Biology and Behavior Flashcards
Reflex arcs
use the ability of interneurons in the spinal cord to relay information to the source of stimuli while simultaneously routing it to the brain
CNS (central nervous system)
PNS (peripheral nervous system)
brain and spinal cord
cranial nerves and spinal nerves (SOMATIC + AUTOMATIC)
somatic nervous system
autonomic nervous system
A subdivision of the peripheral nervous system. Enables voluntary actions to be undertaken due to its control of skeletal muscles and sensory perception.
A subdivision of the peripheral nervous system. Controls involuntary activity of visceral muscles and internal organs and glands.
hindbrain (rhombencephalon)
cerebellum, reticular formation, pons, & medulla oblongata
midbrain (mesencephalon)
Forebrain (prosencephalon)
superior and inferior colliculi
cerebrum & diencephalon (thalamus, hypothalamus, epithalamus)
EEG (electroencephalogram)
shows brain’s electrical activity by positioning electrodes over the scalp
rCBF (regional cerebral blood flow)
Maps neural activity based on blood flow (inhaling harmless radioactive gas to measure.
CT scan
series of x-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by computer into a composite representation of a slice through the body
PET scan (positron emission tomography)
a visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
a technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images of soft tissue. MRI scans show brain anatomy.
fMRI (functional MRI)
A technique for revealing bloodflow and, therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans. fMRI scans show brain function.
Thalamus
relays messages between lower brain centers and cerebral cortex (sensory)
Hypothalamus
A neural structure lying below the thalamus; it directs several maintenance activities (eating, drinking, body temperature), helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion and reward.
posterior pituitary
hormones synthesized in the hypothalamus release site
basal ganglia
movement steady and smooth, damage can cause parkinson disease
limbic system
septal nuclei, amygdala, hippocampus, hypothalamus, thalamus, cortex
septal nuclei
involved with feelings of pleasure, pleasure-seeking behavior, and addiction
fornix
a fiber tract that extends from the hippocampus to the mammillary body
Anterior cingulate cortex
A brain structure known to play a crucial role in detecting and resolving conflicts among different brain systems.
frontal lobe
associated with reasoning, planning, parts of speech, movement, emotions, and problem solving
parietal lobe
spatial location, attention, motor control, touch
occipital lobe
A region of the cerebral cortex that processes visual information
temporal lobe
A region of the cerebral cortex responsible for hearing and language.
Dominant Hemisphere
the side of the brain that provides analytic, language, logic, and math skills; in most individuals, the left hemisphere
Acetylcholine
enables muscle action, learning, and memory
Nondominant Hemisphere
The side of the brain associated with sensitivity to the emotional tone of language, intuition, creativity, music, and spatial processing; in most individuals, the right hemisphere.
Dopamine
A neurotransmitter associated with movement, attention and learning and the brain’s pleasure and reward system. Depleting causes schizo and Parkinson
GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) and Glycine
a major inhibitory neurotransmitter (hyperpolarization)
Serotonin
Affects mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal
Glutmamate
Excititory Neurotransmitter
Neuropeptides
Brain chemicals, such as enkephalins and endorphins, that regulate the activity of neurons (long-lasting; painkilling)
hypophyseal portal system
blood travels from the hypothalamus to the anterior pituitary
adrenal cortex
outer section of each adrenal gland; secretes cortisol, aldosterone, and sex hormones
family studies
researchers assess hereditary influence by examining blood relatives to see how much they resemble one another on a specific trait
adoption studies
assess hereditary influence by examining the resemblance between adopted children and both their biological and their adoptive parents
Twin Studies
researchers assess hereditary influence by comparing the resemblance of identical twins and fraternal twins with respect to a trait
Neurulation
ectoderm overlying the notochord begins to furrow, forming a neural groove surrounded by two neural folds
Neural Crest
Ectoderm cells spread out throughout the body, differentiating into many different tissues
Neural Tube
a groove formed in the top layer of differentiated cells in the embryo that eventually becomes the brain and spinal cord
rooting reflex
a baby’s tendency, when touched on the cheek, to turn toward the touch, open the mouth, and search for the nipple
Moro reflex
Reflex in which a newborn stretches out the arms and legs and cries in response to a loud noise or an abrupt change in the environment (falling sensation)
Babinski reflex
Reflex in which a newborn fans out the toes when the sole of the foot is touched
Grasping
an infant’s clinging response to a touch on the palm of his or her hand
motor development
gross –> fine ; head –> toe ; core –> periphery
Social Development
parent –> self –> other
