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PSYCH 104 > Biological Basis of Behaviour > Flashcards

Biological Basis of Behaviour Flashcards

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1
Q

Nervous System

A

Central Nervous System (CNS)
- Brain
- Spinal cord
- Optic nerve
- Retina

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
- Cranial nerves
- Spinal nerves
- Autonomic nervous system (sympathetic, parasympathetic, enteric)
- Somatic Nervous System

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2
Q

The Brain

A

Neurons (nerve cells)
- Basic unit of the nervous system—> composed of a cell body, dendrite, and axon

Glial cells (glia)
- Nonneuronal brain cells that provide structural, nutritional, and other types of support to the brain
- A.K.A neuroglia
- There are four different types of glial cells

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3
Q

Parts of the neuron

A

Soma (cell body)
- Has one or more dendrites attached to it and typically one axon
- Its main function is to synthesize macromolecules and integrate electrical signals

Dendrites
- Tapered extensions of cell body
- Purpose is to collect information from other neurons

Axon
- Single and cylindrical
- Can be myelinated or unmyelinated
- Purpose is to conduct information to other neurons

Axon Terminals (presynaptic terminals/synaptic boutons)
- Vesicle-filled apposition to part of another neuron
- Transmits information to other neurons

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4
Q

The Axon Terminal

A

Synaptic Vesicle
- Spherical sack containing neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitter
- The chemical released from the presynaptic axon terminal that serves as the basis for communication between neurons

Synapse
- An intercellular site where fast, highly localized transmission of chemical and electrical signals occur
- Includes presynaptic/postsynaptic terminals, and synaptic cleft

Synaptic Cleft
- A gap into which neurotransmitters are released from the axon terminal

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5
Q

Types of neurons

A

Unipolar neuron
- Has a cell body that extends in a branch that becomes an axons going in two different directions
- Has dendrites on one end and axon terminals on the other end

Bipolar neuron
- Has one dendrite and one axon

Multipolar neuron
- Has one axon and many dendrites

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6
Q

The Neural Impulse

A

Resting Potential
- Difference in electrical charge (-70mv) across the neuronal membrane when the neuron is not being stimulated or inhibited

Depolarization
- The reduction of a membrane’s resting potential so that it becomes less negative

Action Potential
- Electrical impulse that travels down the axon, triggering the release of neurotransmitters

Repolarization
- Na+ channels close, K+ channels open and the efflux of K+ goes down the electro-chemical gradient

Hyperpolarization
- “Overshoot” of repolarization

Refractory Period
- The time during which another action potential is impossible; limits the maximal firing rate of the neuron
- Absolute and relative

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7
Q

Unconventional Neurotransmitters

A

Anandamide
- Binds to the same receptors as THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the active ingredient in cannabis leaves
- Comes from Sanskrit word for “joy, delight, bliss”
- Occurs in PNS and CNS
- Likely plays a role in eating, memory, motivation, and sleep

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8
Q

Neuropeptides

A

Endorphins
- A naturally occurring (endogenous) analgesic (ie. painkiller)
- Inhibits the communication of pain signals to the spinal cord
- Insensitivity to pain (oversupply)
- Hypersensitivity to pain (undersupply)

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9
Q

Endocrine System

A
  • Series of glands that produce chemical substances known as hormones
  • Hormones: slow chemical messenger released into the blood by endocrine glands
  • Interacts with nervous system
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10
Q

Neuroplasticity

A

Nervous system morphs/evolves over the course of a lifetime; has the ability to adapt to new stimuli and experiences

Plasticity
Neuroplasticity in early development
1. Growth of axons and dendrites
2. Synaptogenesis (formation of new synapses); the more synapses that the presynaptic terminal can interact with, the more likely it is to get its message across
3. Pruning
- the removal of extra synapses to increase the efficiency of the neural network
4. Myelination
- the insulation of the axons with a myelin sheath

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11
Q

Neuroplasticity and learning

A

Long-term potentiation of synapses
- A long-lasting enhancement in signal transmission between two neurons that results from stimulating them synchronously
- Potentiation: the increase in strength of nerve impulses along pathways that have been used previously

Structural changes
- Axonal growth
- Dendric branching/growth

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12
Q

Neuroplasticity following injury

A
  • Brain regions can sometimes take over functions previously performed by others
  • Researchers are searching for treatments to promote healing and prevent damage
  • Stem cell: a cell (usually originating in embryos) which has the capacity to differentiate into a specialized cell—> potential to offer treatments for certain medical conditions
  • Neurogenesis: creation of new neurons in the adult brain
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13
Q

Meninges

A

Three protective membranes that cover the brain and the spinal cord
- Dura mater—> Arachnoid mater—> Pia mater

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14
Q

Cerebral Ventricles

A

Pockets in the brain that contain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which provide nutrients and cushion against injury
can also be found in the subarachnoid space

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15
Q

Franz Joseph Gall

A
  • Believed that all functions arise from the brain
  • Mind and body are NOT separate entities—> brain consists of functional regions
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16
Q

The Cerebral Cortex

A

Cortex
- Outermost part of the forebrain
- Responsible for analyze sensory processing and “higher” brain functions

Cerebral Hemispheres
- Two halves of the cerebral cortex
- Each of them serve distinct and highly integrated functions

Corpus Callosum
- Large band of fibers connecting the two cerebral hemispheres

Frontal Lobe
- Performs functions that coordinate other brain areas, motor planning, language, and memory
- Primary Motor Cortex: part of the frontal lobe responsible for bodily movement

17
Q

Receiving signals

A

Postsynaptic potential (PSP)
- a voltage change at a receptor site on a postsynaptic cell membrane

Excitatory PSP
- a positive (+) voltage shift that increases the likelihood that the postsynaptic neuron will fire action potentials (because it gets closer to the -55mV threshold)

Inhibitory PSP
- a negative (-) voltage shift that decreases the likelihood that the postsynaptic neuron will fire action potentials (because it gets further from the -55mV threshold)

Reuptake
- reabsorption of neurotransmitters from the synaptic cleft by the presynaptic membrane

18
Q

The Temporal Lobe

A
  • Processes auditory information, language, and autobiographical memory
  • Wernicke’s area: part of the temporal lobe involved in understanding speech
  • If damaged, it could cause speech impairments
19
Q

The Occipital Lobe

A
  • Back part of the cerebral cortex specialized for vision
20
Q

The Basal Ganglia

A
  • A group of nuclei (cluster of neurons) located beneath the cerebral cortex
  • Involved in goal-directed motor control
  • Contains dopamine neurons and is closely associated with reward and motivation
21
Q

The Limbic System

A
  • Loosely connected network of structures located roughly along the border between the cerebral cortex and deeper subcortical areas
  • Plays a role in olfaction (smell), motivation, memory, and emotion
22
Q

The Thalamus

A
  • Gateway from the sense organs to the primary sensory cortex
  • All sensory information (except smell) is relayed through the thalamus
23
Q

The Hypothalamus

A
  • Regulates the pituitary gland and is responsible for maintaining a constant internal state (homeostasis)
  • “The four F’s” —-> feeding, fighting, flight, fornication
  • Body temp
  • Hunger/thirst
  • Sleep
  • Emotional behaviours
24
Q

The Hippocampus

A
  • Plays a role in spatial memory and may be necessary for the formation of new memories
25
Q

The Amygdala

A
  • Part of the Limbic system that plays key roles in fear, excitement, and arousal
26
Q

The Brain Stem

A

Part of the brain between the spinal cord and cerebral cortex that contains the midbrain, pons, and medulla

Midbrain
- part of the brain stem that contributes to movement tracking of visual stimuli, and reflexes triggered by sound

Hindbrain
- pons, medulla, and cerebellum

Medulla
- part of the brain stem involved in basic functions such as heartbeat and breathing

Pons
- part of the brain stem that connects the cortex with the cerebellum

27
Q

The Cerebellum

A
  • Hindbrain structure responsible for our sense of balance
  • likely plays a role in executive function, spatial abilities, and aspects of language
28
Q

Reticular Formation

A
  • A complex network of about 100 tiny nuclei that occupies the central core of the brain stem
  • Contains the reticular activating system: hypothetical arousal system responsible for arousal and consciousness
29
Q

The Spinal Cord and the Reflex Arc

A

Spinal cord
- thick bundle of nerves that conveys signals between the brain and the body

Interneuron
- neurons that send messages to other neurons nearby

Reflex
- an automatic motor response to a sensory stimulus

30
Q

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

A

Lies outside of the central nervous system

The Somatic Nervous System
- conveys information between the CNS and the body, controlling and coordinating voluntary movement

The Autonomic Nervous System
- controls involuntary actions of internal organs and glands, which (along with the Limbic system) participates in emotion regulation
—> Sympathetic nervous system: engaged during crisis or after actions requiring fight or flight
—> Parasympathetic nervous system: controls rest and digestion

31
Q

Phrenology

A

Your brain could be divided into discrete sections that would be responsible for particular psychological traits. Studied by examining a person’s head (bumps on the brain). A more pronounced section of the brain would be a more pronounced psychological trait.

32
Q

Brain damage

A
  • Localized brain functions can be assessed by examining brain damage and seeing what behavioural issues arise from it
    —-> via post-mortem examination or stereotaxic lesions in lab animals
    —-> measurement via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
    —-> neuropsychological testing
33
Q

Electroencephalograph (EEG)

A

Records the brain’s electrical activity at the surface of the skull

Pros:
- used in humans and animals
- detect rapid changes in electrical activity (high temporal resolution)
- non-invasive

Cons:
- shows only large aggregates of neural activity (low spatial resolution)

34
Q

Non-functional brain scans (neuroimaging)

A

Computed Tomography (CT)
- scanning technique using multiple x-rays to construct 3D images
- a.k.a CAT scan

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- uses strong magnetic fields to indirectly visualize brain structure
- better suited than CT scans for visualizing soft-tissues like brain tissue

35
Q

Functional brain scans

A

Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
- an invasive imaging technique that measures the consumption of glucose-like molecules
- yields a picture of neural activity in different regions of the brain

Functional MRI (FMRI)
- uses magnetic fields to visualize brain activity using the BOLD response
- BOLD= blood oxygenation level dependent
- highly sensitive to motion
- BOLD signal does not provide specific information like if certain brain activity is excitatory etc.

36
Q

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

A

Technique that applies a strong and quickly changing magnetic fields to the surface of the skull that can either enhance or interrupt brain function (non-invasive)

37
Q

Neuroanatomical Techniques

A

Golgi stain:
- a neural stain that completely darkens a few of the neurons in each slide of tissue, revealing their silhouettes

Nissl stain:
- neural stain that has an affinity for structures in neuron cell bodies

Electron Microscopy:
- a microscopy techniques used to study the fine details of cellular structure

PSYCH 104 (5 decks)

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