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Biological Basis of Behavior Flashcards

1
Q

Instinctual behavior

A

Hard coded, shaped by genetics

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2
Q

Heritability

A

The proportion of variation in a trait (phenotype) that is due to variation in the genotype (0 = purely environmental, 1 = purely genetic)

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3
Q

Epigenetics

A

Changes that affect how genes work that do not involve changing the actual nucleotide content

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4
Q

Methylation

A

Adding methyl groups to DNA, silences it

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5
Q

Patellar reflex

A

Leg jerks in response to tapping on kneecap

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6
Q

Palmar grasp reflex

A

In babies; they will grab your finger if you stroke along an infant’s palm

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7
Q

Rooting reflexes

A

Babies will search for an object that brushes against its mouth or cheek

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8
Q

Sucking reflex

A

A baby will automatically make sucking motions when something grazes the top of its mouth

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9
Q

Moro reflex

A

Startle reflex in babies in response to sudden movement or loud sounds; baby will throw back its head, extends arms and legs and pulls them back in, and cries

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10
Q

Babinski reflex

A

Babies will bend up the big toe and fan out the others in response to the bottom of the foot being stroked

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11
Q

Critical period

A

Period in which early childhood experiences can have lifelong impacts

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12
Q

Adolescence

A

Transition from childhood to adulthood

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13
Q

Puberty

A

Biological changes that happen during adolescence

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14
Q

Secondary sex characteristics

A

Growth of pubic hair and body hair, growth of breasts and wider hips, growth of facial hair and Adam’s apple

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15
Q

Telomeres

A

Repeating nucleotide sequences at the end of chromosomes that protect them from losing nucleotides during DNA replication

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16
Q

Endocrine system

A

Network of organs distributed throughout the body that secrete signaling molecules (hormones) into the bloodstream

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17
Q

Direct hormones

A

Hormones that cause their target cells to make direct changes in some physiological function

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18
Q

Tropic hormones

A

Hormones that cause other hormones to be released

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19
Q

Thalamus

A

Information relay station; processes sensory information before sending it to the cerebral cortex for processing

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20
Q

Hypothalamus

A

Converts input from the nervous system into endocrine signals

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21
Q

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)

A

Acts on anterior pituitary to trigger the release of LH and FSH to regulate reproduction

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22
Q

Corticotropin-releasing factor

A

Promotes the release of ACTH from the anterior pituitary to stimulate the adrenal glands to release cortisol

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23
Q

Anterior pituitary

A

Located directly below the hypothalamus and receives hypothalamic input via hormones released into the hypophyseal portal system

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24
Q

Hypophyseal portal system

A

Blood vessels connecting the hypothalamus to the anterior pituitary

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25
Q

Hormones secreted by the anterior pituitary

A

LH, FSH, ACTH, TSH, prolactin, endorphins, and growth hormone

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26
Q

Posterior pituitary

A

Receives input from the hypothalamus in the form of neuronal signals because it is composed of neurons itself

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27
Q

Thyroid and parathyroid glands

A

Small organs located in the throat, thyroid releases calcitonin and thyroid hormone

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28
Q

Adrenal glands

A

Small glands located on top of the kidneys, divided into adrenal cortex and adrenal medulla

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29
Q

Adrenal cortex

A

Secretes steroid hormones like glucocorticoids and cortisol

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30
Q

Adrenal medulla

A

Secretes epinephrine and norepinephrine

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31
Q

Estrogen and testosterone

A

Secreted by ovaries and testes, respectively, help coordinate reproductive processes and orchestrate changes during puberty

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32
Q

Oxytocin

A

Hormone that promotes uterine contractions during labor (positive feedback) and has an effect on bonding, affection, and mood

33
Q

Prolactin

A

Hormone that induces lactation for breastfeeding and modulates the stress response

34
Q

Melatonin

A

Hormone produced by the pineal gland that regulates wakefulness

35
Q

Leptin

A

Hormone that reduces hunger; secreted primarily by adipose cells; acts on the hypothalamus

36
Q

Ghrelin

A

Hormone that promotes hunger; released by cells in the GI tract when the stomach is empty; acts on the hypothalamus

37
Q

Neuropeptide Y

A

Stimulates appetite

38
Q

Epinephrine and norepinephrine

A

Hormones secreted by the adrenal medulla, responsible for the acute stress response

39
Q

Cortisol

A

Hormone that mediates the chronic stress response; released by the adrenal cortex

40
Q

Thyroid hormone

A

Promotes metabolism

41
Q

Acetylcholine

A

Neurotransmitter responsible for activating muscle contraction at the neuromuscular junction

42
Q

Glutamate

A

Excitatory neurotransmitter that depolarizes postsynaptic neurons

43
Q

GABA

A

Inhibitory neurotransmitter that hyperpolarizes postsynaptic neurons

44
Q

Dopamine

A

Neurotransmitter involved in reward pathways and motor functions

45
Q

Serotonin

A

Neurotransmitter that regulates mood, appetite, sleep, and intestinal movement in the GI tract

46
Q

Endorphins

A

Neurotransmitter that suppresses pain and can produce a euphoric response

47
Q

Agonist

A

Compound that activates a certain receptor, causing some kind of response

48
Q

Antagonist

A

Compound that binds a receptor, but does not activate it or cause a response

49
Q

First division of the nervous system

A

Central and peripheral nervous systems

50
Q

Divisions of the peripheral nervous system

A

Somatic and autonomic nervous systems

51
Q

Type of neurons in somatic NS

A

Efferent (motor)

52
Q

Divisions of the autonomic nervous system

A

Sympathetic and parasympathetic

53
Q

Cerebellum

A

Part of the hindbrain, responsible for coordinated movement

54
Q

Medulla oblongata

A

Controls autonomic functions like breathing, HR, and blood pressure

55
Q

Pons

A

Relay station between the cerebellum, medulla, and the rest of the brain

56
Q

Hindbrain

A

Cerebellum, medulla oblongata, pons

57
Q

Inferior colliculus

A

Processes auditory input

58
Q

Superior colliculus

A

Processes visual input

59
Q

Substantia nigra

A

Helps coordinate voluntary movement

60
Q

Brainstem

A

Midbrain, medulla oblongata, pons

61
Q

Reticular activating system

A

Regulates alertness and arousal

62
Q

Diencephalon

A

Thalamus, hypothalamus, pineal gland, posterior pituitary

63
Q

Telencephalon

64
Q

Cerebrum divisions

A

Cerebral cortex and subcortical structures

65
Q

Cerebral cortex

A

Thin outer layer of the brain divided into left and right hemispheres

66
Q

Hippocampus

A

Consolidates short term memory into long term

67
Q

Basal ganglia

A

Eye and other voluntary movements, procedural and habitual movement

68
Q

Limbic system

A

Hypothalamus, hippocampus, thalamus, amygdala

69
Q

Amygdala

A

Involved in episodic memory, attention, and emotion

70
Q

Nucleus accumbens

A

Involved in reward, motivation, and learning

71
Q

Cerebral cortex lobes

A

Frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital

72
Q

Frontal lobe

A

Involved in voluntary movement, memory processing, planning, motivation, and attention

73
Q

Parietal lobe

A

Involved in sensory processing (except vision)

74
Q

Occipital lobe

A

Processes visual input

75
Q

Temporal lobe

A

Involved in making visual memories, attaching meaning to information, and language

76
Q

Wernicke’s Area

A

Part of the temporal lobe involved in language comprehension

77
Q

Broca’s Area

A

Part of the frontal lobe involved in language production

78
Q

Lateralization

A

Tendency for the left and right hemispheres of the brain to specialize in different functions

Biology (2 decks)

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