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MCAT Psychology > Biology > Flashcards

Biology Flashcards

1
Q

Hermann von Helmholtz

A

first to measure the speed of a nerve impulse

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2
Q

Functionalism

A

A system of thought in psychology that studies how mental processes help individuals adapt to their environments
William James

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3
Q

Limbic system

A

Located within the forebrain. A group of neural structures associated with emotion and memory. Consists of the hippocampus, amygdala, septal nuclei, thalamus, hypothalamus, fornix, and parts of the cerebral cortex. Plays a large role in motivation and emotion

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4
Q

Extirpation

A

Surgical removal or destruction of parts of brains

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5
Q

Sir Charles Sherrington

A

existence of synapses (electrical)

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6
Q

Meninges + layers

A

Thick sheath of connective tissue that covers the brain. Protects brain, anchors it to the skull, resorbs cerebrospinal fluid
Dura mater > arachnoid > pia

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7
Q

Ventricles

A

Internal cavities of the brain. Cells within them produce the cerebrospinal fluid

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8
Q

Limbic system

A

Located within the forebrain. A group of neural structures associated with emotion and memory. Consists of the hippocampus, amygdala, septal nuclei, thalamus, hypothalamus, fornix, and parts of the cerebral cortex. Plays a large role in motivation and emotion

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9
Q

Hindbrain aka rhombencephalon

A

Where the brain meets the spinal cord. Controls balance, motor coordination, breathing, digestion, and general arousal processes such as sleeping and waking

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10
Q

Mylencephalon

A

Forms after the division of the rhombencephalon. Becomes the medulla

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11
Q

Metencephalon

A

Forms after the division of the rhombencephalon. Becomes the pons and the cerebellum

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12
Q

Medulla oblongata

A

A lower brain structure that is responsible for regulating vital functions - breathing, HR, and blood pressure

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13
Q

Pons

A

Links the thalamus and medulla. Contains sensory and motor pathways

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14
Q

Cerebellum

A

Maintains posture and balance and coordinates body movement. Damage causes clumsiness, slurred speech and loss of balance

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15
Q

Midbrain aka mesencephalon

A

Receives sensory and motor information from the rest of the body

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16
Q

Superior colliculus

A

Receives visual sensory input

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17
Q

Inferior colliculus

A

Receives sensory information from the auditory system. Plays a role in reflex reactions to sudden loud noises

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18
Q

Forebrain aka prosencephalon

A

Associated with complex perpetual, cognitive, and behavior processes

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19
Q

Telencephalon

A

Formed from the prosencephalon, goes on to form the cerebral cortex, basal ganglia, and limbic system

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20
Q

Diencephalon

A

Formed from the prosencephalon, goes on to form the thalamus, hypothalamus, posterior pituitary gland, and the pineal gland

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21
Q

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

A

Used to study electrical activity generated by large groups of neurons. Can be used to determine state of consciousness.

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22
Q

Regional cerebral blood (rCBF)

A

Detects broad patterns of neural activity based on increased blood flow to different parts of the brain. Used in fMRI and PET

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23
Q

CT

A

Multiple X-rays taken at different angles

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24
Q

PET

A

Radioactive sugar is injected and absorbed into the body, and its dispersion and uptake throughout the target is imaged

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25
MRI
Maps out hydrogen dense regions of the body
26
fMRI
Measures changes associated with blood flow
27
Thalamus
A structure of the forebrain that serves as an important relay station for incoming sensory information for all senses except smell. It sorts and transmits them to the appropriate areas of the cerebral cortex
28
Hypothalamus (four Fs)
Serves homeostatic functions. Key player in emotional experiences during high arousal states, aggressive behaviors, and sexual behavior. Controls neurotransmitters that affect mood and arousal Feeding, fighting, flighting, fucking
29
Lateral hypothalamus
Hunger center. Triggers eating and drinking. When destroyed, one Lacks Hunger
30
Ventromedial hypothalamus
The satiety center and sends signals to stop eating. | If damaged you are Very Hungry
31
Anterior hypothalamus
Controls sexual behavior. Destruction leads to Asexual behavior
32
Posterior pituitary
The site of release for the hypothalamic hormones ADH and oxytocin
33
Pineal gland
Secretes melatonin, regulating circadian rhythms
34
Basal ganglia
Coordinates muscle movement as it receives information from the cortex and relays this information to the brain and spinal cord. Helps make our movements smooth and posture steady
35
Parkinson's Disease
Associated with destruction of parts of the basal ganglia, leading to jerky movement and tremor
36
Septal nuclei
Part of the limbic system. Contain one of the pleasure centers of the brain. Associated with addictive behavior
37
Amygdala
Plays an important role in defensive and aggressive behavior. It also signals the cortex about stimuli related to attention and emotions. The part of the brain responsible for associating stimuli and their corresponding rewards or punishments.
38
Fornix
Allows the hippocampus to communicate with other portions of the limbic system
39
Association area
An area that integrates input from diverse brain regions
40
Projection area
Performs more rudimentary or simple perceptual or motor tasks (e.g. visual and motor complexes)
41
Parietal lobe
Involved in somatosensory information processing, includes the somatosensory cortex. The destination for all incoming sensory signals for touch, pain, pressure, and temperature
42
Wernicke's area
Associated with language reception and comprehension
43
Dominant hemisphere
(Usually left hemisphere), primarily analytic in function. Includes language, logic, and math skills
44
Acetylcholine
Transmits nerve impulses to muscles in the PNS and is linked to attention and arousal in the CNS
45
Epinephrine and norepinephrine
Involved in controlling alertness and wakefulness
46
Dopamine
Important in movement and posture. Also reward yo.
47
Dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia
Argues that delusions, hallucinations, and agitation associated with schizophrenia arise from either too much dopamine or oversensitivity to dopamine in the brain
48
Serotonin
Thought to play roles in regulating mood, eating, sleeping, and dreaming
49
GABA
Produces inhibitory post-synaptic potentials and is thought to play and important role in stabilizing neural
50
Glycine
Increases chloride entry into the neuron, leading to hyper polarization of the post-synaptic membrane. (Inhibitory)
51
Glutamate
An excitatory neurotransmitter
52
Neuromodulators aka neuropeptides
Chemicals that are relatively slow and have longer effects on the post-synaptic membrane than neurotransmitters (e..g endorphins)
53
Hypophyseal portal vein
Connects the hypothalamus and the anterior pituitary gland
54
Anterior Pituitary
Releases hormones that regulate activities of the endocrine glands; controlled by the hypothalamus
55
Adrenal medulla
Releases epinephrine and norepinephrine as part of the sympathetic nervous system
56
Adrenal cortex
Produces corticosteroids, testosterone, estrogen
57
Gonads
Sex glands of the bodies (i.e. ovaries and testes). They produce sex hormones in high concentrations
58
Innate behavior
Genetically programmed as a result of evolution and is seen in all individuals, regardless of environment and experience
59
Learned behavior
Not based on heredity, but on experience and environment
60
Adaptive value
The extent to which a trait or behavior positively benefits a species by influencing the evolutionary fitness of the species
61
Family studies
Rely on the assumption that family members are more genotypically similar than unrelated individuals. Researchers may compare rates of a given trait among family members to those among unrelated individuals. Limited because families share both genetics and environment
62
Concordance rates
The likelihood that both twins in a twin study exhibit the same trait
63
Adoption studies
Compare the similarities between biological relatives and the adopted child to similarities between adoptive relatives and adopted child
64
Neurulation
When the ectoderm overlying the notochord begins to furrow, forming a neural groove surrounded by two neural folds
65
Neural crest
Cells at the leading edge of the neural fold. | Dorsal root ganglia, melanocytes, and calcitonin producing cells of thyroid
66
Alar plate
The part of the neural tube that differentiates into sensory neurons
67
Umbilical cord
Attaches the fetus to uterine wall and placenta
68
Placenta
Transmits food, oxygen, and water to the fetus, while returning water and waste to the mother
69
Reflex
A behavior that occurs in response to a given stimulus without higher cognitive input
70
Primitive reflexes
Reflexes that disappear with age
71
Rooting reflex
The automatic turning of the head in the direction of a stimulus that touches the cheek (e..g nipple)
72
Moro reflex
When infants react to abrupt movements of their heads by flinging out their arms, then slowly retracting their arms and crying
73
Babinski reflex
Causes the toes to spread apart automatically when the sole of the foot is stimulated
74
Grasping reflex
Occurs when the infant closes his or her fingers around an object placed in his or hand
75
Gross motor skills
Incorporate movement from large muscle groups and whole body motion, such as sitting, crawling, and walking
76
Fine motor skills
Involve the smaller muscles of the fingers, toes, and eyes, providing more specific and delicate movement (e..g tracking motion, drawing, catching, and waving)

MCAT Psychology (12 decks)

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