Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

MCAT Behavioral Review > Chapter 1 > Flashcards

Chapter 1 Flashcards

Chapter One Terms

1
Q

Franz Gall

A
  • Had earliest theory that behavior, intellect and personality might be linked to brain anatomy
  • Had the idea that specific parts of the brain would grow and bulge when a skill was developed
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Pierre Flourens

A

First person to study functions of major sections of the brain by ablating them
- Flourens asserted that specific parts of the brain have specific functions

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

William James

A

Father of Psychology
Thought it was important to study how the mind functioned in adapting to the environment
Supported functionalism

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

Functionalism

A

A system of thought in psychology studying how mental processes help individuals adapt to their environment

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

John Dewey

A

Wrote a key critical piece that criticized the concept of the reflex reaction as a series of steps
- Argued that organisms should be studied as a whole- supporter of functionalism

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

Paul Broca

A

Studied people with brain deficits and argued that specific parts of the brain control specific functions

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

Herman van Helmholtz

A

First person to measure the speed of a nerve impulse

Connected psychology to the natural sciences

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

Sir Charles Herrington

A

First hypothesized about the existence of synapses

- Incorrectly believed that synapses were all electric

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

Sensory Neurons

A

Also known as afferent neurons

Transmit sensory information to the brain and spinal cord

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

Motor Neurons

A

Also known as efferent neurons

Transmit information from the brain and spinal cord to muscles and glands

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

Interneurons

A

Most abundant of the three types of neurons
Found between other neurons
Located predominantly in the brain and spinal cord
Linked to reflexive behavior

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

CNS

A

Central Nervous System

Includes the brain and spinal cord

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

PNS

A

Peripheral Nervous System
Contains all nerve tissue and fibers outside of the CNS
Connects the CNS to the rest of the body

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

Somatic Nervous System

A

One part of the PNS

Consists of sensory and motor neurons throughout the skin, joints and muscles

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

Autonomic Nervous System

A

One part of the PNS
Generally regulates heart beat, respiration, digestion, and glandular secretions
Manages the involuntary muscles associated with several muscles and glands
Independent of concious control

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

Parasympathetic Nervous System

A

One part of the autonomic nervous system
Conserves energy (Rest and Digest)
Associated with rest and sleep states
Acts to reduce the heart rate and constricts the bronchi
Manages digestion by increasing peristalsis and exocrine secretions
Acetylcholine responsible for these processes
Acts antagonistically to sympathetic nervous system

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

Sympathetic Nervous System

A 
One part of the autonomic nervous system
Activated by stress (Fight or Flight)
Increases heart rate
Redistributes blood to muscles of locomotion
Increases blood glucose concentration
Relaxes the bronchii
Decreases digestion and peristalsis
Dilates eyes to maximize light intake
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Meninges

A

Thick sheath of connective tissue covering the brain

3 Layers: Pia Mater, Arachnoid Mater, Dura Mater

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

CSF

A

Cerebrospinal fluid

Aqueous solution that brain and spinal cord are in

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Ventricles

A

Internal cavities of the brain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Brainstem

A

Hindbrain + Midbrain

Most primitive region of the brain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Hindbrain

A

Also known as rhombencephalon
Controls balance, motor coordination, breathing, digestion, and general arousal processes, such as sleeping and walking– all vital functions necessary for survival

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

Myencephalon

A

Develops from a part of the rhombencephalon (hindbrain) during embryonic development
Becomes the medulla oblongata

24
Q

Metencephalon

A

Develops from a part of the rhombencephalon (hind brain) during embryonic development
Develops into the pons and the cerebrum

25
Medulla Oblongata
Lower brain structure responsible for regulating vital functions such as breathing, heart rate, blood pressure
26
Pons
Lies above the medulla oblongata and contains sensory and motor pathways between the cortex and the medulla
27
Cerebellum
Located at the top of the hindbrain Helps to maintain posture and balance Coordinates body movements
28
Midbrain
Also known as mesencephalon Receives sensory and motor information from the rest of the body Associated with involuntary reflex responses Contains the superior and inferior colliculi
29
Superior Colliculus
Receives visual sensory input
30
Inferior Colliculus
Receives sensory information from the auditory system | Has a role in reflex responses after loud noise stimuli
31
Forebrain
Also known as the prosencephalon Associated with complex perceptual, cognitive, and behavioral processes Associated with emotion and memory During embryonic development, it divides to form the telencephalon and the diencephalon
32
Telencephalon
Eventually forms the cerebral cortex, basal ganglia and limbic system
33
Diencephalon
forms the thalamus, hypothalamus, posterior pituitary, and pineal gland
34
Neuropsychology
Study of functions and behaviors associated with specific regions of the brain
35
Methods of discovering function of brain
Study brain lesions in lab animals/humans Electrically stimulating certain brain regions Measure naturally occurring electric activity in brain regions Measure regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF)
36
Thalamus
Part of forebrain Serves as relay station for incoming sensory information, including all senses except for smell Receives sensory information, sorts and transmits them to appropriate areas of the cerebral cortex
37
Hypothalamus
Subdivided into the lateral, ventromedial and anterior hypothalamus Serves homeostatic functions, and is a key player in emotional experiences during high arousal states Controls endocrine function and autonomic nervous system Regulates metabolism, temperature and water balance Four F's- feeding, fighting fleeing, fucking
38
Lateral Hypothalamus
Hunger Center- Detects when the body needs more food or water
39
Ventromedial Hypothalamus
Satiety Center-- provides signals to stop eating
40
Anterior Hypothalamus
Controls sexual behavior | Also regulates sleep and body temperature
41
Posterior Pituitary
Axonal projections from the hypothalamus | Site of release for hypothalmic hormones antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and oxytocin
42
Pineal Gland
Key player in biological rhythms | Secretes melatonin- which regulates circadian rhythms
43
Basal Ganglia
Several structures in the middle of the brain Coordinate muscle movement as they receive information from the cortex and relay information to the brain and spinal cord via the extrapyramidal motor system
44
Extrapyramidal motor system
Gathers information about body position and carries this information to the central nervous system
45
Limbic System
Group of interconnected structures looping around the central portion of the brain-- associated with emotion and memory Includes the septal nuclei, amygdala, and hippocampus
46
Septal Nuclei
One of the primary pleasure centers in the brain | There is an association between these nuclei and addictive behavior
47
Amygdala
Structure that plays an important role in defensive and aggressive behaviors including fear and rage
48
Hippocampus
Vital role in learning and memory processes Helps to consolidate to form longterm memories Redistributes remote memories to cerebral cortex Communicates with other portions of the limbic system with the fornix
49
Anterograde Amnesia
Not being able to establish new long term memories, but memories before brain injury are still established
50
Retrograde Amnesia
Memory loss of events that transpired before the brain injury
51
Cerebral Cortex
(Neocortex) Outer surface of the brain
52
Gyri
Bumps in the brain
53
Sulci
Folds in the brain
54
Cerebral Hemispheres
Halves of the cerebrum
55
Frontal Lobe
Composed of the prefrontal lobe and the motor cortex
56
Prefrontal Cortex
Manages executive function by supervising and directing the operations of other brain regions Supervises processes associated with perception, memory, emotion, impulse control, and long-term planning Association Area
57
Association area
Area that integrates input from diverse brain regions

MCAT Behavioral Review (1 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions