Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Psychology/Sociology - MCAT > Biological Basis of Behavior > Flashcards

Biological Basis of Behavior Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
MCAT flashcards AP® Psychology flashcards Psychology 101 flashcards GRE® Psychology flashcards Sociology 101 flashcards
1
Q

neurons

A

specialized cells that pick up electrical impulse information and transmit that information throughout the body

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

reflex arc

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Neurotransmitters

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

excitatory neurotransmitters

A

acetylcholine
glutamate
norepinephrine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

inhibitory neurotransmitters

A

GABA
dopamine
seratonin

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Peripheral Nervous System

A

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.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Central Nervous System

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Forebrain

A

includes
thalamus
hypothalamus
cerebrum
limbic system (learning, emotion, and memory)
-includes amygdala, cingulate gyrus, hypothalamus, and hippocampus

responsible for abstract thinking, logic, and emotion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Midbrain

A

consists of tegmentum, tectum, and cerebral peduncles

produces dopamine - reward pathway

plays role in vision and hearing

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Hindbrain

A

consists of cerebellum, pons, and medulla

responsible for motor control, respiratory and digestive reflexes, and sexual arousal

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

left brain functions

A

analytical
language
processing the right visual field, grammar, positive emotions, speech, and writing

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

right brain functions

A

processing the left visual field, negative emotions, recognition of emotions, and spatial skills (e.g. facial recognition)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What test to study brain structures

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What to test to see images of brain function

A

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
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Spinal cord

A

bundle of nerve fibers located in the spinal column - connects the majority of the body with the brain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Dopaminergic neurons

A

stimulated by dopamine

defective dopamine neurons can cause Parkinson’s (impaired motor movements, loss of feeling)
and Alzehimer’s disease

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

grey matter

A

cell bodies (somas)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

white matter

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

lower motor neurons

A

control muscles of limbs and trunks

ones that pass through cranial nerves control head and neck

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

upper motor neurons

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

frontal lobe

A

motor, prefrontal (executive function), broca’s area (speech production)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

parietal lobe

A

somatosensory cortex, spatial manipulation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

occipital lobe

A

vision

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

temporal cortex

A

sound, wernicke’s area (sound comprehension)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

cerebellum

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

brainstem

A

connects all parts of the brain together

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

reticular formation

A

neuron somas scattered throughout the brainstem

role in autonomic functions - controlling respiration, digestion, and sexual arousal

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

Glutamate

A

excitatory NT

required for consciousness

29
Q

GABA and glycine

A

most common inhibitory NT

GABA found in brain
glycine found in spinal cord

deficiency of GABA can lead to anxiety and depression

30
Q

Acetylcholine

A

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)

31
Q

Dopamine

A

released from the VTA and substantia Nigra

important for the reward pathway and for inhibition of unnecessary movements and for concentration

32
Q

EEG

A

tells us about brain seizures, sleep stages, and cognitive tasks

33
Q

endorphins

A

released during extreme pleasure or pain - can be numbing

34
Q

Norepinephrine

A

released from the adrenal medulla

regulates alertness, learning, and long-term memory

35
Q

Serotonin

A

regulates mood, sleep, libido

deficiency can cause anxiety and depression

36
Q

Hypothalamus

A

controls the actions of the endocrine system

37
Q

adrenal gland

A

has both adrenal medulla which releases adrenaline (epinephrine) and also adrenal cortex which is responsible for sex, salts, and sugar

38
Q

Pituitary gland

A

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

39
Q

Reproductive organs hormones

A

ovaries - estrogen and progesterone

testes - testosterone

40
Q

Thyroid gland

A

consumption of energy/metabolism

41
Q

Parathyroid gland

A

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

42
Q

Pineal body

A

regulates levels of melatonin which plays a role in sleep cycles

43
Q

Pancreas

A

secretes digestive enzymes and insulin

44
Q

epigenetics

A

changes to gene expression but not changes to the gene

includes methylation which reduces gene expression and acetylation which increases gene expression

45
Q

consummate

A

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

46
Q

Prenatal development

A

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

47
Q

stepping reflex

A

babies will place once foot in front of the other when their foot touches a flat surface

48
Q

tonic neck reflex

A

if baby’s head is turned to one side, they will lift that arm and bend the other arm

49
Q

rooting reflex

A

if you stroke a baby’s cheek - they will turn in that direction and open their mouth - looking for mother’s nipple

50
Q

blinking reflex

A

if a baby sees a bright flashing light

they will close their eyes

51
Q

babinski reflex

A

if you stroke a baby’s foot, its big toe will extend upward and the toes on the other foot will spread apart

52
Q

palmar grasp reflex

A

if you stroke a baby’s palm - their fingers will close and their hand will grasp your finger

53
Q

swimming reflex

A

if placed in water face down - a baby will make coordinated swimming movements

54
Q

startle reflex

A

if a baby hears a loud noise they will become startled and being crying

55
Q

sucking reflex

A

if an object touches the roof of a baby’s mouth, it will begin to suck

56
Q

At what age can a baby lift head

A

2 months

57
Q

At what age can a baby use their arms and roll over

A

3 months

58
Q

At what age can a baby can a baby sit alone

A

6 months

59
Q

At what age can a baby stand with support

A

7 months

60
Q

At what age can a baby crawl

A

9 months

61
Q

At what age can a baby walk with support

A

10 months

62
Q

At what age can a baby stand alone

A

12 months

63
Q

At what age can a baby walk alone

A

13 months

64
Q

reflexive movement

A

0-1 year

includes involuntary movement

ex: blinking, grasping, sucking

65
Q

rudimentary movement

A

0-2 years

crawling, sitting, standing

66
Q

fundamental movement

A

2-7 years
child beings to coordinate their limbs

running, catching a ball

67
Q

specialized movement

A

7-14 years
fundamental movements are mastered and applied to completing specific actions

ex: riding a bike, sports

68
Q

application of movement

A

14+

movements are applied and refined throughout the span of one’s lifetime

Psychology/Sociology - MCAT (12 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions