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MCAT Psych/Soc > Biology and Behavior > Flashcards

Biology and Behavior Flashcards

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1
Q

Reflex arcs

A

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

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2
Q

CNS (central nervous system)

PNS (peripheral nervous system)

A

brain and spinal cord

cranial nerves and spinal nerves (SOMATIC + AUTOMATIC)

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3
Q

somatic nervous system

autonomic nervous system

A

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.

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4
Q

hindbrain (rhombencephalon)

A

cerebellum, reticular formation, pons, & medulla oblongata

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5
Q

midbrain (mesencephalon)

Forebrain (prosencephalon)

A

superior and inferior colliculi

cerebrum & diencephalon (thalamus, hypothalamus, epithalamus)

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6
Q

EEG (electroencephalogram)

A

shows brain’s electrical activity by positioning electrodes over the scalp

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7
Q

rCBF (regional cerebral blood flow)

A

Maps neural activity based on blood flow (inhaling harmless radioactive gas to measure.

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8
Q

CT scan

A

series of x-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by computer into a composite representation of a slice through the body

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9
Q

PET scan (positron emission tomography)

A

a visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task

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10
Q

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)

A

a technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images of soft tissue. MRI scans show brain anatomy.

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11
Q

fMRI (functional MRI)

A

A technique for revealing bloodflow and, therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans. fMRI scans show brain function.

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12
Q

Thalamus

A

relays messages between lower brain centers and cerebral cortex (sensory)

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13
Q

Hypothalamus

A

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.

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14
Q

posterior pituitary

A

hormones synthesized in the hypothalamus release site

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15
Q

basal ganglia

A

movement steady and smooth, damage can cause parkinson disease

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16
Q

limbic system

A

septal nuclei, amygdala, hippocampus, hypothalamus, thalamus, cortex

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17
Q

septal nuclei

A

involved with feelings of pleasure, pleasure-seeking behavior, and addiction

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18
Q

fornix

A

a fiber tract that extends from the hippocampus to the mammillary body

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19
Q

Anterior cingulate cortex

A

A brain structure known to play a crucial role in detecting and resolving conflicts among different brain systems.

20
Q

frontal lobe

A

associated with reasoning, planning, parts of speech, movement, emotions, and problem solving

21
Q

parietal lobe

A

spatial location, attention, motor control, touch

22
Q

occipital lobe

A

A region of the cerebral cortex that processes visual information

23
Q

temporal lobe

A

A region of the cerebral cortex responsible for hearing and language.

24
Q

Dominant Hemisphere

A

the side of the brain that provides analytic, language, logic, and math skills; in most individuals, the left hemisphere

25
Q

Acetylcholine

A

enables muscle action, learning, and memory

26
Q

Nondominant Hemisphere

A

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.

27
Q

Dopamine

A

A neurotransmitter associated with movement, attention and learning and the brain’s pleasure and reward system. Depleting causes schizo and Parkinson

28
Q

GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) and Glycine

A

a major inhibitory neurotransmitter (hyperpolarization)

29
Q

Serotonin

A

Affects mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal

30
Q

Glutmamate

A

Excititory Neurotransmitter

31
Q

Neuropeptides

A

Brain chemicals, such as enkephalins and endorphins, that regulate the activity of neurons (long-lasting; painkilling)

32
Q

hypophyseal portal system

A

blood travels from the hypothalamus to the anterior pituitary

33
Q

adrenal cortex

A

outer section of each adrenal gland; secretes cortisol, aldosterone, and sex hormones

34
Q

family studies

A

researchers assess hereditary influence by examining blood relatives to see how much they resemble one another on a specific trait

35
Q

adoption studies

A

assess hereditary influence by examining the resemblance between adopted children and both their biological and their adoptive parents

36
Q

Twin Studies

A

researchers assess hereditary influence by comparing the resemblance of identical twins and fraternal twins with respect to a trait

37
Q

Neurulation

A

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

38
Q

Neural Crest

A

Ectoderm cells spread out throughout the body, differentiating into many different tissues

39
Q

Neural Tube

A

a groove formed in the top layer of differentiated cells in the embryo that eventually becomes the brain and spinal cord

40
Q

rooting reflex

A

a baby’s tendency, when touched on the cheek, to turn toward the touch, open the mouth, and search for the nipple

41
Q

Moro reflex

A

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)

42
Q

Babinski reflex

A

Reflex in which a newborn fans out the toes when the sole of the foot is touched

43
Q

Grasping

A

an infant’s clinging response to a touch on the palm of his or her hand

44
Q

motor development

A

gross –> fine ; head –> toe ; core –> periphery

45
Q

Social Development

A

parent –> self –> other

MCAT Psych/Soc (11 decks)

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