Biology and Behaviour Flashcards
1
Q
Relex arch
A
- During reflex arch, sensory receptors detect pain and a signal is sent via a sensory neuron to the spinal cord.
- There, the afferent signal moves to an interneuron where it is processed resulting in an efferent signal being sent to the motor neuron, after which the reflexive action occurs
- Thus, the pathway that the nerve impulse travels is
- Sensory neuron → interneuron → motor neuron.
2
Q
Dopamine and Diseases
A
- Dopamine is a neurotransmitter which serves multiple functions. It plays an important role in movement and posture, and a loss of dopaminergic neurons in the brain is associated with Parkinson’s disease
- Schizophrenia has also been found to be related to imbalanced in dopamine transmission
- It is also involved in the brain’s reward pathways, and a malfunction in these pathways is associated with drug addiction
- It is NOT associated with Alzheimer’s disease (that is associated with decreased levels and functions of acetylcholine)
3
Q
Cerebellum
A
Helps to maintain balance and coordinate movement. Clumsiness and loss of balance are possible symptoms of damage to this area
4
Q
Hippocampus
A
Plays a role in learning and memory process
5
Q
Thalamus
A
Serves as a relay station for incoming sensory information
6
Q
Amygdala
A
Involved in the experience of emotion
7
Q
Forebrain
A
- Has many functions, including cognitive processes, memory and the experience of emotion
- Contains the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex which are heavily involved in all the above functions
8
Q
Parts of the limbic System
A
- The limbic system is part of the brain associated with emotion and memory, comprises several structures including:
- Septal nuclei
- Amygdala
- Hippocampus
- Anterior cingulate cortex
9
Q
Hypothalamus
A
- Involved in expression of emotion
- Integrates the nervous and endocrine systems via the pituitary gland
10
Q
Sublimation
A
- Defense mechanism where someone channels an unacceptable impulse in a socially acceptable direction
11
Q
Person-Centered Therapy
A
- An application of the humanistic perspective, which focusses on the ways that healthy people strive towards self-realization
- Rather than focusing on providing solutions or diagnoses, person-centered therapy helps the client to reflect on problem, generate solutions on their own, and take positive action
12
Q
Behaviourist Perspective
A
States that people can learn skills and change behaviour through the use of operant conditioning techniques. Giving candy to children who share their toys is an example of positive reinforcement, and operant conditioning technique.
13
Q
Expectency-Value theory
A
States that motivation is based on how much someone values a goal and their expectations of success at attaining it
14
Q
Drive Reduction Theory
A
- Drives are states of internal tension which activates behaviours based on goals.
- Drive reduction theory states that motivation is based on the desire to eliminate uncomfortable states
- Hunger is an example: when someone feels hungry, they seek out food to eliminate the feeling of hunger.
15
Q
Self-Determination Theory (SDT)
A
- emphasizes three universal needs:
- Autonomy: The need to be in control of one’s actions and ideas
- Competence: The need to complete and excel at difficult tasks
- Relatedness: The need to feel wanted and accepted in relationships
16
Q
Opponent-process Theory
A
- Explains that when a drug is used repeatedly, the body will change its physiology to attempt to counteract the effects of the drug
- The problem, with this is that these physiological changes can last longer than the effects of the drug itself, leading to symptoms of withdrawal, and potentially leading to physical dependence of the drug.
- This also results in tolerance, where consecutive use of the same amount of drug has less of an effect over time
17
Q
Attitude Influencing Behaviour
A
- Would result in change in behaviour because of the way one thinks or feels about something
- A farmer believing that a certain would result in bad luck is an example of an attitude, and not planting that crop because of its belief is an example of behaviour being influences by an attitude.
18
Q
Foot-in-the-door Technique
A
- Is when someone makes a small request, and when that is agreed to, follow it with a larger request.
- It is an example of behaviour influencing attitude, since agreeing to a smaller request makes one more likely to agree to a larger one
19
Q
Neurotransmitters and Behaviour
A
- The Brian needs ways of communicating with the rest of the cells in your body to coordinate all the function that need to be carried out from moment to moment
20
Q
Neurotransmitters
A
- Small molecules which are synthesized directly in the neuron
- All neurotransmitters are released in response to some kind of stimulus
21
Q
Fight or Flight Response ( epinephrine and norepinephrine )
A
- Regulated by epinephrine and norepinephrine
- Both neurotransmitters act on the sympathetic nervous system to mobilize resources to deal with stressful situation
- Epinephrine is released in stressful situations and works to increase heart rate, direct the blood flow to muscles and dilating the pupils
- Norepinephrine also released in times of stress keeps the body temperature up, increases the blood flow if low and stimulates energy production through glycogenolysis, gluconeogenesis, and lipolysis
22
Q
Gamma Aminobutyric Acid (GABA)
A
- Inhibitory neurotransmitter
- Responsible for allowing us to regulate out behaviours
- Calls your nerves
- Benzodiazepines and alcohols are antagonist
23
Q
Acetylcholine
A
- neurotransmitter associated with memory
- Responsible for cholinergic singling, which is what allows us to focus our attention, to learn and to form memories
- Impaired cholinergic singling can cause delay’s. In fact atrophy of acetylcholine producing neurons is one factor in the development of Alzheimer’s disease
24
Q
Serotonin
A
- Responsible for sleep wake cycles, and involved in processes including emotional processing, mood, appetite and more.
- Low levels are associated with major depressive disorder, which is why insomnia and depression often go hand in hand
25
Q
Endorphins
A
- Class of neurotransmitters which bind to opioid receptors and act to inhibit pain
- Like other opioids they can produce feelings of euphoria
37
Q
Negative Feedback System
A
- Body’s system to return to homeostasis
- Body employs numerous biological and psychological negative feedback systems to keep us alive and running smoothly
