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AP Psychology > Biological Bases of Behavior > Flashcards

Biological Bases of Behavior Flashcards

1
Q

Biological Psychology

A

a branch of psychology concerned with the links between biology and behavior

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2
Q

Neuron

A

a nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system

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3
Q

Sensory Neurons

A

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

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4
Q

Motor Neurons

A

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

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5
Q

Interneurons

A

neurons within the brain and spinal cord that communicate internally and intervene between the sensory and motor imputs

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6
Q

Cell Body

A

cell’s life-support center

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7
Q

Dendrite

A

the bushy, branching extensions of a neuron that receive messages and conduct impulses towards the cell body

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8
Q

Axon

A

the extension of a neuron, ending in branching extensions or terminal fibers, through which messages pass to other neurons or to muscles and glands

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9
Q

Myelin Sheath

A

a layer of fatty tissue segmentally encasing the fibers of many neurons; enables vastly greater transmission speed of impulses

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10
Q

Action Potential/Neural Impulse

A

brief electrical charge that goes down the axon

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11
Q

Threshold

A

the level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse

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12
Q

Synapse

A

the junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron

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13
Q

Neurotransmitters

A

chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons; travel across the synapse and bind to receptor sites on the receiving neuron, thereby influencing whether that neuron will generate an impulse.

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14
Q

Reuptake

A

a neurotransmitters reapsorbtion by the sending neuron

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15
Q

Nervous System

A

the body’s electrochemical communication network consisting of all the nerve cells of the peripheral and central nervous system

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16
Q

Central Nervous System

A

brain and spinal cord

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17
Q

Peripheral Nervous System

A

sensory and motor neurons that connect the CNS to the body

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18
Q

Nerves

A

bundled axons that form neural “cables”, connecting the CNS with muscles, glands, and sense organs

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19
Q

Somatic Nervous System

A

the divisions of the PNS that controls the body’s skeletal muscles

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20
Q

Autonomic Nervous System

A

the part of the PNS that controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organs

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21
Q

Sympathetic Nervous System

A

arouses and mobilizes the body

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22
Q

Parasympathetic Nervous System

A

calms the body and conserves energy

23
Q

Reflex

A

a simple, automatic response to a sensory stimulus

24
Q

Endocrine System

A

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

25
Q

Hormones

A

chemical messengers that are manufactured by the endocrine glands, travel through the bloodstream, and affect other tissues

26
Q

Adrenal Glands

A

sit just above the kidneys and secrete epinephrine and norepinephrine that help arouse the body in times of stress

27
Q

Pituitary Gland

A

regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands

28
Q

Lesion

A

tissue destruction; a brain lesion is a naturally or experimentally caused destruction of brain tissue

29
Q

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

A

an amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity that sweep across the brain’s surface, measured by electrodes placed on the scalp

30
Q

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Svcan

A

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

31
Q

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

A

a technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images of soft tissue (anatomy)

32
Q

Function MRI (fMRI)

A

a technique for revealing blood flow, and therefore brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans (function)

33
Q

Brainstem

A

oldest part and central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull; responsible for automatic survival functions

34
Q

Medulla

A

base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing

35
Q

Reticular Formation

A

a nerve network in the brainstem that plays an important role in controlling arousal

36
Q

Thalamus

A

sensory switchboard, on top of the brainstem; directs messages to sensory receiving areas in cortex and transmits replies to cerebellum and medulla

37
Q

Cerebellum

A

“little brain” at the rear of the brainstem; processes sensory input, coordinates movement output, and helps with balance

38
Q

Limbic System

A

neural system (including hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus) located below the cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions and drives

39
Q

Amygdala

A

two lima-bean-sized neural clusters in the limbic system linked to emotion

40
Q

Hypothalamus

A

a neural structure lying below (hypo) the thalamus; directs several maintenance activities (eating, drinking, body temp), helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion and reward

41
Q

Cerebral Cortex

A

the intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering the cerebral hemispheres; body’s ultimate control and info-processing center

42
Q

Glial Cells (Glia)

A

cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons

43
Q

Frontal Lobes

A

portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead; involved in speaking, muscle movements, making plans, and judgement

44
Q

Parietal Lobes

A

portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head and toward the rear; receives sensory input for touch and body position

45
Q

Occipital Lobes

A

portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head; includes areas that receive info from the visual fields

46
Q

Temporal Lobes

A

portion of the cerebral cortex lying above the ears; includes areas that receive info from the visual fields

47
Q

Motor Cortex

A

an area at the rear of the frontal lobes; controls voluntary moevement

48
Q

Sensory Cortex

A

area at the front of the parietal lobes; registers and processes body touch and movement sensation

49
Q

Association Area

A

areas of the cerebral cortex that are not involved in primary motor or sensory functions. Rather, they are involved in higher mental functioning such as learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking

50
Q

Plasticity

A

the brain’s ability to change, especially during childhood, by reorganizing after damage or by building new pathways based on experience

51
Q

Neurogenesis

A

the formation of new neurons

52
Q

Corpus Callosum

A

the large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them

53
Q

Split Brain

A

a condition resulting from surgery that isolates the brain’s two hemispheres by cutting the fibers (mainly those of the corpus callosum) connecting them

AP Psychology (5 decks)

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