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Psychology - MCAT > Chapter 1 - Biology and Behavior > Flashcards

Chapter 1 - Biology and Behavior Flashcards

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1
Q

Extirpation/ablation

A

Surgically removing various parts of the brain to study behavioral consequences

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2
Q

Functionalism

A

System of thought in psychology that studies how mental processes help individual adapt to their environments

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3
Q

Sensory Neurons

A

Afferent neurons

Transmit sensory information from receptors to the spinal cord and brain

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4
Q

Motor neurons

A 
Efferent neurons (EFF OFF)
Transmit motor information from the brain and spinal cord to muscles and glands
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5
Q

Interneurons

A

Found between other neurons and are the most numerous of the three types of neurons

Usually located in the brain and spinal cord

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6
Q

Reflex arcs

A

neural circuits

Pin in paw

Receptors detect pain via the sensory neurons which lead to the spinal cord. The interneurons ( of the spinal cord) then relay the information onward. Then, the motor neuron (efferent neuron) tells the muscle to pull the hand back.

The brain does not receive the message until later.

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7
Q

Central nervous system (CNS)

A

Brain and Spinal cord

Olfactory and optical nerves are offshoots of the CNS

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8
Q

Peripheral nervous system

A

Nerve tissue and fibers outside brain and spinal cord

31 pairs of spinal nerves

10 to 12 pairs of cranial nerves

Subdivided to somatic and autonomic systems

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9
Q

Somatic nervous system

A

Sensory and motor neurons distributed throughout the skin, joints, and muscles.

Sensory=afferent

Motor=efferent

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10
Q

Autonomic nervous system

A

Regulates heartbeat, respiration, digestion, and glandular secretions, and body temperature.

Involuntary muscles

2 subdivisions: Sympathetic and parasympathetic

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11
Q

Parasympathetic nervous system

A

“rest and digest”

Conserve energy

Resting and sleeping states

Reduce heart rate and constrict the bronchi

Manages digestion by increasing peristalsis and exocrine secretions

Acetylcholine is the neurotransmitter responsible for parasympathetic responses in the body.

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12
Q

Sympathetic nervous system

A

Activated by stress

“Flight-or-flight”

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 the bloodstream

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13
Q

Meninges

A

Thick sheath of connective tissue that covers the brain

Protects the brain, keeps it anchored within the skull, and reabsorb cererospinal fluid

3 layers: Pia mater, arachnoid mater, dura mater

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14
Q

Cerebrospinal fluid

A

Aqueous solution in which the brain and spinal cord rest

Produced by specialized cells that line the ventricles (internal cavities) of the brain.

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15
Q

3 Brain divisions

A

Forebrain: Cerebral cortex, basal ganglia, limbic system, thalamus, hypothalamus

Midbrain: Inferior and superior colliculi

Hindbrain: Cerebellum, medulla oblongata, reticular formation.

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16
Q

Brainstem

A

Most primitive region of brain

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17
Q

Limbic system

A

Group of neural structures primarily associated with emotion and memory

Aggression, fear, pleasure, and pain are related to the limbic system.

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18
Q

Cerebral cortex

A

Most recent evolutionary development of the brain

Outer covering of the cerebral hemispheres

Languages, problem-solving, impulse control to long-term planning

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19
Q

Hindbrain

A

Cerebellum, medulla oblongata, reticular formation

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20
Q

Medulla oblongata

A

Breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure

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21
Q

Pons

A

Sensory and motor pathways between cortex and he medulla

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22
Q

Cerebellum

A

Refined motor movement

Posture, balance

Damage causes clumsiness, slurred speech, and loss of balance.

Alcohol impairs cerebellum

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23
Q

Midbrain

A

sensory and motor information from the rest of the body

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24
Q

Superior Colliculus

A

Visual sensory input

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25
Q

Inferior Colliculus

A

Auditory information

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26
Q

Forebrain

A

Complex perceptual, cognitive, and behavioral processes

Emotion and memory

Behavior

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27
Q

Basal ganglia

A

Movement

28
Q

Thalamus

A

Sensory relay station

29
Q

Hypothalamus

A

Hunger and thirst

30
Q

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

A

Electrodes on scalp

Patterns of electrical activity can e detected and recorded

31
Q

Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF)

A

Detects neural activity based on increased blood flow to different parts of the brain

32
Q

Anterograde Amnesia

A

Not able to establish new long-term memories

Old long-term still in-tact

33
Q

Retrograde Amnesia

A

Not able to remember old long-term memories

34
Q

Lobes of Brain

A 
F-POT
Frontal
Parietal
Occipital
Temporal
35
Q

Wernicke’s area (Temporal lobe)

A

Area associated with language reception and comprehension

36
Q

Broca’s area

A

Language production

37
Q

Dominant Hemisphere

A

Left hemisphere

38
Q

Neurotransmitters

A

Released by neurons to carry a signal to another neuron or effector ( a muscle fiber of gland).

39
Q

Acetylcholine

A

Used by the somatic nervous system (to move muscles), the parasympathetic nervous system, and the central nervous system (for alertness).

40
Q

Dopamine

A

Maintains smooth movements

41
Q

Endorphins and enkphalins

A

Natural pain killers

42
Q

Epinephrine/norepinephrine

A

Maintain wakefulness and alertness, and mediate flight or flight responses.

Epinephrine tends to act as a hormone, and norepinephrine tends to act more like a neurotransmitter.

43
Q

gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glcine

A

Brain stabilizers

44
Q

Glutamate

A

Excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain

45
Q

Serotonin

A

Modulates mood, sleep patterns, eating patterns, and dreaming.

Monoamine

46
Q

Cortisol

A

Stress hormone released by the adrenal cortex

47
Q

Testosterone and estrogen

A

Mediate libido; testosterone also increases aggressive behavior. Both are released by the adrenal cortex. In males, the testes also produce testosterone. In females, the ovaries also produce estrogen.

48
Q

Nature vs. nurture

A

Debate regarding the relative contributions of genetics (nature) and environment (nurture) to an individual’s traits. For most traits, both nature and nurture play a role.

49
Q

Family studies

A

Look at the relative frequency of a trait within a family compared to the general population.

50
Q

Twin studies

A

Twin studies compare concordance rates between monozygotic (identical0 and dizygotic (fraternal) twins.

51
Q

Adoption studies

A

compares similarities between adopted children and their adoptive parents, relative to similarities with their biological parents.

52
Q

Catecholamines

A

AKA: monoamines

Epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine,

Controlling alertness and wakefulness

53
Q

Schizophrenia

A

Dopamine has a role to play

54
Q

Parkinson’s Disease

A

Loss of dopaminergic neurons in the basal ganglia.

These disruptions of dopamine transmission lead to resting tremors and jerky movements, as well as postural instability.

55
Q

Glycine

A

Related to GABA and glutamate

Inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS by increasing chloride influx into the neuron which causes hyperpolarization.

56
Q

Neuromodulator/Neuropeptide

A

More complicated transmission

Endorphin in the most famous example

57
Q

Hypothalamus (Endocrine system)

A

Hypothalamus links the endocrine and nervous systems

58
Q

Hypophyseal portal system

A

Connects the endocrine system and the nervous system

59
Q

Pituitary gland

A

“master gland”

Two parts– Anterior is more important

Releases hormones that regulate activities of endocrine glands

Controlled by the hypothalamus

60
Q

Adrenal glands

A

Located on top of the kidneys and have two parts

61
Q

Adrenal medulla

A

Epinephrine and norepinephrine

62
Q

Adrenal cortex

A

Produces the corticosteroids, including the stress hormone cortisol.

Also produces testosterone and estrogen (small quantities)

63
Q

Gonads

A

Sex glands of the body

Testes in men (produce testosterone)

Ovaries in females (produce estrogen)

64
Q

Libido

A

Sex drive

65
Q

Innate behavior

A

Genetically programmed as a result of evolution and is seen in all individuals regardless of environment ane experience

66
Q

Learned behaviors

A

Based on experience and environment

67
Q

Adaptive value

A

Extent to which a trait or behavior positively benefits a species by influencing the evolutionary fitness of the species, thus leading to adaptation through natural selection.

Psychology - MCAT (1 decks)

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