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PSY 151 > Ch. 3: Biological Processes > Flashcards

Ch. 3: Biological Processes Flashcards

1
Q

neurons

A
  • individual cells that receive, transmit, & integrate info. w/in nervous system
  • main components of the nervous system
  • communication by neurons is electrochemical
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2
Q

sensory neurons

A

carry info from environment toward spinal column & brain

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3
Q

interneurons

A

transfer info from one neuron to another

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4
Q

motor neurons

A

send messages & commands away from brain & spinal column to muscles & glands that produce responses

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5
Q

dendrites

A

fibers that extend outward from a neuron & receive info from other neurons

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6
Q

soma

A

cell body of a neuron

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7
Q

axon

A

long-tail like part of neuron that serves as cell’s transmitter

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8
Q

terminal buttons

A

tiny swellings at end of axon that contain chemicals important to neural transmission

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9
Q

myelin sheath

A

insulation wrapped around axon that protects it & speeds up transmission of info; made up of glial cells, which perform variety of functions

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10
Q

describe path info takes through neuron

A

1) dendrites receive info from other neurons
2) soma holds all received messages summed
3) if determined in axon hillock, an action potential travels along axon to the…
4) axon terminal buttons releases chemicals (neurotransmitters) into synapse
5) dendrites from another neuron receive neurotransmitter & process may repeat

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11
Q

reflex

A

an automatic reaction processed in spinal chord, not the brain, which allows a quick, simple, direct response to an environmental event
- e.g. pulling hand away from flame
sensory neurons–> interneurons –> spinal chord –> motor neurons

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12
Q

action potential

A
  • all-or-nothing electrical signal that travels down neuron’s axon
  • based on all messages received, either excitatory or inhibitory, in cell body of neuron
  • if sum of signal (in axon hillock) is excitatory, neuron fires own signal for transmission to next neuron
  • if sum is inhibitory, no message is transmitted
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13
Q

synapse

A

small gap between cells, typically btw terminal buttons of one neuron & dendrites or cell body of another

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14
Q

agonists

A

drugs that can increase or mimic action of naturally occurring neurotransmitters
- e.g. nicotine mimics acetylcholine, stimulant effect

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15
Q

antagonists

A

drugs that can block the action of neurotransmitter

- e.g. curare acetylcholine receptors, can stop muscle movement, including breathing

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16
Q

central nervous system (CNS)

A

the brain & the spinal chord; the central executive–receives info, makes decisions

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17
Q

peripheral nervous system

A

nerves outside the brain & spinal chord

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18
Q

somatic systems

A

nerves that 1) transmit sensory info to brain & 2) connect to skeletal muscles to initiate movement

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19
Q

autonomic system

A

regulates heart rate, digestion, blood pressure, activities of internal glands

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20
Q

sympathetic division

A

(arousing)
- sets in motion the “fight or flight” response when we are faced w/ an emergency
- chemicals released which increase heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate (& other changes) to help respond to threat

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21
Q

parasympathetic division

A

(calming)
calms body down, restores body functions to normal levels, helps replenish stored energy levels after emergency has passed

22
Q

electroencephalogram (EEG)

A

monitors gross electrical activity in brain by attaching recording electrodes to scalp
used for research & diagnosing psychological & sleep disorders, epilepsy

23
Q

computerized tomography scan (CT scan)

A
  • provides a 3D picture of brain, including abnormalities in brain tissue
  • X-rays are passed through body & analyzed by computer
  • detect tumors, injuries, physical bases for psychological disorders
24
Q

positron emmission tomography (PET scan)

A

measures how an ingested radioactive substance is absorbed in different parts of brain while specific tasks are being performed

25
Q

magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

A

produces extremely detailed 3D images of changes in blood flow or oxygen use as patient thinks or behaves

26
Q

hindbrain

A
  • most “primitive” part
  • sits just above top of spinal chord
  • basic life support
  • oldest of evolutionary terms
  • damage here, including effects of drugs, can be lethal
27
Q

medulla & pons

A
  • associated w/ heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, reflexes
  • act as pathways for neural signals traveling btw brain & spinal chord
28
Q

reticular formation

A

controls general arousal, sleep, & consciousness

29
Q

cerebellum

A

(“little brain”)

involved in complex movements & motor memory

30
Q

midbrain

A
  • sits on top of hindbrain

- receives info from many sources, including the sense organs

31
Q

tectum

A
  • made up of superior & inferior colliculus

- relay station for visual & auditory signals, coordinates movement in response to sensory events

32
Q

substantia nigra

A
  • part of basal ganglia
  • active in release of dopamine, neurotransmitter related to movement & coordination, learning, drug addiction, & emotion
  • degeneration of substantia nigra & resultant decreased levels of dopamine in brain are thought to be cause of Parkinson’s disease
33
Q

forebrain

A

outer portion of brain, including thalamus, hypothalamus, limbic system, cerebral cortex, & corpus collosum

34
Q

thalamus

A
  • just above midbrain

- main processing point for sensory info being sent to cerebral cortex

35
Q

hypothalamus

A
  • just below thalamus

- regulates eating, drinking, body temp, sexual behavior, & release of hormones from pituitary gland

36
Q

limbic system

A

made of several structures, including amygdala & hippocampus

37
Q

amygdala

A

motivational & emotional behaviors

-e.g. fear, aggression, defensive actions, & ability to recognize emotions in others

38
Q

hippocampus

A

active in formation of memories, esp. for specific personal events

39
Q

cerebral cortex

A
  • 80% od human brain’s volume
  • seat of our higher mental processes
  • divided into 2 hemispheres: left controls sensory & motor functions on the right side of body & vice-versa
  • each hemisphere divided into 4 lobes
40
Q

corpus collosum

A

connects 2 hemispheres of cerebral cortex

41
Q

frontal lobes

A
  • executive/higher order functions– planning & organizing voluntary behavior & decision making; problem solving, certain remembering, socialization, inhibitions, personality
  • contains motor cortex
42
Q

motor cortex

A
  • lies at rear of frontal lobe
  • controls voluntary muscle movements, including those involved in language production (Broca’s area in left hemisphere)
  • topographic organization
  • mirror neurons located here
43
Q

topographic organization

A

(mapping)

adjacent parts of the body are activated by adjacent groups of neurons in motor cortex

44
Q

mirror neurons

A
  • found in motor cortex

- involved in empathy & ability to take perspectives of others

45
Q

parietal lobes

A

contains Somatosensory cortex

46
Q

somatosensory cortex

A
  • located in parietal lobe

- primarily involved processing of sensory info related to temp & touch, including pressure & pain

47
Q

temporal lobes

A
  • on either side of cortex
  • involved in processing auditory info received by ears
  • left temporal lobe includes Wernicke’s area
48
Q

Wernicke’s area

A
  • located in left temporal lobe

- where spoken language comprehension occurs

49
Q

occipital lobes

A
  • at back of brain
  • visual processing: receiving info from receptor cells in eyes, integrating color, motion, form
  • hemispheric processing: images originating in right visual field are processed in left hemisphere’s occipital lobe & vice-versa
50
Q

left hemisphere

A
  • verbal tasks, reading, writing
  • problem solving, explanations
  • body’s right side sensory input and motor output
51
Q

endocrine system

A
  • initiate & control growth & provide long-term regulation of internal biological systems
  • uses hormones, not neurons, released from various glands into bloodstream as way to communicate
  • nervous system & endocrine systems connected
  • —hypothalamus controls Pituitary gland which regulates activity of other glands
  • —released hormones can affect firing rates of neurons
  • —fight or flight (uses both endocrine & autonomic nervous systems)
52
Q

neuroplasticity

A
  • brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life
  • allows neurons in brain to compensate for injury & disease & to adjust their activities in response to new situations/changes in their environment

PSY 151 (6 decks)

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