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Behavioral Sciences MCAT > Chapter 1 - Biology & Behavior > Flashcards

Chapter 1 - Biology & Behavior Flashcards

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MCAT flashcards
1
Q

Define Sensory neurons

A

Also known as Afferent neurons; they transmit sensory information from receptors to the spinal cord and brain

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2
Q

Define Motor Neurons

A

Also known as efferent neurons;

They transmit motor information from the brain and spinal cord to muscles and glands

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3
Q

Define Interneurons

A

Most abundant of the 3 neurons; located predominantly in the brain and spinal cord ; linked to reflexive behavior

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4
Q

Define reflex arcs

A

They are neural circuits that control the reflexive behavior

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5
Q

Explain the travel of information when you step on a nail with your foot

A

1) Receptors in the foot detect pain
2) Pain signal is transmitted by sensory neurons up to the spinal cord
3) Sensory neurons are connected with interneurons which relay pain impulses up to the brain
4) BEFORE the brain sends out a signal to the muscles; the interneurons in the spinal cord send signals to the muscles of both legs directly which leads to
5) Reflexive behavior (the person reflexively withdraws their foot in pain while simultaneously reflexively transferring weight to the other foot)

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6
Q

CNS vs PNS ; how do they relate?

A

CNS = central nervous system = composed of Brain and spinal cord

PNS = peripheral nervous system (made of nerve tissues and fibers outside the brain and spinal cord) = composed of somatic and autonomic system

PNS connects the CNS to the rest of the body (the olfactory and optic nerves [cranial nerves I and II] are structurally outgrowths of the CNS, but are considered components of the PNS)

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7
Q

Spinal nerves vs cranial nerves

A

Spinal nerves and cranial nerves are found in the PNS

Spinal nerves is made of 31 pairs of nerves emanating from the spinal cord
Cranial nerves made of 12 pairs of nerves emanating directly from the Brain

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8
Q

Define Somatic Nervous System

A

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

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9
Q

Define Autonomic Nervous system

A

Manages the involuntary muscles associated with many internal organs and glands

It regulates the body temperature, heartbeat, respiration, digestion, and glandular secretions

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10
Q

Parasympathetic nervous system vs Sympathetic nervous system

A

Parasympathetic = associated with conserving energy (resting and sleeping states)
(Note: Acetylcholine is the neurotransmitter responsible for parasympathetic responses)

Sympathetic = activated by stress
(Increases heart rate, increases blood glucose concentration, decreases digestion, releases epinephrine)

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11
Q

Define Forebrain

A

In the embryonic brain, the forebrain is the prosencephalon subdivision

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

Associated with emotion, memory, and complex perceptual, cognitive, and behavioral processes

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12
Q

Define Midbrain

A

In the embryonic brain, the midbrain is the mesencephalon subdivision

Inferior and superior colliculi

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13
Q

Define Hindbrain

A

In the embryonic brain, the hindbrain is the rhombencephalon subdivision

Made of Cerebellum, Medulla oblongata, Reticular formation, Pons

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14
Q

Function of cerebral cortex:

A

Complex perceptual, cognitive, and behavioral processes

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15
Q

Function of Basal ganglia:

A

Coordinates muscle movement as they receive information from the cortex and relay this information to the Brain and spinal cord

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16
Q

Define and provide Function of Limbic system:

A

Primary components: septal nuclei, amygdala, hippocampus, anterior cingulate cortex

Group of neural structures associated w/ Emotion and memory

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17
Q

Function of Thalamus:

A

A structure within the forebrain that serves as an relay station for incoming sensory information (includes all senses except smell) by sorting and transmitting them to appropriate areas of the cerebral cortex

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18
Q

Function of Midbrain:

A

Associated with Sensorimotor involuntary reflex responses triggered by visual and auditory stimuli

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19
Q

Function of Cerebellum:

A

Coordinates refined motor movements, helps balance, and helps maintain posture

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20
Q

Function of Medulla Oblongata:

A

Regulates heart rate, Vital reflexes (vomiting, coughing), breathing, and digestion

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21
Q

Function of Reticular formation:

A

Arousal and alertness

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22
Q

Function of Pons:

A

Communication within the brain, breathing

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23
Q

During embryonic development, the rhombencephalon (hindbrain) divides to form ______ and ______

A

Myelencephalon = this becomes the medulla oblongata

Metencephalon = this becomes the pons and cerebellum

24
Q

What are the 2 prominent nuclei in the midbrain?

A

Superior colliculos = receives visual sensory input

Inferior colliculos = receives sensory information from the auditory system

25
Q

During prenatal development, the prosencephalon (forebrain) divides to form the ________ and the ___________.

A

telencephalon = forms the cerebral cortex, basal ganglia, and limbic system

diencephalon = forms the thalamus, hypothalamus, posterior pituitary gland, and pineal gland

26
Q

Define Neuropsychology

A

The study of functions and behaviors associated with specific regions of the Brain

27
Q

Define Electroencephalogram (EEG)

A

Involves placing several electrodes on the scalp which allows for the studying of electrical activity generated by larger groups of neurons

28
Q

Define regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and states its assumption

A

Noninvasive mapping procedure (just like EEG) that detects broad patterns of neural activity based on increased blood flow to different parts of the brain

Assumes that blood flow increases to regions of the brain that are engaged in cognitive function (Ex: listening to music increases blood flow to the right auditory cortex)

29
Q

What are the 4 common scanning devices and methods of visualization used for brain imaging?

A

CAT (computed axial tomography) scan = multiple X-rays are taken at different angles and processed by a computer to produce cross-sectional images of the tissue

PET (positron emission tomography) scan = a radioactive sugar is injected and absorbed into the body, and its dispersion and uptake throughout the target tissue is imaged

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) = a magnetic field that interacts with Hydrogen atoms is used to map out hydrogen dense regions of the body

fMRI (functional MRI) = measures changes associated with blood flow

30
Q

What is the name of the 3-layer cover covering the brain? What are the layers called?

A

Meninges = three-layered sheath of connective tissue
Composed of :

Dura mater = the outer layer of connective tissue
Arachnoid mater = middle layer that is a fibrous, weblike structure
Pia mater = inner layer that is connected directly to the Brain

31
Q

Define hypothalamus

A

Feeding, Fighting, Flighting, Fucking (I want you baby)
Subdivided into three parts; it serves homeostatic functions (regulate metabolism, temperature, and water balance)

32
Q

Define neurotransmitter

A

chemical used by neurons to send signals to other neurons;

33
Q

What are the 3 parts of the hypothalamus? Explain them

A

Lateral hypothalamus = hunger center (triggers the need for food/liquid)

Ventromedial hypothalamus = Satiety center (signals to stop eating)

Anterior hypothalamus = controls sex behavior, regulates sleep and body temperature

34
Q

Define posterior pituitary

A

Comprised of atonal projections from the hypothalamus and is the site of release for hypothalamic hormones (ADH and oxytocin)

35
Q

Define pineal gland

A

Involved biological rhythms ; it secretes melatonin which regulates circadian rhythms

36
Q

What is an agonist?

A

drug that mimics the action of some neurotransmitter is called an agonist.

37
Q

Define antagonist

A

Drugs can also act by blocking the action of neurotransmitters, and such drugs are called antagonists

38
Q

How does Parkinson’s disease affect the basal ganglia?

A

It destroys portions of the basal ganglia which leads to jerky movements and uncontrolled resting tremors

39
Q

What neurotransmitter is found in both the central and peripheral nervous systems, and what functions does it have in each?

A

AcetvIcholine is a neurotransmitter found in both the central and peripheral nervous systems. In the peripheral nervous system, acetylcholine is used to transmit nerve impulses to the muscles. It is the neurotransmitter used by the parasympathetic nervous system and a small portion of the sympathetic nervous system (in ganglia and for innervating sweat glands). In the central nervous system, acetylcholine has been linked to attention and arousal. In fact, loss of cholinergic neurons connecting with the hippocampus is associated with Alzheimer’s disease, an illness resulting in progressive and incurable memory loss

40
Q

Define extrapyramidal system

A

Gathers information about body position and carries this information to the CNS

41
Q

What is a catecholamines.?

A

Epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine are three closely related neurotransmitters known as catecholamines.

42
Q

What is a monoamine or bio genie amine?

A

Epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine are three closely related neurotransmitters known as catecholamines. Due to similarities in their molecular composition, these three transmitters are also classified as monoamines or biogenic amines.

43
Q

What is cathecholamines important for?

A

catecholamines is that they all play important roles in the experience of emotions

44
Q

What neurotransmitter(s) is involved in controlling alertness and wakefulness.

A

Epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine (noradrenaline)

45
Q

Define Septal Nuclei

A

Contains one of primary pleasure centers in the Brain; association between these nuclei and addictive behavior

46
Q

Define Amygdala

A

Structure that plays an important role in defensive and aggressive behaviors

47
Q

Define Hippocampus

A

Helps consolidate information to form long-term memories and can redistribute remote memories to the cerebral cortex

48
Q

What is the connection between the fornix and the hippocampus?

A

The hippocampus communicates with other portions of the limbic system through a long projection called the fornix

49
Q

What is the connection between the fornix and the hippocampus?

A

The hippocampus communicates with other portions of the limbic system through a long projection called the fornix

50
Q

What promotes the flight or flight response? Neurotransmitter and system ?

A

primary neurotransmitter of the sympathetic nervous system, they promote the fight-or-flight response. Whereas norepinephrine more commonly acts at a local level as a neurotransmitter, epinephrine more ofen secreted from the adrenal medulla to act systemically as a hormone. to levels of norepinephrine are associated with depression; high levels are associated with anxiety and mania

51
Q

Name the condition that prevents making memory of new information. Name the famous patient with this condition.

A

Anterograde amnesia = a irreversible loss of memory for new information

Patient Henry Molaison (HM)

52
Q

What are the 4 lobes of the Brain? Define them

A

F-POT
F= frontal = executive function
P= parietal = touch, temperature, and pain
O = occipital = vision
T= temporal = hearing

53
Q

What is the role of dopamine ?

A

The role of dopamine in both
schizophrenia and Parkinson’s disease can be seen in their treatment.
Antipsychotic medications used in schizophrenia are dopamine blockers, and can cause motor disturbances (“extrapyramidal symptoms”) as a side effect. Parkinson’s disease can be treated with 1-DOPA, which increases dopamine levels in the brain; an overdose of t-DOPA
can lead to psychotic symploms similar to

54
Q

Define retrograde amnesia

A

Memory loss of events that transpired before brain injury

55
Q

What catecholamine plays an important role in movement and posture

A

Dopamine

56
Q

High concentrations of dopamine are normally found in the? And help with ?

A

High concentrations of dopamine are normally found in the basal ganglia. which help smooth movements and maintain postural stability.

Behavioral Sciences MCAT (1 decks)

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