth - looking for mother's nipple
50
blinking reflex
if a baby sees a bright flashing light | they will close their eyes
51
babinski reflex
if you stroke a baby's foot, its big toe will extend upward and the toes on the other foot will spread apart
52
palmar grasp reflex
if you stroke a baby's palm - their fingers will close and their hand will grasp your finger
53
swimming reflex
if placed in water face down - a baby will make coordinated swimming movements
54
startle reflex
if a baby hears a loud noise they will become startled and being crying
55
sucking reflex
if an object touches the roof of a baby's mouth, it will begin to suck
56
At what age can a baby lift head
2 months
57
At what age can a baby use their arms and roll over
3 months
58
At what age can a baby can a baby sit alone
6 months
59
At what age can a baby stand with support
7 months
60
At what age can a baby crawl
9 months
61
At what age can a baby walk with support
10 months
62
At what age can a baby stand alone
12 months
63
At what age can a baby walk alone
13 months
64
reflexive movement
0-1 year includes involuntary movement ex: blinking, grasping, sucking
65
rudimentary movement
0-2 years crawling, sitting, standing
66
fundamental movement
2-7 years child beings to coordinate their limbs running, catching a ball
67
specialized movement
7-14 years fundamental movements are mastered and applied to completing specific actions ex: riding a bike, sports
68
application of movement
14+ | movements are applied and refined throughout the span of one's lifetime

Psychology/Sociology - MCAT (12 decks)

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