Ch.2 Brain & Behavior Flashcards
What is a Dendrite?
A branch-like structure that receives chemicals from the perceiving/sending neuron
Define a Neuron
An individual nerve cell
What is a Soma?
The main body of a neuron or other cell with electrical charger particles inside
What is a Axon?
The main trunk of the neuron. Its fiber that carries info away from the cell body of a neuron. Has a gap that electric ions pass in and out through
How many gaps does an axon have and what are they?
2 gaps.
- Nodes of Ravier
- Synapse: gap between two neurons
What is the Myelin Sheath?
The outer layer of a neuron
What is it called when the Myelin Sheath is destroyed?
Multiple Sclerosis
Define Action Potential
When neurons are stimulated. Begins at -50 millivolts (mv)
How many millivolts is it, when neurons are at rest?
-70mv
Define Synapse
The gap between two neurons
What is a Neurotransmitter?
Any chemical released by a neuron that alters activity in other neurons
Name some Neurotransmitters (6)
Serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine, acetylcholine, GABA, and endorphins
Serotonin
Mood, appetite, and sleep
Too little = depression
Norepinephrine
Arousal and vigilance/cautious, and mood
Dopamine
Motivation, reward, and planning behavior; feel good chemical
*Too much = delusion, hallucination = schizophrenic
Acetylcholine
Controls muscle contractions when released. Movement, autonomic function, learning, and memory (Alzheimer’s).
If blocked, paralysis
GABA
When released, person is relaxed/calm. Effect in CNS, participates in mood.
Anti-anxiety med
What is CNS and what does it consist of?
Central Nervous System, consists of the brain and spinal cord
What is PNS?
Peripheral Nervous System, nerve that carries info to and from CNS
Name the systems of the PNS
Somatic and Autonomic
Somatic Nervous System
Nerves under voluntary control (such as movement)
Autonomic Nervous System
Nerves not under your control. Divided into 2 parts
Name the parts of the Autonomic Nervous System within the PNS
Sympathetic and Parasympathetic nervous systems
Sympathetic nervous system
“Flight or flight”
Chemicals release = adrenaline
Parasympathetic nervous system
After the crisis/situation. Quiets the body
What is a CT Scan?
Computerized Tomography Scan. Special type of X-ray, number of different angles of brain collected, then forms images of brain
What is an EEG?
Electroencephalograph. Measures brain activity, help identify tumors, epilepsy
What is an MRI Scan?
Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Uses magnetic rays, rather than X-ray, allow you to see three dimensional images of the brain/body
What is an fMRI?
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Similar to PET Scan, shows activity of brain, allows you to see when people are lying or telling the truth
What is a PET Scan?
Positron Emission Tomography. When radioactive substance is injected into bloodstream, then scanner follows path of substance, shows which brain area uses more energy
Using less energy is ideal
Limbic System
In brain, involves coding and decoding info in brain
Pleasure center located here
What is and makes up the Limbic System?
Emotional reaction. Mainly Amygdala (hypothalamus, and parts of thalamus)
Amygdala
Related to fear/emotions. Make quick reaction.
Damaged amygdala in monkeys = tamed monkey = bad - need to fear or feel emotion
Explain an Overly Sensitive Amygdala
Developed by a trauma - rape, tumor, injury of part of brain; phobias; PTSD - post traumatic stress disorder
What is a Corpus Callosum?
Thick band of fibers that connect the left and right brain
Functions of the Left brain
95% of language, writing, breaking down info, happiness, amusement
Functions of the Right brain
Nonverbal (movements, recognizing a map/faces), irritation, annoyance, fear
What is Split Brain Research/Operation?
Surgery when Corpus Callosum is cut, done to control epilepsy. One part of the brain will not work together with the other/at the same time (ex. Left hand dressing yourself, while other hand doesn’t want to/doesn’t do anything/help)
Cortex
Part of the brain that can think things through and reason it out
(ex. getting scared from seeing a snack, but realizing its a tree branch).
Thoughts exists here.
Calms you down when amygdala is stimulated.
Lateralization
Refers to specialization/differences of each side of the brain.
Higher lateralization = higher specialization
Name the Lobes of the Brain
Occipital, Parietal, Temporal, and Frontal lobe
Occipital Lobe
Vision
Parietal Lobe
Senses (touch, taste, smell..)
Temporal Lobe
Hearing
Frontal Lobe
Voluntary movement, part of the brain you can plan an activity, reason things out
What is Aphasia?
General term, some impaired ability to uses/understand language
What is Broca’s area?
Responsible for Producing speech; frontal lobe, left side of the brain.
If damaged, difficulty speaking
What is Wernicke’s area?
Responsible for Understanding speech; temporal lobe, left brain
If damaged, difficulty understanding someone else’s speech
What is Agnosia?
Inability to identify a familiar object.
If damaged or had tumor in its area, difficult identifying object. Can explain, but not say exactly what object is
What is Face Agnosia?
Inability to identify familiar faces/people, extremely rare disorder
Subcortex
(Hindbrain) the brainstem, lower part of the brain
What does the Subcortex/Hindbrain consist of?
Medulla, cerebellum, and pons
Medulla
Responsible for heart rate, breathing, swallowing
Cerebellum
Responsible for posture and balance
alcohol affects it
Pons
Control sleep, integrates movement between the right and left halves of your body
What is the Reticular Activating System?
(RAS) Responsible for alertness, awareness, arousal
What is within the Forebrain?
Thalamus and hypothalamus
What is the Thalamus?
Like relay/switching station. Relay sensory info to cerebral cortex - hearing, touch, vision
What is the Hypothalamus?
Master control for emotion and many basic motives.
Releases hormones like “fight or flight” hormones. Releases chemicals to help you deal with a crisis. Controls temperature
What is the Hippocampus responsible for?
Memory
What is and what makes up the Endocrine System?
Made up of glands releasing chemicals/hormones.
Pituitary and Thyroid gland.
What is the Pituitary Gland?
Regulate growth
What is the Thyroid Gland?
Regulates rate of metabolism
