Biology and Behavior Flashcards
1
Q
idea that if a trait developed, then the part of the brain linked to it would expand; could measure this by feeling the skull
A
phrenology
2
Q
two divisions of nervous system
A
central (CNS) and peripheral (PNS)
3
Q
two divisions of central nervous system (CNS)
A
brain and spinal cord
4
Q
two divisions of peripheral nervous system (PNS)
A
somatic and autonomic
5
Q
two divisions of autonomic nervous system
A
sympathetic and parasympathetic
6
Q
nerve cells that transmit sensory information from receptors to spinal cord and brain
A
sensory neurons (afferent)
7
Q
nerve cells that transmit motor information from the brain and spinal cord to muscles and glands
A
motor neurons (efferent)
8
Q
most numerous type of nerve cells, found between other neurons, located mainly in brain and spinal cord, linked to reflexive behavior
A
interneurons
9
Q
neural circuits that control the type of reflexive behavior as seen associated with interneurons
A
reflex arcs
10
Q
composed of brain and spinal cord
A
central nervous system (CNS)
11
Q
made of nerve tissue and fibers outside the brain and spinal cord, connects the central nervous system (CNS) to the rest of the body
A
peripheral nervous system (PNS)
12
Q
31 pairs of nerves emanating from spinal cord
A
spinal nerves
13
Q
12 pairs of nerves emanating directly from the brain
A
cranial nerves
14
Q
part of peripheral nervous system (PNS), consists of sensory and motor neurons distributed throughout skin, joints, and muscles
A
somatic nervous system
15
Q
part of peripheral nervous system (PNS), regulates heartbeat, respiration, digestion, and glandular secretions and helps regulate body temperature; all functions are automatic
A
autonomic nervous system (ANS)
16
Q
part of autonomic nervous system (ANS), main role is to conserve energy; associated with resting and sleeping rates and managing digestion; acetylcholine is neurotransmitter responsible for responses of this system; functions include: constricts pupils, stimulates flow of saliva, constricts bronchi, slows heartbeat, stimulates peristalsis and secretion, stimulates bile release, contracts bladder
A
parasympathetic nervous system
17
Q
part of autonomic nervous system (ANS), activated by stress; functions include: dilates pupils, inhibits salivation, relaxes bronchi, accelerates heartbeat, stimulates sweating of piloerection, inhibits peristalsis and secretion, stimulates glucose production and release, secretion of epinephrine and norepinephrine, inhibits bladder contraction, stimulates orgasm
A
sympathetic nervous system
18
Q
thick, three-layered sheath of connective tissues that cover the brain
A
meninges
19
Q
outer layer of meninges, connected directly to skull
A
dura mater
20
Q
middle layer of meninges, fibrous weblike structure
A
arachnoid mater
21
Q
inner layer of meninges, connected directly to brain
A
pia mater
22
Q
aqueous solution that nourishes the brain and spinal cord and provides a protective cushion, resorbed by meninges, produced by cells lining the ventricles
A
cerebrospinal fluid
23
Q
internal cavities of the brain filled with cerebrospinal fluid; help keep brain buoyant and cushioned
A
ventricles
24
Q
basic part of brain that developed later, includes the limbic system
A
forebrain
25
two basic parts of brain that developed earlier, makeup brainstem (the most primitive region of the brain)
midbrain and hindbrain
26
group of neural structures associated with emotion and memory
limbic system
27
outer covering of cerebral hemispheres, most recent evolutionary development of brain
cerebral cortex
28
basic part of brain, manages vital functioning necessary for survival, divides during embryonic development to form myelencephalon (becomes medulla oblongata) and metencephalon (becomes pons and cerebellum)
hindbrain (rhombencephalon)
29
lower brain structure responsible for regulating vital functions (breathing, heart rate)
medulla oblongata
30
lies above medulla, contains sensory and motor pathways between cortex and medulla
pons
31
mushrooms out back of pons, helps maintain posture and balance and coordinate body movements
cerebellum
32
basic part of brain, receives sensory and motor information from the rest of the body, has two prominent nuclei collectively called colliculi
midbrain (mesencephalon)
33
prominent nuclei of midbrain that receives visual sensory input
superior colliculus
34
prominent nuclei of midbrain that receives auditory sensory input
inferior colliculus
35
basic part of brain, associated with complex perceptual, cognitive, and behavioral processes, emotion, and memory; associated with intellectual and emotional capacities; divides during prenatal development to form telencepahlon (forms the cerebral cortex, basal ganglia, and limbic system) and the diencephalon (forms the thalamus, hypothalamus, posterior pituitary gland, and pineal gland)
forebrain (prosencephalon)
36
the study of functions and behaviors associated with specific regions of the brain
neuropsychology
37
map created using electrical stimulation on cortex during brain operation
cortical map
38
tool to study electrical activity generated by larger regions of neurons by placing several electrodes on the scalp
electoencephalongram (EEG)
39
tool to detect broad patterns of neural activity based on increased blood flow to certain parts of the brain
regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF)
40
tool that takes multiple X-rays at different angles to produce cross sectional images of tissue
CT (computed tomography) or CAT (computed axial tomography)
41
tool that uses radioactive sugar injected/absorbed into the body, dispersion and uptake throughout tissue is imaged
PET scan (positron emission tomograhpy)
42
tool that uses a magnetic field that interacts with hydrogen atoms and is used to map hydrogen dense regions of the body
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
43
tool that uses the same technique as MRI but specifically measures changes with blood flow (neural activity of the brain is associated with changes in blood flow)
fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging)
44
measurement that can be taken that is a physiological indication of increased sympathetic arousal, which is associated with anxiety
measure of electrical conductivity of the skin
45
serves as important relay station for incoming sensory information (except smell), sorts and transmits incoming sensory impulses to appropriate areas of cerebral cortex
thalamus
46
serves homeostatic functions, helps control some endocrine functions and autonomic nervous system, detects imbalances in homeostatic functions and signals body to react
hypothalamus
47
subdivision of hypothalamus, detects hunger and thirst to trigger eating and drinking
lateral hypothalamus (LH)
48
subdivision of hypothalamus nicknamed "satiety center", provides signals to stop eating
ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH)
49
subdivision of hypothalamus, controls sexual behavior, also regulates sleep and body temperature
anterior hypothalamus (AH)
50
site of release for the hypothalamic hormones: antidiuretic hormone (ADH/vasopressin) and oxytocin
posterior pituitary
51
key player in several biological rhythms, secretes hormone called melatonin (regulates circadian rhythms)
pineal gland
52
group of structures that coordinate muscle movement as they receive information from the cortex and relay it to the brain and spinal cord via the extrapyramidal motor system
basal ganglia
53
gathers information about body position from basal ganglia and carries it to the central nervous system (CNS)
extrapyramidal motor system
54
chronic illness associated with destruction of portions of the basal ganglia, characterized by jerky movements and uncontrolled resting tremors
Parkinson's disease
55
loop of interconnected structures looping around central portion of brain primarily associated with emotion and memory; includes septal nuclei, amygdala, hippocampus, and anterior cingulate cortex
limbic system
56
part of limbic system, they contain one of primary pleasure centers, association with addictive behavior
septal nuclei
57
part of limbic system, plays an important role in defensive and aggressive behaviors
amygdala
58
part of limbic system, plays vital role in learning and memory processes
hippocampus
59
a long projection used by the hippocampus to communicate with other portions of the limbic system
fornix
60
memory loss characterized by not being able to establish new long-term memories, while memories from before a brain injury stay intact
anterograde amnesia
61
refers to memory loss of events that transpired before a brain injury
retrograde amnesia
62
part of limbic system, functions in higher order cognitive processes, including regulation of impulse control and decision making
anterior cingulate cortex
63
outer surface of the brain, most recent brain region to evolve; rather than a smooth surface it has numerous bumps and folds, this provides increased surface area; cerebrum is divided into two halves (right and left)
cerebral cortex (neocortex)
64
bumps on surface of cerebral cortex
gyri
65
grooves on surface of cerebral cortex
sulci
66
lobe of cerebral cortex, divided into two basic regions of prefrontal cortex and primary motor cortex and includes Broca's area
frontal lobe
67
subdivision of frontal lobe, manages executive function by supervising and directing operation of other brain regions; good example of association area
prefrontal cortex
68
area that integrates input from diverse regions of the brain
association area
69
subdivision of frontal lobe, functions to initiate voluntary motor movements by sending neural impulses down spinal cord to muscles; located on precentral gyrus just in front of central sulcus; good example of projection area
primary motor cortex
70
divides frontal and parietal lobes
central sulcus
71
areas in the four lobes of the brain that analyzes input from sensory ganglia
projection area
72
area of frontal lobe, vital for speech production, usually only found in the "dominant hemisphere" (usually the left)
Broca's area
73
lobe of cerebral cortex, located rear of frontal lobe, central region associated with spacial reasoning and manipulation
parietal lobe
74
part of parietal lobe, involved in somatosensory information processing, located on postcentral gyrus just behind the central sulcus, closely related to primary motor cortex, they are often referred to as a single unit (the sensorimotor cortex)
somatosensory cortex
75
lobe of cerebral cortex, located at very rear of brain, includes visual cortex (striate cortex), associated primarily in sensation and perception of visual information
occipital lobe
76
lobe of cerebral cortex, associated with sound processing, memory processing, emotion, and language
temporal lobe
77
part of temporal lobe, primary site of sound processing, including speech, music, and other sound information
auditory cortex
78
area of temporal lobe, associated with language reception and comprehension
Wernicke's area
79
two halves cerebrum is divided into, a right and a left side, can communicate with the body in two ways, dominant and non-dominant side
cerebral hemispheres
80
form of communication of cerebral hemispheres, one side of brain communicates with opposite side of the body
contralaterally
81
form of communication of cerebral hemispheres, one side of brain communicates with same side of the body
ipsilaterally
82
side of cerebral hemispheres (usually left), analytic in function, good for managing details; language, logic, and math located here; Broca's area and Wernicke's area driven by this hemisphere
dominant hemisphere
83
side of cerebral hemispheres (usually right), associated with intuition, creativity, music cognition, spacial processing, assembling holistic images from stimuli, analyzing emotional tones of language, recognition of faces
non-dominant hemisphere
84
structure that connects and shares information between the two cerebral hemispheres
corpus collosum
85
chemicals used by neurons to send signals to other neurons, more that 100 identified, 7 important ones
neurotransmitters
86
drug that mimics the action of some neurotransmitter
agonist
87
drug that blocks the action of some neurotransmitter
antagonist
88
neurotransmitter found in central and peripheral nervous systems, used to transmit nerve impulses to muscles in peripheral nervous system (PNS), linked to attention and arousal in central nervous system (CNS), used by efferent limb of somatic nervous system and parasympathetic nervous system; can act as an excitatory or inhibitory neurotransmitter in muscle cells, in central nervous system (CNS) largely functions as excitatory neurotransmitter
acetylcholine
89
three closely related neurotransmitters that play important roles in experience of emotions; include epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine; classified as monoamines or biogenic amines by their similar structures
catecholamines
90
catecholamine neurotransmitter involved in controlling alertness and wakefulness, primary neurotransmitters of sympathetic nervous system; promote fight-or-flight responses
epinephrine/norepinephrine (adrenaline/noradrenaline)
91
catecholamine neurotransmitter that plays an important role in movement and posture, high concentrations are found in the basal ganglia
dopamine
92
mental illness that imbalances in dopamine transmission play a role in
schizophrenia
93
disease associated with loss of dopaminergic neurons in basal ganglia
Parkinson's disease
94
neurotransmitter thought to play a role in regulating mood, eating, sleeping, and dreaming; also classified as a monoamine or biogenic amine by its structure
serotonin
95
the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain; produces inhibitory postsynaptic potentials and plays a role in stabilizing neural activity; exerts effects by causing hyper-polarization of postsynaptic membranes
GABA (𝛾-aminobutyric acid)
96
the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the spinal cord; increases chloride influx into neurons, hyper-polarizes synaptic membrane
glycine
97
acts as excitatory neurotransmitter in central nervous system (CNS)
glutamate
98
neurotransmitters whose synaptic actions involve a more complicated chain of events which leads to them being relatively slow and having longer lasting effects than the other neurotransmitters
neuromodulators (neuropeptides)
99
kind of neuromodulator (neuropeptide), natural pain killers produced in brain, have actions similar to morphine or other opioids in the body
endorphins
100
the other internal communication system in the body (in addition to the nervous system), uses chemical messengers called hormones, somewhat slower than nervous system because hormones travel through the blood stream
endocrine system
101
links endocrine and nervous systems, also regulates hormonal function of pituitary gland, control maintained by endocrine release of hormones into the hypophyseal portal system
hypothalamus
102
directly connects the hypothalamus and pituitary gland
hypophyseal portal system
103
subdivision of structure located at base of brain, the "master" because it releases hormones that regulate activities of endocrine glands elsewhere in the body
anterior pituitary gland
104
located on top of kidneys and divided into two parts, one releases epinephrine and norepinephrine as part of sympathetic nervous system, the other produces corticosteroids and contributes to sexual functioning by producing sex hormones
adrenal glands
105
one of adrenal glands, releases epinephrine and norepinephrine as part of sympathetic nervous system
adrenal medulla
106
one of adrenal glands, produces corticosteroids including the stress hormone cortisol and contributes to sexual functioning by producing sex hormones such as testosterone and estrogen
adrenal cortex
107
sex glands of the body (ovaries and testes), these produce sex hormones in higher concentrations leading to increased levels of estrogen in females and testosterone in males; they increase libido and contribute to mating behavior and sexual function
gonads
108
behavior genetically programmed as result of evolution and seen in all individuals regardless of environment or experience
innate behavior
109
behavior not based on heredity, instead based on experience and environment
learned behavior
110
extent to which a trait or behavior positively benefits species by influencing evolutionary fitness of species, thus leading to adaptation through natural selection
adaptive value
111
question of how much of an individual's behavior is based on genetic makeup and how much is based on environment and experience
nature vs nurture
112
the influence of inherited characteristics on behavior
nature
113
the influence of environment and physical surroundings on behavior
nurture
114
studies that rely on fact that genetically related individuals are more similar genotypically that unrelated; researchers may compare rates of trait among family members to rates of trait among unrelated individuals; limited in ability to distinguish environmental and genetic factors
family studies
115
studies that compare concordance rates between monozygotic (MZ, identical) and dizygotic (DZ, fraternal) twins; better able to distinguish relative effects of shared environment and genetic factors
twin studies
116
likelihood that both twins exhibit the same trait in twin studies
concordance rates
117
studies that compare similarities between biological relatives and adopted child to similarities between adoptive relatives and adopted children
adoption studies
118
specific periods in development where children are particularly susceptible to environmental factors
critical periods
119
beginning of development of nervous system
neuralation
120
formed when ectoderm overlying notochords begins to furrow
neural groove
121
two of them surround the neural groove
neural folds
122
cells at the leading edge of the neural fold, will migrate throughout the body to form dipartate tissues
neural crest
123
formed by closing of remainder of furrow, ultimately forms central nervous system (CNS), has two parts
neural tube
124
part of neural tube, differentiates into sensory neurons
alar plate
125
part of neural tube, differentiates into motor neurons
basal plate
126
attachment of fetus to uterine wall and placenta
umbilical cord
127
transmits food, oxygen, and water to fetus while returning water and waste to mother
placenta
128
a behavior that occurs in response to a given stimulus without higher cognitive input
reflex
129
found in infants and disappear with age, such as rooting reflex
primitive reflex
130
primitive reflex when infants react to abrupt movements of their heads by flinging out their arms, then slowly retracting their arms and crying; it has been speculated that this reflex may have developed during a time when our prehuman ancestors lived in trees and falling could have been prevented by instinctive clenching
Moro reflex
131
primitive reflex that causes toes to spread apart automatically when the sole of the foot is stimulated
Babinski reflex
132
primitive reflex when infant closes fingers around an object placed in their hand
grasping reflex
133
incorporate movement from large muscle groups and whole body motions (sitting, crawling, walking)
gross motor skills
134
involve smaller muscles of fingers, toes, and eyes; provides more specific and delicate movements
fine motor skills
135
fear and apprehension of unfamiliar individuals, develops at 7 months
stranger anxiety
136
fear of being separated from parental figure, develop at 12 months
separation anxiety
137
play style develops into this at two years, children play alongside each other without influencing each other's behavior
parallel play
138
abilities and behaviors expected to emerge at a certain time in a person's development
developmental milestones
139
order that development of gross motor skills tend to progress in
head-to-toe
140
order that social skills develop
from self-oriented to parent-oriented to other-oriented
