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Psych 101 > Ch 03: Biopsychology > Flashcards

Ch 03: Biopsychology Flashcards

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1
Q

action potential

A

electrical signal that moves down the neuron’s axon

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2
Q

adrenal gland

A

sits atop our kidneys and secretes hormones involved in the stress response

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3
Q

agonist

A

drug that mimics or strengthens the effects of a neurotransmitter

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4
Q

all-or-none

A

phenomenon that incoming signal from another neuron is either sufficient or insufficient to reach the threshold excitation

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5
Q

allele

A

specific version of a gene

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6
Q

amygdala

A

structure in the limbic system involved in our experience of emotion and tying emotional meaning to our memories

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7
Q

antagonist

A

drug that blocks or impedes the normal activity of a given neurotransmitter

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8
Q

auditory cortex

A

strip of cortex in the temporal lobe that is responsible for processing auditory information

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9
Q

autonomic nervous system

A

controls our internal organs and glands

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10
Q

axon

A

major extension of the soma

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11
Q

biological perspective

A

view that psychological disorders like depression and schizophrenia are associated with imbalances in one or more neurotransmitter systems

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12
Q

Broca’s area

A

region in the left hemisphere that is essential for language production

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13
Q

central nervous system (CNS)

A

brain and spinal cord

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14
Q

cerebellum

A

hindbrain structure that controls our balance, coordination, movement, and motor skills, and it is thought to be important in processing some types of memory

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15
Q

cerebral cortex

A

surface of the brain that is associated with our highest mental capabilities

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16
Q

chromosome

A

long strand of genetic information

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17
Q

computerized tomography (CT) scan

A

imaging technique in which a computer coordinates and integrates multiple x-rays of a given area

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18
Q

corpus callosum

A

thick band of neural fibers connecting the brain’s two hemispheres

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19
Q

dendrite

A

branch-like extension of the soma that receives incoming signals from other neurons

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20
Q

deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)

A

helix-shaped molecule made of nucleotide base pairs

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21
Q

diabetes

A

disease related to insufficient insulin production

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22
Q

dominant allele

A

allele whose phenotype will be expressed in an individual that possesses that allele

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23
Q

electroencephalography (EEG)

A

recording the electrical activity of the brain via electrodes on the scalp

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24
Q

endocrine system

A

series of glands that produce chemical substances known as hormones

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25
Q

epigenetics

A

study of gene-environment interactions, such as how the same genotype leads to different phenotypes

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26
Q

fight or flight response

A

activation of the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system, allowing access to energy reserves and heightened sensory capacity so that we might fight off a given threat or run away to safety

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27
Q

forebrain

A

largest part of the brain, containing the cerebral cortex, the thalamus, and the limbic system, among other structures

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28
Q

fraternal twins

A

twins who develop from two different eggs fertilized by different sperm, so their genetic material varies the same as in non-twin siblings

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29
Q

frontal lobe

A

part of the cerebral cortex involved in reasoning, motor control, emotion, and language; contains motor cortex

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30
Q

functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)

A

MRI that shows changes in metabolic activity over time

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31
Q

gene

A

sequence of DNA that controls or partially controls physical characteristics

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32
Q

genetic environmental correlation

A

view of gene-environment interaction that asserts our genes affect our environment, and our environment influences the expression of our genes

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33
Q

genotype

A

genetic makeup of an individual

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34
Q

glial cell

A

nervous system cell that provides physical and metabolic support to neurons, including neuronal insulation and communication, and nutrient and waste transport

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35
Q

gonad

A

secretes sexual hormones, which are important for successful reproduction, and mediate both sexual motivation and behavior

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36
Q

gyrus (plural: gyri)

A

bump or ridge on the cerebral cortex

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37
Q

hemisphere

A

left or right half of the brain

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38
Q

heterozygous

A

consisting of two different alleles

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39
Q

hindbrain

A

division of the brain containing the medulla, pons, and cerebellum

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40
Q

hippocampus

A

structure in the temporal lobe associated with learning and memory

41
Q

homeostasis

A

state of equilibrium—biological conditions, such as body temperature, are maintained at optimal levels

42
Q

homozygous

A

consisting of two identical alleles

43
Q

hormone

A

chemical messenger released by endocrine glands

44
Q

hypothalamus

A

forebrain structure that regulates sexual motivation and behavior and a number of homeostatic processes; serves as an interface between the nervous system and the endocrine system

45
Q

identical twins

A

twins that develop from the same sperm and egg

46
Q

lateralization

A

concept that each hemisphere of the brain is associated with specialized functions

47
Q

limbic system

A

collection of structures involved in processing emotion and memory

48
Q

longitudinal fissure

A

deep groove in the brain’s cortex

49
Q

magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

A

magnetic fields used to produce a picture of the tissue being imaged

50
Q

medulla

A

hindbrain structure that controls automated processes like breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate

51
Q

membrane potential

A

difference in charge across the neuronal membrane

52
Q

midbrain

A

division of the brain located between the forebrain and the hindbrain; contains the reticular formation

53
Q

motor cortex

A

strip of cortex involved in planning and coordinating movement

54
Q

mutation

A

sudden, permanent change in a gene

55
Q

myelin sheath

A

fatty substance that insulates axons

56
Q

neuron

A

cells in the nervous system that act as interconnected information processors, which are essential for all of the tasks of the nervous system

57
Q

neurotransmitter

A

chemical messenger of the nervous system

58
Q

occipital lobe

A

part of the cerebral cortex associated with visual processing; contains the primary visual cortex

59
Q

pancreas

A

secretes hormones that regulate blood sugar

60
Q

parasympathetic nervous system

A

associated with routine, day-to-day operations of the body

61
Q

parietal lobe

A

part of the cerebral cortex involved in processing various sensory and perceptual information; contains the primary somatosensory cortex

62
Q

peripheral nervous system (PNS)

A

connects the brain and spinal cord to the muscles, organs and senses in the periphery of the body

63
Q

phenotype

A

individual’s inheritable physical characteristics

64
Q

pituitary gland

A

secretes a number of key hormones, which regulate fluid levels in the body, and a number of messenger hormones, which direct the activity of other glands in the endocrine system

65
Q

polygenic

A

multiple genes affecting a given trait

66
Q

pons

A

hindbrain structure that connects the brain and spinal cord; involved in regulating brain activity during sleep

67
Q

positron emission tomography (PET) scan

A

involves injecting individuals with a mildly radioactive substance and monitoring changes in blood flow to different regions of the brain

68
Q

prefrontal cortex

A

area in the frontal lobe responsible for higher-level cognitive functioning

69
Q

psychotropic medication

A

drugs that treat psychiatric symptoms by restoring neurotransmitter balance

70
Q

range of reaction

A

asserts our genes set the boundaries within which we can operate, and our environment interacts with the genes to determine where in that range we will fall

71
Q

receptor

A

protein on the cell surface where neurotransmitters attach

72
Q

recessive allele

A

allele whose phenotype will be expressed only if an individual is homozygous for that
allele

73
Q

resting potential

A

the state of readiness of a neuron membrane’s potential between signals

74
Q

reticular formation

A

midbrain structure important in regulating the sleep/wake cycle, arousal, alertness, and motor activity

75
Q

reuptake

A

neurotransmitter is pumped back into the neuron that released it

76
Q

semipermeable membrane

A

cell membrane that allows smaller molecules or molecules without an
electrical charge to pass through it, while stopping larger or highly charged molecules

77
Q

soma

A

cell body

78
Q

somatic nervous system

A

relays sensory and motor information to and from the CNS

79
Q

somatosensory cortex

A

essential for processing sensory information from across the body, such as touch, temperature, and pain

80
Q

substantia nigra

A

midbrain structure where dopamine is produced; involved in control of movement

81
Q

sulcus (plural: sulci)

A

depressions or grooves in the cerebral cortex

82
Q

sympathetic nervous system

A

involved in stress-related activities and functions

83
Q

synapse

A

small gap between two neurons where communication occurs

84
Q

synaptic vesicle

A

storage site for neurotransmitters

85
Q

temporal lobe

A

part of cerebral cortex associated with hearing, memory, emotion, and some aspects of language; contains primary auditory cortex

86
Q

terminal button

A

axon terminal containing synaptic vesicles

87
Q

thalamus

A

sensory relay for the brain

88
Q

theory of evolution by natural selection

A

states that organisms that are better suited for their environments will survive and reproduce compared to those that are poorly suited for their environments

89
Q

threshold of excitation

A

level of charge in the membrane that causes the neuron to become active

90
Q

thyroid

A

secretes hormones that regulate growth, metabolism, and appetite

91
Q

ventral tegmental area (VTA)

A

midbrain structure where dopamine is produced: associated with mood, reward, and addiction

92
Q

Wernicke’s area

A

important for speech comprehension

93
Q

acetylcholine

A

functions as a neurotransmitter in motor neurons; can increase arousal and enhance cognition

94
Q

axon terminal

A

end part of the axon

95
Q

dopamine

A

involved in mood, sleep, learning; can potentially cause increased pleasure and suppressed appetite

96
Q

gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA)

A

involved in brain function and sleep; may cause decreased anxiety and tension

97
Q

nerves

A

thick bundle of axons that carry messages back and forth between the CNS and the muscles, organs, and senses in the periphery of the body; in the peripheral nervous system

98
Q

neuroscience

A

the scientific study of the nervous system (the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nervous system) and it’s functions

99
Q

serotonin

A

involved in mood and sleep; may cause modulated mood and suppressed appetite

Psych 101 (13 decks)

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