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AP Psychology > Biological Bases of Behavior > Flashcards

Biological Bases of Behavior Flashcards

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1
Q

biological psychology

A

branch of psychology concerned with the links between biology and behavior

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2
Q

neuron

A

basic building block of the nervous system

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3
Q

sensory neuron

A

neurons that carry incoming information from the sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord

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4
Q

motor neuron

A

neurons that carry outgoing information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles/glands

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5
Q

interneurons

A

neurons within brain and spinal cord that communicate internally and intervene between sensory inputs and motor outputs. Most abundant, and are what allows complexity

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6
Q

dendrites

A

receive information and conduct it towards cell body

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7
Q

axon

A

passes message along to other neurons

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8
Q

myelin sheath

A

layer of fatty tissue encasing fibers of many neurons. Enables vastly greater transmission speed of neural impulses

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9
Q

action potential

A

a neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon

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10
Q

multiple sclerosis

A

due to degeneration of myelin sheath. communication to muscle slows

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11
Q

threshold

A

level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse

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12
Q

synapse

A

junction between axon tip of sending neuron and dendrite of receiving neuron. The tiny gap at this junction is called a synaptic gap/cleft

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13
Q

neurotransmitters

A

chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons.

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14
Q

reuptake

A

neurotransmitter’s reabsorption by the sending neuron

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15
Q

endorphins

A

neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure

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16
Q

agonist molecule

A

similar to neurotransmitter, mimic its effects

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17
Q

antagonist

A

binds to receptor, blocks neurotransmitter’s functioning

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18
Q

central nervous system

A

brain and spinal cord

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19
Q

peripheral nervous system

A

sensory and motor neurons that connect the CNS to the rest of the body. Has two components: somatic and autonomic

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20
Q

nerves

A

bundled up axons

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21
Q

somatic nervous system

A

controls body’s skeletal muscles

22
Q

autonomic nervous system

A

controls glands and muscles of internal organs.

23
Q

Sympathetic nervous system

A

division of autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy in stressful situations

24
Q

Parasympathetic nervous system

A

division of autonomic nervous system. Calms the body and conserves its energy

25
Q

Reflex

A

a simple automatic response to sensory stimulus, such as knee-jerk response

26
Q

Endocrine system

A

body’s “slow” chemical communication system; a set of glands that secrete hormones into bloodstream

27
Q

adrenal glands

A

a pair of endocrine glands that just sit above the kidneys and secrete hormones

28
Q

pituitary gland

A

endocrine system’s most influential gland. Under influence of hypothalamus, controls growth and other endocrine glands. pea sized structure located in core of brain

29
Q

epinephrine and norepinephrine

A

also called adrenaline and noradrenaline. Increase blood pressure, heart rate, and blood sugar

30
Q

CT (computed tomography) scan or CAT scan

A

series of x-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by a computer into a composite representation of a slice through the body.

31
Q

PET (positron emission tomography) scan

A

visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive glucose goes while the brain performs a task

32
Q

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan

A

A technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer generated images of soft tissue. Shows brain anatomy

33
Q

fMRI

A

technique for revealing blood flow and brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans. fMRI shows brain function

34
Q

brainstem

A

oldest part and central core of brain where spinal cord swells as it enters skull

35
Q

medulla

A

base of brainstem, controls heartbeat and breathing

36
Q

reticular formation

A

nerve network in brainstem that plays role in arousal

37
Q

thalamus

A

brain’s sensory switchboard, located on top of the brainstem. Directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla

38
Q

cerebellum

A

“little brain” at rear of brainstem. Processes sensory input and coordinates movement output/balance

39
Q

limbic system

A

doughnut-shaped neural system (includes hippocampus, amygdala, hypothalamus). associated with emotions/drives

40
Q

amygdala

A

two beansized neural clusters in limbic system, linked to emotion

41
Q

.

CT (computed tomography) scan or CAT scan

A

series of x-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by a computer into a composite representation of a slice through the body.

42
Q

.

PET (positron emission tomography) scan

A

visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive glucose goes while the brain performs a task

43
Q

.

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan

A

A technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer generated images of soft tissue. Shows brain anatomy

44
Q

.

fMRI

A

technique for revealing blood flow and brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans. fMRI shows brain function

45
Q

.

brainstem

A

oldest part and central core of brain where spinal cord swells as it enters skull

46
Q

.

medulla

A

base of brainstem, controls heartbeat and breathing

47
Q

.

reticular formation

A

nerve network in brainstem that plays role in arousal

48
Q

.

thalamus

A

brain’s sensory switchboard, located on top of the brainstem. Directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla

49
Q

.

cerebellum

A

“little brain” at rear of brainstem. Processes sensory input and coordinates movement output/balance

50
Q

.

limbic system

A

doughnut-shaped neural system (includes hippocampus, amygdala, hypothalamus). associated with emotions/drives

51
Q

.

amygdala

A

two beansized neural clusters in limbic system, linked to emotion

AP Psychology (2 decks)

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