Biological Bases of Behavior Flashcards
The scientific study of links between biological (genetic, neural, hormonal) and psychological processes.
Biological Psychology
A nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system.
Neuron
A neuron’s bush, branching extensions that receive messages and conduct.
Dendrites
The neuron extension that passes messages through its branches to other neurons or to muscles or glands.
Axon
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.
Myelin Sheath
A neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon.
Action Potential
A period of inactivity after a neuron has fired.
Refactory period
The level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse.
Threshold
A neuron’s reaction of either firing (with a full-strength response like a gun) or not firing.
All-or-none response
The junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron. The tiny gap at the junction is called the synaptic gap or synaptic left.
Synapse
Chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons.
Neurotransmitters
A neurotransmitter’s reabsorption by the sending neuron.
Reuptake
“Morphine Within”, natural, opiate-like neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure.
Endorphins
A molecule that, by binding to a receptor site, stimulates a response.
Agonist
A molecule that, by binding to a receptor site, inhibits or blocks a response.
Antagonist
The body’s speedy, electrochemical communication network, consisting of all the nerve cells of the peripheral and central nervous system.
Nervous System
The brain and spinal chord.
Central Nervous System (CNS)
The sensory and motor neurons that connect the (CNS) to the rest of the body.
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
Bundled axons that form neural “cables” connecting the (CNS) with the muscles, glands, and sense organs.
Nerves
Neurons that carry incoming information from the rest of the sensory receptors to the brain and spinal chord.
Sensory (afferent) Nerves
Neurons that carry outgoing information from the brain and spinal chord to the muscles and glands.
Motor (efferent) Nerves
Neurons within the brain and spinal chord that communicate internally and intervene between the sensory inputs and motor outputs.
Interneurons
The division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body’s skeletal muscles.
Somatic Nervous System
The part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organs (such as the heart.)
Autonomic Nervous System
The division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy in stressful situations.
Sympathetic Nervous System
The division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy.
Parasympathetic Nervous System
A simple, automatic response to a sensory stimulus, such as the knee-jerk response.
Reflex
The body’s “slow” chemical Communication system.
Endocrine System
Chemical messengers that are manufactured by the endocrine glands travel through the bloodstream and affect other tissues.
Hormones
A pair of endocrine glands that sit right above the kidneys and secrete hormones (epinephrine and norepeinephrine) that help arouse the body in times of stress.
Adrenal Glands
“Master Gland”, Regulates growth and other endocrine glands.
Pituitary Gland
Tissue destruction. Caused naturally for experiments.
Lesion
An amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity seeping across the brain’s surface. These waves are measured by electrodes placed on the scalp.
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
A series of x-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by a computer into a composite representation of the brain’s structure.
CT (Computed Tomography)
A visual display of the brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task.
PET (Positron Emission Tomography) Scan
A technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images of soft tissue. _____ scans show brain anatomy.
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
A technique for revealing blood flow and, therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans. _____ scans show brain function as well as its structure.
fMRI (functional MRI)
The oldest part and central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal chord swells as it enters the skull.
Brainstem
The base of the brain stem; controls heartbeat and breathing.
Medulla
The brain’s sensory control center, located at the top of the brain stem; it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla.
Thalamus
A nerve network that travels through the brain stem and thalamus and plays an important role in controlling arousal.
Reticular Formation
The “little brain” at the rear of the brain stem; functions include processing sensory input, coordinating movement output and balance, and enabling nonverbal learning and memory.
Cerebellum
Neural system (including the hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus) located below the cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions and drives.
Limbic System
Two Lima-bean-sized neural clusters in the limbic system; linked to emotion.
Amygdala
Area in the brain associated with the formation of and storing of memories.
Hippocampus
A neural structure lying below the thalamus; it directs several maintenance activities (eating, drinking, body temperature), helps govern the endocrine systems via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion and reward.
Hypothalamus
The intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering the cerebral hemispheres: the body’s ultimate control and information-processing center.
Cerebral Cortex
Cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons; they may also play a role in learning and thinking.
Glial Cells (Glia)
Portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead; involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgement.
Frontal Lobes
Portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head and toward the rear.
Parietal Lobes
Portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head; includes areas that receive information from the visual fields.
Occipital Lobes
Portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears; includes auditory areas, each receiving information primarily from the opposite ear.
Temporal Lobes
An area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movement.
Mortor Cortex
Area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations.
Somatosensory Cortex
Areas of the cerebral cortex that are not involved in primary motor and sensory functions; rather, they are involved in higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking. Humans have more of these than other animals.
Association Areas
The brains’s ability to change, especially during childhood, by reorganizing after damage or by building new pathways based on experience.
Neuroplasticity
The formation of new neurons.
Neurogenesis
The large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemisphere and carrying messages between them.
Corpus Callosum
A condition resulting from surgery that isolates the brain’s two hemisphere by cutting the fibers (mainly those of the corpus callosum) connecting them.
Split Brain
Our awareness of ourselves and our environment.
Consciousness
The interdisciplinary study of the brain actively linked with cognition (including perception, thinking, memory, and language.)
Cognitive Neuroscience
The principle that information is often simultaneously processed on separate conscious and unconscious tracks.
Dual Processing
The study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior.
Behavior Genetics
Every external influence, from prenatal nutrition to the people around us.
Environment
Threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes.
Chromosomes
A complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes.
DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)
The biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosomes; segments of DNA capable of synthesizing proteins.
Genes
The complete instructions for making an organism, consisting of all the genetic material in that organism’s chromosomes.
Genome
Twins who develop from a single fertilized egg that splits in two, creating two genetically identical organisms.
Identical Twins (mono zygotic twins)
Twins who develop from separate fertilized eggs. They are genetically no closer than brother and sister, but they share a feral environment.
Fraternal Twins (Dizygotic)
The sub field of biology that studies the molecular structure and function of genes.
Molecular genetics
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.
Heritability
The interplay that occurs when the effect of one factor (such as environment) depends on another factor (such as heredity.)
Interaction
The study of environmental influences of gene expression that occur without a DNA change.
Epigenetics
The study of the evolution of behavior and the mind, using principles of natural selection.
Evolutionary psychology
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.
Natural selection
A random error in gene replication that leads to a change.
Mutation
Located in the lower portion of the left frontal lobe, controls motor functions involved with speech production and language comprehension.
Broca’s Area
It is located in the temporal lobe on the left side of the brain and is responsible for the comprehension of speech.
Wernicke’s Area
Store various neurotransmitters (chemicals) that are released at the synapse.
Synaptic Vessicles
Principal neurotransmitter involved in thought, learning, and memory. In the body it’s involved in activating muscle action.
Acetylcholine
Connected to feelings of well-being and happiness. Regulates sleep cycle and intestinal movements.
Seratonin
Related to reward and motivation
Dopamine
Regulation of arousal, attention, cognitive function, and stress reactions.
Norepinephrine
Slows things down, calming the CNS “natural tranquilizer” contributes to vision.
GABA
“Memory.” Major excitatory neurotransmitter, involved with most normal operations including thinking, long-term memory, and learning. The most common neurotransmitter.
Glutamate
Relieve pain and stress, “brain’s natural aspirin” feelings of pleasure and euphoria.
Endorphins
Located inside the lower neck, secrets a hormone called Thyroxin that regulates metabolism, growth, and appetite.
Thyroid Gland
Sex glands, including the ovaries in the females and testes in the male, regulate sexual hormones, behavior, and sex characteristics.
Gonads
Powerful hormone that acts as a neruotransmitter in the brain, regulates social interaction and sexual reproduction. The “Love Hormone.”
Oxytocin
Hormone that is produced in high stress situations. Makes your heart beat faster and lungs breathe more effectively.
Epinephrine “Adreniline”
Body’s main stress hormone, works with a certain part of the brain to control mood, motivation, and fear.
Cortisol
