Biological basis Flashcards
phrenology
study of bumps on skull
neuron
a nerve cell
dendrites
Extensions on the ends of a neuron that receive info/conduct impulses towards the cell body
axon
neuron extension that passes messages
myelin sheath
fatty layer encasing axons to speed up transmissions
action potential
neural impulse that is quick and travels down the axon
resting potential
negative charge INSIDE axon, positive charge OUTSIDE axon
refractory period
the period of inactivity after a neuron is fired
threshold
level of stimulation required in order to trigger a neural impluse
all-or-nothing response
a neuron either firing or not
synapse
junction between axon tip (sending neuron) and dendrite/cell body (receiving neuron)
synaptic gap
gap between axon tip and dendrite or cell body
Neurotransmitter
chemical messages that cross synaptic gaps between neurons
reuptake
Neurotransmitters reabsorbtion by the sending neuron
Acetylcholine
critical to motor movement, learning, and memory.
deficit: alzheimers
dopamine
important in motor movement, alertness, attention, and emotion.
excess: schizophrenia
deficit: parkinsons
endorphins
pain control, stress reduction, and pleasure. basically everything good!
GABA
a major inhibitory neurotransmitter
deficit: seizures/insomnia
Serotonin
affects mood, hunger, sleep, arousal
norepinephrine
controls alertness (adrenaline)
Glutamate
major excitatory neurotransmitter- involved with memory
agonists
(a molecule) stimulates a response by binding to a receptor site
Antagonists
(a molecule) inhibits/blocks a response by binding to a receptor site
sensory neuron
carries messages from body’s tissues and sensory receptors inward to the brain and glands
motor neuron
carries instructions from CNS out to body’s muscles and glands
interneurons/association neurons
middleman between afferent/efferent neurons located in CNS to relay info
somatic nervous system
controls body’s skeletal muscles
autonomic nervous system
controls glands and muscles of internal organs
Sympathetic nervous system
mobilizes the body (fight or flight)
parasympathetic nervous system
calms the body (rest and digest)
CNS
Brain and spinal cord
reflex
response to a sensory stimulus
adrenal gland
above kidneys (lower back) -help body in stressful situations
corpus callosum
connects the left and right cerebral hemisphere
frontal lobe
speech, smell, motor control, concentration, planning, problem solving
Parietal lobe
taste, body awareness, touch, and pressure
temporal lobe
hearing, facial recognition
Occipital lobe
vision
cerebellum
coordination
pancreas
under the stomach, produces insulin which controls glucose
ovaries/testes
sexual development and reproduction
AFFERENT nerves
OUT-IN sends info to CNS, responsible for sensing a stimulus
EFFERENT nerves
INSIDE-OUT responsible for carrying signals away from CNS in order to initiate an action
thyroid
below voice box, uses iodine from food to make hormones that regulate energy usage
parathyroid
4 tiny glands behind the thyroid, controls the amount of calcium in blood
endocrine system
glands that release chemicals into the bloodstream
neuromodulators
not restricted to the synaptic clef between 2 neurons
glial cells
support nutritional benefits and keep neurons running smoothly
Plasticity
the brains physical capacity for change
amitonic
loses the ability to divide after carrying out purpose
unipolar
sensory neurons
Multipolar
motor neurons
resting potential of a neuron
-70 milivolts
what happens once threshold is met (action potential)
sodium channels open, sodium rushes into cell
Equilibrium potential
58 milivolts
when potassium ions leave the cell
repolarization
pairs of chromosomes
23
genotype
Physical genes
phenotype
Observable characteristics
polygenetic inhieritence
influence of multiple genes on behavior
molecular genetics
manipulates genes using tech
genome-wide association method
Identifying genes linked to diseases
behavior genetics
study of degree & nature of hereditary influence on behavior
twin studies
studies on twins -finding links between genetic and behavioral similarities
brain leisoning
Abnormal disruption in brain tissue from an injury/disease
EEG
electrical activity in the brain on an electroencephalogram to asses brain damage, seizures, and sleep issues
CT/CAT scan
computer generated composite of variety of x rays taken of the brain (used to find location/extent of damage like strokes, memory loss, language disorders)
PET scan
metabolic changes in brain (glucose levels)can measure the amount of neurotransmitters remaining in a synaptic gap
MRI
magnetic field around the body, uses radio waves to construct images of brain tissue and biochemical activities
fMRI
measures changes of blood-oxygen levels to reveal activity (its like an MRI but while the subject is doing something)
TMS
often combined with other imaging to show relationships between activity and behavior
collateral sprouting
axons of adjacent healthy neurons grow new branches
neurogenesis
creation of new neurons
Substitution function
function is taken over by another area of the brain
Excitatory transmitter
generates an action potential
Inhibitory transmitter
prevents an action potential
