Biological Bases of Behavior Flashcards
Biological Psychology
a branch of psychology concerned with the links between biology and behavior
Neuron
a nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system
Sensory Neurons
neurons that carry incoming information from the sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord
Motor Neurons
neurons that carry outgoing information from the bran and spinal cord to the muscles and glands
Interneurons
neurons within the brain and spinal cord that communicate internally and intervene between the sensory and motor imputs
Cell Body
cell’s life-support center
Dendrite
the bushy, branching extensions of a neuron that receive messages and conduct impulses towards the cell body
Axon
the extension of a neuron, ending in branching extensions or terminal fibers, through which messages pass to other neurons or to muscles and glands
Myelin Sheath
a layer of fatty tissue segmentally encasing the fibers of many neurons; enables vastly greater transmission speed of impulses
Action Potential/Neural Impulse
brief electrical charge that goes down the axon
Threshold
the level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse
Synapse
the junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron
Neurotransmitters
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.
Reuptake
a neurotransmitters reapsorbtion by the sending neuron
Nervous System
the body’s electrochemical communication network consisting of all the nerve cells of the peripheral and central nervous system
Central Nervous System
brain and spinal cord
Peripheral Nervous System
sensory and motor neurons that connect the CNS to the body
Nerves
bundled axons that form neural “cables”, connecting the CNS with muscles, glands, and sense organs
Somatic Nervous System
the divisions of the PNS that controls the body’s skeletal muscles
Autonomic Nervous System
the part of the PNS that controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organs
Sympathetic Nervous System
arouses and mobilizes the body
Parasympathetic Nervous System
calms the body and conserves energy
Reflex
a simple, automatic response to a sensory stimulus
Endocrine System
the body’s “slow” chemical communication system; a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream
Hormones
chemical messengers that are manufactured by the endocrine glands, travel through the bloodstream, and affect other tissues
Adrenal Glands
sit just above the kidneys and secrete epinephrine and norepinephrine that help arouse the body in times of stress
Pituitary Gland
regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands
Lesion
tissue destruction; a brain lesion is a naturally or experimentally caused destruction of brain tissue
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
an amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity that sweep across the brain’s surface, measured by electrodes placed on the scalp
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Svcan
a visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a task
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
a technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images of soft tissue (anatomy)
Function MRI (fMRI)
a technique for revealing blood flow, and therefore brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans (function)
Brainstem
oldest part and central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull; responsible for automatic survival functions
Medulla
base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing
Reticular Formation
a nerve network in the brainstem that plays an important role in controlling arousal
Thalamus
sensory switchboard, on top of the brainstem; directs messages to sensory receiving areas in cortex and transmits replies to cerebellum and medulla
Cerebellum
“little brain” at the rear of the brainstem; processes sensory input, coordinates movement output, and helps with balance
Limbic System
neural system (including hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus) located below the cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions and drives
Amygdala
two lima-bean-sized neural clusters in the limbic system linked to emotion
Hypothalamus
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
Cerebral Cortex
the intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering the cerebral hemispheres; body’s ultimate control and info-processing center
Glial Cells (Glia)
cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons
Frontal Lobes
portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead; involved in speaking, muscle movements, making plans, and judgement
Parietal Lobes
portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head and toward the rear; receives sensory input for touch and body position
Occipital Lobes
portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head; includes areas that receive info from the visual fields
Temporal Lobes
portion of the cerebral cortex lying above the ears; includes areas that receive info from the visual fields
Motor Cortex
an area at the rear of the frontal lobes; controls voluntary moevement
Sensory Cortex
area at the front of the parietal lobes; registers and processes body touch and movement sensation
Association Area
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
Plasticity
the brain’s ability to change, especially during childhood, by reorganizing after damage or by building new pathways based on experience
Neurogenesis
the formation of new neurons
Corpus Callosum
the large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them
Split Brain
a condition resulting from surgery that isolates the brain’s two hemispheres by cutting the fibers (mainly those of the corpus callosum) connecting them
