Biological Basis of Behavior Flashcards
neurons
specialized cells that pick up electrical impulse information and transmit that information throughout the body
reflex arc
set of neurons that are responsible for your reflexes
move more rapidly to respond than normal neurons - by the time signal has reached your brain, response has already occurred
ex: when you touch a hot stove - your reflex arc will cause you to quickly remove your hand from the stove
Neurotransmitters
chemicals utilized by neurons to communicate and transfer nerve impulses to other structures in the body
chemicals released at the synapse that will go attach to receptors and cause either a depolarization or a re-polarization of the neuron
excitatory neurotransmitters
acetylcholine
glutamate
norepinephrine
inhibitory neurotransmitters
GABA
dopamine
seratonin
Peripheral Nervous System
is everything outside of the CNS (spinal cord and brain)
The PNS functions to send nerve impulses from our limbs (skin, muscles) and trunk (organs) to the central nervous system for processing.
Central Nervous System
our brain and spinal cord
receive input from the PNS and will process that information and send it out to the PNS again to act of that signal
responsible for thought process and body movement
Forebrain
includes
thalamus
hypothalamus
cerebrum
limbic system (learning, emotion, and memory)
-includes amygdala, cingulate gyrus, hypothalamus, and hippocampus
responsible for abstract thinking, logic, and emotion
Midbrain
consists of tegmentum, tectum, and cerebral peduncles
produces dopamine - reward pathway
plays role in vision and hearing
Hindbrain
consists of cerebellum, pons, and medulla
responsible for motor control, respiratory and digestive reflexes, and sexual arousal
left brain functions
analytical
language
processing the right visual field, grammar, positive emotions, speech, and writing
right brain functions
processing the left visual field, negative emotions, recognition of emotions, and spatial skills (e.g. facial recognition)
What test to study brain structures
CT/CAT - computerized axial tomography
-combines XRAYS to create a detailed image
MRI - magnetic resonance imaging
-uses magnetic fields and radio waves to generate images of organs in the body
What to test to see images of brain function
PET scans - positron emission tomography
-injects radioactive glucose to see where the glucose is used in the brain
fMRI - functional magnetic resonance imaging
- maps brain function by looking at blood flow and oxygenated vs deoxygenated blood
- more oxygen rich areas means more blood flow and more function
Spinal cord
bundle of nerve fibers located in the spinal column - connects the majority of the body with the brain
Dopaminergic neurons
stimulated by dopamine
defective dopamine neurons can cause Parkinson’s (impaired motor movements, loss of feeling)
and Alzehimer’s disease
grey matter
cell bodies (somas)
white matter
contains myelinated axons
located on the outside in the spinal cord
located on the inside in the brain
axons move down tracts of white matter
lower motor neurons
control muscles of limbs and trunks
ones that pass through cranial nerves control head and neck
upper motor neurons
stat at the cerebral cortex and travel down through the brainstem where it meets the spinal cord and usually crosses over until it reaches the lower motor neurons
corticospinal tract
frontal lobe
motor, prefrontal (executive function), broca’s area (speech production)
parietal lobe
somatosensory cortex, spatial manipulation
occipital lobe
vision
temporal cortex
sound, wernicke’s area (sound comprehension)
cerebellum
coordinates movement
motor plan information is sent to the cerebellum, also receives information about position
middle of the cerebellum controls middle body movement and walking, the sides of the cerebellum is responsible for arms and legs, speech, and movement of eyes
brainstem
connects all parts of the brain together
reticular formation
neuron somas scattered throughout the brainstem
role in autonomic functions - controlling respiration, digestion, and sexual arousal
Glutamate
excitatory NT
required for consciousness
GABA and glycine
most common inhibitory NT
GABA found in brain
glycine found in spinal cord
deficiency of GABA can lead to anxiety and depression
Acetylcholine
chief NT in the Parasympathetic NS
contracts smooth muscles, dilates blood vessels, increases bodily secretions, and slows heart rate
regulates memory, sleep, and plays a role in learning (deficiency is associated with dementia)
Dopamine
released from the VTA and substantia Nigra
important for the reward pathway and for inhibition of unnecessary movements and for concentration
EEG
tells us about brain seizures, sleep stages, and cognitive tasks
endorphins
released during extreme pleasure or pain - can be numbing
Norepinephrine
released from the adrenal medulla
regulates alertness, learning, and long-term memory
Serotonin
regulates mood, sleep, libido
deficiency can cause anxiety and depression
Hypothalamus
controls the actions of the endocrine system
adrenal gland
has both adrenal medulla which releases adrenaline (epinephrine) and also adrenal cortex which is responsible for sex, salts, and sugar
Pituitary gland
secrets growth and reproductive hormones
FLAT PEG
follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
lutinizing hormone (LH)
adrenocorticotropic releasing hormone (ACTH)
thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)
prolactin (inhibited)
endorphins
growth hormone
Reproductive organs hormones
ovaries - estrogen and progesterone
testes - testosterone
Thyroid gland
consumption of energy/metabolism
Parathyroid gland
controls release of PTH and levels of calcium within the body
low levels of calcium cause Parathyroid gland to release PTH which will increase the levels of calcium and phosphorous by increasing osteoclasts which chew up the bone to release calcium
Pineal body
regulates levels of melatonin which plays a role in sleep cycles
Pancreas
secretes digestive enzymes and insulin
epigenetics
changes to gene expression but not changes to the gene
includes methylation which reduces gene expression and acetylation which increases gene expression
consummate
fully developed traits that occur right away, at first performance
ex: nausea in women during pregnancy helps them avoid toxic foods in critical period of development
Prenatal development
ovulation/conception –> zygote (single celled organism that has been fertilized) –> blastocyte (ball of cells after zygote divides) –> embryo (early stage where organs are developed, once zygote blastocyte has implanted) –> fetus (after 11 weeks of gestation) –> baby
stepping reflex
babies will place once foot in front of the other when their foot touches a flat surface
tonic neck reflex
if baby’s head is turned to one side, they will lift that arm and bend the other arm
rooting reflex
if you stroke a baby’s cheek - they will turn in that direction and open their mouth - looking for mother’s nipple
blinking reflex
if a baby sees a bright flashing light
they will close their eyes
babinski reflex
if you stroke a baby’s foot, its big toe will extend upward and the toes on the other foot will spread apart
palmar grasp reflex
if you stroke a baby’s palm - their fingers will close and their hand will grasp your finger
swimming reflex
if placed in water face down - a baby will make coordinated swimming movements
startle reflex
if a baby hears a loud noise they will become startled and being crying
sucking reflex
if an object touches the roof of a baby’s mouth, it will begin to suck
At what age can a baby lift head
2 months
At what age can a baby use their arms and roll over
3 months
At what age can a baby can a baby sit alone
6 months
At what age can a baby stand with support
7 months
At what age can a baby crawl
9 months
At what age can a baby walk with support
10 months
At what age can a baby stand alone
12 months
At what age can a baby walk alone
13 months
reflexive movement
0-1 year
includes involuntary movement
ex: blinking, grasping, sucking
rudimentary movement
0-2 years
crawling, sitting, standing
fundamental movement
2-7 years
child beings to coordinate their limbs
running, catching a ball
specialized movement
7-14 years
fundamental movements are mastered and applied to completing specific actions
ex: riding a bike, sports
application of movement
14+
movements are applied and refined throughout the span of one’s lifetime
