3 - Biological Bases of Behavior

Question 1

Scientific study of the links between biological (genetic, neural, hormonal) and psychological processes

Answer 1

Biological Psychology

Question 2

A nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system

Answer 2

Neuron

Question 3

A neuron’s bushy, branching extensions that receive messages through its branch and conduct impulses toward the cell body

Answer 3

Dendrites

Question 4

The neuron extension that passes messages through its branches to other neurons or to muscles or glands

Answer 4

Axon

Question 5

A fatty tissue layer segmentally encasing the axons of some neurons; enables vastly greater transmission speed as neural impulses hop from one sausage-like node to the next

Answer 5

Myelin Sheath

Question 6

A neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon

Answer 6

Action Potential

Question 7

A period of inactivity after a neuron has fired

Answer 7

Refractory Period

Question 8

The level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse

Answer 8

Threshold

Question 9

A neuron’s reaction of either firing (with a full-strength response) or not firing at all

Answer 9

All-or-Nothing Response

Question 10

The junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron. Aka synaptic gap or synaptic clef

Answer 10

Synapse

Question 11

Chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons. When released by the sending neuron, _____ travel across the synapse and bind to receptor sites on the receiving neuron, thereby influencing whether that neuron will generate a neural impulse.

Answer 11

Neurotransmitters

Question 12

A neurotransmitter’s reabsorption by the sending neuron

Answer 12

Reuptake

Question 13

“Morphine within” - natural, opiate-like neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure

Answer 13

Endorphins

Question 14

A molecule that, by binding to a receptor site, stimulates a response

Answer 14

Agonist

Question 15

A molecule that, by binding to a receptor site, inhibits or blocks a response

Answer 15

Antagonist

Question 16

The body’s speedy, electrochemical communication network, consisting of all the nerve cells of the peripheral and central _______

Answer 16

Nervous System

Question 17

The brain and spinal cord

Answer 17

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Question 18

The sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system (CNS) to the rest of the body

Answer 18

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Question 19

Bundled axons that form neural “cables” connecting the central nervous system with muscles, glands, and sense organs

Answer 19

Nerves

Question 20

Neurons that carry incoming information from the sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord

Answer 20

Sensory (Afferent) Neurons

Question 21

Neurons that carry outgoing information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands

Answer 21

Motor (Efferent) Neurons

Question 22

Neurons within the brain and spinal cord that communicate internally and intervene between the sensory inputs and motor outputs

Answer 22

Interneurons

Question 23

The division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body’s skeletal muscles. Aka skeletal nervous system

Answer 23

Somatic Nervous System

Question 24

The part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organ (ex: heart). It’s sympathetic division arouses; its parasympathetic division calms

Answer 24

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

Question 25

The division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy in stressful situations

Answer 25

Sympathetic Nervous System

Question 26

The division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy

Answer 26

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Question 27

A simple, automatic response to a senesory stimulus, such as the knee-jerk response

Answer 27

Reflex

Question 28

The body's "slow" chemical communication system; a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream

Answer 28

Endocrine System

Question 29

Chemical Messengers that are manufactured by the endocrine glands travel through the bloodstream and affect other tissues

Answer 29

Hormones

Question 30

A pair of endocrine glands that sit just above the kidneys and secrete hormones (epinephrine and norepinephrine) that help arouse the body in time of stress

Answer 30

Adrenal Glands

Question 31

The endocrine system's most influential gland. Under the influence of the hypothalamus, the ______ regulates growth and controls endocrine glands

Answer 31

Pituitary Gland

Question 32

Tissue destruction. A brain _____ is a naturally or experimentally caused destruction of brain tissue

Answer 32

Lesion

Question 33

An amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity sweeping across the brain's surface. These waves are measured by electrodes placed on the scalp

Answer 33

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

Question 34

A series of X-ray photos taken from different angles and combined by computers into a composite representation of a slice of the brain's structure

Answer 34

CT (Computed Tomography) Scan

Question 35

A visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain preforms a given task

Answer 35

PET (Positron Emission Tomography) Scan

Question 36

A technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images of soft tissue. Shows brain anatomy

Answer 36

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

Question 37

A technique for revealing blood flow and, therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans. Shows brain function and structure

Answer 37

fMRI (Functional MRI)

Question 38

The oldest part and central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull; the _______ is responsible for automatic survival functions

Answer 38

Brainstem

Question 39

The base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing

Answer 39

Medulla

Question 40

The brain's sensory control center, located on top of the brainstem; it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla

Answer 40

Thalamus

Question 41

A nerve network that travels through the braintstem and thalamus and plays an important role on controlling arousal

Answer 41

Reticular Formation

Question 42

The "little brain" at the rear of the brainstem; functions include processing sensory input, coordinating movement output and balance, and enabling nonverbal learning and memory

Answer 42

Cerebellum

Question 43

Neural system (including the hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus) located below the cerebral hemisphere; associated with emotions and drives

Answer 43

Limbic System

Question 44

Lima bean sized neural clusters in the limbic system; linked to emotion

Answer 44

Amygdala

Question 45

A neural structure lying below the thalamus; it directs several maintenance activities (eating, drinking, body temp), helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion and reward

Answer 45

Hypothalamus

Question 46

The intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering the cerebral hemispheres; the body's ultimate control and information-processing center

Answer 46

Cerebral Cortex

Question 47

Cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons; they may also play a role in learning and thinking

Answer 47

Glial Cells (Glia)

Question 48

Portion of the cerebral cortex lying behind the forehead; involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgments

Answer 48

Frontal Lobes

Question 49

Portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head and toward the rear; receives sensory input for touch and body position

Answer 49

Parietal Lobes

Question 50

Portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head; includes areas that receive information from the visual fields

Answer 50

Occipital Lobes

Question 51

Portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears; includes the auditory areas, each receiving information primarily from the opposite ear

Answer 51

Temporal Lobes

Question 52

An area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements

Answer 52

Motor Cortex

Question 53

Area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations

Answer 53

Somatosensory Cortex

Question 54

Areas of the cerebral cortex that are not involved in primary motor or sensory functions; rather, they are involved in higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking

Answer 54

Association areas

Question 55

The brain's ability to change, especially during childhood, by reorganizing after damage or building new pathways based on experience

Answer 55

Plasticity

Question 56

The formation of new neurons

Answer 56

Neurogenesis

Question 57

The large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them

Answer 57

Corpus Callosum

Question 58

A condition resulting from surgery that isolates the brain's two hemispheres by butting the fibers (mainly those of the corpus callosum) connecting them

Answer 58

Split Brain

Question 59

Our awareness of ourselves and our envoirnemnt

Answer 59

Consciousness

Question 60

The interdisciplinary study of the brain activity linked with cognition (including perception, thinking, memory, and langauge)

Answer 60

Cognitive Neuroscience

Question 61

The principle that information of otfen simultaneously processed on separate conscious and unconscious tracks

Answer 61

Dual Processing

Question 62

The study of relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior

Answer 62

Behavior Genetics

Question 63

Every external influence, from prenatal nutrition to the people and things around us

Answer 63

Enviornment

Question 64

Threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes

Answer 64

Chromosomes

Question 65

A complex molecule containing the genetic info that makes up the chromosomes

Answer 65

DNA

Question 66

The biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosomes; segments of DNA capable of synthesizing proteins

Answer 66

Genes

Question 67

The complete instructions for making an organism's, consisting of all genetic material in the organism's chromosomes

Answer 67

Genome

Question 68

Twins who develop from a single fertilized egg that splits in two, creating two genetically identical organisms

Answer 68

Identical Twins (monozygotic twins)

Question 69

Twins who develop from separate fertilized eggs. They are genetically no closer than brothers and sisters, but they share a fetal environment

Answer 69

Fraternal Twins (Dizygotic Twins)

Question 70

The subfield of biology that studies the molecular structure and function of genes

Answer 70

Molecular Genetics

Question 71

The proportion of variation among individuals that we can attribute to genes. The _________ of a trait may vary, depending on the range of populations and environments studied

Answer 71

Heritability

Question 72

The interplay that occurs when the effect of one factor (such as environment) depends on another factor (such as heredity)

Answer 72

Interaction

Question 73

The study of environmental influences on gene expression that occur without a DNA change

Answer 73

Epigenetics

Question 74

The study of the evolution of behavior and the mind, using principles of natural selection

Answer 74

Evolutionary Psychology

Question 75

The principle that, among the range of inherited trait variations, those contributing to reproduction and survival will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations

Answer 75

Natural selection

Question 76

A random error in gene replication that leads to a change

Answer 76

Mutation

Question 77

Known for Broca's Area: speech production

Answer 77

Paul Broca

Question 78

Known for Wernicke's Area: processes speech

Answer 78

Carl Wernicke

Question 79

Known for split brain theory

Answer 79

Roger Sperry

Question 80

Known for researching split brain patients.

Answer 80

Michael Gazzangia