Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

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

Chapter 1 - Biology and Behavior Flashcards

1
Q

Extirpation/ablation

A

Surgically removing various parts of the brain to study behavioral consequences

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

Functionalism

A

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

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

Sensory Neurons

A

Afferent neurons

Transmit sensory information from receptors to the spinal cord and brain

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

Motor neurons

A 
Efferent neurons (EFF OFF)
Transmit motor 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
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

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

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

Central nervous system (CNS)

A

Brain and Spinal cord

Olfactory and optical nerves are offshoots of the CNS

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

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

Somatic nervous system

A

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

Sensory=afferent

Motor=efferent

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

Autonomic nervous system

A

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

Involuntary muscles

2 subdivisions: Sympathetic and parasympathetic

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

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

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

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

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

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

Brainstem

A

Most primitive region of brain

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

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

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

Hindbrain

A

Cerebellum, medulla oblongata, reticular formation

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

Medulla oblongata

A

Breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure

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

Pons

A

Sensory and motor pathways between cortex and he medulla

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

Cerebellum

A

Refined motor movement

Posture, balance

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

Alcohol impairs cerebellum

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

Midbrain

A

sensory and motor information from the rest of the body

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

Superior Colliculus

A

Visual sensory input

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Inferior Colliculus
Auditory information
26
Forebrain
Complex perceptual, cognitive, and behavioral processes Emotion and memory Behavior
27
Basal ganglia
Movement
28
Thalamus
Sensory relay station
29
Hypothalamus
Hunger and thirst
30
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
Electrodes on scalp Patterns of electrical activity can e detected and recorded
31
Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF)
Detects neural activity based on increased blood flow to different parts of the brain
32
Anterograde Amnesia
Not able to establish new long-term memories | Old long-term still in-tact
33
Retrograde Amnesia
Not able to remember old long-term memories
34
Lobes of Brain
``` F-POT Frontal Parietal Occipital Temporal ```
35
Wernicke's area (Temporal lobe)
Area associated with language reception and comprehension
36
Broca's area
Language production
37
Dominant Hemisphere
Left hemisphere
38
Neurotransmitters
Released by neurons to carry a signal to another neuron or effector ( a muscle fiber of gland).
39
Acetylcholine
Used by the somatic nervous system (to move muscles), the parasympathetic nervous system, and the central nervous system (for alertness).
40
Dopamine
Maintains smooth movements
41
Endorphins and enkphalins
Natural pain killers
42
Epinephrine/norepinephrine
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
gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glcine
Brain stabilizers
44
Glutamate
Excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain
45
Serotonin
Modulates mood, sleep patterns, eating patterns, and dreaming. Monoamine
46
Cortisol
Stress hormone released by the adrenal cortex
47
Testosterone and estrogen
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
Nature vs. nurture
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
Family studies
Look at the relative frequency of a trait within a family compared to the general population.
50
Twin studies
Twin studies compare concordance rates between monozygotic (identical0 and dizygotic (fraternal) twins.
51
Adoption studies
compares similarities between adopted children and their adoptive parents, relative to similarities with their biological parents.
52
Catecholamines
AKA: monoamines Epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine, Controlling alertness and wakefulness
53
Schizophrenia
Dopamine has a role to play
54
Parkinson's Disease
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
Glycine
Related to GABA and glutamate Inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS by increasing chloride influx into the neuron which causes hyperpolarization.
56
Neuromodulator/Neuropeptide
More complicated transmission Endorphin in the most famous example
57
Hypothalamus (Endocrine system)
Hypothalamus links the endocrine and nervous systems
58
Hypophyseal portal system
Connects the endocrine system and the nervous system
59
Pituitary gland
"master gland" Two parts-- Anterior is more important Releases hormones that regulate activities of endocrine glands Controlled by the hypothalamus
60
Adrenal glands
Located on top of the kidneys and have two parts
61
Adrenal medulla
Epinephrine and norepinephrine
62
Adrenal cortex
Produces the corticosteroids, including the stress hormone cortisol. Also produces testosterone and estrogen (small quantities)
63
Gonads
Sex glands of the body Testes in men (produce testosterone) Ovaries in females (produce estrogen)
64
Libido
Sex drive
65
Innate behavior
Genetically programmed as a result of evolution and is seen in all individuals regardless of environment ane experience
66
Learned behaviors
Based on experience and environment
67
Adaptive value
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)

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