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Intro to Psychology > Chapter 3: Biological Foundations of Behavior > Flashcards

Chapter 3: Biological Foundations of Behavior Flashcards

(69 cards)

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1
Q

The Nervous System

A

The body’s electrochemical communication circuitry

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2
Q

Factors of the Nervous System

A

Complex, integrated, adaptable (plasticity), electrochemical transmission

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3
Q

Central Nervous System

A

Brain and Spinal Cord

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4
Q

Peripheral Nervous System

A

Somatic NS, Autonomic NS

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5
Q

Somatic NS

A

Sensory and motor nerves that go to muscles, is involved in conscious movement

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6
Q

Afferent Signals of Somatic NS

A

Skin, muscles, and joints send signals to spinal cord and brain (outside world communicates to the brain)

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7
Q

Efferent Signals of Somatic NS

A

Brain and spinal cord send signals to the muscles, joints, and skin

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8
Q

Autonomic NS

A

Delegates communication with internal organs, includes the sympathetic NS and parasympathetic NS

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9
Q

Sympathetic NS

A

Involves the carrying of signals that make the body alert, fight or flight

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10
Q

Parasympathetic NS

A

Involves the carrying of signals that calms the body after experiencing a stressor

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11
Q

Afferent/Sensory Nerves

A

carry signals to brain that enable our senses such as taste, smell, sight, etc.

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12
Q

Efferent/Motor Nerves

A

carry signals to our muscles that enables our ability to move and function.

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13
Q

Glial Cells

A

provide support and nutrition to neurons (“glue” of NS)

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14
Q

Mirror Neurons

A

most commonly found in primates, involves imitation of an action, social perception

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15
Q

Neurons

A

important to the NS, responsible for information processing such as computing/communicating.

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16
Q

Dendrites

A

responsible for receiving and processing signals from the axons of other neurons.

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17
Q

Cell Body

A

stores genetic information, maintains the structure of a neuron, and provides energy to the neuron.

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18
Q

Axon

A

responsible for carrying electrical impulses (nerve impulses) away from the cell body, otherwise known as the neuron’s tail.

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19
Q

Myelin Sheath

A

protects the axon

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20
Q

Terminal Buttons

A

at the end of the axon, responsible for sending the signal to other neurons

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21
Q

Synapse

A

Gap at the end of the terminal buttons, purpose is to connect neurons, neurotransmitters travel through the synapse.

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22
Q

Neuron Communication

A

communicate through combination of electrical and chemical signals

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23
Q

Electrochemical signals

A

a neuron detects a stimulus and generates an electric potential that travels down the cell

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24
Q

Polarization of neuron

A

Involves an imbalance of charges in the neuron, in polarization the neuron is negatively charged inside. allows for electrical signals/action potentials to be transmitted when stimulated by outside stimuli or other neurons. ion channels are CLOSED

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25
Resting State
Neuron is not actively transmitting any signals. Electrical potential difference when cell is in non-excited state
26
Semipermeable membrane
allows for the passage of specific molecules/ions through diffusion
27
Ion channels
allow for the passage of ions through the cell membrane
28
When do ion channels open?
during depolarization
29
Threshold
lowest point at which a stimulus will cause a response in an organism
30
Action Potential
ion exchange sweeps across the length of an axon to transmit information, neuron briefly changes from + to - during the exchange
31
All-or-nothing principle
neurons will either transmit an impulse completely or not at all
32
What carries information across the synaptic gap to the next neuron?
Neurotransmitters
33
Acetylcholine
Primarily responsible for muscle actions, learning, and memory - Botox & Alzheimer's decrease ACH levels - Black Widow Venom increases ACH levels
34
GABA
regulates neural activity, therefore promoting relaxation, anxiety reduction, & sleep regulation - Anxiety decreases GABA levels
35
Glutamate
known as the excitatory neurotransmitter, involved in learning and memory - related to multiple different psychological disorders such as autism, depression, and schizophrenia
36
Norepinephrine
associated with the "fight or flight" stress response, regulates mood, responsible for ability to pay attention - stress and mania increase norepinephrine levels - depression decreases norepinephrine levels
37
Dopamine
responsible for voluntary movement and reward anticipation - stimulant drugs activate dopamine receptors - parkinson's decreases dopamine levels - schizophrenia increases dopamine levels
38
Serotonin
regulates sleep, mood, attention, and learning - depression decreases serotonin levels - prozac (medication for depression) increases serotonin levels
39
Endorphins
serve as natural opiates, mediates feelings of pleasure and pain
40
Oxytocin
both a hormone and neurotransmitter, related to attachment & emotional bonds - relates to onset of lactation in new mothers
41
Reuptake
the whole neurotransmitter molecule is taken back into the axon terminal that released it in order to clear the synapse
42
What is the hindbrain made up of?
The brainstem, which includes the medulla and pons, and the cerebellum
43
Medulla
Controls breathing, heartbeat, and blood pressure, regulates reflexes
44
Pons
Unconscious processes, like sleep-wake up cycle and breathing, controls sleep and arousal
45
Cerebellum
responsible for motor coordination
46
What does the midbrain consist of?
Substania nigra and reticular formation
47
Substantia Nigra
produces dopamine, directly impacted by Parkinson's disease
48
Reticular Formation
facilitates movement of muscles for stereotyped behavior patterns, such as walking
49
What does the forebrain consist of?
the amygdala, hippocampus, thalamus, basil ganglia, hypothalamus
50
Amygdala
responsible for the ability to discriminate objects needed for survival and emotional awareness/expression
51
Hippocampus
responsible for the formation and recall of memories
52
Thalamus
main relay station for most sensory information
53
Basil Ganglia
coordination of voluntary movements
54
Hypothalamus
delegates eating, drinking, and sexual behaviors, regulates the body's internal state (emotion, stress, and reward) 4 F's = FLEEING, FIGHTING, FEEDING, FUCKING
55
What does the cerebral cortex consist of?
The neocortex and the 4 lobes
56
Neocortex
the outermost layer
57
Occipital Lobe
responsible for vision
58
Temporal Lobe
responsible for hearing, language processing, and memory
59
Frontal Lobe
involves intelligence, personality, and voluntary muscles
60
Parietal Lobe
involves spatial location, attention, and motor control
61
Somatosensory Cortex
located in the parietal lobe, controls body sensations and touch
62
Motor Cortex
located in the frontal lobe, controls voluntary movements & point-to-point mapping
63
Association Cortex
takes up 75% of cortex, responsible for processing that occurs between sensory input and motor behaviors
64
Prefrontal Cortex
at the very front of the brain
65
Corpus Callosum
a large bundle of axons that connects the two hemisphere of the brain
66
Left Hemisphere of the Brain
responsible for verbal processing, speech, and grammar - Wernicke's area and Broca's area are located here
67
Right Hemisphere of the Brain
responsible for spatial perception, visual recognition, and emotion
68
Wernicke's Area
controls the ability to understand the meaning of words,
69
Broca's Area
controls the ability to speak

Intro to Psychology (3 decks)

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