Biological processes(ch.3)

Question 1

neuroscience

Answer 1

interdisciplinary field of study. purpose is to understand brain and its relation to behavior.

Question 2

resting potential

Answer 2

tiny electrical charge in between inside and outside of the resting neuron.

Question 3

action potential

Answer 3

all-or-none electrical signal that travels down a neuron.

Question 4

two types of messages that can be passed between neurons are:

Answer 4

excitatory messages and inhibitory messages.

Question 5

depolarization (excitatory message)

Answer 5

sodium ion+ flows into cell by channel. Eventually turning the negative electrical potential of cell to be zero.

Question 6

hyperpolarization (inhibitory message)

Answer 6

either push out +ions or allow -ions into cell. Making more negative electrical potential in cell.

Question 7

saltatory conduction

Answer 7

transmission from node to node

Question 8

neurotransmitters (chemical messengers)

Answer 8

relay information from one neuron to the next.

Question 9

glutamate
(most common neurotransmitter in brain)
Which message is it involved in? excitatory or inhibitory ?

Answer 9

usually an excitatory neurotransmitter.

Question 10

acetylcholine (neurotransmitter)

Answer 10

plays multiple roles in the central and peripheral nervous systems,
including the excitation of muscle contractions.

Question 11

dopamine (neurotransmitter)

Answer 11

linked to reward and pleasure systems in brain.

decreased levels linked to Parkinson disease, and increased levels linked to schizophrenia.

Question 12

serotonin (neurotransmitter)

Answer 12

linked to sleep, dreaming, and general arousal.

Question 13

GABA (neurotransmitter)

Answer 13

may play a role in regulation of anxiety, produces inhibitory effects.

Question 14

endorphins (chemicals)

Answer 14

Morphinelike chemicals that act as brain’s natural painkillers.

Question 15

refractory period
(something to do with action potential )

Answer 15

period of time following an action potential, when more action potentials cannot be generated.

Question 16

central nervous system

Answer 16

brain & spinal cord

Question 17

peripheral nervous system

Answer 17

nerves network that links the central nervous system with the rest of the body.

Question 18

nerves

Answer 18

bundles of axons that make up neural “transmission cables”

Question 19

somatic system (collection of nerves; part of peripheral nervous system)

Answer 19

nerves collection that transmits info toward the brain, and connect to skeletal muscles to initiate movements.

Question 20

autonomic system (collection of nerves; part of peripheral nervous system

Answer 20

nerves collection that controls the more automatic needs of the body(like heart rate, digestion, blood pressure)

Question 21

electroencephalograph (EEG)

Answer 21

device used to monitor the gross electrical activity of the brain.

Question 22

computerized tomography(CT) scan

Answer 22

use of highly focused X-rays to construct detailed anatomical maps of the living brain.

Question 23

positron emission tomography (PET)

Answer 23

method for measuring how radioactive substances are absorbed in the brain; can be used to detect how specific tasks activate different areas of the living brain.

Question 24

magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Answer 24

device that uses magnetic fields and radio-wave pulses to construct detailed, 3D images of the brain.

Question 25

corpus callosum

Answer 25

collection of nerve fibers that connects the two cerebral hemispheres and allows information to pass from one side to the other.

Question 26

endocrine glands

Answer 26

network of glands that uses the bloodstream, rather than neurons, to send chemical messages that regulate growth and other internal functions.

Question 27

hormones

Answer 27

chemicals released into the blood by the various endocrine glands to help control a variety of internal regulatory functions.

Question 28

adaptation

Answer 28

a trait that has been selected for by nature because it increases the reproductive "fitness" of the organism.

Question 29

genotype

Answer 29

the actual genetic information inherited from one's parents.

Question 30

phenotype

Answer 30

a person's observable characteristics, such as red hair. The phenotype is controlled mainly by the genotype, but it can also be influenced by the environment.

Question 31

mutation

Answer 31

a spontaneous change in the genetic material that occurs during the gene replication process.

Question 32

family studies

Answer 32

the similarities and differences among biological(blood) relatives are studied to help discover the role heredity plays in physical or psychological traits.

Question 33

twin studies

Answer 33

Identical twins, who share genetic material, are compared to fraternal twins in an effort to determine the roles heredity and environment play in psychological traits.

Question 34

parasympathetic system(Autonomic)

Answer 34

system that brings your body back to its resting "normal"