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Biological Bases of Behavior Flashcards

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
Reflex
a simple automatic response to sensory stimulus, such as knee-jerk response
26
Endocrine system
body's "slow" chemical communication system; a set of glands that secrete hormones into bloodstream
27
adrenal glands
a pair of endocrine glands that just sit above the kidneys and secrete hormones
28
pituitary gland
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
epinephrine and norepinephrine
also called adrenaline and noradrenaline. Increase blood pressure, heart rate, and blood sugar
30
CT (computed tomography) scan or CAT scan
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
PET (positron emission tomography) scan
visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive glucose goes while the brain performs a task
32
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan
A technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer generated images of soft tissue. Shows brain anatomy
33
fMRI
technique for revealing blood flow and brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans. fMRI shows brain function
34
brainstem
oldest part and central core of brain where spinal cord swells as it enters skull
35
medulla
base of brainstem, controls heartbeat and breathing
36
reticular formation
nerve network in brainstem that plays role in arousal
37
thalamus
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
cerebellum
"little brain" at rear of brainstem. Processes sensory input and coordinates movement output/balance
39
limbic system
doughnut-shaped neural system (includes hippocampus, amygdala, hypothalamus). associated with emotions/drives
40
amygdala
two beansized neural clusters in limbic system, linked to emotion
41
# . CT (computed tomography) scan or CAT scan
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
# . PET (positron emission tomography) scan
visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive glucose goes while the brain performs a task
43
# . MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan
A technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer generated images of soft tissue. Shows brain anatomy
44
# . fMRI
technique for revealing blood flow and brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans. fMRI shows brain function
45
# . brainstem
oldest part and central core of brain where spinal cord swells as it enters skull
46
# . medulla
base of brainstem, controls heartbeat and breathing
47
# . reticular formation
nerve network in brainstem that plays role in arousal
48
# . thalamus
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
# . cerebellum
"little brain" at rear of brainstem. Processes sensory input and coordinates movement output/balance
50
# . limbic system
doughnut-shaped neural system (includes hippocampus, amygdala, hypothalamus). associated with emotions/drives
51
# . amygdala
two beansized neural clusters in limbic system, linked to emotion

AP Psychology (2 decks)

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