Chapter 2: How does Biology influence our behavior? Flashcards
Vocab for Chapter 2
neurosciencie
the study of how the brain and nervous system affect mental processes and behavior
neurons
cells in the nervous system that transmit information
glia
brain cells that provide important support functions for the neurons and are involved in the formation of myelin
myelin
fatty, waxy substance that insulates portions of some neurons in the nervous system
cell body
the part of the neuron that contains the genetic blueprint that guides development in the organism
dendrites
branchlike structures on the head of the neuron that receive incoming signals from other neurons in the nervous system
axon
a long tail-like structure growing out of the cell body of a neuron that carries action potentials that convey infomration form the cell body to the synapse
myelin sheath
the discontinuous segments of myelin that cover the outside of some axons in the nervous system
neurotransmitters
chemical messengers that carry nerual signals across the synapse
synapse
the connection formed between 2 neurons when the axon bulb of one neuron comes into close proximity with the dendrite of another neuron
presynaptic neuron
the neuron that is sending the signal at a synapse in the nervous system
postsynaptic neuron
the neuron that is receiving the signal at a synapse in the nervous system
ions
charged particles that play an important part in the firing of action potentials in the nervous system
resting potential
potential difference that exists in the neuron when it is resting (approximately -70 mv in mammals)
threshold of excitation
potential difference at which a neuron will fire an action potential (-55 millivolt in humans)
action potential
neural impulse fierd by a neuron when it reaches -55 mv (millivolt)
all-or-none fashion
all action potentials are equal in strength; once a neuron begins to fire an action potential, it fires all the way down the axon
refractory period
brief period of time after a neuron has fired an action potential during which the neuron is inhibited and unlikely to fire another action potential
excitation
when a neurotransmitter makes the postsynaptic cell more positive inside, it becomes more likely to fire an action potential
inhibition
when a neurotransmitter makes the postsynaptic cell more NEGATIVE inside, it becomes less likely to fire an action potential
reuptake
process through which neurotransmitters are recycled back into the presynaptic neuron
acetylcholine ACh
neurotransmitter related to muscle movement, and perhaps consciousness, learning, and memory
Excites skeletal muscles
Inhibits hear action; memory
Related Disorder = Alzheimer’s Disease
dopamine
neurotransmitter that plays a role in movement, motivation, learning, and attention
Movement; learning; attnetion; motivation & reward
Related Disease: Parkinsons, schizophrenia, substance abuse
serotonin
neurotransmitter that plays a role in many different behaviors, including sleep, arousal, mood, eating, and pain perception
Sleep; arousal; mood; eating; pain perception
Related Diseases: depression, OCD and other anxiety disorders, eating disorders, chronic pain
norepinephrine
neurotransmitter that plays a role in regulating sleep, arousal, and mood
sleep; arousal; mood
Related Diseases: depression and other mood disorders
gamma amino butyric GABA
the body’s chief inhibitory neurotransmitter, which plays a role in regulating arousal
Chief inhibitor
regulates arousal
Related Diseases: some anxiety disorders; some seizure disorders
glutamate
the chief excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain, found at more than 50% of the synapses in the brain
Chief excitatory neurotransmitter
many diverse functions
Related Diseases: neural death following head injuries (Too much is a bad thing!)
endorphins
neurotransmitters that act as a natural painkiller
suppression of pain; eating; cardiovascular functioning
Related Diseases: some possible link to mood
nervous system
an electrochemical system of communicationwithin the body that uses cells called neurons to convey information
central nervous system CNS
the brain and the spinal cord
peripheral nervous system PNS
all of the nervous system EXCEPT the brain and spinal cord
sensory neurons
neurons that transmit information from the sense organs (eyes, ears, etc) to the central nervous system
motor neurons
neurons that transmit commands from the brain to the muscles of the body
somatic nervous system
branch of the peripheral nervous system (all those things but NOT the brain/spinal cord) that governs sensory and voluntary motor action in the body
autonomic nervous system
branch of the peripheral nervous system that primarily governs involuntary organ functioning and actions in the body - has 2 branches - parasympathetic nervous system + sympathetic nervous system
parasympathetic nervous system
branch of AUTOnomic nervous system most active during times of normal functioning
sympathetic nervous system
branch of the autonomic nervous system most active during times of danger or stress
hindbrain
primitive part of the brain that comprises the MEDULLA, PONS< and CEREBELLUM (bottom part of brain)
forebrain
brain structures, including the limbic system, thalamus, hypothalamus, and corext, that govern HIGHER ORDER mental processes - such as cognition, sensory processing, and the planning and execution of behaviors - see, you have choices and YOU can make choices. ….
midbrain
brain structure that connects the hindbrain with the forebrain
medulla
part of the hindbrain that controls basic, life-sustaining functions such as respiration, heart rate, and blood pressure.
Mom’s sister died because she had a stroke in this part of her brain.
pons
hindbrain structure
plays a role in respiration, consciousness, sleep, dreaming, facial movement, sensory processes and the transmission of neural signals from one part of the brain to another.
cerebellum
hindrain structure
plays a role in balance, muscle tone, and coordination of motor movements
reticular formation
midbrain
regulates arousal and plays in important role in attention, sleep, and consciousness
limbic system
system of structures (amygdala & hippocampus) that govern certain aspects of emotion, motivation, and memory
cerebral cortex
thin, wrinkled outer covering of the brain in which high-level processes such as thinking, planning, language, interpretation of sensory data, and coordination of sensory and motor information take place
cerebral hemispheres
right and left sides of the brain that to some degree govern different functions in the body
amygdala
part of the LIMBIC system
plays a role in the emotions of fear and aggression
hippocampus
part of LIMBIC system
plays a role in the transfer of information from short- to long-term memory
THIS is an issue for YOU!
neuroplasticity
the nervous system’s ability to rewire its structures as a result of experience
thalamus
FOREBRAIN part
functions as a sensory relay station
hypothalamus
FOREBRAIN
plays a role in maintaing homeostasis in the body, involving sleep, body temperature, sexual behaviors, thirst, and hunger
also the point where the nervous system intersects with the endocrine system
homeostasis
an internal state of equilibrium in the body
frontal lobe
1 of the 4 cortical areas (part of the cortex)
it is directly behind the forehad that plays a role in thinking, planning, decision making, language, and motor movement
parietal lobe
another cortical area
located on the top sides of the brain
plays a role in touch and certain cognitive processes
occipital lobe
cortical area at the back of the brain
plays a role in visual processing
temporal lobe
cortical area directly below the ears
plays a role in auditory processing and language
Broca’s area
a region in the LEFT fronta lobe that plays a role in the production of speech
Broca’s aphasia
a condition resulting from damage to Broca’s area of the brain tha tleaves the person unable to produce speech
Wernicke’s Area
region of the LEFT temproal lobe that plays a role in comprehension of speech *understanding of speech…
Wernicke’s aphasia
a condition resulting from damage to Wernicke’s area of the brain
a person is unable to comprehend speech
corpus callosum
a thick band of neurons that connects the right and left hemispheres of the brain
split brain
a brain with its corpus callosum severed *cut
sometimes done to control epilepsy in people who do not respond to medication/other therapies
association cortex
areas of the cortex involved in the association or integration of infomration from the motor-sensory areas of the cortex
75% of cortex does this higher order work - integration of information, planning, decision making, language, etc.
motor cortex
a strip of cortex at the back of the frontal lobe that governs the execution of motor movement in the body
somatosensory cortex
a strip of cortex at the front of the PARIETAL lobe that governs the sense of touch
visual cortex
a region of cortex found at the back o fthe OCCIPITAL lobe that processes visual information in the brain
auditory cortex
a region of cortex
found in the TEMPORAL lobe
governs the processing of auditory information in the brain
endocrine system
a chemical system of communication in the body that uses chemical messengers (hormones) to affect organ function and behavior
endocrine glands
organs of the endocrine system
they produce and release hormones into the blood
hormones
chemical messengers of the endocrine system
pituitary gland
master gland of the Endocrine System
controls the action of all other glands in the body!
gonads
endocrine glands directly affect sexual reproduction produces sperm (male gonads = testes) or eggs (femail gonads = ovaries)
estrogens
class of female hormones
regulates many aspects of sexuality
found in both Males and Females
androgens
a class of male hormones
regulates many aspects of sexualtiy
found in both Males & Females
adrenal medulla
center part of the adrenal gland
plays a crucial role in functioning of the sympathetic nervous system (Stress or danger response)
adrenal cortex
outside part of adrenal gland
manufacture & release of androgens - therefore influences sexual characteristics
