Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Intro to Psychology > Chapter 2 - Biology & Psychology > Flashcards

Chapter 2 - Biology & Psychology Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
AP® Psychology flashcards Psychology 101 flashcards GRE® Psychology flashcards
1
Q

What is the physiology of psychology?

A

I think… Therefore I am…

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

What is the nervous system?

A

System of nerves the control thought processes, heartbeat, visual motor coordination, and many other abilities

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

What system enables us to receive information from the world and to act on that world?

A

Nervous system

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

What is a specialized cell that conducts impulses through the nervous system?

A

Neuron

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

How do you neurons conduct electrochemical signals to each other?

A

Electrically across the cell and chemically between the cell

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

What is the purpose of glial cells?

A

Help make the brain more efficient by holding the neurons together (like the glue)
Waste removal system of dead neurons

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

How many neurons does a typical human brain contain?

A

More than 100 billion at birth and 10-100 trillion connections

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

What creates Myelin sheath coating for axons?

A

Glial cells

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

What three primary parts are neurons composed of?

A

Soma, dendrite, axon

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

What is the cell body also called?

A

Soma

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

What are the branch like extensions of a neuron the receives signals from other neurons?

A

Dendrite

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

What is the slender tail like extension of the neuron the transmit signals to the dendrites?

A

Axon

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

What is the white study coating wrapped around axons that acts as insulation?

A

Myelin

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

What are the functions of Myelin?

A

Create insulator barrier and enables impulses to move much faster

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

What minimizes energy loss and minimizes interference from surrounding neurons?

A

Myelin

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

What are afferent neurons?

A

Relay information from the senses to the brain and spinal cord

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

What are efferent neurons?

A

Send information from the central nervous system to the glands and muscles

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What are interneurons?

A

Carry information between neurons in the central nervous system

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

What are electro chemical messages that travel within neurons?

A

Neural impulses

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

How fast can a neural impulse travel?

A

Up to 360 km/hr

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

What is the difference in electrical charge that readies a neuron for firing?

A

Polarization

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

What is a neurons electrical potential when it isn’t responding to other neurons?

A

Resting potential

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

What occurs when an area on the surface of the resting neuron is chemically stimulated by other neurons?

A

Depolarization

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

What is the electrical potential when a neural impulse is being conducted along a neuron’s axon?

A

Action potential

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

What does the firing of a neuron consist of?

A

Resting potential, depolarization, action potential, refractory period

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

What is firing?

A

Conduction of neural impulses along the length of a neuron. It works on the all or none principle. The neural impulses always the same strength whenever action potential is triggered

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

What is the short recovery period between firing?

A

Refractory period

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

What are the structures at synapse?

A

Axon terminal, synaptic vesicles, neurotransmitters, synaptic cleft

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

What three things does a synapse have?

A

Axon terminal, dendrite, and a tiny fluid filled space between the two that is the synaptic cleft

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

What is the junction where the axon of the sending neuron communicates with the receiving neuron across the synaptic cleft?

A

Synapse

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

What is the brains ability to regenerate known as?

A

Plasticity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

What are neurotransmitters?

A

Chemicals that are released into the synaptic cleft from the axon terminal of the sending neuron

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

What is involved in the transmission of information from one neuron to another?

A

Neurotransmitters

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

What are the two types of potential action in neurotransmitters?

A

Excitatory or inhibitory

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

What is the probability of a new action potential increasing called?

A

Excitatory

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

What is the term for the probability of a new action decreasing?

A

Inhibitory

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

What is the reabsorption of the released neurotransmitter by the releasing neuron?

A

Reuptake

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
38
Q

What are the five primary chemicals that act as neurotransmitters?

A

Acetylcholine, Dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin, gamma-aminobutyric acid, Endorphins

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
39
Q

What is the neurotransmitter that plays a role in learning, memory, and rapid eye movement?

A

Acetylcholine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
40
Q

Which Neurotransmitter are you lacking in if you have Alzheimer’s disease?

A

Acetylcholine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
41
Q

What is a part of the limbic system of the brain involved in memory formation?

A

Hippocampus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
42
Q

What is the neurotransmitter involved in perception of pleasure?

A

Dopamine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
43
Q

Which neurotransmitter when deficient has been linked to Parkinson’s disease?

A

Dopamine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
44
Q

What can an excess of dopamine lead to?

A

Schizophrenia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
45
Q

Which neurotransmitter stimulates voluntary movement?

A

Dopamine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
46
Q

What is the pre-dominant neurotransmitter in fear/anxiety?

A

Norepinephrine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
47
Q

Which two neurotransmitters can impair memory formation when deficient?

A

Acetylcholine and norepinephrine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
48
Q

When experiencing a mood disorder you could be likely high in __________

A

Norepinephrine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
49
Q

Which is a neurotransmitter involved in emotional arousal and sleep?

A

Serotonin

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
50
Q

Deficiency of this neurotransmitter are linked to eating disorders, alcoholism, depression, aggression, and insomnia

A

Serotonin

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
51
Q

Which neurotransmitter may calm anxious reactions?

A

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
52
Q

Which Neurotransmitter is linked to depression when deficient?

A

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
53
Q

What are inhibitory Neurotransmitters that act as naturally occurring painkillers?

A

Endorphins

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
54
Q

Which Nero transmitter is structurally and functionally similar to morphine?

A

Endorphins

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
55
Q

Which neurotransmitter is responsible for “runner’s high”

A

Endorphins

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
56
Q

What is the central nervous system made up of?

A

Brain and spinal cord

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
57
Q

What is the peripheral nervous system made up of?

A

Somatic nervous system and autonomic nervous system

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
58
Q

What does the autonomic nervous system consist of?

A

Sympathetic nervous system and parasympathetic nervous system

59
Q

What rests on the top of the spinal column and is essential to the parasympathetic nervous system?

A

Brain stem

60
Q

Which part of the brain is present in all vertebrates and is oldest?

A

Brain stem

61
Q

What is the structure in the brain stem playing a crucial role in arousal and attention?

A

Reticular formation

62
Q

Which part of the brain is significantly affected by drinking alcohol?

A

Reticular formation

63
Q

What is the part of the brain stem controlling automatic functions for example heartbeat, breathing, blood pressure, coughing, and swallowing?

A

Medulla

64
Q

What plays a role in relaying motor messages between cerebellum and motor cortex?

A

Pons

65
Q

What exert influence over muscle movements and sleep and dreaming?

A

Pons

66
Q

What is the brain structure that execute smooth, skilled body movements and regulates tone and posture?

A

Cerebellum

67
Q

What brain structure is implicated in unconscious learning?

A

Cerebellum

68
Q

What is the structure located above the brain stem that access to relay station for information flowing into or out of the higher brain centers?

A

Thalamus

69
Q

What brain structure is between cerebral cortex and lower brain structures?

A

Thalamus

70
Q

What brain structure is linguistically related?

A

Thalamus

71
Q

What brain structure affects our ability to learn new information and produce new language?

A

thalamus

72
Q

Which structure is two egg shaped structure is between cerebral cortex and lower brain structures?

A

Thalamus

73
Q

Which structure controls the pituitary gland?

A

Hypothalamus

74
Q

Which structure in the brain affects nearly all body function but blood pressure, heart rhythm and breathing?

A

Hypothalamus

75
Q

Which small but influential brain structure regulates hunger and thirst, sexual behavior, body temperature, body rhythms and emotional behavior?

A

Hypothalamus

76
Q

What is the master gland?

A

Pituitary gland

77
Q

What is the central nervous system encased in?

A

Bone

78
Q

What are functions of the central nervous system?

A

Collects, processes and transmits information and control centre

79
Q

What is afferent?

A

Incoming conduction

80
Q

What is efferent?

A

Outgoing conduction

81
Q

What is an extension of the brain reaching from the base of the brain through the neck and spinal column?

A

Spinal cord

82
Q

What transmit messages between the brain and peripheral nervous system?

A

Spinal cord

83
Q

What connects the brain stem to the part of the nervous system that is external to the CNS?

A

Neurons

84
Q

What is the ability of the spinal cord to act without help from the brain to protect from injury?

A

Spinal reflex

85
Q

What is the brain a collection of?

A

Neurons and glial cells

86
Q

What is the brain responsible for?

A

Homeostasis, information processing, producing behavior, creating reality

87
Q

What is plasticity known as?

A

Brains ability to re-organize, compensate for damage, repair

88
Q

What is a group of structures deep within the brain that affect emotional expression, memory and motivation?

A

Limbic system

89
Q

What is a structure in the limbic system that plays an important role in emotion, particularly in response to aversive stimuli

A

Amygdala

90
Q

If the amygdala is damaged, what might you not recognize?

A

Facial expressions or verbal tones

91
Q

What is a structure in the limbic system which plays an important role in the formation of long-term memories?

A

Hippocampus

92
Q

What is the largest structure of the human brain?

A

Cerebrum

93
Q

What is the function of the corpus callosum?

A

Connects two cerebral hemispheres and makes it possible to transfer information and synchronize activity between them

94
Q

What is the corpus callosum?

A

Thick band of nerve fibres

95
Q

What is the cerebral cortex?

A

Gray, convoluted covering of the cerebral hemispheres. Primarily responsible for higher mental processes

96
Q

What is the cerebral cortex responsible for?

A

Language, memory, thinking

97
Q

What does the frontal lobe control?

A

Motor cortex, language centers, cognitions

98
Q

What did an injury to the prefrontal cortex cause?

A

Personality change

99
Q

What is the somatosensory cortex?

A

Where touch, pressure, temperature, and pain register. Body awareness and spatial orientation

100
Q

What would happen if the somatosensory cortex was injured?

A

May not be able to discriminate between silk and sandpaper

101
Q

What lobe is the somatosensory cortex a part of?

A

Parietal

102
Q

Where is the primary visual cortex?

A

Occipital lobe

103
Q

Where does vision register?

A

Primary visual cortex

104
Q

If this is damaged you may not be able to discriminate objects

A

Primary visual cortex

105
Q

What is involved in the interpretation of visual information?

A

Primary visual cortex

106
Q

Where is the primary auditory cortex?

A

Temporal lobe

107
Q

Which area contains the primary auditory cortex?

A

Wernicke’s area

108
Q

What area is for interpreting auditory information?

A

Wernicke’s area - primary auditory cortex

109
Q

If this is damaged, you may not be able to discriminate speech

A

Primary auditory cortex

110
Q

Which special language centre is responsible for comprehension?

A

Wernicke’s area

111
Q

Which special language centre is responsible for language production?

A

Broca’s area

112
Q

Which brain seems to have a greater interconnectivity within specific brain regions and less connectivity between hemispheres?

A

Men’s

113
Q

Which brain has increased processing across hemispheres and across modular regions of the brain?

A

Women’s

114
Q

Which structures have differences in size and connectivity between men and women?

A

Amygdala and hippocampus

115
Q

Which hemisphere controls the right side of the body?

A

Left

116
Q

Which hemisphere is more involved in logical analysis, language, and mathematical computation

A

Left

117
Q

Which hemisphere is superior in visual spatial functions, facial recognition, and emotional understanding?

A

Right

118
Q

What is the peripheral nervous system made up of?

A

Somatic nervous system, and autonomic nervous system

119
Q

What is the autonomic nervous system made up of?

A

Sympathetic nervous system and parasympathetic nervous system

120
Q

Which part of the CNS serves the sense organs and muscles of the body wall and limbs?

A

Somatic nervous system

121
Q

Which part of the nervous system is under conscious control?

A

Somatic

122
Q

What is a good synonym for autonomic nervous system?

A

Automatic

123
Q

What part of the CNS controls involuntary activity?

A

Autonomic nervous system

124
Q

What nervous system controls circulation, breathing, digestion and reflex actions?

A

Autonomic

125
Q

Which nervous system response to stressors in environment and is responsible for fight or flight?

A

Sympathetic

126
Q

Which nervous system is responsible for restoring body to normal, health, healing?

A

Parasympathetic

127
Q

What five organs belong in the endocrine system?

A

Pituitary gland, thyroid gland, pancreas, adrenal glands, gonads

128
Q

And what is an endocrine gland located in the neck of humans and other vertebrates secreting hormones responsible for controlling metabolism and growth?

A

Thyroid gland

129
Q

What is the large elongated Oregon lying any of the stomach, secreting juices into the intestine and the hormones insulin, glucagon, somatostatin

A

Pancreas

130
Q

What is the endocrine gland located above each kidney, secreting epinephrine, steroids such as cortisol, adrenaline, epinephrine, norepinephrine?

A

Adrenal glands

131
Q

Which gland activates the sympathetic nervous system?

A

Adrenal gland

132
Q

Which gland provides women with body hair?

A

Adrenal gland

133
Q

Which hormone affects the development of the reproductive organs and sexual characteristics?

A

Gonads (sex hormone)

134
Q

What three main classes of hormones are produced in both males and females?

A

Androgens (masculinizing effects), estrogen (feminizing effects), progesterone (prepares uterus for pregnancy each month)

135
Q

What are the different brain waves?

A

Beta wave, alpha wave, theta wave, Delta wave

136
Q

Which wave occurs when a person is awake and relaxed?

A

Alpha

137
Q

Which wave is high frequency and associated with a normal wakefulness?

A

Beta

138
Q

Which wave is produced by adults in deep sleep?

A

Delta

139
Q

Which wave is associated with sleep and dream?

A

Delta

140
Q

Which brain scan in technique involves a rotating x-ray?

A

CT scan

141
Q

Which skin technique records individual’s brainwave activity?

A

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

142
Q

Which scanning technique is a diagnostic scanning producing high-resolution images?

A

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)

143
Q

Which brain imaging technique reveals various activity?

A

Pet scan (positron-emission tomography)

144
Q

What happens during rapid eye movement sleep?

A

Brain is Wideawake and engaging with the dream while sleeping

Intro to Psychology (14 decks)

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