Chapter 2: Biological Basis of Behavior Flashcards
Neurons
Individual cells that are the smallest unit of the nervous system.
Dendrites
Short fibers that branch out from the cell body and pick up incoming messages.
Axon
Single long fiber extending from the cell body; it carries outgoing messages.
Nerve (Or Tract)
Group of Axons bundled together.
Myelin Sheath
White, fatty covering found on some axons.
Neurotransimitters
Chemicals released by the synaptic vesicles that travel across the synaptic space and affect adjacent neurons.
Acetycholine (ACh)
arousal, attention, memory, and motivation.
Dopamine
Voluntary movement, learning, memory, and emotions.
Serotonin
“Mood Molecule”
Glutamate
Speeds up synaptic transmission through the central nervous system.
Sympathetic Nervous System
Part of autonomic nervous system, engages when individual is threatened. Blood and heart rate increase, adrenaline; digestive system shuts down.
Parasympathetic Nervous System
Maintain homeostasis to calm and bring balance to the body.
Cerebral Cortex
The outer surface of the two cerebral hemispheres that regulates most complex behavior.
Prefrontal Cortex
Involved in goal-directed behavior, impulse control, judgment and awareness.
Frontal Lobe
Involved in complex problem-solving tasks.
Primary Motor Cortex
Key role in voluntary movement
Central Fissure
Separates the primary somatosensory cortex from the primary motor cortex.
Primary Somatosensory Cortex
Registers sensory messages from the entire body.
Parietal Lobe
Receives all sensory receptor information, also involved with spatial abilities.
Temporal Lobe
Complex Visual Tasks, balance, regulating emotions, strong role in understanding language
Occipital Lobe
Receives and processes visual information.
Left Hemisphere
controls writing and movement of the right side of the body. Usually dominant in language and tasks involving symbolic reasoning.
Right Hemisphere
controls touch and movement of the left side of the body and is typically superior at nonverbal, visual, and spatial tasks.
Cerebellum
Helps coordinate voluntary muscle movement, maintaining balance.
Medulla
Basic regulation of heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing
Pons
Link between hindbrain and midbrain, helps control breathing
Limbic System
Associated with emotions and specific drives
Amygdala
emotional memories
Hippocampus
Cognitive processes and spacial orientations, learning, and new memories.
Hypothalamus
regulates eating, drinking, and body temp. Governs endocrine system.
