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Psych > 3 - Biological Bases of Behavior > Flashcards

3 - Biological Bases of Behavior Flashcards

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1
Q

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

A

Biological Psychology

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2
Q

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

A

Neuron

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3
Q

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

A

Dendrites

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4
Q

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

A

Axon

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5
Q

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

A

Myelin Sheath

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6
Q

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

A

Action Potential

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7
Q

A period of inactivity after a neuron has fired

A

Refractory Period

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8
Q

The level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse

A

Threshold

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9
Q

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

A

All-or-Nothing Response

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10
Q

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

A

Synapse

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11
Q

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.

A

Neurotransmitters

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12
Q

A neurotransmitter’s reabsorption by the sending neuron

A

Reuptake

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13
Q

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

A

Endorphins

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14
Q

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

A

Agonist

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15
Q

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

A

Antagonist

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16
Q

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

A

Nervous System

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17
Q

The brain and spinal cord

A

Central Nervous System (CNS)

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18
Q

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

A

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

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19
Q

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

A

Nerves

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20
Q

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

A

Sensory (Afferent) Neurons

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21
Q

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

A

Motor (Efferent) Neurons

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22
Q

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

A

Interneurons

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23
Q

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

A

Somatic Nervous System

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24
Q

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

A

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

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25
Q

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

A

Sympathetic Nervous System

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26
Q

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

A

Parasympathetic Nervous System

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27
Q

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

A

Reflex

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28
Q

The body’s “slow” chemical communication system; a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream

A

Endocrine System

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29
Q

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

A

Hormones

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30
Q

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

A

Adrenal Glands

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31
Q

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

A

Pituitary Gland

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32
Q

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

A

Lesion

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33
Q

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

A

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

34
Q

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

A

CT (Computed Tomography) Scan

35
Q

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

A

PET (Positron Emission Tomography) Scan

36
Q

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

A

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

37
Q

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

A

fMRI (Functional MRI)

38
Q

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

A

Brainstem

39
Q

The base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing

A

Medulla

40
Q

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

A

Thalamus

41
Q

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

A

Reticular Formation

42
Q

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

A

Cerebellum

43
Q

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

A

Limbic System

44
Q

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

A

Amygdala

45
Q

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

A

Hypothalamus

46
Q

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

A

Cerebral Cortex

47
Q

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

A

Glial Cells (Glia)

48
Q

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

A

Frontal Lobes

49
Q

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

A

Parietal Lobes

50
Q

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

A

Occipital Lobes

51
Q

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

A

Temporal Lobes

52
Q

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

A

Motor Cortex

53
Q

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

A

Somatosensory Cortex

54
Q

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

A

Association areas

55
Q

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

A

Plasticity

56
Q

The formation of new neurons

A

Neurogenesis

57
Q

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

A

Corpus Callosum

58
Q

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

A

Split Brain

59
Q

Our awareness of ourselves and our envoirnemnt

A

Consciousness

60
Q

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

A

Cognitive Neuroscience

61
Q

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

A

Dual Processing

62
Q

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

A

Behavior Genetics

63
Q

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

A

Enviornment

64
Q

Threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes

A

Chromosomes

65
Q

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

A

DNA

66
Q

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

A

Genes

67
Q

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

A

Genome

68
Q

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

A

Identical Twins (monozygotic twins)

69
Q

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

A

Fraternal Twins (Dizygotic Twins)

70
Q

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

A

Molecular Genetics

71
Q

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

A

Heritability

72
Q

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

A

Interaction

73
Q

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

A

Epigenetics

74
Q

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

A

Evolutionary Psychology

75
Q

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

A

Natural selection

76
Q

A random error in gene replication that leads to a change

A

Mutation

77
Q

Known for Broca’s Area: speech production

A

Paul Broca

78
Q

Known for Wernicke’s Area: processes speech

A

Carl Wernicke

79
Q

Known for split brain theory

A

Roger Sperry

80
Q

Known for researching split brain patients.

A

Michael Gazzangia

Psych (7 decks)

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