Biological Bases of Behavior Flashcards
Biological Psychology
the science that deals with the biological basis of behavior, thoughts, and emotions
the science that deals with the biological basis of behavior, thoughts, and emotions
Biological Psychology
Neuron
a specialized cell transmitting nerve impulses; a nerve cell.
a specialized cell transmitting nerve impulses; a nerve cell.
Neuron
Dendrites
a short branched extension of a nerve cell, along which impulses received from other cells at synapses are transmitted to the cell body.
a short branched extension of a nerve cell, along which impulses received from other cells at synapses are transmitted to the cell body.
Dendrites
Axon
the long threadlike part of a nerve cell along which impulses are conducted from the cell body to other cells.
the long threadlike part of a nerve cell along which impulses are conducted from the cell body to other cells.
Axon
Myelin Sheath
a greatly extended and modified plasma membrane wrapped around the nerve axon in a spiral fashion
allows the electrical impulses to travel quickly and efficiently between one nerve cell and the next
a greatly extended and modified plasma membrane wrapped around the nerve axon in a spiral fashion
allows the electrical impulses to travel quickly and efficiently between one nerve cell and the next
Myelin Sheath
Action Potential
the change in electrical potential associated with the passage of an impulse along the membrane of a muscle cell or nerve cell.
the change in electrical potential associated with the passage of an impulse along the membrane of a muscle cell or nerve cell.
Action Potential
Refractory Period
the period after response to a stimulus during which response to a second stimulus, presented shortly after the first, is delayed
the period after response to a stimulus during which response to a second stimulus, presented shortly after the first, is delayed
Refractory Period
Threshold
the lowest point at which a particular stimulus will cause a response in an organism
the lowest point at which a particular stimulus will cause a response in an organism
Threshold
All-or-None Response
the strength of a response of a nerve cell or muscle fiber is not dependent upon the strength of the stimulus
the strength of a response of a nerve cell or muscle fiber is not dependent upon the strength of the stimulus
All-or-None Response
Synapse
The space between the end of a nerve cell and another cell
The space between the end of a nerve cell and another cell
Synapse
Neurotransmitters
chemical messengers that your body can’t function without
chemical messengers that your body can’t function without
Neurotransmitters
Reuptake
The reabsorption of a neurotransmitter by a neuron after the transmission of a neural impulse across a synapse
The reabsorption of a neurotransmitter by a neuron after the transmission of a neural impulse across a synapse
Reuptake
Endorphins
hormones that are released when your body feels pain or stress
hormones that are released when your body feels pain or stress
Endorphins
Agonist
substances that bind to synaptic receptors and increase the effect of the neurotransmitter
substances that bind to synaptic receptors and increase the effect of the neurotransmitter
Agonist
Antagonist Nervous System
blocks or impedes the normal activity of a neurotransmitter at the receptor
blocks or impedes the normal activity of a neurotransmitter at the receptor
Antagonist Nervous System
Central Nervous System
made up of the brain and spinal cord
made up of the brain and spinal cord
Central Nervous System
Peripheral Nervous System
part of your nervous system that lies outside your brain and spinal cord
part of your nervous system that lies outside your brain and spinal cord
Peripheral Nervous System
Sensory (Afferent) Neurons
found in receptors such as the eyes, ears, tongue and skin, and carry nerve impulses to the spinal cord and brain.
found in receptors such as the eyes, ears, tongue and skin, and carry nerve impulses to the spinal cord and brain.
Sensory (Afferent) Neurons
Motor (Efferent) Neurons
cells in the brain and spinal cord that allow us to move, speak, swallow and breathe by sending commands from the brain to the muscles that carry out these functions
cells in the brain and spinal cord that allow us to move, speak, swallow and breathe by sending commands from the brain to the muscles that carry out these functions
Motor (Efferent) Neurons
Interneurons
any neuron that is neither sensory nor motor but connects other neurons within the central nervous system
any neuron that is neither sensory nor motor but connects other neurons within the central nervous system
Interneurons
Somatic Nervous System
a component of the peripheral nervous system associated with the voluntary control of the body movements via the use of skeletal muscles
a component of the peripheral nervous system associated with the voluntary control of the body movements via the use of skeletal muscles
Somatic Nervous System
Autonomic Nervous System
a component of the peripheral nervous system that regulates involuntary physiologic processes including heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, digestion, and sexual arousal
a component of the peripheral nervous system that regulates involuntary physiologic processes including heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, digestion, and sexual arousal
Autonomic Nervous System
Sympathetic Nervous System
a network of nerves that helps your body activate its “fight-or-flight” response
a network of nerves that helps your body activate its “fight-or-flight” response
Sympathetic Nervous System
Parasympathetic Nervous System
a network of nerves that relaxes your body after periods of stress or danger
a network of nerves that relaxes your body after periods of stress or danger
Parasympathetic Nervous System
Endocrine System
The glands and organs that make hormones and release them directly into the blood so they can travel to tissues and organs all over the body
The glands and organs that make hormones and release them directly into the blood so they can travel to tissues and organs all over the body
Endocrine System
Hormones
chemical messengers released from endocrine glands that influence the nervous system to regulate the physiology and behavior of individuals
chemical messengers released from endocrine glands that influence the nervous system to regulate the physiology and behavior of individuals
Hormones
Adrenal Glands
produce hormones that help regulate your metabolism, immune system, blood pressure, response to stress and other essential functions
produce hormones that help regulate your metabolism, immune system, blood pressure, response to stress and other essential functions
Adrenal Glands
Pituitary Gland
a small pea-sized gland that plays a major role in regulating vital body functions and general wellbeing
a small pea-sized gland that plays a major role in regulating vital body functions and general wellbeing
Pituitary Gland
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
a recording of brain activity
a recording of brain activity
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
CT (Computed Tomography) Scan
the first widely used imagery technique to reveal brain anatomy
the first widely used imagery technique to reveal brain anatomy
CT (Computer Tomography Scan
PET (Positron Emission Tomography) Scan
an imaging test of the brain
an imaging test of the brain
PET (Positron Emission Tomography) Scan
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
a noninvasive diagnostic technique that uses the responses of hydrogen in tissue molecules to strong magnetic impulses to form a three-dimensional picture of body organs and tissues (e.g., the brain) with more accuracy than computed tomography
a noninvasive diagnostic technique that uses the responses of hydrogen in tissue molecules to strong magnetic impulses to form a three-dimensional picture of body organs and tissues (e.g., the brain) with more accuracy than computed tomography
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
fMRI (Functional MRI)
measures the small changes in blood flow that occur with brain activity
measures the small changes in blood flow that occur with brain activity
fMRI (Functional MRI)
Brainstem
the part of the brain that connects the cerebrum with the spinal cord
the part of the brain that connects the cerebrum with the spinal cord
Brainstem
Medulla
a section of the brain located in the brainstem which is responsible for automatic functions like breathing, blood pressure, circulation and heart functions, and digestion. It is also the area responsible for many reflexes like swallowing, vomiting, coughing, and sneezing
a section of the brain located in the brainstem which is responsible for automatic functions like breathing, blood pressure, circulation and heart functions, and digestion. It is also the area responsible for many reflexes like swallowing, vomiting, coughing, and sneezing
Medulla
Thalamus
an egg-shaped structure in the middle of your brain. It’s known as a relay station of all incoming motor (movement) and sensory information — hearing, taste, sight and touch (but not smell) — from your body to your brain
an egg-shaped structure in the middle of your brain. It’s known as a relay station of all incoming motor (movement) and sensory information — hearing, taste, sight and touch (but not smell) — from your body to your brain
Thalamus
Reticular Formation
a complex network of brainstem nuclei and neurons that serve as a major integration and relay center for many vital brain systems to coordinate functions necessary for survival
a complex network of brainstem nuclei and neurons that serve as a major integration and relay center for many vital brain systems to coordinate functions necessary for survival
Reticular Formation
Cerebellum
The portion of the brain in the back of the head between the cerebrum and the brain stem
The portion of the brain in the back of the head between the cerebrum and the brain stem
Cerebellum
Limbic System
the part of the brain involved in our behavioral and emotional responses, especially when it comes to behaviors we need for survival
the part of the brain involved in our behavioral and emotional responses, especially when it comes to behaviors we need for survival
Limbic System
Amygdala
region of the brain primarily associated with emotional processes
region of the brain primarily associated with emotional processes
Amygdala
Hypothalamus
a structure deep in your brain, acts as your body’s smart control coordinating center. Its main function is to keep your body in a stable state called homeostasis
a structure deep in your brain, acts as your body’s smart control coordinating center. Its main function is to keep your body in a stable state called homeostasis
Hypothalamus
Cerebral Cortex
The grey, folded, outermost layer of the cerebrum that is responsible for higher brain processes such as sensation, voluntary muscle movement, thought, reasoning, and memory
The grey, folded, outermost layer of the cerebrum that is responsible for higher brain processes such as sensation, voluntary muscle movement, thought, reasoning, and memory
Cerebral Cortex
Glial Cells
Any of the cells that hold nerve cells in place and help them work the way they should
Any of the cells that hold nerve cells in place and help them work the way they should
Glial Cells
Frontal Lobes
are important for voluntary movement, expressive language and for managing higher level executive functions
are important for voluntary movement, expressive language and for managing higher level executive functions
Frontal Lobes
Pariental Lobes
one of the brain’s major lobes, roughly located at the upper back area in the skull. It processes sensory information received from the outside world, mainly relating to touch, taste, and temperature
one of the brain’s major lobes, roughly located at the upper back area in the skull. It processes sensory information received from the outside world, mainly relating to touch, taste, and temperature
Pariental Lobes
Occipital Lobes
responsible for visual perception, including colour, form and motion
responsible for visual perception, including colour, form and motion
Occipital Lobes
Temporal Lobes
sit behind the ears and are the second largest lobe. They are most commonly associated with processing auditory information and with the encoding of memory
sit behind the ears and are the second largest lobe. They are most commonly associated with processing auditory information and with the encoding of memory
Temporal Lobes
Motor Cortex
the region of the frontal lobe of the brain responsible for the control of voluntary movement
the region of the frontal lobe of the brain responsible for the control of voluntary movement
Motor Cortez
Somatosensory Cortex
the part of the brain within the cerebral cortex that receives all sensory information from various parts of the body
the part of the brain within the cerebral cortex that receives all sensory information from various parts of the body
Somatosensory Cortex
Association Areas
an area of the cerebral cortex that functions in linking and coordinating the sensory and motor areas
an area of the cerebral cortex that functions in linking and coordinating the sensory and motor areas
Association Areas
Plasticity
the ability of the nervous system to change its activity in response to intrinsic or extrinsic stimuli by reorganizing its structure, functions, or connections
the ability of the nervous system to change its activity in response to intrinsic or extrinsic stimuli by reorganizing its structure, functions, or connections
Plasticity
Neurogenesis
the process by which new neurons are formed in the brain
the process by which new neurons are formed in the brain
Neurogenesis
Corpus Callosum
A wide, flat bundle of neural fibers beneath the cortex that connects the left and right cerebral hemispheres and facilitates interhemispheric communication
A wide, flat bundle of neural fibers beneath the cortex that connects the left and right cerebral hemispheres and facilitates interhemispheric communication
Corpus Callosum
Split Brain
patients in whom the corpus callosum has been cut for the alleviation of medically intractable epilepsy
patients in whom the corpus callosum has been cut for the alleviation of medically intractable epilepsy
Split Brain
Conciousness
an organism’s awareness of something either internal or external to itself
an organism’s awareness of something either internal or external to itself
Conciousness
Cognitive Neuroscience
an interdisciplinary area of research that combines measurement of brain activity (mostly by means of neuroimaging) with a simultaneous performance of cognitive tasks by human subjects
an interdisciplinary area of research that combines measurement of brain activity (mostly by means of neuroimaging) with a simultaneous performance of cognitive tasks by human subjects
Cognitive Neuroscience
Dual Processing
the theory that the response made by an individual to a stimulus that permits behavioral control involves two stages: (a) a decision as to whether or not to respond and (b) a choice between alternative responses.
the theory that the response made by an individual to a stimulus that permits behavioral control involves two stages: (a) a decision as to whether or not to respond and (b) a choice between alternative responses.
Dual Processing
Behavior Genetics
the study of the manner in which genetic variation affects psychological phenotypes (traits), including cognitive abilities, personality, mental illness, and social attitudes
the study of the manner in which genetic variation affects psychological phenotypes (traits), including cognitive abilities, personality, mental illness, and social attitudes
Behavior Genetics
Chromosomes
a strand or filament composed of nucleic acid (mainly DNA in humans) and proteins (see chromatin) that carries the genetic, or hereditary, traits of an individual
a strand or filament composed of nucleic acid (mainly DNA in humans) and proteins (see chromatin) that carries the genetic, or hereditary, traits of an individual
Chromosomes
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)
one of the two types of nucleic acid found in living organisms; it is the principal carrier of genetic information in chromosomes and, to a much lesser extent, in mitochondria . Certain segments of the DNA molecules constitute the organism’s genes
one of the two types of nucleic acid found in living organisms; it is the principal carrier of genetic information in chromosomes and, to a much lesser extent, in mitochondria . Certain segments of the DNA molecules constitute the organism’s genes
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)
Genes
the biochemical units of heredity that make up chromosomes
the biochemical units of heredity that make up chromosomes
Genes
Genome
all of the genetic material contained in an organism or cell.
all of the genetic material contained in an organism or cell.
Genome
Identical Twins
develop from the same fertilized egg that splits into two
develop from the same fertilized egg that splits into two
Identical Twins
Fraternal Twins
develop from two different eggs fertilized by separate sperm
develop from two different eggs fertilized by separate sperm
Fraternal Twins
Heritability
a measure of how well differences in people’s genes account for differences in their traits
a measure of how well differences in people’s genes account for differences in their traits
Heritability
Evolutionary Psychology
the study of behaviour, thought, and feeling as viewed through the lens of evolutionary biology
the study of behaviour, thought, and feeling as viewed through the lens of evolutionary biology
Evolutionary Psychology
Natural Selection
The way that any genetically determined behaviour that enhances the ability to survive and reproduce will continue in future generations
The way that any genetically determined behaviour that enhances the ability to survive and reproduce will continue in future generations
Natural Selection
Mutation
a permanent change in the genetic material of an organism
a permanent change in the genetic material of an organism
Mutation
