Exam 1: Chapters 1-3 Flashcards

1
Q

Physiological psychology

A

The scientific study of the relationship between biology and behavior/mental processes

I.e. How your behavior and mental processes relate to the biology of your body

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2
Q

What is the mind-body problem?

A

Does the body control the mind or does the mind control the body?

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3
Q

Dualism main concepts - Rene Descartes

A

The mind and body are separate entities…but they can interact.

  • the mind is unique to humans…a gift from God
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4
Q

Free will vs. Reflexes

A
  • Free will is controlled by the mind (voluntary)

- Reflexes are controlled by the body (involuntary)

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5
Q

What is Monism?

A

The mind is the brain

  • Based on the concept of determinism (the way you think, feel, and behave is determined by the laws of physics)
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6
Q

Goals of Scientific Research (4)

A
  1. Describe
  2. Explain
  3. Predict
  4. Control
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7
Q

What is generalization?

A

Drawing general conclusions based on many observations of similar phenomena

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8
Q

What is reduction?

A

Describing a phenomenon in terms of the more elementary processes that underlie it

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9
Q

What is some evidence that the mind is a product of the brain?

A

Split-brain studies: the cerebral hemispheres are cut at the corpus callosum.

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10
Q

What are the effects of a split-brain surgery?

A

Briefly after surgery, behavioral side effects occur, which is due to the hemispheres acting differently. One hemisphere appears to work at an unconscious level.

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11
Q

Example of split-brain study effects

A

A woman smelled something with her right nostril and chose the object with her left hand. She chose the right object but was not aware of what it was until her blindfold was taken off.

  • This supports the idea that your consciousness is interrupted when the physical communication of the brain is interrupted
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12
Q

Two categories of historical psychology

A
  1. Philosophy- Descartes (dualism), Empiricists

2. Biology- Descartes (reflexes), Galvani, Mueller, Hemholtz, Darwin

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13
Q

Types of models

A

Descartes- hydraulic statues as models for reflexes

Animal models & computer models

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14
Q

What is a limitation of using a computer as a model?

A

Serial versus parallel processing

Serial (computer) - one piece of information at a time

Parallel (humans) - much more complicated

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15
Q

What is the doctrine of specific nerve energies and who is responsible for this finding?

A

Mueller (1800s)

Although all nerve fibers carry action potentials, our perception of these messages depends on the particular nerve fibers that are active

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16
Q

What is Darwin’s Theory of Evolution?

A

A gradual change in the physiology of an organism that results in development of different and often more complex organisms

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17
Q

Explain Natural selection

A

Mutations that confer a selective advantage are more likely to be passed onto future generations

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18
Q

Explain functionalism

A

We can better understand a physical or behavioral/mental trait by understanding its function for the organism

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19
Q

What are some ethical issues in research with animals?

A
  • research should be humane and worthwhile

- there are many guidelines to be followed when using animals in research

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20
Q

What are some fields related to biopsychology?

A
  1. Neuroscience
  2. Neurology
  3. Neuropsychology

Either need a Ph.D or M.D. (Experimental vs clinical)

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21
Q

What is basic research?

A

Research conducted not because you want to use that information but to discover how something works or just answer a question

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22
Q

What is applied research?

A

Conducting a study with a particular goal in mind that somehow improves life

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23
Q

What are the two major types of cells in the nervous system?

A
  1. Neurons

2. Glia

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24
Q

About how many neurons are in the human brain?

A

Approximately 100-1000 billion neurons in the human brain

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25
Q

Why are brain injuries so dangerous?

A

Neuronal reproduction is relatively rare…they cannot be replaced

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26
Q

What is the basic structure of a neuron?

Please draw and label the parts.

A

A neuron is composed of a soma (cell body), dendrites, an axon, and axon terminals.

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27
Q

Types of neurons (based on function) (3) and functions

A
  1. Sensory neurons - detect changes in the environment and send this information to the CNS
  2. Motor neurons- controls the contraction of muscles
  3. Interneurons- transmit information between other neurons (between sensory & motor)
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28
Q

Types of neurons (based on structure) (3)

A
  1. Unipolar- neurons that have one fiber that acts as both an axon and a dendrite
  2. Bipolar- neurons that have two processes (one axon and one dendrite)
  3. Multipolar- neurons that have multiple processes (one axon, multiple dendrites)
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29
Q

What is the “wall” of a cell called?

A

The cell membrane

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30
Q

What is the fluid inside the cells that contains organs?

A

Cytoplasm

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31
Q

Which part of the cell makes ATP?

A

Mitochondria

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32
Q

Which part of the cell contains the chromosomes, genes, and DNA?

A

Cell nucleus

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33
Q

Which part of the cell provides a support structure and serves as a “transportation system?”

A

The cytoskeleton

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34
Q

Important aspects of the cell membrane

A
  1. It is semipermeable
  2. It is a lipid bilayer
  3. It contains embedded functional proteins
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35
Q

What are glia? What types are there?

A

They are the support cells of the nervous system.

  1. Astrocytes
  2. Microglia
  3. Oligodendrocytes
  4. Schwann cells
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36
Q

What are the functions of each glia?

A
  1. Astrocytes provide support and help form the BBB.
  2. Microglia are phagocytes; they destroy foreign invaders and debris.
  3. Oligodendrocytes produce myelin for CNS neurons.
  4. Schwann cells produce Myelin for the PNS neurons.
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37
Q

What is the resting potential of a neuron?

A

-70 mV

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38
Q

What types of ions are involved in an action potential?

A
  1. Protein anions (A-)
  2. Potassium ions (K+)
  3. Sodium ions (Na+)
  4. Chloride ions (Cl-)
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39
Q

Where is the majority of concentration of protein anions?

A

Inside the cell

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40
Q

Where is the majority of concentration of potassium ions?

A

Inside the cell

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41
Q

Where is the majority of concentration of sodium ions?

A

Outside the cell

42
Q

Where is the majority of concentration of chloride ions?

A

Outside the cell

43
Q

Explain diffusion

A

The tendency for molecules to move from areas of high concentration to areas of lower concentration

44
Q

Explain electrostatic pressure

A

The force generated by charged particles (ions)

45
Q

Cations are positive or negative?

A

Postivive

46
Q

Anions are positive or negative?

A

Negative

47
Q

What is the sodium potassium pump?

A

A protein embedded into the cell membrane that works to push ions against their concentration gradients

48
Q

When does an action potential occur?

A

When there is a change in the neuron’s resting potential

49
Q

What are the results of a change in electrical potential of cell?

A

Depolarization = excitation

Hyper-polarization = inhibition

50
Q

Characteristics of an action potential

A
  1. Always excitatory
  2. All-or-none phenomenon
  3. Non-decremental
  4. Unidirectional
  5. Has refractory periods
51
Q

What does decremental mean?

A

It means that the quantity of something decreases in time

52
Q

Know the action potential graph. Explain it.

A

Check picture in book

53
Q

What is the difference between the absolute refractory period and relative refractory period?

A

An absolute refractory period means there will be NO chance of another action potential firing. A relative refractory period refers to the possibility of another action potential firing being slim but possible (it would take an extra ‘oomph’ to get it to fire).

54
Q

Purpose of myelin sheath

A

It allows for the conduction of the action potentials to be faster due to saltatory conduction.

55
Q

What are post-synaptic potentials?

A

Passive signals that usually begin on dendritic spines near synapses

56
Q

What are the main components of post-synaptic potentials?

A
  1. The can be excitatory OR inhibitory (EPSPs vs IPSPs)
  2. They are graded- coming in different sizes
  3. Decremental
  4. Multidirectional
  5. Do NOT have refractory periods
57
Q

What are the two types of receptors?

A
  1. Ionotropic receptors

2. Metabotropic receptors

58
Q

Ionotropic receptors

A

They are neurotransmitter-dependent (chemically-gated) ion channels. Their effects can be direct, immediate, short-lived and localized.

59
Q

Metabotropic receptors

A

Linked to g-proteins that alter the cell’s metabolism. The effects are indirect, delayed, diffuse, and long-lived.

60
Q

Where does neural integration (summation) occur?

A

At the axon hillock

61
Q

What are the two major divisions of the nervous system?

A

The Central Nervous System and the Peripheral Nervous System

62
Q

What comprises the CNS?

A
  1. Brain

2. Spinal cord

63
Q

Branches of the PNS?

A
  1. Somatic Nervous System

2. Autonomic Nervous System

64
Q

What is the Somatic nervous system?

A

It is the part of the PNS responsible for voluntary movements.

65
Q

What is the autonomic nervous system?

A

It is the part of the PNS that is associated with involuntary control.

66
Q

What are the branches of the autonomic nervous system?

A
  1. Sympathetic nervous system

2. Parasympathetic nervous system

67
Q

What is the sympathetic nervous system?

A

It is part of the autonomic nervous system that is responsible for the “fight or flight” response

68
Q

What is the parasympathetic nervous system?

A

It is the part of the autonomic nervous system that is responsible for the “rest and digest” functions of the body which include slowing heart rate, increasing intestinal/gland activity, and relaxing sphincter muscles in the gastrointestinal tract

69
Q

Anterior

A

Front

70
Q

Rostral

A

Situated or occurring near the front end of the body, especially in the region of the nose and mouth

71
Q

Posterior

A

Back

72
Q

Caudal

A

At or near the tail or posterior part of the body

73
Q

Superior

A

Above

74
Q

Dorsal

A

Of, on, or relating to the upper side or back of an animal

75
Q

Inferior

A

Below

76
Q

Ventral

A

Of, on, or relating to the underside of an animal

77
Q

Lateral

A

Toward the sides

78
Q

Ipsilateral

A

On the same side

79
Q

Contralateral

A

On opposite sides

80
Q

Medial

A

Toward the midline

81
Q

Afferent

A

Toward the CNS

82
Q

Efferent

A

Away from the CNS

83
Q

Sagittal

A

Running parallel from the front to back of the head

84
Q

What are meninges?

A

They cover and protect the brain

85
Q

List the meninges from outside in

A
  1. Dura mater
  2. Arachnoid mater
  3. Pia mater
86
Q

Where does CSF reside?

A

In the subarachnoid apace inbetween the arachnoid membrane and pia mater.

87
Q

What are ventricles?

A

Four cerebrospinal fluid filled cavities deep in the brain

88
Q

What is the general term for the first two ventricle?

A

Lateral ventricles

89
Q

Explain the development of the CNS

A
  1. Neural tube > ventricular zone > progenitor stem cells
90
Q

What is gray matter?

A

PNS - ganglia

CNS - nuclei

91
Q

What is white matter?

A

PNS- nerves

CNS- tracts

92
Q

What helps increase surface area in the brain?

A

Gyri and sulci/fissures

93
Q

Are gyri grooves and sulci bumps?

A

No, gyri are bumps and sulci are grooves.

94
Q

What is the corpus callosum?

A

It allows for communication between the two halves of the brain.

95
Q

Subcortical

A

Beneath the brain’s outer cortex

96
Q

What are the four lobes of the cortex?

A
  1. Frontal lobe
  2. Parietal lobe
  3. Temporal lobe
  4. Occipital lobe
97
Q

Function of frontal lobe?

A

Movement

98
Q

Function of parietal lobe?

A

Somatosensation

99
Q

Function of the temporal lobe?

A

Audition

100
Q

Function of the occipital lobe?

A

Vision

101
Q

What does it mean to say that the brain is “cross-wired?”

A

The hemispheres control it’s contralateral sides