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MCAT > BEHAVIOURAL SCIENCES > Flashcards

BEHAVIOURAL SCIENCES Flashcards

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1
Q

A researcher deletes a gene from an organism to determine the gene’s function. This approach is most analogous to the work of which of the following scientists?

A

Pierre Flourens

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2
Q

Which component of the nervous system is NOT involved in the initial reflexive response to pain?

A

Cerebral cortex

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3
Q

A child has experienced nervous system damage and can no longer coordinate the movements to dribble a basketball, although the child can still walk in an uncoordinated fashion. Which region of the central nervous system was most likely affected?

A

Hindbrain

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4
Q

The temporal lobe deals with all of the following EXCEPT:
- language comprehension
- memory
- emotion
- motor skills

A

motor skills

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5
Q

Which part of the brain deals with both homeostasis and emotions?

A

Hypothalamus

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6
Q

Which of the following activities would most likely be completed by the right hemisphere of a left-handed person:
- finding a car in a parking lot
- learning a new language
- reading a book for pleasure
- jumping rope with friends

A

Finding a car in a parking lot

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7
Q

Which of the following is/are true with regard to neurulation?
i. The neural tube differentiates from endoderm
ii. the neural tube becomes the peripheral nervous system
iii. neural crest cells migrate from their original site

A

III only: neural crest cells migrate from their original site

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8
Q

Which of the following neurotransmitters is NOT classified as a catecholamine:
- Epinephrine
- Norepinephrine
- Dopamine
- Acetylcholine

A

Acetylcholine

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9
Q

If the amount of acetylcholinesterase, an enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine, is increased, which of the following would likely be the result?:
- weakness of muscle movements
- excessive pain or discomfort
- mood swings and mood instability
- auditory and visual hallucinations

A

weakness of muscle movements

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10
Q

The adrenal glands do all of the following EXCEPT:
- promote the fight-or-flight response via estrogen
- produce stress responses via cortisol
- produce both hormones and neurotransmitters
- release estrogen in males and testosterone in females

A

promote the fight-or-flight response via estrogen

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11
Q

A disorder of the pineal gland would most likely result in which of the following disorders?:
- High blood pressure
- diabetes
- insomnia
- hyperthyroidism

A

insomnia

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12
Q

Which of the following conclusions would William James most likely support?:
- mental processes help individuals adapt to their environments
- psychological attributes could be measured by feeling the skull
- specific functional impairments can be linked to specific lesions in the brain
- synaptic transmission is an electrical process

A

Mental processes help individuals adapt to their environments

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13
Q

A scientist designs a study to determine if different regions of the brain are activated when a person speaks their native language vs. a second language. Which of the following methods would the scientist most likely choose?:
- MRI
- CT scan
- fMRI
- EEG

A

fMRI

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14
Q

During a physical examination, a physician brushes the bottom of the foot of a patient who is fifty years old with multiple sclerosis. The patient’s toes are observed to curl toward the bottom of the foot, with no fanning of the toes. This response is:
- abnormal, and evidence that the patient is exhibiting a primitive reflex
- normal, and evidence that the patient is exhibiting a primitive reflex
- abnormal, and evidence that the patient is not exhibiting a primitive reflex
- normal, and evidence that the patient is not exhibiting a primitive reflex

A

normal, and evidence that the patient is not exhibiting a primitive reflex

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15
Q

Which of the following fine motor tasks would one expect to see first in an infant?:
- grasping for objects with two fingers
- following objects with the eyes
- scribbling with crayon
- moving a toy from one hand to the other

A

following objects with the eyes

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16
Q

What did Franz Gall theorize?

A

behavior, intellect, and personality linked to brain anatomy

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17
Q

What doctrine did Franz Gall develop?

A

Phrenology: a process that involves observing and/or feeling the skull to determine an individual’s psychological attributes

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18
Q

Gall believed that one could measure psychological attributes by feeling or measuring the skull. Why did he believe this?

A

Because Gall believed that if a particular trait was well-developed, then that part of the brain responsible for the trait would expand. This expansion would push the area of the skull that covered that part of the brain outward causing a bulge in the head to be measured

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19
Q

Is phrenology still used to today?

A

No, phrenology was debunked and is considered a pseudoscience along with other pseudoscience’s like palm readings

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20
Q

Who first studied the functions of the major sections of the brain? And how?

A

Pierre Flourens

Did this by extirpation (ablation): the complete removal or eradication of an organ or tissue.

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21
Q

What is extirpation and what discovery came from it?

A

By Pierre Flourens.

Extirpation is where various parts of the brain are surgically removed and the behavioral consequence are observed

Led to the discovery that specific parts of the brain had specific functions, and the removal of one part weakens the whole brain

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22
Q

Who is the founder of American psychology and what did they study?

A

William James. Studied how the mind adapts to the environment

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23
Q

Who formed the foundations for functionalism and what is it?

A

William James. His views formed the foundations for the system of thought in psychology

Studied how mental processes help individuals adapt to their environment

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24
Q

What is the reflex arc

A

Breaks the process of reacting to a stimulus into discrete parts. Essentially it is the basic unit of a reflex, which involves neural pathways acting on an impulse before that impulse has reached the brain

Example: a simple reflex arc happens if we accidentally touch something hot. Receptor in the skin detects a stimulus (the change in temperature). Sensory neuron sends electrical impulses to a relay neuron, which is located in the spinal cord of the CNS. Relay neurons connect sensory neurons to motor neurons

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25
Q

What did John Dewey believe psychology should focus on?

A

Believed that psychology should focus on the study of the organism as a whole as it functioned to adapt to the environment

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26
Q

If someone is deficient in speech or the articulation of words, what area of the brain is responsible

A

Broca’s area

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27
Q

What did Paul Broca discover and what case did he study that led to the creation of Broca’s area

A

He demonstrated that specific functional impairments could be linked with specific brain lesions.

Studied a person who was unable to speak and discovered the disability was due to a lesion in a specific area on the left side of the person’s brain. That specific area is now known as Broca’s area

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28
Q

Who measured the speed of a nerve impulse and what did it lead to?

A

Hermann von Helmholtz.

Related the speed of nerve impulse to reaction time which provided link between behaviour and underlying nervous system activity

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29
Q

Who thought synaptic transmission was an electrical process? And what is the actual process of synaptic transmission?

A

Sir Charles Sherrington.

Chemical process

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30
Q

Who inferred the existence of synapses?

A

Sir Charles Sherrington

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31
Q

Between the afferent and efferent neurons, which ones ascend to the brain and which ones go to the rest of the body?

A

Afferent neurons Ascend in the cord toward the brain

Efferent neurons Exit the cord on their way to the rest of the body

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32
Q

What does CNS stand for? And what is it composed of?

A

Central Nervous System
Composed of the brain and spinal cord

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33
Q

What does PNS stand for? And what is it composed of?

A

Peripheral Nervous System
Nerve tissue and fibers outside of the brain and spinal cord.
PNS includes all 31 pairs of nerves emanating from the spinal cord which are called spinal nerves
PNS includes 12 pairs of nerves emanating directly from the brain called cranial nerves

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34
Q

What are the 3 kinds of nerve cells in the nervous system?

A

Sensory neurons, Motor neurons, and Interneurons

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35
Q

What is another name for Sensory neurons? What is the role of Sensory neurons?

A

Afferent neurons

Transmit sensory information from receptors to the spinal cord and brain (CNS)

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36
Q

What is another name for Motor neurons.
What is the role of Motor neurons?

A

Efferent neurons

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

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37
Q

What is the role of Interneurons? And where are they found?

A

Are found between other neurons and located predominately in the brain and spinal cord
They are the most numerous of the 3 types of neurons and are often linked to reflexive behaviour

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38
Q

What are neural circuits called and what type of behaviour do they control?

A

Called Reflex Arcs
Control reflexive behaviour

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39
Q

What can the nervous system be divided into?

A

Central and peripheral nervous system

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40
Q

What are the terms for cranial nerves I and II and what part of the nervous system are they in?

A

Olfactory and optic nerve
Considered components of PNS

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41
Q

What nervous system is consisted of sensory and motor neurons and where do these neurons distribute

A

Somatic nervous system. Part of PNS.
Sensory and Motor neurons distribute throughout the skin, joints, and muscles.

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42
Q

What does ANS stand for and what is the role of ANS?

A

Autonomic Nervous System

Regulate heartbeat, respiration, digestion, body temperature(activating sweat or piloerection), and glandular secretions. Essentially manages involuntary muscles associated with internal organs and glands.

These are all automatic, independent of conscious control

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43
Q

What two branches in the Nervous system are antagonistic and what does that mean?

A

The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system which are subdivisions of the ANS found in PNS.

It means they oppose one another. Example: Sympathetic NS accelerates heart rate and inhibits digestion while parasympathetic NS decelerates heart rate and increases digestion

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44
Q

What is the main role of parasympathetic nervous system

A

Conserve energy.
- Associated with resting and sleeping states and acts to reduce heart rate and constrict bronchi.
- also manages digestion by increasing peristalsis and exocrine secretions.

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45
Q

What neurotransmitter is responsible for parasympathetic responses in the body?

A

Acetylcholine

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46
Q

What is the main role of the sympathetic nervous system

A

activated by stress.
- Associated with rage and fear reactions known as “fight-or-flight” reactions

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47
Q

When activated, which of these does the sympathetic nervous system NOT do:
- increases heart rate
- redistributes blood to muscles of locomotion
- increases blood glucose concentration
- reduces heart rate and constrict the bronchi
- relaxes bronchi
- decreases digestion and peristalsis
- dilates the eyes to maximize light intake
- releases epinephrine into the bloodstream

A

Reduces heart rate and constrict the bronchi

48
Q

What 2 words can both the sympathetic and parasympathetic be described in

A

Sympathetic: fight-or-flight
Parasympathetic: rest-and-digest

49
Q

the cerebral cortex, thalamus, limbic system, basal ganglia, and hypothalamus is found in…

A

the forebrain

50
Q

The pons, medulla oblongata, reticular formation, and cerebellum are found in

A

The hindbrain

51
Q

What are the 3 layers of meninges and where are they connected

A

Dura mater –> outer layer, connected to skull
Arachnoid mater –> middle layer, weblike structure
Pia mater –> inner layer, connected to the brain

52
Q

what am I?
The meninges resorbs me. I am an aqueous solution that nourishes the brain and spinal cord and provides a protective cushion

A

Cerebrospinal fluid

53
Q

What cells produce cerebrospinal fluid and where are these cells located?

A

produced by specialized cells that line the ventricles (internal cavities) of the brain.

54
Q

What 3 parts can the human brain be divided into

A

the hindbrain, the midbrain, and the forebrain

55
Q

What two brain structures formed the brainstem

A

Hindbrain and midbrain

56
Q

A group of neural structures primarily associated with emotion and memory is known as what system … and what is its function … what is its location

A

Limbic system.

Emotion and memory

forebrain

57
Q

The outer covering of the cerebral hemisphere is …

And this area is responsible for

A

the cerebral cortex

everything from language processing to problem solving, and from impulse control to long-term planning

58
Q

Located in the forebrain is an area who’s function is complex perceptual, cognitive, and behavioral processes. What is this area?

A

Cerebral cortex

59
Q

Located in the forebrain is an area who’s function is movement. What is this area?

A

Basal ganglia

60
Q

Located in the forebrain is an area who’s function is emotion and memory. What is this area?

A

Limbic system

61
Q

Located in the forebrain is an area who’s function is sensory relay station. What is this area?

A

Thalamus

62
Q

Located in the forebrain is an area who’s function is hunger and thirst; emotion. What is this area?

A

Hypothalamus

63
Q

Located in the midbrain is an area who’s function is sensorimotor reflexes. What is this area?

A

Inferior and superior colliculi

64
Q

Located in the hindbrain is an area who’s function is refined motor movements. What is this area?

A

Cerebellum

65
Q

Located in the hindbrain is an area who’s function is heart, vital reflexes (vomiting, coughing). What area is this?

A

Medulla oblongata

66
Q

Located in the hindbrain is an area who’s function is arousal and alertness. What area is this?

A

Reticular formation

67
Q

Located in the hindbrain is an area who’s function is communication within the brain, breathing. What area is this?

A

Pons

68
Q

What is the location and function of the hindbrain (rhombencephalon)

A

Where brain meets spinal cord
Controls balance, motor coordination, breathing, digestion, and general arousal processes such as sleeping and walking

69
Q

During the embryonic development, the hindbrain divides to form _______ and ______. Which then become what in a developed brain

A

Myelencephalon (which becomes the medulla oblongata)
Metencephalon (which becomes the pons and cerebellum)

70
Q

________ is a lower brain structure that is responsible for regulating vital functions such as _____,______, and ______

A

Medulla oblongata
Breathing, heart rate, and digestion

71
Q

_____ lies above the medulla and contains sensory and motor pathways between the cortex and the medulla

A

the pons

72
Q

At the top of the hindbrain is the ______, a structure that helps maintain posture, balance, and coordinates body movements

A

cerebellum

73
Q

if this area of the brain is damaged the results are clumsiness, slurred speech, and loss of balance. What area of the brain is this?

A

Cerebellum

74
Q

What is the function of the midbrain

A

the midbrain (mesencephalon) receives sensory and motor information from the rest of the body and is associated

75
Q

What part of the brain is the colliculi prominent in and what is it divided into and their functions

A

Prominent nuclei in the midbrain.
Superior colliculus –> receives visual sensory input
Inferior colliculus –> receives sensory information from the auditory system. And plays a role in reflexive reactions to sudden loud noises.

76
Q

This section of the brain is associated with complex perceptual, cognitive, and behavioral processes. As well as emotions and memory and overall has the greatest influence on human behaviour. What is this brain section called?

A

Forebrain (prosencephalon)

77
Q

During prenatal development what 2 sections does the prosencephalon divide into and what do these sections later form as?

A

Telencephalon (forms the cerebral cortex, basal ganglia, and limbic system)
Diencephalon (forms the thalamus, hypothalamus, posterior pituitary gland, and pineal gland)

78
Q

______ is the study of functions and behaviors associated with specific regions of the brain

A

Neuropsychology

79
Q

_____ is a diagnostic procedure that involves the identification and localization of functional areas within the cerebral cortex

A

Cortical maps

80
Q

What does EEG stand for and what can it study

A

Electroencephalogram
Electrical activity generated by larger groups of neurons can be studied using an EEG, which involves placing several electrodes on the scalp. Noninvasive

81
Q

What does rCBF stand for and what can it study?

A

Regional Cerebral Blood Flow.
Noninvasive mapping which detects broad patterns of neural activity based on increased blood flow to different parts of the brain (believes increased blood flow = brain regions engaged in cognitive function)

82
Q

Define the scanning device based on the function.
Multiple x-rays are taken at different angles and processed by a computer to produce cross-sectional images of the tissue

A

CT (computed tomography) also known as CAT (computed axial tomography) scan

83
Q

Define the scanning device based on the function.
Radioactive sugar is injected and absorbed into the body, and its dispersion and uptake throughout the target tissue is imaged

A

PET (positron emission tomography) scan

84
Q

Define the scanning device based on the function.
Magnetic field that interacts with hydrogen atoms is used to map out hydrogen dense regions of the body

A

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)

85
Q

Define the scanning device based on the function.
Uses the same base technique as MRI, but specifically measures changes associated with blood flow. ______ is especially useful for monitoring neural activity, since increased blood flow to a region of the brain is typically coupled with its neuronal activation

A

fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging)

86
Q

The “way station” also known as the _____ is a structure within the forebrain that serves as an important relay station for incoming sensory information, including all senses except for smell. After receiving sensory impulses, the ______ sorts and transmits them to the appropriate areas of the cerebral cortex

A

Thalamus

87
Q

_____ serves homeostatic functions and is a key player in emotional experiences and regulates metabolism, temperature, an water balance. ______ also helps control some endocrine functions, and the autonomic nervous system.

A

Hypothalamus

88
Q

What 3 sections is the hypothalamus divided into and what are their functions

A

Lateral hypothalamus (LH) –> detects when body needs food/fluids
Ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) –> tells body to stop eating. Brain lesion here = obesity
Anterior hypothalamus –> controls sexual behavior, regulates sleep & body temp

89
Q

What are the 4 F’s in regards to the functions of the hypothalamus

A

Feeding
Fighting
Flighting
sexual Functioning

90
Q

What is the role of the posterior pituitary gland

A

Site of release for the hypothalamic hormones antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and oxytocin

91
Q

What is the role of the pineal gland and what hormone does it secrete

A

Key player in biological rhythms. Also directs signals from the retina for coordination with sunlight

Secretes melatonin, which regulates circadian rhythms (the physical, mental, and behavioral changes an organism experiences over a 24-hour cycle)

92
Q

What is the role of the basal ganglia

A

coordinate muscle movement from cortex and relay to brain and spinal cord. Makes our movements smooth and posture steady

93
Q

Destruction to the basal ganglia can lead to what?

A

Parkinson’s disease as it causes jerky movements and uncontrolled resting tremors.

It can also play a role in schizophrenia and OCD

94
Q

What is the role of the limbic system

A

Emotion and memory

95
Q

What is the role of the septal nuclei and what type of behaviour can it be associated with

A

Primary pleasure center

Addictive behaviour

96
Q

What is the role of the amygdala and what happens if it is damaged

A

Defensive and aggressive behaviors including fear and rage.

Damage = reduced aggression and fear = docility and hypersexual states

97
Q

What role does the hippocampus play?

A

Learning and memory and communicated to the limbic system through fornix

98
Q

What is anterograde amnesia

A

Not being able to establish new long-term memories

99
Q

What is retrograde amnesia

A

Memory loss of events that transpired before brain injury

100
Q

What is the role of the anterior cingulate cortex

A

Regulation of impulse control and decision-making. Also maintains connections in limbic system, thus plays a role in emotion and motivation

101
Q

Cerebral cortex:
- What is its alternative name?
- What is the surface called?

A
  • Neocortex
  • gyri and sulci
102
Q

What is the frontal lobe divided into?

A

Prefrontal cortex and motor cortex

103
Q

Role of prefrontal cortex

A

Regulate attention and alertness. Also supervises processes associated with perception, memory, emotions, impulse control, and long-term planning

104
Q

What would happen if there was damage to the prefrontal cortex

A

Less in control of one’s behaviour. Leading to angry outbursts, tendency to crying, or apathetic to emotional responses of others

105
Q

Function of the primary motor cortex

A

It is an example of projection area. Function is to initiate voluntary motor movements

106
Q

Role of somatosensory cortex

A

projection area for sensory signals for touch, pressure, temperature, and pain

107
Q

Where is the Wernicke’s area located and what is its function?

A

Temporal lobe
Associated with language reception and comprehension

108
Q

Functions in the temporal lobe (4)

A

Sound processing like speech and music
Language reception and comprehension
Memory processing
Emotions

109
Q

Does the cerebral hemisphere communicate: (2)
- contralaterally
- bilaterally
- unilaterally
- ipsilaterally

A

Contralaterally
example: motor neurons on the left side of the brain activate movements in the right side of the body

Ipsilaterally
example: for hearing, same side of the body communicates

110
Q

Where is the dominant hemisphere located and what are its functions

A

Usually left side of the brain
Analytic functions and managing details like language, logic, and math skills

111
Q

Where is the nondominant hemisphere located and what are its functions

A

Usually right side of the brain
Intuition and creativity function like emotional tone, recognize moods, etc.

112
Q

What is a neurotransmitter

A

A chemical used by neurons to send signals to other neurons

113
Q

A drug that mimics the action of some neurotransmitters is called ______

A

Agonist

114
Q

Drugs that can block the action of neurotransmitters are known as

A

Antagonists

115
Q

Acetylcholine is found in both the CNS and PNS, what are its role in both

A

CNS: linked to attention and arousal
PNS: transmit nerve impulses to muscles.

116
Q

What are the natural pain-killers produced in the brain called and what are they

A

Endorphins; peptide neurotransmitters

117
Q
A

MCAT (6 decks)

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