Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Psychology MCAT > Ch.1 Bio and Behavior > Flashcards

Ch.1 Bio and Behavior Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
MCAT flashcards Psychology 101 flashcards GRE® Psychology flashcards AP® Psychology flashcards
1
Q

Franz Gall

A

Behavior, intellect, and personality might be linked to brain anatomy. Developed phrenology.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Phrenology

A

Developed by Franz Gall. If a particular trait is developed, then part of the brain responsible for the trait will expand. Measure psychological attributes by feeling or measuring skull.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Pierre Flourens

A

(1794-1867). First person to study functions of major sections of the brain. Used extirpation (ablation). Lead to assertion that brain had specific parts for specific functions.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Extirpation

A

Also known as ablation. Various parts of the brain are surgically removed and behavioral consequences observed.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

William James

A

(1842-1910). Father of American psychology. Believed it was important to study how the mind functioned in adapting to the environment. First theories that formed functionalism.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Functionalism

A

A system of thought in psychology that studied how mental processes help individuals adapt to their environments.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

John Dewey

A

(1859-1952). Important name in functionalism (1896 article seen as inception). Article criticized concept of reflex arc- breaks the process of reacting to a stimulus into discrete parts. Believed psychology should study organism as a whole as it functioned to adapt to the environment.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Paul Broca

A

(1824-1880). Examined behavioral deficits of people with brain damage. First person to demonstrate that functional impairments could be linked with specific brain lesions. (No speaking could be due to a brain lesion, ect.) Brocas area named after him.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Hermann von Helmholtz

A

(1821-1894). First to measure the speed of a nerve impulse. Often credited with transition of psychology into field of natural sciences.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Sir Charles Sherrington

A

(1857-1952). First inferred the existence of synapses. One conclusion has not been held over time- thought that synaptic transmission was an electrical process, but it is chemical.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Sensory neurons

A

Afferent neurons. Transmit sensory info from receptors to spinal cord or brain.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Motor neurons

A

Efferent neurons. Transmit motor info from brain and spinal cord to muscles and glands.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Interneurons

A

Found between other neurons and most numerous of all neuron types. Primarily in the brain and spinal cord and linked to reflexive behavior.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Reflex arcs

A

Neural circuits that control reflexes. I.e. someone steps on nail and sensory neurons transmit signal to spinal cord to interneurons. Then pain is relayed to brain and stimulus to muscles causing them to withdraw.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Central Nervous System

A

Brain and spinal cord

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Peripheral nervous system

A

Nerve tissue and fibers outside of spinal cord. Consists of somatic and autonomic nervous systems.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Somatic nervous system

A

Part of PNS that consists of sensory and motor neurons distributed throughout joints, skin, and muscles.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Autonomic nervous system

A

Regulates heartbeat, respiration, digestion, and glandular secretions (temp control). Manages involuntary muscles. Also regulates body temp through sweating. Consists of SNS and PSNS.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Parasympathetic nervous system

A 
Conserve energy (rest and digest). Acetylcholine is main NT.
Functions: Constricts pupils, stimulates flow of saliva, constricts bronchi, slows heartbeat, stimulates peristalsis and secretion, stimulates bile release, contracts bladder.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Sympathetic nervous system

A 
Activated by stress (fight or flight).
Functions: 
-Increases heart rate
-Redistributes blood to muscles of locomotion
-Increases blood glucose concentration
-Relaxes the bronchi
-Decreases digestion and peristalsis
-Dilates the eyes to maximize light intake
-Releases epinephrine into blood
-Inhibits bladder contraction
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Meninges

A 
Protect the brain, keep it anchored in skull, and reabsorb cerebrospinal fluid.  
Composed of:
-Dura mater
-Arachnoid mater
-Pia mater
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Cerebrospinal fluid

A

Aqueous solution in which the brain and spinal cord rest. Produced by specialized cells in ventricles of the brain.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Brainstem

A

Primitive region of brain.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Limbic system

A

A group of neural structures primarily associated with emotion and memory.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

Cerebral cortex

A

Outer covering of brain hemispheres. Associated with everything from language, to problem solving, impulse control, and long term planning.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

Hindbrain (rhombencephalon)

A

During fetal development, where brain meets the spinal cord. Controls balance, motor coordination, breathing, digestion, and general arousal (sleeping/waking). Divides to form:

  • Myelencephalon (becomes medulla oblongata)
  • Metencephalon- (becomes pons and cerebellum)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

Medulla oblongata

A

Lower brain structure that is responsible for regulating vital functions such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

Pons

A

Above medulla and contains sensory and motor pathways between cortex and medulla.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

Cerebellum

A

Helps maintain posture and balance and coordinates body movements. Damage can cause clumsiness, slurred speech, and loss of balance.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

Midbrain (mesencephalon)

A

receives sensory and motor info from rest of body. Involved in involuntary reflex responses triggered by visual or auditory stimuli.
Prominent nuclei (colliculi):
-Superior colliculus
-Inferior colliculus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

Superior colliculus

A

Receives visual sensory input (part of midbrain)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

Inferior colliculus

A

Receives sensory info from auditory system- reflexive action to sudden noises (part of midbrain)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

Forebrain (prosencephalon)

A

Has greatest influence on human behavior. Associated with complex perceptual, cognitive and behavioral processes. Emotion and memory. Divides into telencephalon and diencephalon.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

Telencephalon

A

Forms cerebral cortex, basal ganglia, and limbic system

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

Diencephalon

A

Forms thalamus, hypothalamus, posterior pituitary gland, and pineal gland.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

Neuropsychology

A

Study of functions and behaviors associated with specific regions of the brain. Can study patients with brain lesions, leading to identifying function of a certain area. Also use electrodes on specific brain areas.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

Cortical maps

A

Electrical stimulation can make a region of the brain activate, turning on certain behaviors and feelings.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
38
Q

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

A

Several electrodes on scalp and broad patterns of electrical activity can be monitored. Noninvasive form of research

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
39
Q

Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF)

A

Noninvasive mapping procedure detects broad patterns of neural activity based on increased blood flow to different parts of the brain. Assumes that when blood moves to a certain area it is activated. Patient inhales radioactive gas and a device can detect radioactivity in bloodstream.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
40
Q

Thalamus

A

Structure in forebrain that is an important relay station for sensory info. All senses except for smell. Sorts and transmits sensory impulses to appropriate areas of cerebral cortex.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
41
Q

Hypothalamus

A

Serves homeostatic functions and is a key player in emotional experiences during high arousal states, aggressive behavior, and sexual behavior. Helps control some endocrine functions and ANS. Regulates metabolism, temp, and water balance.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
42
Q

Lateral Hypothalamus (LH)

A

Hunger center because it has receptors thought to detect when the body needs more flood or fluids.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
43
Q

Ventromedial Hypothalamus (VMH)

A

Satiety center: provides signals to stop eating

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
44
Q

Anterior hypothalamus

A

Controls sexual behavior. Also sleep and body temperature.

45
Q

Posterior Pituitary

A

Axonal projections from hypothalamus that release:

  • Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
  • Oxytocin
46
Q

Pineal gland

A

Biological rhythms such as secreting melatonin. Receives direct signals from retina for coordination with sunlight.

47
Q

Melatonin

A

Regulates circadian rhythms.

48
Q

Basal Ganglia

A

Coordinate muscle movement as they receive info from the cortex and relay info to the brain or spinal cord.

49
Q

Extrapyramidal motor system

A

Part of Basal Ganglia that gathers info about body position and carries info to CNS. Makes movements smooth and steady.

50
Q

Parkinson’s disease

A

Disease associated with damage to portions of basal ganglia. Jerky movements and uncontrolled resting tremors. May play a role in schizophrenia and OCD. Also associated with loss of dopaminergic neurons in the the basal ganglia.

51
Q

Limbic system

A

Structures around brain associated with emotion and memory. Composed of septal nuclei, amygdala, and hippocampus.

52
Q

Septal nuclei

A

Part of limbic system. Primary pleasure centers in brain.

53
Q

Amygdala

A

Part of limbic system. Plays important role in defensive and aggressive behaviors, including fear and rage. Lesions result in docility and hypersexual states.

54
Q

Hippocampus

A

Plays vital role in learning and memory processes. Can consolidate info to form long term memories, and can redistribute remote memories to cerebral cortex. Communicates to other portions of the limbic system through fornix.

55
Q

Fornix

A

Connects hippocampus to other regions of limbic system

56
Q

Anterograde amnesia

A

Not being able to establish new long term memories. Memories before brain injury usually intact.

57
Q

Retrograde amnesia

A

Memory loss of events that transpired before brain injury

58
Q

Cerebral cortex (neocortex)

A

Contains bumps (gyri) and folds (sulci). Divided into cerebral hemispheres and four lobes (frontal, parietal, occipital, and temporal)

59
Q

Frontal lobe

A

Consists of prefrontal lobes and motor cortex.

60
Q

Prefrontal cortex

A

Area of frontal lobe that manages executive function by supervising and directing operations of other brain regions. Supervises perception, memory, emotion, impulse control, and long term planning.
This is an association area.

61
Q

Association Area

A

Area of brain that integrates input from diverse brain regions

62
Q

Projection area

A

Area of brain that performs more rudimentary or simple perceptual or motor tasks.

63
Q

Primary motor cortex

A

Located on the precentral gyrus (in front of the central sulcus that divides frontal and parietal lobes). It initiates voluntary movements by sending neural impulses down spinal cord toward the muscles. This is a projection area. Can be visualized according to motor homunculus (areas that require finer motor control take up more space).

64
Q

Broca’s area

A

Part of frontal lobe that is vitally important for speech production. Found in the dominant hemisphere (usually left hemisphere)

65
Q

Parietal lobe

A

Located to the rear of the frontal lobe. Contains somatosensory cortex. Central portion associated with spatial processing and manipulation. Helps to orient in 3D space, spatial manipulation of objects

66
Q

Somatosensory cortex

A

Located on postcentral gyrus or parietal lobe. Projection area is destination for all incoming sensory signals for touch, pressure, temp, and pain.

67
Q

Occipital lobes

A

Visual cortex (striate cortex) in charge of visual processing. Also learning and motor control.

68
Q

Temporal lobes

A

Auditory cortex (primary site of most sound processing, including speech, music, and other sound info) and Wernicke’s area. Also memory processing, emotion, and language.

69
Q

Wernicke’s area

A

Associated with language reception and comprehension.

70
Q

Contralaterally

A

Communication between left and right hemispheres of the brain

71
Q

Ipsilaterally

A

Communication within the same side of the brain

72
Q

Dominant hemisphere

A

(usually left). Dominant hemisphere in most individuals. Primarily analytic in function, making it well suited for managing details. Language, logic, and math skills. Language productions (Broca’s area) and language comprehension (wernicke’s area) are primarily driven by dominant hemisphere.

73
Q

Nondominant hemisphere

A

(usually right). Associated with intuition, creativity, music cognition, and spatial processing. Processes pieces of a stimulus and assembles them into a holistic image. Allows us to recognize others moods.

74
Q

Acetylcholine

A

In PNS used to transmit nerve impulses to muscles. Used by PSNS. In CNS is linked to attention and arousal.

75
Q

Catecholamines

A

Epinephrine, norepinepherine, and dopamine. Classified as monoanimes or biogenic amines. All play roles in the experience of emotion

76
Q

Epi and Norepi

A

Involved in controlling alertness and wakefulness. Involved in SNS through regualting fight or flight response. Norepi is more of a local level NT, epi is more often secreted by the adrenal medulla. Low levels of norepi associated with depression, high with anxiety and mania.

77
Q

Dopamine

A

Chatecholamine that plays important role in movement and posture. High concentrations in basal ganglia. Plays a role in schizophrenia.

78
Q

Dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia

A

Delusions, hallucinations, and agitation associated with schizophrenia arise from too much dopamine or oversensitivity to dopamine.

79
Q

Serotonin

A

Monoamine or biogenic amine NT. Plays roles in regulating mood, eating, sleeping, and dreaming. Plays a role in depression and mania. Oversupply can produce manic states, undersupply depression.

80
Q

GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)

A

NT that produces inhibitory post synaptic potentials. Thought to play a role in stabilizing neural activity in the brain. Causes hyperpolarization of the postsynaptic membrane

81
Q

Neuromodulators

A

Neuropeptides. Involves a more complicated chain of events in the postsynaptic cell.

82
Q

Endorphins

A

Neuropeptides that are natural painkillers produced in the brain. Have similar effect as morphine or other opiods.

83
Q

Endocrine system

A

Transmits hormones in the blood. Slower than nervous system.

84
Q

Hypophyseal portal system

A

Where hypothalamus and pituitary gland control release of hormones.

85
Q

Anterior Pituitary gland

A 
Master gland that regulates activities of the endocrine glands.  Controlled by hypothalamus.  Secretes hormones into the blood that travel to other endocrine glands and activate them.
Releases:
-FSH
-LH
-ACTH
-TSH
-Prolactin
-Endorphins
-GH
86
Q

Adrenal medulla

A

Releases epi and norepi into blood through SNS

87
Q

Adrenal cortex

A

Produces corticosteroids such as cortisol. It also produces testosterone and estrogen.

88
Q

Gonads

A

Sex glands of the body. Lead to increased levels of testosterone in males and estrogen in females.

89
Q

Innate behavior

A

Genetically programmed as a result of evolution and seen in all individuals regardless of environment or experience.

90
Q

Learned behaviors

A

Not based on heredity but on environment

91
Q

Adaptive value

A

Extent to which a trait or behavior positively benefits a species by influencing the evolutionary fitness of the species. This could lead to adaption through natural selction

92
Q

Nature vs. nurture

A

Nature (heredity) and nurture (influence of environment on surroundings). Question that seems to lie in the middle.

93
Q

Family studies

A

Relies on assumption that genetically related individuals are more similar genotypically than unrelated individuals. Compares rates of a given trait among family members to those among unrelated individuals. Limited because similar environments in families play a role, so you cant claim that a given trait is entirely hereditary

94
Q

Twin studies

A

Comparing concordance rates for a trait between monozygotic (MZ; identical) and dizygotic (DZ; fraternal) twins, are better able to distinguish the relative effects of shared environment and genetics. MZ twins are genetically identical, while DZ are 50%. Compare twins raised together and twins raised apart. If separate twins are still similar, there may be a strong genetic component.

95
Q

Concorance rates

A

In twin studies, the likelihood that both twins exhibit the same trait.

96
Q

Adoption studies

A

Compare similarities between biological relatives and the adopted child to similarities between adoptive relatives and the adopted child. (e.g. IQ of adopted children may be closer to that of their biological parents)

97
Q

Neurulation

A

At 3 to 4 weeks gestation. Occurs when ectoderm overlying the notochord begins to furrow, forming a neural groove surrounded by two neural folds.

98
Q

Neural crest

A

Cells at the leading edge of the neural fold. Migrate throughout the body to form disparate tissues such as dorsal root ganglia, melanocytes, and calcitonin-producing cells of thyroid.

99
Q

Neural tube

A

Neural groove furrow closes to form neural tube. THis will ultimately form the CNS. Has an alar plate which differentiates into sensory neurons. Basal plate differentiates into motor neurons. Eventually invaginates and folds on itself many times. Swells to rhombencephalon, mesencephalon, and prosencephalon.

100
Q

Primitive Reflex

A

Reflexes that disappear with age

101
Q

Rooting reflex

A

Primitive reflex that involves automatically turning the head in the direction of a stimulus that touches the cheek.

102
Q

Moro Reflex

A

Infants react to abrupt movements of their heads by flinging out their arms, then slowly retracting their arms and crying. Disappears after 4 months

103
Q

Babinski reflex

A

Causes toes to spread apart automatically when the sole of foot is stimulated.

104
Q

Grasping reflex

A

Occurs when the infant closes their fingers around an object placed in their hand

105
Q

Gross motor skills

A

incorporate movement from large muscle groups and the whole body motion, such as sitting

106
Q

Fine motor skills

A

Smaller muscle movements: fingers, toes, eyes

107
Q

Stranger anxiety

A

Fear and apprehension of unfamiliar individuals

108
Q

Separation anxiety

A

A fear of being separated from the parental figure

109
Q

Parallel Play

A

About two years. Children play alongside each other without influencing each others behavior

Psychology MCAT (4 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions