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MCAT Prep > Behavioral Sciences > Flashcards

Behavioral Sciences Flashcards

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MCAT flashcards
1
Q

Franz Gall

A

Phrenology

Associated development of a trait with growth of its relevant part of the brain

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2
Q

Pierre Fluorens

A

Extirpation/ablation

Concluded that different brain regions have specific functions

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3
Q

Extirpation/ablation

A

Various parts of the brain are surgically removed and the behavioral consequences are observed

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4
Q

William James

A

“Father of American psychology”

Pushed for importance of studying adaptations of the individual to his or her environment

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5
Q

Functionalism

A

Studies how mental processes help individuals adapt to their environments

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6
Q

John Dewey

A

Credited with the landmark article on functionalism

Argued for studying the entire organism as a whole

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7
Q

Paul Broca

A

Correlated pathology with specific brain regions

Speech production from Broca’s area

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8
Q

Hermann von Helmholtz

A

Measured speed of a nerve impulse

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9
Q

Sir Charles Sherrington

A

Inferred the existence of synapses

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10
Q

Sensory neurons

A

AKA afferent neurons

Transmit sensory information from receptors to the spinal cord and brain

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11
Q

Motor neurons

A

AKA efferent neurons

Transmit motor information from the brain and spinal cord to muscles and glands

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12
Q

Interneurons

A

Found between other neurons
Most numerous of the three types of neurons
Located predominantly in the brain and spinal cord
Linked to reflexive behavior

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13
Q

Reflex arcs

A

Neural circuits that control reflexive behavior

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14
Q

Central Nervous System (CNS)

A

Brain and spinal cord

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15
Q

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

A

Nerve tissue and fibers outside the brain and spinal cord
Spinal, cranial, olfactory, and optic nerves
Somatic and autonomic nervous system

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16
Q

Spinal nerves

A

31 pairs of nerves emanating from the spinal cord

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17
Q

Cranial nerves

A

12 pairs of nerves emanating directly from the brain

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18
Q

Olfactory and optic nerves

A

Structural outgrowths of the CNS, but still considered part of the PNS

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19
Q

Somatic nervous system

A

Sensory and motor neurons distributed throughout the skin, joints, and muscles
Sensory neurons transmit information towards the CNS through afferent fibers
Motor impulses travel from the CNS back to the body along efferent fibers

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20
Q

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

A

Regulates heartbeat, respiration, digestion, and glandular secretions
Regulates body temperature
Manages involuntary (automatic) muscles associated with many internal organs and glands
Sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system

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21
Q

Parasympathetic nervous system

A

Conserves energy
Resting and sleep states
Reduces heart rate, constricts the bronchi, manages digestion, constricts pupils, stimulates saliva flow, stimulates peristalsis and secretion, stimulates bile release, and contracts bladder
Acetylcholine

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22
Q

Sympathetic nervous system

A

Activated by stress
Fight or flight reactions
Increases heart rate, redistributes blood to muscles of locomotion, increases blood glucose concentration, relaxes the bronchi, decreases digestion and peristalsis, and dilates the eyes
Releases epinephrine

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23
Q

Meninges

A

3-layer sheath of connective tissue that covers the brain
Dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater
Protects the brain and resorbs cerebrospinal fluid

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24
Q

Dura mater

A

Outer layer of connective tissue in the meninges

Connected directly to the skull

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25
Q

Arachnoid mater

A

Middle layer in the meninges

Fibrous, web-like

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26
Q

Pia mater

A

Inner layer of connective tissue in the meninges

Connected directly to the brain

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27
Q

Cerebrospinal fluid

A

The aqueous solution that nourishes the brain and spinal cord
Provides a protective cushion
Produced by specialized cells that line the brain’s ventricles

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28
Q

Ventricles

A

Internal cavities of the brain

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29
Q

Brainstem

A

The hindbrain and midbrain

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30
Q

Limbic system

A

Forebrain
A group of neural structures primarily associated with emotion and memory
Aggression, fear, pleasure, and pain

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31
Q

Cerebral cortex

A

The outer covering of the cerebral hemispheres
Language processing to problem solving
Impulse control to long-term planning

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32
Q

Hindbrain

A

Rhombencephalon
Located where the brain meets the spinal cord
Controls balance motor coordination, breathing, digestion, and general arousal processes (sleeping and waking)
Manages vital functions necessary for survival

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33
Q

Rhombencephalon

A

During embryonic development, it divides to form the myelencephalon and metencephalon

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34
Q

Myelencephalon

A

Comes from the rhombencephalon

Becomes the medulla oblongata

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35
Q

Metencephalon

A

Comes from the rhombencephalon

Becomes the pons and cerebellum

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36
Q

Medulla oblongata

A

Lower brain structure

Responsible for regulating vital functions such as breathing, heart rate, and digestion

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37
Q

Pons

A

Lies above the medulla

Contains sensory and motor pathways between the cortex and the medulla

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38
Q

Cerebellum

A

At the top of the hindbrain, mushrooms out the back of the pons
Helps maintain posture and balance and helps coordinates body movements

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39
Q

Midbrain

A

Mesencephalon
Receives sensory and motor information from the rest of the body
Associated with involuntary reflex responses triggered by visual and auditory stimuli

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40
Q

Colliculi

A

2 prominent nuclei in the midbrain

Superior and inferior colliculus

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41
Q

Superior colliculus

A

Receives visual sensory input

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42
Q

Inferior colliculus

A

Receives sensory information from the auditory system

Has a role in reflexive reactions to sudden loud noises

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43
Q

Forebrain

A

Prosencephalon
Located above the midbrain
Associated with complex perceptual, cognitive, behavioral processes, and emotion and memory
Greatest influence on human behavior

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44
Q

Prosencephalon

A

Forebrain

During prenatal development, it divides to form the telencephalon and diencephalon

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45
Q

Telencephalon

A

Comes from the prosencephalon

Forms the cerebral cortex, basal ganglia, and limbic system

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46
Q

Diencephalon

A

Comes from the prosencephalon

Forms the thalamus, hypothalamus, posterior pituitary gland, and pineal gland

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47
Q

Neuropsychology

A

The study of functions and behaviors associated with specific regions of the brain

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48
Q

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

A

Studies electrical activity generated by larger groups of neurons
Involves placing several electrodes on the scalp
Noninvasive

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49
Q

Regional Cerebral Blood Flow (rCBF)

A

Detects broad patterns of neural activity based on increased blood flow to different parts of the brain
Noninvasive

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50
Q

Computed Tomography (CT)/Computed Axial Tomography (CAT)

A

Multiple X-rats are taken at different angles and processed by a computer to produce cross-sectional images of the tissue

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51
Q

Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

A

Radioactive sugar is injected and absorbed into the body, its dispersion and uptake throughout the target tissue is imaged

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52
Q

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

A

A magnetic field that interacts with hydrogen atoms is used to map out hydrogen dense regions of the body

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53
Q

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imagining (fMRI)

A

Same technique as MRI
Measures changes associated with blood flow
Useful for monitoring neural activity

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54
Q

Thalamus

A

Forebrain
Important relay station for incoming sensory impulses, all senses except smell
Sorts and transmits sensory impulses to the appropriate areas of the cerebral cortex

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55
Q

Hypothalamus

A

Lateral, ventromedial, and anterior hypothalamus
Homeostatic functions and is a key player in emotional experiences during high arousal states, aggressive behavior, and sexual behavior
Helps control endocrine functions, and the autonomic nervous system
Receptors regulate metabolism, temperature, and water balance
Important in drive behaviors (hunger, thirst, and sexual behavior)

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56
Q

Lateral hypothalamus (LH)

A

Hunger center

Detects when the body needs more food or fluids

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57
Q

Ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH)

A

Satiety center

Provides signals to stop eating

58
Q

Anterior hypothalamus

A

Controls sexual behavior

Regulates sleep and body temperature

59
Q

Posterior pituitary

A

Comprised of atonal projections from the hypothalamus

Site of release for ADH (vasopressin) and oxytocin

60
Q

Pineal gland

A

Key player in several biological rhythms
Secretes melatonin which regulates the circadian rhythms
Receives direct signals from the retinal or coordination with sunlight

61
Q

Basal ganglia

A

Coordinate muscle movement
Receives information from the cortex and relays it to the brain and spinal cord
Keeps movements smooth and posture steady

62
Q

Extrapyramidal system

A

Gathers information about body position and carries it to the CNS
Does NOT function directly through motor neurons

63
Q

Parkinson’s disease

A

Chronic illness associated with destruction of portions of the basal ganglia
Jerky movements and uncontrolled resting tremors
Associated with a loss of dopaminergic neurons in the basal ganglia

64
Q

Limbic system

A

Groups of interconnected structures looping around the central portion of the brain
Associated with emotion and memory
Septal nuclei, amygdala, hippocampus, and anterior cingulate cortex

65
Q

Septal nuclei

A

Primary pleasure center of the brain

Association between these nuclei and addictive behavior

66
Q

Amygdala

A

Important role in defensive and aggressive behaviors

Lesions result in docility and hypersexual states

67
Q

Hippocampus

A

Vital role in learning and memory processes
Consolidates information to form long-term memories
Redistributes remote memories of the cerebral cortex

68
Q

Fornix

A

Long projections that the hippocampus uses to communicate with other portions of the limbic system

69
Q

Anterograde amnesia

A

Not being able to establish new long-term memories

70
Q

Retrograde amnesia

A

Memory loss of events that transpired before the brain injury

71
Q

Anterior cingulate cortex

A

Higher order cognitive processes
Regulates impulse control and decision-making
Plays a role in emotion and motivation

72
Q

Cerebral cortex

A

The outer surface of the brain
AKA neocortex
Frontal, parietal, occipital, and temporal lobes

73
Q

Gyri/sulci

A

The bumps and folds of the cerebral cortex

74
Q

Cerebral hemispheres

A

2 halves of the cerebrum

75
Q

Frontal lobe

A

Prefrontal and motor cortex

Executive function, impulse control, long-term planning, motor function, speech production

76
Q

Prefrontal cortex

A

Manages executive function by supervising and directing the operations of other brain regions
Supervises processes associated with perception, memory, emotion, impulse control, and long-term planning
Association area

77
Q

Association area

A

An area that integrates input from diverse regions of the brain

78
Q

Projection areas

A

Contrasted with association areas

Perform more rudimentary perceptual and motor tasks

79
Q

Primary motor cortex

A

Projection area
Located on the precentral gyrus, in front of the central sulcus
Initiates voluntary motor movements by sending neural impulses down the spinal cord to the muscles

80
Q

Broca’s area

A

Frontal lobe
Speech production
Usually found the left hemisphere

81
Q

Parietal lobe

A

Located to the rear of the frontal lobe
Somatosensory cortex
Sensation of touch, pressure, temperature, and pain; spatial processing, orientation, and manipulation

82
Q

Somatosensory cortex

A

Located on the postcentral gyrus
Involved in somatosensory information processing
Destination for all incoming sensory signals for touch, pressure, temperature, and pain

83
Q

Occipital lobe

A

Located at the rear of the brain
Visual/striate cortex
Visual processing, also implicated in learning and motor control

84
Q

Visual/striate cortex

A

Furrowed or striped

How the visual cortex appears under the microscope

85
Q

Temporal lobe

A

Sound processing, speech perception, memory, and emotion

Auditory cortex, Wernicke’s area, limbic system

86
Q

Auditory cortex

A

Primary site of most sound processing, including speech, music, and other sound information

87
Q

Wernicke’s area

A

Associated with language reception and comprehension

88
Q

Contralaterally

A

When one side of the brain communicates with the opposite side of the body
EX: motor neurons on the left side of the brain activate movements on the right side of the body

89
Q

Ipsilaterally

A

When cerebral hemispheres communicate with the same side of the body
EX: hearing

90
Q

Dominant hemisphere

A

Usually the left

Primarily analytic in function, making it well-suited for managing details

91
Q

Nondominant hemisphere

A

Usually the right
Associated with intuition, creativity, music cognition, and spatial processing
Processes the pieces of a stimulus and assembles them into a holistic image

92
Q

Neurotransmitter

A

Chemical used by neurons to send signals to other neurons

93
Q

Agonist

A

A drug that mimics the action of some neurotransmitter

94
Q

Antagonist

A

A drug that blocks the action of neurotransmitters

95
Q

Acetylcholine

A

Neurotransmitter found in both the central and peripheral nervous systems
Peripheral- transmits nerve impulses to the muscles, parasympathetic and sympathetic
Central- attention and arousal

96
Q

Catecholamines

A

Epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine

Play an important role in the experience of emotions

97
Q

Monoamines/biogenic amines

A

Epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine

Similar in molecular composition

98
Q

Epinephrine/norepinephrine

A

Adrenaline/noradrenaline
Control alertness and wakefulness
Primary neurotransmitter of the sympathetic nervous system, promotes the flight-or-fight response

99
Q

Dopamine

A

Smooth movements and postural stability

100
Q

Dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia

A

Imbalances in dopamine transmission play a role
Delusions, hallucinations, and agitation associated with schizophrenia arise from either too much dopamine or from an oversensitivity to dopamine

101
Q

Serotonin

A

Monoamine/biogenic amine neurotransmitter
Plays a role in regulating mood, eating, sleeping, and dreaming
Plays a role in depression and mania

102
Q

Aminobutyric acid (GABA)

A

Produces inhibitory postsynaptic potentials

Plays a role in stabilizing neural activity in the brain

103
Q

Glycine

A

Inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS by increasing chloride influx into the neuron

104
Q

Glutamate

A

Excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS

105
Q

Neuromodulators/neuropeptides

A

Slower and have longer effects on the postsynaptic cell than neurotransmitters

106
Q

Endorphins

A

Natural painkillers

Actions similar to morphine and other opioids

107
Q

The endocrine system

A

Internal communication network in the body
Uses hormones as chemical messengers
Slower than the nervous system because hormones travel through the bloodstream

108
Q

Hypophyseal portal system

A

Directly connects the hypothalamus and pituitary gland

Endocrine system controls both organs by releasing hormones into this system

109
Q

Pituitary gland

A

Master gland
Located at the base of the brain
anterior and posterior

110
Q

Anterior pituitary

A

Releases hormones that regulate activities of endocrine glands elsewhere in the body
Controlled by the hypothalamus

111
Q

Adrenal glands

A

Located on top of the kidneys

Adrenal medulla and adrenal cortex

112
Q

Adrenal medulla

A

Releases epinephrine and norepinephrine as part of the sympathetic nervous system

113
Q

Adrenal cortex

A

Produces hormones called corticosteroids, including the stress hormone cortisol
Contributes to sexual functioning by producing testosterone and estrogen

114
Q

Gonads

A

Sex glands of the body
Ovaries in females
Testes in males
Produce sex hormones in higher concentrations
Increase libido and contribute to mating behavior and sexual function

115
Q

Innate behavior

A

Genetically programmed as a result of evolution and is seen in all individuals regardless of environment or experience

116
Q

Learned behaviors

A

Not based on heredity but instead are based on experience and environment

117
Q

Adaptive value

A

The extent to which a trait or behavior positively benefits a species by influencing the evolutionary fitness of the species
Leads to adaptation through natural selection

118
Q

Twin studies

A

Comparing concordance rates for a trait between monozygotic and dizygotic twins
Better able to distinguish the relative effects of shared environment and genetics

119
Q

Monozygotic vs. dizygotic twins

A

Monozygotic- MZ, identical

Dizygotic- DZ, fraternal

120
Q

Concordance rates

A

The likelihood that both twins exhibit the same trait

121
Q

Family studies

A

Rely on the fact that genetically related individuals are more similar genotypically than unrelated individuals
Researchers compare rates of a given trait among family members to rates of that trait among unrelated individuals

122
Q

Adoption studies

A

Compare the similarities between biological relatives and the adopted child to similarities between adoptive relatives and the adopted child

123
Q

Critical periods

A

Specific periods in development where children are particularly susceptible to environmental factors

124
Q

Neurulation

A

Ectoderm overlaying the notochord begins to furrow, forming a neural groove surrounded by 2 neural folds
Neural crest migrated throughout the body to form disparate tissues
The rest of the furrow closes to form the neural tube
The neural tube invaginates and folds in on itself
Embryonic brain starts as 3 swellings then turns to 5 as it matures

125
Q

Neural crest

A

The cells at the leading edge of the neural fold

126
Q

Neural tube

A

Forms the CNS

Alar plate and basal plate

127
Q

Alar plate

A

Part of the neural tube

Differentiates into sensory neurons

128
Q

Basal plate

A

Part of the neural tube

Differentiates into motor neurons

129
Q

Umbilical cord

A

Attached the fetus to the uterine wall and placenta

130
Q

Placenta

A

Transmits food, oxygen, and water to the fetus

Returns water and waste to the mother

131
Q

Reflex

A

A behavior that occurs in response to a given stimulus without higher cognitive input

132
Q

Primitive reflexes

A

Disappear with age

133
Q

Rooting reflex

A

The automatic turning of the head in the direction of a stimulus that touches the cheek

134
Q

Moro reflex

A

Infants react to abrupt movements of their heads by flinging out their arms, then slowly retracting their arms and crying

135
Q

Babinski reflex

A

Causes the toes to spread apart automatically when the sole of the foot is stimulated

136
Q

Grasping reflex

A

The infant closes his or her finger around an object placed in his or her hand

137
Q

Gross motor skills

A

Incorporate movement from large muscle groups and whole body motion
Sitting, crawling, walking

138
Q

Fine motor skills

A

Involve the smaller muscles of the fingers, toes, and eyes, providing more specific and delicate movement
Tracking motion, drawing, catching, and waving

139
Q

Stranger anxiety

A

A fear and apprehension of unfamiliar individuals

Develops at 7 months

140
Q

Separation anxiety

A

A fear of being separated from the parental figure

Develops at 1 year

141
Q

Parallel play

A

Children will play alongside each other without influencing each other’s behavior

142
Q

Developmental milestones

A

Abilities and behaviors that are expected to emerge at particular times in a person’s development

MCAT Prep (8 decks)

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