Chapter 2 - Neuroscience and Behavior Flashcards
What is biological psychology?
the study of how the body systems and processes relate to behavior (also known as biopsychology or psychobiology)
What is neuroscience?
the scientific study of the nervous system (central or peripheral
What does the central nervous system consist of?
the brain and spinal chord
What does the peripheral nervous system consist of?
any nerve outside of the brain and/or spinal chord
What happens if you do not use a part of your brain?
it dies
What is a neuron?
a highly specialized cell that communicates information in electrical and chemical forms (nerve cell)
Describe the nerve cell components and their functions.
Dendrites - receive information from other neurons and sensory receptors
Nucleus - contains chromosomes
Cell body - process nutrients and provides the neuron energy
Axon - carries information to other neurons, muscles and glands
Myelin Sheath - insulates axon with fat and increases communication speed
Nodes of Ranvier - gaps in the myelin sheath
Resting potential
the state in which a neuron is prepared to activate and communicate its message if it receives sufficient stimulation
- includes ions, or charged particles located within and around the cell
What charge do brain cells live at when resting?
-70 charge
What are the four ions that take part in producing the resting potential?
Sodium (Na+) and Chloride (Cl-) - higher concentration outside the cell
Potassium (K+) and large proteins (A-) - higher concentration inside the cell
Stimulus threshold
minimum level of stimulation required to activate a particular neuron
The action potential
when a neuron is at resting state, it may be stimulated by another neuron
Depolarization
when a cell goes from -70 to +30
Repolarization
releases sodium which changes voltage
Refractory Period
can’t fire again for a fraction of a millisecond
Hyperpolarzation
dips beyond -70mV then comes back to -70
Synapse
communication point between two neurons separated by synaptic gap (neurotransmitters are exchanged)
Neurotransmitter and Receptor Sites
each neurotransmitter has a chemically distinct shape
- like a key in a lock, a neurotransmitter must perfectly fit the receptor site on the receiving neuron for its message to be communicated
How do drugs affect synaptic transmission?
many drugs, especially those that affect moods or behavior, work by interfering with the normal functioning of neurotransmitters in the synapse
- can increase/decrease neurotransmitters
- can block neurotransmitters
Central Nervous System
- central to all behavior and mental processes; protected by meninges and cerebral spinal fluid which surrounds the spinal cord and fills ventricles in the brain
Peripheral Nervous System
all nerves outside CNS
- somatic nervous system:communicates sensory information to CNS
- autonomic nervous system: either raises/lowers heart rate in response to an event
The endocrine system
made up of glands that are located throughout the body and uses chemical messengers (hormones) to transmit information
Hormones
triggered by hypothalamus and circulated by blood
- regulate physical processes and influence behavior
influence emotional and stress response
Functional Plasticity
the brain’s ability to shift functions from damaged to undamaged brain areas
Structural Plasticity
the brain’s ability to change its physical structure in response to learning, active practice or environmental influences
The hindbrain
connects the spinal cord with the rest of the brain
- medulla, pons, and cerebellum
The midbrain
important relay station that contains centers involved in the processing of auditory and visual sensory information
The cerebral cortex
the outer portion of the forebrain; is divided into two cerebral hemispheres (grey and white matter)
- temporal: primary auditory cortex
- occipital: primary visual cortex
- parietal: sensory cortex
- frontal: motor cortex
Hypothalamus
links the brain and endocrine system; regulates hunger, thirst, sleep, and sexual behavior
Thalamus
processes and integrates sensory information; relays sensory information to cerebral cortex
Amygdala
involved in memory and emotion, especially fear and anger
Hippocampus
involved in forming new memories
