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Psych 2 > Biological Psychology > Flashcards

Biological Psychology Flashcards

1
Q

what are neurotransmitters?

A

chemicals manufactured within neurons
released in response to the arrival of an action potential
have an observable effect on the postsynaptic cell - excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) or inhibitory postsynaptic potential (IPSP)

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2
Q

agonists vs. antagonists

A

agonists increase activity at the synapse

antagonists decrease activity at the synapse

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3
Q

amino acid neurotransmitters

A

GABA (gamma amino butyric acid) and glutamate

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4
Q

GABA

A

gamma amino butyric acid
widely distributed throughout the brain and spinal cord
major inhibitory neurotransmitter of the CNS
example agonist: benzodiazepines (Valium)

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5
Q

glutamate

A

major excitatory neurotransmitter of the CNS

example antagonist: alcohol (produces sedative effects)

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6
Q

catecholamines

A

dopamine
epinephrine
norepinephrine

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7
Q

dopamine

A

can be excitatory or inhibitory

influences movement, learning, attention, and emotion

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8
Q

too much dopamine

A

schizophrenia

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9
Q

too little dopamine

A

Parkinson’s disease

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10
Q

norepinephrine

A

can be excitatory or inhibitory
found in CNS and PNS
alertness, arousal, and mood regulation

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11
Q

too much norepinephrine

A

sleeplessness, anxiety, mania

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12
Q

too little norepinephrine

A

depression

tricyclic antidepressants block reuptake of norepinephrine and agonists for norepinephrine

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13
Q

serotonin

A

indolamine
can be excitatory or inhibitory
influences mood, eating, sleeping, arousal, pain regulation
5-HT

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14
Q

too much serotonin

A

hallucinations

agonists include LSD and MDMA

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15
Q

too little serotonin

A

depression and anxiety

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16
Q

acetylcholine

A

excitatory
found in CNS and PNS
responsible for all muscular movements

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17
Q

too much acetylcholine

A

muscle cramps and spasms

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18
Q

too little acetylcholine

A

muscles cannot contract, paralysis

curare is an ACh antagonist and used as a paralytic during surgery

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19
Q

“modulator” neurotransmitters

A

monoamines and acetylcholine

20
Q

“information transmitter” neurotransmitters

A

amino acids (GABA and glutamate)

21
Q

the meninges

A

covering that protects the brain and spinal cord from the bone that encases them
3 layers: dura mater, arachnoid mater, pia mater

22
Q

dura mater

A

toughest, thickest layer that protects the brain, spinal cord, as well as other meninges

23
Q

arachnoid mater

A

contains small compartments that allow for the flow of CSF (trabeculae)

24
Q

pia mater

A

creates an intricate network of blood vessels that surrounds the brain

25
Q

blood-brain barrier

A

formed by the tightly packed endothelial cells that line the blood vessels in the pia mater
this barrier allows some molecules to pass and prevents the passage of others

26
Q

cerebrospinal fluid

A

clear fluid similar to blood plasma
provides protection by cushioning the brain
also acts as a reservoir for hormones and nutrition
produced by the choroid plexus

27
Q

the brainstem

A

medulla oblongata and pons

28
Q

medulla oblongata

A

transition point between the spinal cord and the brain

controls breathing and heart rate

29
Q

pons

A

transition point between medulla and higher-order brain regions
regulates arousal and coordinates movement (with the cerebellum)

30
Q

reticular formation (or reticular activating system)

A

neuron network extending from the spinal cord to the thalamus
intercepts and relays sensory input
also important for regulating arousal and attention

31
Q

thalamus

A

located at the top of the brainstem
acts as the brain’s sensory control center
relays sensory information to higher brain regions (all senses except smell)
also relays information receives from higher brain regions to medulla and cerebellum

32
Q

cerebellum

A

located behind the top of the brainstem
shares connections with multiple brain areas and can modify their signal output
coordinates voluntary movement (with the help of the pons)

33
Q

the limbic system

A

hypothalamus
amygdala
hippocampus

34
Q

hypothalamus

A

important for bodily maintenance and homeostasis
influences hunger and regulates thirst, body temperature, and sexual behavior
controls the pituitary gland

35
Q

pituitary gland

A

“master gland” of the endocrine system

hormones released by the pituitary gland influence reproductive physiology and social bonding

36
Q

amygdala

A

receives sensory input and evaluates emotional value and intensity
major role in fear and aggression
also involved in emotional memory formation and behavior coordination (via connections to hippocampus and thalamus)
also appears to play a role in romantic love

37
Q

damage to the amygdala

A

emotional dysfunction

38
Q

overactivity in the amygdala

A

anxiety and/or phobias

39
Q

hippocampus

A

processes conscious, explicit memories
neurons in this area form a circuit: activated during memory formation, circuit strengthens with activation
decreases in size and function with age

40
Q

damage to the hippocampus

A

poor memory or inability to form new memories

41
Q

frontal lobe

A

functions: muscle movements, speaking, making plans and judgements
important areas: motor cortex, prefrontal cortex, Broca’s area

42
Q

parietal lobe

A

functions: receives sensory input for touch and body position
important areas: somatosensory cortex

43
Q

temporal lobe

A

functions: processing of auditory information, memory formation
important areas: primary auditory cortex, Wernicke’s area, olfactory cortex

44
Q

occipital lobe

A

functions: processing of visual information

important areas: primary visual cortex

45
Q

the spinal cord

A

a long, thin tubular bundle of nervous tissue that extends from the brain
allows for communication with the sense organs and other muscles below the level of the head

Psych 2 (4 decks)

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