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MCAT Psychology > Biology > Flashcards

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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
Q

MRI

A

Maps out hydrogen dense regions of the body

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26
Q

fMRI

A

Measures changes associated with blood flow

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27
Q

Thalamus

A

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

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28
Q

Hypothalamus (four Fs)

A

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

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29
Q

Lateral hypothalamus

A

Hunger center. Triggers eating and drinking. When destroyed, one Lacks Hunger

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30
Q

Ventromedial hypothalamus

A

The satiety center and sends signals to stop eating.

If damaged you are Very Hungry

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31
Q

Anterior hypothalamus

A

Controls sexual behavior. Destruction leads to Asexual behavior

32
Q

Posterior pituitary

A

The site of release for the hypothalamic hormones ADH and oxytocin

33
Q

Pineal gland

A

Secretes melatonin, regulating circadian rhythms

34
Q

Basal ganglia

A

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
Q

Parkinson’s Disease

A

Associated with destruction of parts of the basal ganglia, leading to jerky movement and tremor

36
Q

Septal nuclei

A

Part of the limbic system. Contain one of the pleasure centers of the brain. Associated with addictive behavior

37
Q

Amygdala

A

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
Q

Fornix

A

Allows the hippocampus to communicate with other portions of the limbic system

39
Q

Association area

A

An area that integrates input from diverse brain regions

40
Q

Projection area

A

Performs more rudimentary or simple perceptual or motor tasks (e.g. visual and motor complexes)

41
Q

Parietal lobe

A

Involved in somatosensory information processing, includes the somatosensory cortex. The destination for all incoming sensory signals for touch, pain, pressure, and temperature

42
Q

Wernicke’s area

A

Associated with language reception and comprehension

43
Q

Dominant hemisphere

A

(Usually left hemisphere), primarily analytic in function. Includes language, logic, and math skills

44
Q

Acetylcholine

A

Transmits nerve impulses to muscles in the PNS and is linked to attention and arousal in the CNS

45
Q

Epinephrine and norepinephrine

A

Involved in controlling alertness and wakefulness

46
Q

Dopamine

A

Important in movement and posture. Also reward yo.

47
Q

Dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia

A

Argues that delusions, hallucinations, and agitation associated with schizophrenia arise from either too much dopamine or oversensitivity to dopamine in the brain

48
Q

Serotonin

A

Thought to play roles in regulating mood, eating, sleeping, and dreaming

49
Q

GABA

A

Produces inhibitory post-synaptic potentials and is thought to play and important role in stabilizing neural

50
Q

Glycine

A

Increases chloride entry into the neuron, leading to hyper polarization of the post-synaptic membrane. (Inhibitory)

51
Q

Glutamate

A

An excitatory neurotransmitter

52
Q

Neuromodulators aka neuropeptides

A

Chemicals that are relatively slow and have longer effects on the post-synaptic membrane than neurotransmitters (e..g endorphins)

53
Q

Hypophyseal portal vein

A

Connects the hypothalamus and the anterior pituitary gland

54
Q

Anterior Pituitary

A

Releases hormones that regulate activities of the endocrine glands; controlled by the hypothalamus

55
Q

Adrenal medulla

A

Releases epinephrine and norepinephrine as part of the sympathetic nervous system

56
Q

Adrenal cortex

A

Produces corticosteroids, testosterone, estrogen

57
Q

Gonads

A

Sex glands of the bodies (i.e. ovaries and testes). They produce sex hormones in high concentrations

58
Q

Innate behavior

A

Genetically programmed as a result of evolution and is seen in all individuals, regardless of environment and experience

59
Q

Learned behavior

A

Not based on heredity, but on experience and environment

60
Q

Adaptive value

A

The extent to which a trait or behavior positively benefits a species by influencing the evolutionary fitness of the species

61
Q

Family studies

A

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
Q

Concordance rates

A

The likelihood that both twins in a twin study exhibit the same trait

63
Q

Adoption studies

A

Compare the similarities between biological relatives and the adopted child to similarities between adoptive relatives and adopted child

64
Q

Neurulation

A

When the ectoderm overlying the notochord begins to furrow, forming a neural groove surrounded by two neural folds

65
Q

Neural crest

A

Cells at the leading edge of the neural fold.

Dorsal root ganglia, melanocytes, and calcitonin producing cells of thyroid

66
Q

Alar plate

A

The part of the neural tube that differentiates into sensory neurons

67
Q

Umbilical cord

A

Attaches the fetus to uterine wall and placenta

68
Q

Placenta

A

Transmits food, oxygen, and water to the fetus, while returning water and waste to the mother

69
Q

Reflex

A

A behavior that occurs in response to a given stimulus without higher cognitive input

70
Q

Primitive reflexes

A

Reflexes that disappear with age

71
Q

Rooting reflex

A

The automatic turning of the head in the direction of a stimulus that touches the cheek (e..g nipple)

72
Q

Moro reflex

A

When infants react to abrupt movements of their heads by flinging out their arms, then slowly retracting their arms and crying

73
Q

Babinski reflex

A

Causes the toes to spread apart automatically when the sole of the foot is stimulated

74
Q

Grasping reflex

A

Occurs when the infant closes his or her fingers around an object placed in his or hand

75
Q

Gross motor skills

A

Incorporate movement from large muscle groups and whole body motion, such as sitting, crawling, and walking

76
Q

Fine motor skills

A

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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