Chapter 2 - Biological Foundations Of Behavior Flashcards
Sensory and Motor Neurons
S - Send messages from brain to the body
M - everything else
Glial Cells
Small cells in the nervous system that support neurons and form the myelin sheath on axons
How Neurons Communicate
Neurons sit at negative charge and the neuron is resting, waiting for an impulse to make it fire - resting potential
There is then a depolarization where there are chemicals released to get the neuron prepared to work. During this there is a Change in electrial charge from negative to positive - action potential
The neuron then sends messages down the axon
There is then a refractory period where the neuron rests for less than a second. It then goes through the process until neurotransmitters tell it to stop
Neurotransmitters
Terminal buttons release neurotransmitters that go across the synapse looking for receptor sites. This connection tells the neuron what to do. Each neurotransmitter and receptor site has a key and lock fit, they are unique
Glutamate
Neurotransmitter that is an excitatory one. Excites neuron so that it works, it is the primer before the action potential - during depolarization
GABA
Neurotransmitter that shuts a neuron down
Dopamine
Neurotransmitter that is related to muscles movement and control
Also memory, thought, pleasure
Serotonin
Neurotransmitter Wake/sleep cycles
Low levels can lead to anxiety and depression
Norepinephrine
Pepares our bodies for action
Acts like adrenaline, but goes through neurons instead of blood
Agonists
A process that fits into receptor cites and mimics what the neurotransmitter would do, possibly doing a better job
Antagonist
It goes into receptor cite and prevents neurotransmitter from doing its job
Central Nervous System
Spinal cord and brain
Spinal cord is the connection to the rest of the body for the brain
The spinal cord can process a few messages like reflexes
The brain controls everything
Peripheral Nervous System
Connects and communicates everything from our body to our brain
Somatic
Carries information from our sensory organs and motor commands
Autonomic
Responsible for actions that we do and don’t think about, like digestion
Sympathetic
Prepares us for action and danger and can help us survive
Parasympathetic
Counter acts the sympathetic to calm us down, build up reserves, especially energy
Hindbrain and Midbrain
Made up of: Cerebellum Medulla Pons Reticular Formation Brain Stem
Cerebellum
Responsible for balance (califlower)
Reticular Formation
Responsible for noticing change in environment, breathing, heart-beat
dead - not producing electrical stimuli
Pons
Bridge between brain stem and cerebral cortex
Thalamus
Responsible for intergrating sensory input
Hypothalamus
Responsible for maintaining homeostasis
Amygadala
Responsible for danger