2.1 Biological Foundations of Behavior

Question 1

Neurons

Answer 1

Nerve cells.

Question 2

Brain

Answer 2

The mass of nerve tissue incased in the skull that controls virtually everything we are and everything we do.

Question 3

Soma

Answer 3

The cell body of a neuron that contains the nucleus of the cell and carries the cell’s metabolic functions.

Question 4

Axon

Answer 4

The tube like part of a neuron that carries messages away from the cell body toward other neurons.

Question 5

Terminal buttons

Answer 5

Swelling at the tips of axons from which neurotransmitters are dispatched into the synapse.

Question 6

Neurotransmitters

Answer 6

Chemical messengers that transport nerve impulses from one nerve to the other.

Question 7

Synapse

Answer 7

The small fluid filled gap between neurons through which neurotransmitters carry neural impulses.

Question 8

Dendrites

Answer 8

Rootlike structures at the end of axons that receive neural impulses from neighboring neurons.

Question 9

Sensory neurons

Answer 9

Neurons that transmit information from sensory organs, muscles, and inner organs to the spinal chord and brain.

Question 10

Motor neurons

Answer 10

Neurons that convey nerve impulses from the central nervous system to muscles and glands.

Question 11

Glands

Answer 11

Body organs or structures that secrete a product called hormones.

Question 12

Hormones

Answer 12

Secretions from endocrine glands that help the body regulate bodily processes.

Question 13

Interneurons

Answer 13

Nerve cells within the central nervous system that processes information.

Question 14

nerve

Answer 14

a bundle of axons from different neurons that transmit nerve impulses.

Question 15

Glial cells

Answer 15

Small but numerous cells in the nervous system that support neurons and form the myelin sheath found on many axons.

Question 16

Myelin sheath

Answer 16

A layer of protective insulation that covers the axons of certain neurons and helps speed transmission of nerve impulses.

Question 17

Nodes of Ranvier

Answer 17

Gaps in the myelin sheath that create noninsulated areas along the axon

Question 18

Multiple Sclerosis MS

Answer 18

A disease of the central nervous system in which the myelin sheath that insulates the axons are damaged or destroyed.

Question 19

Ions

Answer 19

Electrically charges chemical particles.

Question 20

Resting potential

Answer 20

The electrical potential across the cells membrane of a neuron in its resting state.

Question 21

Depolarization

Answer 21

A positive shift in the electrical charge in the neurons resting potential, making it less negatively charged.

Question 22

Action potential

Answer 22

An abrupt change from a negative to a positive charge of a nerve cell. Also called neural impulse.

Question 23

All or none principle

Answer 23

The principle by which neurons will fire only when a change in the level of excitation occurs that is sufficient enough to produce an action potential.

Question 24

Refractory Period

Answer 24

A temporary state in which a neuron is unable to fire in response to continued stimulation.

Question 25

Receptor site

Answer 25

A site on the receiving neuron that neurotransmitters dock.

Question 26

Reuptake

Answer 26

The process by which neurotransmitters are reabsorbed by the transmitting neuron.

Question 27

Enzymes

Answer 27

Organic substances that produce certain chemical changes in other organic substances through a catalytic action.

Question 28

Neuromodulators

Answer 28

Chemicals released in the nervous system that influence the sensitivity of the receiving neuron to neurotransmitters.

Question 29

Antagonists

Answer 29

Drugs that block the actions of neurotransmitter by occupying the receptor sites in which the neurotransmitters dock.

Question 30

Schizophrenia

Answer 30

A severe and chronic psychological disorder characterized by disturbances thinking, perception, emotions, and behavior.

Question 31

Hallucinations

Answer 31

Perceptions experienced in the absence of corresponding external stimuli.

Question 32

Delusions

Answer 32

Fixed but patently false beliefs such as believing that one being hounded by demons.

Question 33

Parkinson’s Disease

Answer 33

A progressive brain disease involving destruction of dopamine producing brain cells and characterized by muscle tremors, shakiness, rigidity, and difficulty in walking and controlling fine body movements.

Question 34

Agonists

Answer 34

Drugs that either increase the availability or effectiveness of neurotransmitters or mimic their actions.

Question 35

Stimulant

Answer 35

A drug that activates the central nervous system, such as amphetamines and cocaine.

Question 36

Amphetamines

Answer 36

A class of synthetically derived stimulant drugs, such as methamphetamine or speed.

Question 37

Antidepressants

Answer 37

Drugs that combat depression by affecting the levels or activity of neurotransmitters.

Question 38

Endorphins

Answer 38

Natural chemicals released in the brain that have pain killing and pleasure inducing effects.