Behavior &the Endocrine & Nervous Systems Flashcards
What are the parts of the central nervous system?
the brain and spinal cord
What are the divisions of the peripheral nervous system?
somatic nervous system and autonomic nervous system
What are efferent and afferent nerves and which division of the PNS is responsible for it?
efferent- motor nerves
afferent- sensory nerves controlled by the Somatic Nervous System
Which PNS division controls urination?
ANS
What are the divisions within the ANS?
sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems
Which hormone is released when the sympathetic nervous system’s fight or flight response is triggered?
Epinephrine and norepinephrine
What are the consequences of the release of epinephrine?
Blood glucose increases, bronchioles in lungs dilate (more air can be processed)
The activation of the Sympathetic nervous system causes means more or less resources are given to the skeletal muscles?
more- allows you to move more quickly and resolve the threat
When the Sympathetic nervous system is activated do pupils constrict or dilate?
dilate- vision is more sensitive
How is sweat useful in psychological experiments and lie detectors?
it increases skin conductance which can be used as a measure of stress
What are some behavioral effects of fight or flight response?
tunnel vision, shaking, less sexual arousal
When the parasympathetic nervous system is activated, blood vessels in the muscles and digestive tract constrict or dilate?
muscles- constrict
digestive tract- dilate
What is the third division of the ANS and what is its main function?
Enteric Nervous System- regulates the activity of the gut
Can both the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems affect the enteric nervous system?
yes but it can also function independently
Which nerves inform the brain of sensations and stimuli?
afferent (sensory) nerves
What does the somatic nervous system regulate?
it regulates the conscious activities/actions
Which hormone is mostly used by the parasympathetic nervous system?
Acetylcholine
Which PNS division coordinates skeletal muscle movement?
Somatic Nervous system
T or F. The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems always act on target organs simultaneously.
True. Neither is ever fully inactive, the other just exerts a stronger effect than the other.
What is the main role of the CNS?
It decides what to do with the information received and sends orders.
Which part of the central nervous system is responsible for basic functions such as breathing (more evolutionary conserved functions)?
Hindbrain
Which part of the CNS is responsible for more advanced functions like reasoning?
Forebrain
The cerebellum is part of the hindbrain or midbrain?
hindbrain
Which part of the hindbrain is a relay system through which signals are transmitted between the cerebellum, medulla, and rest of the brain?
pons
Which part of the hindbrain includes a cluster of neurons that deal with functions such as sleep, respiration, swallowing, taste, bladder control, and balance?
pons
Which part of the midbrain helps process auditory input?
inferior colliculi
Which part of the midbrain helps process visual input
superior colliculi
Which part of the midbrain contains neurons that communicate using dopamine to help coordinate voluntary movement?
substantia nigra
The substantia nigra communicates using which hormone?
Dopamine
In Parkinson’s, the dopaminergic neurons of what part of the brain degenerate?
substantia nigra
What hormone is closely related to Parkinson’s disease?
Dopamine
Which part of the brain contains the reticular activating system (RAS)?
Brainstem: includes the pons, medulla oblongata, and midbrain
What does the RAS modulate?
alertness and arousal
The diencephalon gives rise to what 3 parts?
Thalamus, Hypothalamus, and Pituitary gland
The telencephalon gives rise to what part?
cerebrum
Which part of the forebrain relays sensory and motor glands?
Thalamus
Which part of the brain regulates sleep and alertness?
Thalamus
Which part of the brain bridges between the nervous system and endocrine system?
Hypothalamus
Which part of the brain releases several important hormones?
pituitary gland
What is the largest structure of the brain?
Cerebrum
The cerebrum is divided into which two parts?
the cerebral cortex and subcortical structures
Which part of the cerebrum is the thin, outer layer of the brain that is divided into right and left hemispheres?
the cortex
Which part of the brain consolidates short-term memory into long-term memory?
hippocampus
Which part of the brain participates in a broad range of miscellaneous functions, including eye and other voluntary movements and procedural and habitual learning?
basal ganglia
What 5 structures are part of the limbic system?
the olfactory bulb, basal ganglia, hypothalamus, and hippocampus, amygdala
A grouping of various structures involved in emotion, memory, and motivation
limbic system
Which part of the brain is involved in episodic memory, attention, and emotion?
amygdala
Which part of the brain is involved in reward, motivation, and learning?
nucleus accumbens
Which neurological structure is implicated in addiction?
nucleus accumbens
The cerebral cortex is divided into what 4 lobes?
frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital
Which lobe is involved in voluntary movement, memory processing, planning, motivation, and attention?
frontal lobe
Which lobe is involved in sensory processing except for vision?
parietal lobe
Which lobe is involved in making visual memories, attaching meaning to information, and language?
Temporal lobe- where meaning happens
Which structure of the temporal lobe is responsible for language comprehension?
Wernicke’s area
Which structure of the frontal lobe is responsible for language production?
Broca’s area
The Wernicke’s and Broca’s areas are in the right or left hemisphere?
left
The term that describes the tendency for the left and right hemispheres of the brain to specialize in different functions
lateralization
One contributing factor to differences in functionality between different brain areas or groups of neurons
different neurons can express different neurotransmitter receptors. For example, one neuron might respond to serotonin more than dopamine.
Which structure links the central and peripheral nervous systems?
spinal cord- contains afferent and efferent nerves
Afferent nerves
sensory neurons that relay information from the periphery to the central nervous system for processing
Efferent nerves
motor neurons that trigger muscle contraction
What structures are in place to protect the brain and spinal cord?
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), meninges, and bones
What bones protect the brain and spinal cord?
Skull- brain
Vertebrae- spinal cord
Afferent nerves are located ventrally or dorsally?
dorsally (SAME DAVE)
Efferent nerves are located ventrally or dorsally?
ventrally (SAME DAVE)
Areas of the skin that are innervated by the branches of specific nerves, corresponding to entrance into the spinal column at the height of specific vertebrae
dermatomes- divides the entire exterior of the nerves
Which type of hormone causes their target cells to make direct changes in some physiological function?
Direct hormones
Which type of hormone cause other hormones to be released?
Tropic hormones
The use of which type of hormone shows that the body can exert exquisitely fine control over hormonal levels and processes?
Tropic Hormones
Which organ is responsible for converting input from the nervous system into endocrine signals, so it’s sometimes known as the bridge between the nervous and endocrine system?
Hypothalamus
The hypothalamus release high-level tropic hormones, which travel down to which organ to promote the release of other tropic hormones?
Anterior Pituitary Gland
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) acts on the anterior pituitary to trigger the release of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which ultimately regulate production. Which are tropic and direct hormones?
GnRH- tropic
LH and FSH- direct
Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) ———> adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) ———> cortisol. Which are tropic and direct hormones? What organs release each and what is the final function?
CRF- hypothalamus (tropic)
ACTH- anterior pituitary (tropic)
Cortisol- adrenal gland (direct)- involved in stress
Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) ———> Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) ———> thyroid hormone. Which are tropic and direct hormones? What organs release each and what is the final function?
TRH- hypothalamus (tropic)
TSH- anterior pituitary (tropic)
Thyroid hormone- thyroid gland (direct)- increases heart rate and contractility
A system of blood vessels connecting the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland. This is where hypothalamic hormones are released to communicate to the anterior pituitary.
Hypophyseal Portal System
Examples of TROPIC and DIRECT hormones released by the anterior pituitary and their functions.
LH, FSH- sex-specific effects on reproductive organs
ACTH- release of cortisol
TSH- release of thyroid hormone
prolactin- stimulates milk production
Endorphins (direct)- reduce the perception of pain
Growth hormone (direct)
Another name for anterior pituitary gland
Adenohypophysis
Another name for posterior pituitary
neurohypophysis
This gland receives neuronal input from the hypothalamus
Posterior pituitary- composed of neurons itself
What two hormones does the posterior pituitary release and what are their functions?
Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)- regulates fluid balance Oxytocin- various effects on behavior
What are the 2 gland in the throat?
Thyroid and Parathyroid glands
Thyroid hormone affects what?
Metabolism and behavior
What hormone does the adrenal cortex secretes and what is its function?
Cortisol- mediates CHRONIC stress response
What hormones does the adrenal medulla secretes and what are their functions?
Epinephrine and Norepinephrine- ACUTE stress response
What is the function of parathyroid?
Help regulate calcium levels in the blood
How do sex hormones affect behavior?
They promote libido (or interest in sexual behavior). Testosterone is associated with complex changes in social behavior. Short term stimuli can also affect levels of these hormones. Ex. Winning a game can cause increase of testosterone levels.
Oxytocin is known for what effect?
Promoting uterine contractions during labor- an example of positive feedback
Effects of oxytocin on behavior?
Promote bonding, empathy, and trust. Have antidepressant properties.
Effects or prolactin behaviorally?
Modulates the stress response, anxiety, and depression. Dysregulation is a possible contributor of postpartum depression.
Melatonin is produced by which gland? And what is its function?
Produced by the pineal gland and it regulates wakefulness. It is thought to induce sleep as part of the human’s circadian rhythm.
3 hormones that mediates hunger
Leptin, Ghrelin, and Neuropeptide Y
Leptin and Ghrelin’s antagonistic effects and where are they produced?
Leptin: primarily released by adipose -reduces hunger (stop eating)———> expend energy
Ghrelin: released by cells in gastrointestinal tract - promotes hunger
Leptin and Ghrelin acts on which gland?
Hypothalamus
Neuropeptide Y function?
Stimulates appetite to increase food intake
Additional roles of Leptin and Ghrelin
Both: reproduction and immune system
Leptin: obesity
Ghrelin: learning, mood, sleep
T or F. Norepinephrine is only a hormone.
False. Norepinephrine can be secreted from neurons which makes it a hormone and neurotransmitter. Epinephrine can also be a neurotransmitter but mainly norepinephrine
Cortisol physiological effect?
Increase in blood sugar levels.
Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism psychological effects
Hypothyroidism- fatigue and depression
Hyperthyroidism- irritability
Projections in neurons that receive input for other nerves or other specialized sense organs
Dendrites
At rest, what is the electrical potential difference that exists across the membrane?
-70 mV: can get smaller in response to various stimuli
The electrical potential difference that triggers an action potential?
-55 mV
The ___________ causes a signal and a cascade known as the action potential.
Depolarization
Describe the pathway of action potential.
Action potential travels down the axon to the axon terminal where neurotransmitter is released to the synapse which is the space between one neuron and another.
Patellar reflex acts on which muscle?
The quadriceps muscle
Simple neural pathways that control reflexes
Reflex Arcs
A neurotransmitter that depolarizers the target neurons, making it more likely to send a signal?
Excitatory
What determines if a neuron will fire an action potential?
The sum of depolarizing and hyperpolarizing input
Receptor specificity
A neurotransmitter can be inhibitory or excitatory depending on the receptor subtype it binds to
Neurotransmitter responsible for activating muscle contraction.
Acetylcholine
Neurotransmitter that is responsible for communicating between the nervous system and other body tissues, and between different divisions of the nervous system
Acetylcholine
The most common neurotransmitter and is involved in 90% of neuronal connections in the brain
Glutamate
Glutamate and Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Which is excitatory and inhibitory?
Glutamate- excitatory (depolarizes)
GABA- inhibitory (hyperpolarizes)
A neurotransmitter involved in reward pathways and mediating certain motor functions.
Dopamine
A neurotransmitter that regulates mood, appetite, sleep, and regulates intestinal movement.
Serotonin
A neurotransmitter known to be involved with depression
Serotonin. A class of antidepressants, SSRIs prevents serotonin from being taken back up by neurons.
A category of neurotransmitters that suppress pain and can produce a euphoric response. Function similarly to opioids.
Endorphins
Main neurotransmitter involved in acute stress response (fight-or-flight response). It enables us to run by elevating heart rate and blood pressure.
Norepinephrine
Another name for epinephrine
Adrenaline
Bind to receptors but do not activate it or cause a response. By doing so, they prevent the receptor demo being bound by an agonist.
Antagonist
