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High School Psychology 2012-2013 > BIOLOGICAL BASES OF BEHAVIOR > Flashcards

BIOLOGICAL BASES OF BEHAVIOR Flashcards

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1
Q

Absolute refractory period

A

The period during which a neuron lies dormant after an action potential has been completed.

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2
Q

Acetylcholine

A

A neurotransmitter involved in muscle movement, attention, arousal, memory, and emotion.

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3
Q

Action potential

A

A short-lived change in electric charge inside a neuron.

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4
Q

Adrenal cortex

A

The outer part of the adrenal glands, which secretes corticosteroids.

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5
Q

Adrenal medulla

A

inner part of the adrenal glands, which secretes catecholamines.

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6
Q

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)

A

A hormone released by the pituitary gland that stimulates release of corticosteroids from the adrenal cortex.

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7
Q

Afferent nerves

A

Bundles of axons that carry information from muscles and sense organs to the central nervous system.

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8
Q

Agonists

A

Chemicals that mimic the action of a particular neurotransmitter.

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9
Q

All-or-none law

A

States that neurons fire to generate an action potential only if stimulation reaches a minimum threshold.

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10
Q

Amygdala

A

A part of the limbic system of the brain that is involved in regulating aggression and emotions, particularly fear.

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11
Q

Antagonists

A

Chemicals that block the action of a particular neurotransmitter.

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12
Q

Atherosclerosis

A

Hardening of arteries because of cholesterol deposits.

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13
Q

Autonomic nervous system

A

The part of the peripheral nervous system connected to the heart, blood vessels, glands, and smooth muscles.

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14
Q

Axon

A

A long thin fiber that transmits signals away from the soma of the presynaptic neuron to other postsynaptic neurons, or to muscles or glands.

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15
Q

Blood-brain barrier

A

A membrane that lets some substances from the blood into the brain but keeps out others.

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16
Q

Brain

A

The main organ in the nervous system.

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17
Q

Broca’s area

A

A part of the brain, in the left frontal lobe, that is involved in speech production.

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18
Q

Catecholamines

A

Hormones released by the adrenal medulla in response to stress.

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19
Q

Central nervous system

A

The part of the nervous system that includes the brain and the spinal cord.

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20
Q

Cerebellum

A

A part of the hindbrain that controls balance and coordination of movement.

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21
Q

Cerebrospinal fluid

A

The fluid that cushions and nourishes the brain.

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22
Q

Cerebrum

A

The largest part of the brain, involved in abstract thought and learning.

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23
Q

Chromosomes

A

Thin strands of DNA that contain genes.

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24
Q

Computerized tomography (CT)

A

A method for studying the brain that involves taking x-rays of the brain from different angles.

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25
Q

Corpus callosum

A

A band of fibers that divides the cerebrum into two halves.

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26
Q

Corticosteroids

A

Hormones released by the adrenal cortex in response to stress.

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27
Q

Dendrite

A

Feeler like structures that receive info from the presynaptic neuron and sends it toward the cell body of the postsynaptic neuron.

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28
Q

Dendritic trees

A

Highly branched fibers extending from neurons.

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29
Q

Diabetes

A

A condition caused by a deficiency of insulin.

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30
Q

Dopamine

A

A neurotransmitter involved in voluntary movement, learning, memory, and emotion.

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31
Q

Efferent nerves

A

Bundles of axons that carry information from the central nervous system to muscles and sense organs.

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32
Q

Electric stimulation of the brain

A

An invasive method of studying the brain, in which an implanted electrode activates a particular brain structure.

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33
Q

Electrocardiograph (EKG)

A

An instrument that records the activity of the heart.

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34
Q

Electroencephalograph (EEG)

A

Electroencephalograph (EEG) - A device that records the overall electrical activity of the brain, via electrodes placed on the scalp.

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35
Q

Electromyograph

A

An instrument that records muscle activity.

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36
Q

Electrooculograph

A

An instrument that records eye movements.

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37
Q

Endocrine system

A

A network of tissues that allows the body to communicate via hormones.

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38
Q

Endorphins

A

A group of neurotransmitters involved in pain relief, pleasure, and modulating the action of other neurotransmitters.

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39
Q

Excitatory postsynaptic potential

A

A positive change in voltage that occurs when a neurotransmitter binds to an excitatory receptor site.

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40
Q

GABA

A

The main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain.

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41
Q

Genes

A

Segments of DNA that function as hereditary units.

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42
Q

Glial cells

A

Cells that provide structural support, nourishment, and insulation for neurons— neural “glue”.

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43
Q

Glucose

A

A simple sugar that acts as an energy source for cells.

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44
Q

Glutamate

A

The main excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain.

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45
Q

Hindbrain

A

Portion of the brain consisting of the medulla, the pons, and the cerebellum.

46
Q

Hippocampus

A

A part of the limbic system involved in memory.

47
Q

Hormones

A

Chemicals that are produced in glands and released into the bloodstream, involved in regulating body functions.

48
Q

Hypothalamus

A

A part of the forebrain that helps to control the pituitary gland, the autonomic nervous system, body temperature, and biological drives.

49
Q

Immune system

A

The body’s defense against harmful agents such as bacteria, viruses, and other foreign substances.

50
Q

Inhibitory postsynaptic potential

A

Inhibitory postsynaptic potential - A negative change in voltage that occurs when a neurotransmitter binds to an inhibitory receptor.

51
Q

Insulin

A

A hormone secreted by the pancreas that allows sugar to be used by cells for energy.

52
Q

Ions

A

Positively and negatively charged atoms and molecules.

53
Q

Lateralization

A

The difference in specialization between the two hemispheres of the brain.

54
Q

Leptin

A

A hormone secreted by fat cells.

55
Q

Limbic system

A

A part of the forebrain involved in emotional experience and memory.

56
Q

Lobotomy

A

A surgical procedure that severs nerve tracts in the frontal lobe, formerly used to treat certain psychological disorders but now rarely performed.

57
Q

Long-term potentiation

A

A lasting change at synapses that occurs when long-term memories form.

58
Q

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

A

A method for studying the brain that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce pictures of the brain.

59
Q

Medulla

A

A part of the hindbrain that controls essential functions that are not under conscious control, such as breathing.

60
Q

Melatonin

A

A hormone that regulates the sleep cycle.

61
Q

Midbrain

A

The part of the brain between the hindbrain and forebrain that is involved in locating events in space and that contains a dopamine-releasing system of neurons.

62
Q

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)

A

A class of antidepressant drugs that increase the level of norepinephrine and serotonin.

63
Q

Monogenic traits

A

Traits determined by a single gene.

64
Q

Mutations

A

Small changes in genes.

65
Q

Myelin sheath

A

The fatty coating around some axons that increases the speed of neural impulse transmission. (White matter in the brain)

66
Q

Narcotics

A

Drugs that can relieve pain; also called opiates.

67
Q

Nerves

A

Bundles of axons extending from many neurons.

68
Q

Neurons

A

Nervous system cells that communicate via electrochemical signals to receive, transmit, and integrate information.

69
Q

Neurotransmitters

A

These chemicals messangers are the chemical portion of the electrochemical communication of the nerveous system. They are released from a neuron, go across the synaptic gap, and activate another neuron.

70
Q

Norepinephrine

A

A neurotransmitter involved in learning, memory, dreaming, awakening, emotion, and responses to stress.

71
Q

Nucleotides

A

Biochemical units that make up DNA and genes.

72
Q

Parasympathetic nervous system

A

Part of the autonomic nervous system that keeps the body still and conserves energy. It is active during states of relaxation.

73
Q

Peripheral nervous system

A

The part of the nervous system outside the brain and the spinal cord that includes the somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system.

74
Q

Pineal gland

A

A gland that secretes melatonin.

75
Q

Pituitary

A

The master gland of the endocrine system, which regulates the function of many other glands.

76
Q

Polygenic traits

A

Traits influenced by several genes.

77
Q

Pons

A

A part of the hindbrain involved in sleeping, waking, and dreaming.

78
Q

Positron emission tomography (PET)

A

A method for studying the brain that involves injecting a radioactive substance, which collects in active brain areas.

79
Q

Postsynaptic neuron

A

At a synapse, the neuron that receives a neurotransmitter.

80
Q

Postsynaptic potential

A

The voltage change that occurs at a receptor site of a postsynaptic neuron when a neurotransmitter molecule links up with a receptor molecule.

81
Q

Presynaptic neuron

A

At a synapse, the neuron that releases a neurotransmitter.

82
Q

Primary auditory cortex

A

In the temporal lobe of the cerebrum, the brain part involved in processing auditory information.

83
Q

Primary motor cortex

A

In the frontal lobe of the cerebrum, the brain part involved in controlling muscle movement.

84
Q

Primary somatosensory cortex

A

In the parietal lobe of the cerebrum, the brain part involved in handling touch-related information.

85
Q

Primary visual cortex

A

In the occipital lobe of the cerebrum, the brain part involved in handling visual information.

86
Q

Reticular formation

A

A structure that includes parts of the hindbrain and midbrain and that is involved in sleep, wakefulness, pain perception, breathing, and muscle reflexes.

87
Q

Reuptake

A

The process by which neurotransmitter molecules return to presynaptic neurons.

88
Q

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

A

A class of antidepressant drugs that increase the level of serotonin.

89
Q

Serotonin

A

A neurotransmitter involved in sleep, wakefulness, appetite, aggression, impulsivity, sensory perception, temperature regulation, pain suppression, and mood.

90
Q

Soma

A

The central area of a neuron; also called the cell body. (Gray matter in the brain)

91
Q

Somatic nervous system

A

The part of the peripheral nervous system that is connected to the skeletal muscles and sense organs.

92
Q

Split-brain surgery

A

A surgical operation in which the corpus callosum is cut, separating the two hemispheres of the brain.

93
Q

Spinal reflexes

A

Automatic behaviors that require no input from the brain.

94
Q

Suprachiasmatic nucleus

A

The main biological clock regulating circadian rhythms of sleep in humans.

95
Q

Sympathetic nervous system

A

Part of the autonomic nervous system that prepares the body for action and expends energy.

96
Q

Synapse

A

The junction between the axon of one neuron and the cell body or dendrite of a neighboring neuron.

97
Q

Synaptic cleft

A

The gap between two cells at a synapse.

98
Q

Synaptic vesicles

A

Small sacs inside a neuron’s terminal buttons, in which neurotransmitters are stored.

99
Q

Terminal buttons

A

Bulges at the end of axons that secrete neurotransmitters.

100
Q

Thalamus

A

The part of the brain through which almost all sensory information goes on its way to the cerebrum.

101
Q

Wernicke’s area

A

A part of the brain, in the left temporal lobe, that is involved in understanding language.

102
Q

Forebrain

A

The biggest and most complex part of the brain, which includes structures such as the thalamus, the hypothalamus, the limbic system, and the cerebrum.

103
Q

Lobotomy

A

A surgical procedure that severs nerve tracts in the frontal lobe, formerly used to treat certain psychological disorders but now rarely performed.

104
Q

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)

A

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) - A class of antidepressant drugs that increase the level of norepinephrine and serotonin.

105
Q

Resting potential

A

The slight negative charge inside an inactive neuron.

106
Q

Resting state

A

The period during which the inside of a neuron has a slightly higher concentration of negatively charged ions than the outside does. A neuron during this time is inactive.

107
Q

Tricyclics

A

A class of antidepressant drugs that increase the level of norepinephrine and serotonin.

108
Q

Lesioning studies

A

An invasive method of studying the brain in which a specific, small area of the brain is destroyed.

109
Q

Nervous system

A

The body’s communication network. It handles, receives, transmits, and integrates information just as the circulatory system handles blood. This complex, highly coordinated network of tissues communicates via electrochemical signals.

110
Q

Spinal cord

A

Connects the brain to the rest of the body.

111
Q

Spinal reflexes

A

Automatic behaviors that require no input from the brain.

112
Q

Multiple sclerosis

A

A myelin degeneration disease, causing loss of muscle control, etc. due to loss of transmission efficiency in the nervous system when the myelin sheaths deteriorate.

High School Psychology 2012-2013 (20 decks)

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