Unit 2: Biological Bases of Behavior Flashcards
1
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Neuroanatomy
A
Study of the parts & functions of neurons
2
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Neuron
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Individual nerve cells
3
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Dendrites
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Rootlike parts of the cell that stretch out and form the cell, receive information
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Soma (Cell Body)
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Contains the nucleus & other cell parts, in charge of the neuron
5
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Axon
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Winglike structure ending in terminal buttons that carry the message
6
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Myelin Sheath
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A fatty covering around the axon that helps transmission
7
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Terminal Buttons (Axon Terminal)
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The branch end of the axon that contains neuro transmitters
8
Q
Neurotransmitters
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Chemicals in terminal buttons that enable neurons to communicate to receptor sites
9
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Synapse
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Space between terminal buttons & dendrites of two neurons
10
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Receptor Sites
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Sites on cell surface that accept enzymes, neurotransmitters, etc
11
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Threshold
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Required amount of neurotransmitters to envoke a response
12
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Action Potential
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Firing of an electrochemical charge
13
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Negative After-potential
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Drop in electrical charge below resting point
14
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All-or-nothing Principle
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A neuron either fires completely or not at all
15
Q
Excitatory neurotransmitters
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Neurotransmitters that excite the next cell into firing
16
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Inhibitory Neurotransmitters
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Neurotransmitters that cause a neuron to create fewer action potentials
17
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Ion Channels
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Tiny openings through the axon membrane
18
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Neurilemma
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Additional sheath external to myelin, found on PNS axons
19
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Acetylcholine (Neurotransmitter)
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Participant in movement, autonomic function, learning & memory
20
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Dopamine (Neurotransmitter)
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Participates in motivation, reward, planning of behavior
21
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Endorphins (Neurotransmitter)
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Opiate-like neural regulators that relieve pain & stress
22
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Serotonin (Neurotransmitters)
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Participates in mood, appetite, & sleep
23
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Melatonin (Neurotransmitter)
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A hormone manufactured by the pineal gland that produces sleepiness
24
Q
Cranial Nerves
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Major nerves that leave the brain without passing through the spinal cord
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Sensory Neurons (Afferent)
Send info from sensory receptors to CNS
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Motor Neurons (Efferent)
Conducts impulses outwards from the brain or spinal cord
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Reflex Arc
Simplest behavior, stimulus provides automatic response
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Central Nervous System (CNS)
Brain & spinal cord
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Spinal Cord
Column of nerves that transmits info between brain & PNS
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Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
Parts of nervous system outside of the brain & spinal cord
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Somatic Nervous System
A network linking spinal cord with body & sense organs
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Sympathetic Nervous System
The division of the autonomic nervous system that coordinates arousal
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Parasympathetic Nervous System
Division of autonomic nervous system that quiets the body & conserves energy
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Split Brain
Surgical procedure that cuts the corpus callosum, splits the brain in half
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Deep Lesioning
Removal of brain tissue by the use of an electrode
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Ablation
Surgical removal of tissue from the brain surface
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Electroencephalogram (EEG)
Device that records electrical activity in the brain
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Computerized Tomography (CT Scan)
Computer enhanced X-ray image of the brain or body
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Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
3D image of the brain or body in response to a magnetic field
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Positron Emission Tomography (PET Scan)
High-resolution image that captures brain activity by attaching radioactive particles to glucose molecules
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Function MRI (fMRI)
MRI technique that records activity levels in various areas of the brain
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Hindbrain
A primitive part of the brain that comprises the medulla, pons, & cerebellum
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Brainstem
Bottom part of the brain that connects to the spinal cord
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Medulla
Structure that connect brain with spinal cord & controls vital life functions
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Pons
Area of the hindbrain that acts as a bridge between the medulla & other structures
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Cerebellum
Hindbrain structure that controls coordination & balance
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Midbrain
Structure that connects the hindbrain with the forebrain
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Reticular Formation
Collection of cells & fibers in the medulla & pons involved in arousal & attention
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Reticular Activating System
A bundle of nerves that sits in your brainstem, regulates behavioral arousal
50
Forebrain
Brain structure that governs higher-order mental processes
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Thalamus
Brain structure that relays sensory info to the cerebral cortex
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Hypothalamus
Small area of the brain that regulates emotional behaviors & biological needs
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Amygdala
Part of the limbic system associated with the rapid processing of emotions, mainly fear
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Hippocampus
Limbic system associated with storing memories
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Limbic System
Brain structures that play important roles in regulating emotion & memory
56
Cerebral Cortex
Thin, wrinkled outer covering of the brain in which high-level processes take place
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Hemispheres
Left & right sides of the cerebral cortex, connected by the corpus callosum
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Left Hemisphere
Controls the right side of body, focuses on language, logic, and analytical thinking
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Right Hemisphere
Controls left side of the body, focuses on intuitive, creative, and subjective thinking
60
Brain Lateralization
Differences between the abilities of brain hemispheres
61
Corpus Callosum
Nerve fibers connecting the brain hemispheres
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Association Area
Areas of the cerebral cortex not primarily sensory or motor in function
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Frontal Lobes
Areas of cortex associated with movement, sense of self, & higher mental functions
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Broca's Area
Language area related to grammar & pronunciation
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Wernicke's Area
Temporal lobe area related to language comprehension
66
Motor Cortex
Brain area associated with the control of movement
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Parietal Lobes
Cortex areas where body sensations register
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Somatosensory Cortex
A receiving area for body sensations
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Sensory Cortex
Area in the parietal lobe, behind the motor cortex, where the brain processes sensory information
70
Occipital Lobes
Cortical areas at the back of the brain that process visuals & sight
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Temporal Lobes
Areas of the cortex that include sites where hearing registers
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Brain Plasticity
Brain's ability to reorganize or modify itself in response to an experience or change
73
Endocrine System
Network of glands that release hormones into the bloodstream
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Hormone
Chemical released by endocrine glands
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Thyroid Gland
Endocrine gland that helps regulate metabolism rates
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Pituitary Gland
Master gland of pituitary system that controls the actions of all other glands
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Adrenal Glands
Endocrine glands that arouse the body, regulate self-balance, adjust body to stress, & affect sexual functioning
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Adrenal Cortex
Responsible for releasing epinephrine & nonepinephrine
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Norepinephrine
Neurotransmitter & hormone that tends to arouse the body (anger)
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Epinephrine
Hormone that arouses the body (fear)
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Pineal Gland
Gland in the brain that helps regulate body rhythms & sleep cycles
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Growth Hormone
Secreted by the pituitary gland that promotes body growth
83
Agnosia
A patient is unable to recognize & identify objects or faces
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Aphasia
Lost power to use or comprehend words
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Apraxia
Lost ability to execute complex coordinated movements without muscular or sensory impairments
86
Amnesia
Loss of memory
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Aneurysm
Abnormal widening or ballooning of a portion of a blood vessel
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Stroke
Blood supply is disrupted & brain cells start to die
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Tumor
Abnormal growth of cells
90
Hypoxia
Deprived of an oxygen supply
91
Concussion
Blow to the head that causes the brain to hit the skull
92
Seizure
Sudden disruption of the brain's normal electrical activity
93
Hereditary
The passing down of genes to cause traits
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Dominant Gene
The gene's influence is expressed each time the gene is present
95
Recessive Gene
The gene is expressed when paired with the same gene type from both parents
96
Chromosome
Rodlike structures in the cell nucleus that houses genes
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Down Syndrome
An extra chromosome in one's genetic makeup
98
Monozygotic Twins
Identical, have the exact same genetic makeup
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Dizygotic Twins
Fraternal, genetically more like siblings
100
Conscious Level
Info about yourself & your environment that you're aware of
101
Nonconscious Level
Body processes controlled by your mind that your not aware of
102
Preconscious Level
Unpressed stored memories & thoughts that can be recalled in a a matter of seconds
103
Subconscious Level
Info beyond a person's conscious awareness that affects mental processes
104
Unconscious Level
Thoughts & desires that are actively repressed from consciousness & affect you mentally
105
Sleep Cycles
Lasts two hours, cycles sleep stages to restore energy
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Sleep Stages
Levels of sleep as it develops during the night
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REM Sleep
Sleep where dreams occur
108
nREM Sleep
non-rapid eye movement sleep (Stages 1-4)
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Insomnia
Difficulty in getting to sleep or staying asleep
110
Narcolepsy
A sudden, irresistible sleep attack
111
Sleep Apnea
Disorder in which a person stops breathing during sleep
112
Night Terrors
A state of panic during nREM sleep
113
Freudian Dream Interpretation
Dreams express unconscious desires
114
Activation-synthesis Dream Theory
Proposition that dreams are how brains process the random electrical charges of REM sleep
115
Information-processing Dream Theory
Proposal that dreams reflect everyday waking thoughts & emotions
116
Psychoactive Drugs
Drugs that change the chemistry of the brain
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Agonists
Mimic neurotransmitters
118
Antagonists
Block neurotransmitters
119
Tolerance
The body becomes normalized to the amount of drugs in the system & needs more
120
Withdrawal
Side-effects caused by coming off of drugs after your body is addicted & it feels it as normal
121
Stimulants
Substance that increases activity in the body & nervous system
122
Depressants
Substance that decreases activity in the body & nervous system
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Hallucinogens
Substance that alters or distorts sensory impressions
124
Opiates
Agonists for endorphins
