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9.00 - Introduction to Psychology > 2 - Biology of Mind and Behavior > Flashcards

2 - Biology of Mind and Behavior Flashcards

1
Q

Mental contents

A

Knowledge, beliefs, ideas, desires, feelings

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2
Q

Mental processes

A

Sets of operations that carry out a function, such as attention, or memory, or perception

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3
Q

Sensory neuron

A

A neuron that responds to signals from sensory organs and transmits those to the brain/spinal cord

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4
Q

Motor neuron

A

Neuron that sends signals to muscles in order to control movement

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5
Q

Interneuron

A

Neuron that connects to other neurons

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6
Q

Brain circuit

A

A set of neurons that work together to receive input, and produce output

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7
Q

Axon

A

The sending end of a neuron, long cable like structure extending from the cell body

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8
Q

Terminal button

A

A structure at the end of a branch of an axon that can release chemicals

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9
Q

Dendrite

A

The treelike part of a neuron that receives messages from the axons of other neurons

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10
Q

Resting potential

A

Negative charge within a neuron at least. Arises because of how ions are distributed inside and outside the cell.

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11
Q

Action potential

A

The shifting change in charge that moves down the axon

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12
Q

All or none

A

if the neuron is sufficiently stimulated, it fires. It either fires, or it doesn’t.

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13
Q

Myelin

A

A fatty substance that helps impulses travel down the axon

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14
Q

Synapse

A

where an axon of one neuron sends a signal to the membrane of another neuron (includes the sending portions of the axon, the receiving portions of the next neuron, and the synaptic cleft in between)

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15
Q

Acetylcholine

A

Muscle contraction, memory, arousal

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16
Q

Dopamine

A

motivation, reward, movement, thought, learning

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17
Q

Noradrenaline/norepinephrine

A

Dreaming, attention

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18
Q

Serotonin

A

Primary inhibitory neurotransmitter regulating mood, sleep

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19
Q

GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)

A

Inhibits sending neuron

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20
Q

Endogenous cannabinoids

A

Memory, attention, emotion, movement control, appetite. **Released by the receiving neuron

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21
Q

Agonist

A

A chemical that mimics the effects of a neurotransmitter by activating a type of receptor

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22
Q

Receptor

A

A site on a dendrite or cell body where a neurotransmitter attaches itself (the lock to the neurotransmitter key)

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23
Q

Reuptake

A

the process by which surplus neurotransmitter in the synaptic cleft is reabsorbed

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24
Q

Antagonist

A

A chemical that blocks the effect of a neurotransmitter (block receptors)

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25
Glial cell
A type of cell that helps neurons to form both synapses and connections when the brain is developing, influences the communication among neurons, and cares for neurons
26
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
The autonomic nervous system and sensory-somatic nervous system
27
Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
Controls smooth muscles, some glandular functions, self-regulating activities
28
Sympathetic Nervous System
(part of the ANS) Fight or Flight: | - speeds heart, increases breathing, dilates pupils, sweat, decreases saliva)
29
Parasympathetic Nervous System
(part of the ANS) Slows things down (counteracts the sympathetic)
30
Sensory-somatic nervous system (SSNS)
(part of the PNS) consists of neurons in the sensory organs, and neurons that trigger muscles and glands
31
Somatic motor system
Consists of nerves attached to striated muscles (used voluntarily)
32
Central Nervous System (CNS)
Brain + spinal cord
33
Reflex
an automatic behavioral response to an event
34
Meninges
3 protective layered membranes that cover the brain
35
Corpus callosum
The large bundles of axons that connects the two halves of the brain
36
Cerebral cortex
Convoluted pinkish-gray outer layer of the brain. Most mental processes arise here.
37
Subcortical structures
Parts of the brain located under the cerebral cortex
38
Sulcus
crease in the cortex
39
Gyrus
bulge in the cortex
40
Brain system
a set of brain circuits that work together to accomplish a task
41
Occipital lobes
located at the back of the head, concerned with vision
42
Temporal lobes
processing sound, entering new information into memory, storing visual memories, language comprehension WHAT SYSTEM Mrs. O'C, Mrs. O'M, music problems
43
Parietal lobes
top rear of brain. Attention, arithmetic, spacial location, and touch WHERE SYSTEM
44
Somatosensory strip
gyrus immediately behind the central sulcus. Registers sensations and organized by body part
45
Frontal lobes
planning, memory search, motor control, speech control, reasoning, emotions Donald who killed his girlfriend on PCP and remembered after a contusion here
46
Motor strip
gyrus immediately in front of the central sulcus | controls fine movements and organized by body part. aka Primary Motor Cortex
47
Thalamus
A subcortical structure that receives signals from sensory and motor systems, plays crucial role in attention & sleep Switching center, hub
48
Hypothalamus
Controls eating, drinking, body temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, sexual behavior
49
Hippocampus
Key role in allowing new information to be stored in memory
50
Amygdala
Subcortical structure involved in fear, anger, and other strong emotions
51
Limbic system
(hippocampus + amygdala + hypothalamus + others) involved in emotions, motivations, fighting, fleeing, feeding, and sex
52
Basal ganglia
Subcortical structures that play a role in planning, learning habits, and producing movement
53
Medulla
The lowest part of the lower brainstem, automatic control of breathing, swallowing and blood circulation
54
Reticular formation
a collection of small structures in the brainstem, responsible for keeping you awake
55
Pons
bridge between the medulla and midbrain, connects upper brain to cerebellum
56
Cerebellum
A large structure at the base of the brain —physical coordination, estimating time, and paying attention
57
Cortisol
A hormone produced by the adrenal glands that helps the body cope with the extra energy demands of stress
58
Pituitary gland
the "master gland", controlled mainly by the hypothalamus
59
Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) Axis
System glands + hypothalamus that is activated by stress, injury, and infection and works to fight off infection
60
Lesion
a region of impaired brain tissue
61
Stroke
A cause of brain damage that occurs when blood fails to reach part of the brain
62
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
a tracing of brain waves of electrical fluctuation over time
63
Magnetoencephalography (MEG)
A technique for assessing brain activity that relies on recording magnetic waves produced by neural activity
64
Single-cell recording
the technique in which micro electrodes are placed in the brain and used to record neural firing rates
65
Computer-assisted tomography (CT)
A neuroimaging technique that produces a three-dimensional image of brain structures using x-rays
66
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
A technique that uses magnetic properties of atoms to take sharp pictures of the three-dimensional structure of the brain
67
Positron emission tomography (PET)
A neuroimaging technique that uses small amounts of radioactive substance to track blood flow or energy consumption in the brain.
68
functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)
A type of magnetic resonance imagine that detects the amount of oxygen being brought to particular places in the brain, indicating activity
69
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
A technique in which the brain is stimulated from outside by putting a coil on a person's head and delivering a magnetic pulse
70
Pruning
a process by which certain connections among neurons are eliminate (use it or lose it)
71
Plasticity
the brain's ability to change as a result of experience
72
Passive interaction
Occurs when genetically shaped behavioral tendencies of parents or siblings produce an environment received by the child
73
Evocative (reactive) interaction
Occurs when genetically influenced characteristics induce other people to behave in particular ways
74
Active interaction
Occurs when people choose (based on genetic tendencies) to put themselves in specific situations and avoid others
75
Heritability
The degree to which the variability of a characteristic or ability in a population is due to genetics, given a specific environment.
76
Left Hemisphere
Function, Local
77
Right Hemisphere
Appearance, Global

9.00 - Introduction to Psychology (7 decks)

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