Biological Basis Flashcards
neurons
basic cell of nervous system
dendrites
receive signals on nerve
soma
cell body
axon
signals travel down, “tail”
myelin sheath
“pillows” around axon, protect axon
terminals
release neurotransmitters
synapse
gap between neurons
action potential
movement of Na and K ions across membrane send an electrical charge down axon (moment of spike)
all or none law
a neuron either goes into full action potential or doesn’t
refractory period
neuron must rest and reset before it can send another action potential (toilet)
sensory neurons
recieve signals
afferent neurons
accept signals
motor neurons
send signals
efferent neurons
signal exits
central nervous system
brain and spinal chord
peripheral nervous system
rest of nervous system
somatic nervous system
voluntary movement, in periphreal ns
autonomic nervous system
involuntary movement, in ns
sympathetic ns
arouses the body, fight/flight system
parasympathetic ns
established homeostasis after a sympathetic response
neurotransmitters
chemicals released in a synaptic gap, send signals to neurotransmitters
seratonin
regulates mood, too little linked with depression
acetylcholine
memory and muscle movement, too little linked with alzheimers
GABA
inhibatory, calming, too little and too much can lead to insomnia and seizures
glutamate
An excitatory neurotransmitter found in MSG, increased levels may cause migraines.
dopamine
major excitatory nt, triggered by attention grabbing experiences. too much leads to parkinson’s, too little leads to schizophrenia
norepinephrine
secreted by adrenal glands, sympathetic nervous system arousal
reuptakes
unused neurotransmitters are taken back up into the sending neuron
cerebellum
movement/balance
medulla
vital organs
pons
highway between brain and brain stem, relays information about motor functions
reticular formation
alertness, in a coma if severed
limbic system
high levels of sensory processing
amygdala
emotions, fear
hippocampus
memory
hypothalamus
reward/pleasure, eating behaviors
thalamus
relay center for all senses but smell
cerebral cortex
higher order through processes
occiptial lobe
vision
frontal lobe
decision making, planning, judgement, movement, personality
parietal lobe
sensations
temporal lobe
hearing and face recognition
somasensory cortex
map of our sensory receptors, in parietal lobe
motor cortex
map of our motor receptors, located in frontal lobe
broca’s area
speech production
wernicke’s area
speech comprehension
corpus callosum
bundle of nerves that connects right and left hemispheres-sometimes severed for patients with severe seizures
brain plasticity
brain can “heal” itself and brain is malleable
twin studies on nature versus nurture
study done on fraternal and identical twins to test nature versus nurture; found that identical twins raised in different environments showed differences
endocrine system
sends hormones through body
pituitary gland
controlled by hypothalamus, release growth hormones
adrenal glands
related to sympathetic NS; releases adrenaline
higher level state of consciousness
controlled processes, totally aware
lower level state of consiousness
automatic processing, but not fully normal
altered state of consiousness
produced through drugs, fatigue, hypnosis
subconsious
part of mind in which one is not fully aware
beta waves (sleep)
waves sent went awake
alpha waves
high amplitude, sent during drowsy stage
stage 1 of sleep
light sleep, NREM
stage 2 of sleep
bursts of sleep spindles
stage 3 of sleep
delta waves sent, deep sleep
rapid eye movement (REM)
dreaming, cognitive processes
how long is sleep cycle?
entire cycle takes 90 minutes, REM occurs in between each cycle
REM lasts longer throughout the night
circadian rhythm
24 hour biological clock
regulates body temperature, sleep, causes jet lag
insomia
inability to fall asleep
sleep walking/talking
caused by drugs, alcohol, and fatigue, does not occur during REM sleep
night terrors
extreme nightmares, not in REM sleep
narcolepsy
fall asleep out of nowhere (Jinx Monsoon)
sleep apnea
stop breathing suddenly in sleep
Freud’s Unconscious Wish Fulfillment Theory
dreaming is gratification of unconscious desires and needs
latent content in dreams
hidden meaning, apart of Freud’s theory
manifest content
obvious meaning, apart of Freud’s theory
depressant drugs
alcohol, barbiturates, tranquilizers, narcotics
decrease sympathetic NS activation, highly addictive
stimulants
cocaine, caffeine, nicotine
increase sympathetic NS activation, highly addictive
hallucinogins
LSD, Marijuana
causes hallucinations, less addictive
tolerance
needing more of a drug to achieve the same results
dependence
become addicted to drug
withdrawl
psychological and physiological symptoms associated with sudden stoppage
