Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

MCAT > Biology and Behavior > Flashcards

Biology and Behavior Flashcards

1
Q

Neuropsychology

A

Study of connection between nervous system and behavior. It most often focuses on the functions of the various brain regions.

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

3 types of neurons in the nervous system

A

Sensory (afferent), motor (efferent), internuerons

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

Reflex arcs

A

Use the ability of interneurons in spinal cord to relay information to the source of stimuli while simultaneouslt routing it to the brain

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

Central nervous system

A

Brain and spinal cord

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

Peripheral nervous system

A

Most cranial and spinal nerves

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

Somatic nervous system

A

Division of periphery nervous system and is voluntary

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

Autonomic nervous system

A

Division of periphery nervous system and is automatic

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

Parasympathetic nervous system

A

Rest and digest

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

Sympathetic nervous system

A

Fight or flight

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

Branches of autonomic nervous system

A

Parasympathetic and sympathetic

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

3 subdivisions of brain

A

Hindbrain, midbrain, forebrain

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

Hindbrain

A

Cerebellum, medulla oblongata, reticular formation

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

Midrbain

A

Inferior and superior colliculi

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

Forebrain

A

Thalamus, hypothalamus, basal ganglia, limbic system, cerebral cortex

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

Methods of studying the brain

A

Studying animals and humans with lesions, electrical stimualtion, activity recording, EEG, regional cerebral blood flow

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

Thalamus

A

Relay station for sensory information

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

Hypothalamus

A

Maintains homeostasis and integrates with endocrine system through hypophyseal portal system that connects it to the anterior pituitary

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

Hypophyseal portal system

A

Connects hypothalamus to anterior pituitary

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

Basal ganglia

A

Smoothen movements and help maintain postural stability

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

Limbic system

A

Contains septal nuclei, amygdala, hippocampus. It controls emotion and memory.

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

Septal nuclei

A

Involved in feelings of pleasure, pleasure-seeking behavior, and addiction

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

Amygdala

A

Controls fear and aggression

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

Hippocampus

A

Consolidates memories and communicates with other parts of the limbic system through an extension called fornix

24
Q

Cerebral cortex lobes

A

Frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital

25
Frontal lobe
It controls executive function, impulse control, long term planning, motor function, speech production
26
Parietal lobe
Controls sensation of touch, pressure, temperature, and pain;spatial processing, orientation and manipulation
27
Occipital lobe
Controls visual processing
28
Temporal lobe
Controls sound processing, speech perception, memory, and emotion
29
In most individuals, which hemisphere is dominant for language?
Left hemisphere
30
Neurotransmitters
Released bu neruons to carry a signal to another neuron or effector ( muscle fiber or gland)
31
Acetylcholine
Used by somatic nervous system (to move muscles), parasympathetic nervous system, and the central nervous system (for alertness)
32
Dopamine
Maintains smooth movements and steady posture
33
Endorphins and enkephalins
Natural painkillers
34
Epinephrine and norepinephrine
Maintain wakefulness and alertness, and mediate fight or flight responses. They both are released by adrenal medulla and mediate sympathetic nervous system activity.
35
Epinephrine
Acts as a hormone
36
Norepinephrine
Acts as a neurotransmitter
37
2 inhibitory neurotransmitters in brain
GABA ( γ-Aminobutric acid) and glycine
38
Glutamate
Excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain
39
Serotonin
Modulates mood, sleep patterns, eating patterns, and dreaming
40
Cortisol
Stress hormone released by adrenal cortex
41
Testosterone
Mediates libido and increases aggressive behavior. Released by adrenal cortex. In males, it is also made by testes.
42
Estrogen
Mediates libido. It is released by adrenal cortex and ovaries.
43
Nature vs Nurture
Debate regarding the contributions of genetics (nature) and environment (nurture) to an individual's traits. For most traits, both nature and nurture play a role. The relative effects of each can be studied.
44
Family studies
Look at relative frequency of a trait within a family compared to a general population
45
Twin studies
Compare concordance rates between monozygotic (identical) and dizygotic (fraternal) twins
46
Adoption studies
Compare similarities between adopted children and their adoptive parents, relative to similarities with their biological parents
47
Neuralation
Nervous system develops by having the notochord stimulate overlying ectoderm to fold over, and create a nerual tube topped with neural crest cells.
48
Neural tube
Becomes central nervous system
49
Neural crest cells
Spread out throughout body and differentiate into many different tissues
50
Primitive reflexes
Exist in infants and should disappear with age. Most primitive reflexes serve ( or used to) protective role. They can reappear in central nervous system disorders.
51
Rooting reflex
Infant turns their head toward anything that brushes their cheek
52
Moro reflex
Infant extends arms, then slowly retracts them and cries in response to a sensation of falling
53
Babinski reflex
Big toe is extended and the other toes fan in response to the brushing of the sole of the foot
54
Grasping relfex
Infant grabs anything put into their hand
55
Developmental milestones
1. Gross and fine motor abilities progress head to toe and core to periphery 2. Social skills shift from parent-oriented to self-oriented to other-oriented 3. Language skills become more complex

MCAT (18 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions