Biological Bases of Behavior Flashcards
Lesions
Precise destruction of brain tissue, enables more systematic study of the loss of function resulting from surgical removal (AKA ablation), cutting of neural connections, or destruction by chemical applications.
CAT (CT) Scan
Creates a computerized image using x-rays passed through the brain to show structure and/or the extent of a lesion.
MRI
Creates more detailed computerized images using a magnetic field and pulses of radio waves that cause emission of signals that depend upon the density of tissue.
EEG
An amplified tracing of brain activity produced when electrodes positioned over the scalp transmit signals about the brain’s electrical activity to an electroencephalograph machine.
Evoked Potentials
EEG’s resulting from a response to a specific stimulus presented to the subject.
PET
Shows brain activity when radioactivity tagged glucose rushes to active neurons and emits positrons.
fMRI Scan
Shows brain activity at a higher resolution than the PET scan when changes in O2 concentration near active neurons alter magnetic qualities.
CNS
Brain and spinal cord
PNS
Portion of the NS outside the brain and spinal cord; includes all of the sensory and motor neurons, and subdivisions called the autonomic and somatic nervous systems.
ANS
(Autonomic Nervous System) subdivision of PNS that includes motor nerves that innervate smooth (involuntary) and heart muscle. It’s sympathetic nervous system prepares the body for “fight or flight”; the parasympathetic nervous system causes bodily changes for maintenance or rest.
Sympathetic nervous system
Subdivision of PNS and ANS whose stimulation results in responses that help your body deal with stressful events.
Parasympathetic Nervous System
Subdivision of PNS and ANS whose stimulation calms your body following sympathetic stimulation by restoring normal body processes.
Somatic Nervous System
Subdivision of PNS that includes motor nerves that stimulate skeletal (voluntary) muscles.
Spinal cord
Portion of the CNS below the level of the medulla.
Brain
Portion of the CNS above the spinal cord.
Convolutions
Folding-in and out of the cerebral cortex that increases surface area of the brain.
Contralaterality
Control of one side of your body by the other side of your brain.
Medulla Oblongata
Regulates heart rhythm, blood flow, breathing rate, digestion, vomiting.
Pons
Includes portion of reticular activating system or reticular formation critical for arousal and wakefulness; sends information to and from medulla, cerebellum, and cerebral cortex.
Cerebellum
Controls posture, equilibrium, and movement.
Basal ganglia
Regulates initiation of movements, balance, eye movements, and posture, and functions in processing of implicit memories.
Thalamus
Relays visual , auditory, taste and somatosensory info to/from appropriate areas of cerebral cortex.
Hypothalamus
Controls feeding, drinking behavior, body temp, sexual behavior, threshold for rage behavior, activation of the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems, and secretions of hormones of the pituitary.
Amygdala
Influences emotions such as; aggression, fear, and self-protective behaviors.
Hippocampus
Enables formation of new long-term memories.
Cerebral Cortex
Center for higher-order processes such as; thinking, planning, judgment; receives and processes sensory info and directs movement.
Association Areas
Areas of the cerebral cortex that do not have specific sensory or motor functions, but are involved in higher mental functions such as thinking, planning, and communicating.
Occipital Lobes
Primary area for processing visual info.
Parietal Lobes
Front strip is somatosensory cortex that processes sensory info including touch, temp, and pain from body parts; association areas perceive objects.
Frontal Lobes
Interpret/control emotional behaviors, make decisions, carry out plans; motor cortex strip just in front of somatosensory cortex initiates movements and integrates activities of skeletal muscles; produces speech.
Broca’s area too!!
Temporal Lobe
Primary area for hearing, understanding language, music/tonality, processing smell.
Wernicke’s area too!!
Neuropsychologist
Those who explore the relationships between brain/nervous systems and behavior.
Aphasia
Impairment of the ability to understand or use language.
Glial Cells
Supportive cells of the nervous system that guide the growth of developing neurons, help provide nutrition for and get rid of wastes of neurons, and form an insulating sheath around neurons that speeds conduction.
Neuron
The basic unit of structure and function of the nervous system. Perform 3 basic tasks: receive info, process it, and transmit it to the rest of your body.
Cell Body
AKA the cyton/soma. Contains cytoplasm and the nucleus, which directs synthesis of such substances as neurotransmitters.
Dendrites
Branching tubular processes of a neuron that have receptor sites for receiving info.