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Biopsychology Flashcards

0
Q

Nerve anatomy and physiology:

A

The basic structure and function of a nerve cell; sends neurochemical messages throughout the body

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1
Q

Biopsycology

A

The study of the relationship between the brain and behavior. Sometimes referred to as neuroscience or neuropsychology.

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2
Q

Nerves

A

Cells which transmit messages throughout the nervous system

Make up approximately 10%of brain cells

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3
Q

Sensory neurons

A

Receive stimuli
Transducer
Communicate to the brain

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4
Q

Motor neurons

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Communicate messages from the brain

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5
Q

Inter neurons

A

Communicate within the CNS (brain and spinal cord)

Go between the sensory and motor neurons

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6
Q

Glial cells

A

Support cells for neurons
Assist functions of neurons
Make up 90% of brain cells

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7
Q

Cell body(soma)

A

Directs activity of the neuron

Contains neurons

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8
Q

Dendrites:

A

Receive messages from neighboring neutrons
Contain the post- synaptic receptor sites
Send messages to the soma
Receive, potentially, messages from thousands of other neurons

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9
Q

Axons

A

Carry messages from the soma to the terminal buttons

The action potential occurs here

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10
Q

Myelin Sheath:

A

Surrounds the axon with isolation layer of glial cells

Keeps nerve signal from “short-circuiting”

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11
Q

Nodes of Ranvier

A

Gaps in the myelin sheath

Promotes the action potential

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12
Q

Terminal buttons

A

Aka axon terminals
Structures at the end of an axon
Contains synaptic vesicles

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13
Q

Synaptic vesticles

A

Structures within terminal buttons

Produces and stores neurotransmitters

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14
Q

Neurotransmitters

A

Aka neurochemicals
Chemical messengers produced by the neuron
Effects a myriad of human functions and experiences, including: vital functions, movement, emotions, emotions, cognition and states of consciousness.

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15
Q

Acetylcholine

A

Learning Memory Muscle contraction
Too little: dementia, Alzheimer’s
Too much:paralysis, convulsions

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16
Q

Dopamine

A

Movement. aspects of cognition. moods
Too little: muscle tremors
Too much: hallucinations, delusions

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17
Q

Endorphins

A

Pain relief; pleasure
Too little:stress, pain
Too much: euphoria opace addiction

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18
Q

GABA

A

Lower brain activity (inhibition of neural activity)
Too little:anxiety; epilepsy
Too much: sedative state

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19
Q

Glutamate

A

Increased brain activity(an excitatory neurotransmitter), memory formation
Too little: memory impairment
Too much: neurodegeneration, psychosis

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20
Q

Serotonin

A

Levels of arousal( states of consciousness) mood & sleep & emotion
Too little: depression
Too much: mood disorders

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21
Q

Substance P

A

Pain formation
Too little: pain insensitivity
Too much: pain stress

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22
Q

Agonists

A

Psychoactive drugs which mimic a neurotransmitter, enhance the effect of the natural neurotransmitters

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23
Q

Antagonists

A

Psychoactive drugs which inhibit the effect of a neurotransmitter

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24
Synaptic gap
Aka synapse | Area or GAO between the terminal buttons of one neuron and the receptor sites of a neighboring neuron
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Receptor sites
Located on the dendrites in the post synaptic area | Receive electrochemical signals (messages)
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Neurochemicals communication
Via afferent from the brain to the body via motor neurons and within CNS via interneurons
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Afferent
Sensory neurons
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Resting potential
The potential to produce and impulse | Involves negative and positive ions located near the inside and outside surfaces of the axon membrane
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Depolarization
A change in the resting potential | Involves exchange of positive and negative ions
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Stimulus threshold
Strength of stimulation necessary to effect depolarization
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All or none principle
Stimulation is sufficiently strong for a neuron to fire, or not
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Action potential
The effect of depolarization along the axon Messages travel to the terminal button Triggers the release of neurotransmitters
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Synaptic transmission
The release of neurotransmitters into the synaptic gap | Neurotransmitters bind to the receptor sites on the dendrites of the postsynaptic neurons
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Lock and key principle
The molecular configuration of each neurotransmitter is like a key which fits the receptor sites Describes the dynamic of neuro chemical communication between neurons
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Re uptake
After the action potential, neurotransmitter molecules are absorbed into the presumptive neuron
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CNS
Major system within the nervous system which incorporates the brain and the spinal cord
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Cerebral cortex
Largest portion of the brain, higher thought processes including: perception, memory, cognition, language, emotion, decision- making, voluntary movement (everything human) includes localization and association areas, and left and right hemis each with four lobes
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Hemispheres:
The left and right halves of the cerebral cortex, each has specialized functions, operate contra laterally (left side controls right body & viceversa)
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Corpus callosum
Bundle of nerve fibers which connect the two hemispheres (communication)
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Temporal lobes
Located in left and right hemis of the cerebral cortex, process auditory stimuli
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Occipital lobes
a. include the visual cortex b. processes light stimuli c. functions contralaterally d. abnormality involves ALEXIA ( which is dyslexia )
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Parietal lobes
Processes body sensations Ex: Warmth, pain, pressure Somatosensory cortex: are of parietal lobe, specific areas are dedicated to touch stimuli of the body
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Frontal lobes
Cognition Control of emotions Executive functioning: planning, organizing, initiation of action. Motor cortex: next to somatosensory cortex, enables voluntary muscle control. Brocas area: area of the left frontal lobe, controls the muscle movements involved with speech
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Limbic system
The emotion center of the brain, main structure are hypothalamus, hippocampus and amygdala
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Hypothalamus
Hunger, thirst, sex drive, fear Controls the autonomic nervous system links the nervous system with the endocrine system Part of LIMBIC system
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Hippocampus
Essential for formation of long term memories part of LIMBIC system
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Amygdala
Fear central Processes strong emotion Interacts with hypothalamus & hippocampus to creat a flight/ fight response & to remember Pt of LIMBIC
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Basal ganglia
Initiates movements, operant learning pt of LIMBIC
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Central core
Located on the top of the brain stem, just below the forebrain Thalamus: relays signals between the central cortex and the brain stem, involved in memory alertness/ consciousness Cerebellum: responsible for fine, integrated muscle movement, posture equilibrium, procedural/ muscle memory's
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Brain stem
Oldest in terms of evolution, top of spinal cord, maintains basic vital functions Pons: bridge between both hemispheres of the cerebral cortex and the medulla and the cerebellum Medulla oblongata: controls respiration, heartbeat and blood pressure Reticular formation: on/ off switch and filter for incoming stimuli, network of neurons responsible for levels of arousal/ consciousness from awake to sleep
51
Spinal cord
Main neural highway, extends from the base of the brain to the base of the back, compromised most of glial cells and inter neurons, conduit for most neural communication between the brain and the peripheral nervous system, where complex reflexes occur
52
PNS:
Peripheral nervous system, links the CNS with the rest of the body Somatic system: a. provides information to the brain regarding skeletal muscles b. stimulates voluntary muscle movement 2. Autonomic system: a. controls involuntary, automatic systems and organs, for example:  heart  intestines b. Sympathetic system: causes arousal responses, for example: • increases heart rate • concentrates blood from internal organs to muscles • prepares for survival response c. Parasympathetic system:  counters the actions of the sympathetic system  calms; seeks homeostasis
53
Endocrine system
System of glands which produces chemical messengers (hormones); hormones are secreted into the bloodstream where they carry there messages to receptor sites throughout the body
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Pituitary gland
1. Pituitary gland: a. the “master gland” b. secretes hormones which signal/activate the other glands c. linked to the nervous system by the hypothalamus d. stimulates growth e. produces FSH (Follicle stimulating hormone)  stimulates production of sperm and ova f. produces LH (luteinizing hormone)  stimulates ovaries Part of endocrine system
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Pineal gland
Produces melatonin Regulates sleep cycle (see states of consciousness) Part of endocrine system
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Thyroid
Produces thyroxine Regulates metabolism In endocrine system
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Parathyroid:
Maintains calcium levels in the blood | Part of endocrine system
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Adrenal gland
``` Produces adrenaline (epinephrine) Prepares for flight/ fight response Norepinephrine Cortisol : associated with stress Part f the endocrine system ```
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Pancreas
Produces insulin and glucagon Regulate blood-sugar level Pt of endocrine system
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Ovaries produce
Estrogen: a reproductive hormone, activates development of secondary sex characteristics Progesterone: maintains pregnancy Part of endocrine system
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Testes
Produces Testosterone: a reproductive hormones, activates development of secondary sex characteristics
62
Brain imaging techniques
1. EEG (electroencephalograph) a. measures brain waves 2. CAT (computerized tomography) a. use of X-rays to produce static pictures 3. PET (positron emission tomography) a. radioactive glucose-like fluid injected into bloodstream b. generates images of brain activity as it metabolizes the glucose 4. MRI/fMR (functional magnetic resonance imaging) a. produces high-resolution images of the brain 5. DTI
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Hippocrates
a. pre-socratic physician/philosopher | b. perceived illnesses as caused by physical sources
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Plato
student of Socrates | Perceived the mind as located in the head
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Franz gall
a. German anatomist and physiologist | b. pioneered localization of brain function leading to theory of phrenology
66
Phones gage
a. Railroad worker from the 1800s b. had a serious accident which impacted/altered personality c. classic case study on the relationship between the brain and behavior
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Paul broca
a. French brain researcher | b. located an area in the left frontal lobe responsible for speech production
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Carl wernicke
a. German researcher | b. located the area in the left temporal lobe responsible for comprehending speech and reading
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Speedy and gazzaniga
a. Brain researchers in the area of split-brain research b. led to a greater understanding of the unique functions of each of the cerebral hemispheres and c. how the two hemispheres communicate with each other
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Extra biophycologists
7. Ramon Cajal- founder of neurobiology, anatomy of nervous system & cells 8. William Penfield- from spokane, mental processes, surgeries, parts
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Behavioral genetics
Branch of biopsychology dealing with the relationship between behavior and genetics - inherited traits vs. learned traits Pt of behavioral genetics
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Cell anatomy
```  Nucleus  Chromosomes • DNA/RNA • Genes  Genotype:  genetical make-up  inherited factors  Phenotype:  observable characteristics  the expression of genetic and non-genetic factors • Chromosomal abnormalities  Turner syndrome  Klinefelter’s syndrome  Down syndrome Pt of behavioral genetics ```
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Genetic research
``` a. Twin studies  Identical: • twins with identical genetic (Monozygotic) make-up provide an ideal study of the relationship between inherited traits  both those reared together and  those reared apart  Fraternal: • Dizygotic b. Adoption Studies c. Temperament Studies d. Family Studies 3. Heritability/Hereditability ```
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Evolutionary psychology
``` a. the branch of Biopsychology which evaluates any topic in psychology in light of the principles of:  natural selection  adaptation  mutation b. Sociobiology  meme theory ```
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Gender development
See development
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Thalamus
relays signals between the central cortex and the brain stem, involved in memory alertness/ consciousness, part of central core
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Cerebellum
Muscle memory, part of central core
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pons
bridge between both hemispheres of the cerebral cortex and the medulla and the cerebellum, pt of brain stem
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Medulla oblongata
controls respiration, heartbeat and blood pressure | Part of brain stem
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Reticular formation
on/ off switch and filter for incoming stimuli, network of neurons responsible for levels of arousal/ consciousness from awake to sleep, pt of brain stem
81
Heredibility
Chances that differences between the population is due to genetics

Psycolgy (8 decks)

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