Chapter 2: Neuroscience and Biological Foundations Flashcards
What do Evolutionary Psychologists study?
How natural selection and adaptation help explain behavior and mental processes
What is neuroscience?
Interdisciplinary field studying how biological processes relate to behavioral and mental processes
What is the neural basis of psychology?
The Nervous System consists of neurons (cells responsible for receiving and transmitting electrochemical information)
What components form the structure of a neuron?
Dendrites
Cell Body
Axon
Myelin Sheath
Terminal Button of Axon
What is a Dendrite?
Receives information from other neurons and sensory receptors
What is a Cell Body?
Receives information from dendrites, and if enough stimulation is received, the message is passed to the axon
What is an Axon?
Carries the neuron’s messages to other body cells (send them away)
What is a Myelin Sheath?
Covers the axons of some neurons to insulate and help speed neural impulses
What is the Terminal Button of Axon?
Form junctions with other cells and release chemicals called neurotransmitters
What is a Neurotransmitter?
Chemicals used to send a signal across the synaptic gap
What is a Synapse?
A Synapse is a junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite (or cell body) of the receiving neuron
What parts of the brain does the Forebrain consist of?
Thalamus
Hypothalamus
Cerebrum
Limbic System
Corpus Callosum
What parts of the Brain does the Hindbrain consist of?
Cerebellum
Pons
Medulla
What is the purpose of the brain stem and the cerebellum?
Coordinates the body
What is the purpose of the Limbic System?
Manages emotions, and connects thought to body
What is the purpose of the Cortex?
Integrates information
What is the purpose of the Midbrain?
Helps conduct movement patterns, sleep, and arousal
What is the purpose of the Hindbrain?
Controls respiratory rhythm, motor activity, sleep, and wakefulness
What is the purpose of the Hypothalamus?
Responsible for regulating emotions and drives
What is the purpose of the Thalamus?
Relays sensory messages to Cortex
What is the purpose of the Amygdala?
Part of the Limbic System; involved in aggression and fear
-Linked to Emotion
What is the purpose of the Cerebral Cortex?
The outer layer responsible for most complex behaviors and higher mental processes
What is the purpose of the Corpus Callosum?
Thick band of axons connecting the two hemispheres of the Cerebral Cortex
What is the purpose of the Pons?
Involved with respiration, movement, waking, sleep, and dreaming
What is the purpose of the Cerebellum?
Coordinates fine muscle movement, balance, and some perception and cognition
What is the purpose of the Medulla?
Responsible for breathing, heartbeat, and other vital life functions
What is the purpose of the Spinal Cord?
Responsible for transmitting information between the brain and rest of the body
Handles simple reflexes
What is the purpose of the Reticular Formation?
Helps screen incoming sensory information
Controls arousal
What is the purpose of the Brainstem?
Helps regulate reflex activities critical for survival (ex: heartbeat and respiration)
What is the purpose of the Frontal Lobe?
-Receives and coordinates messages from the other lobes
-Motor Control, speech control, speech production, and higher functions (thinking, personality, memory)
-Contains Broca’s Area and the Motor Cortex
What is the purpose of the Temporal Lobe?
-Hearing, language comprehension, memory, and some emotional control
-Contains Wernicke’s area
-Includes the auditory processing areas
-Located on each side of the brain above the ears
What is the purpose of the Occipital Lobes?
-Responsible for vision and visual perception
-Located in the back of the brain
What is the purpose of the Parietal Lobe?
-Receives information about pressure, pain, touch, and temperature
-Located at the top of the brain, directly behind the frontal lobes
-Responsible for interpreting bodily sensations
What is the purpose of the Left Hemisphere of the Brain?
-Language Functions
-Analytical (figure things out step-by-step)
-Controls the right side of the body
What is the purpose of the Right Hemisphere of the Brain?
-Nonverbal Abilities
-Synthetic (figures things out by combining pieces to form wholes)
-Controls the left side of the body
What is Neuroplasticity?
Brain’s lifelong ability to recognize and change its structure and functions
What are the 4 components of Neuroplasticity?
- Positive Emotion
- Repetition and practice
- Visualization
- Meditation
What is the CNS?
-Composed of the Brain and the Spinal Cord
-Spinal cord is the primary means for transmitting messages between the brain and the rest of the body
-CNS makes decisions for the body
-The brain directs mental processes and maintains basic life functions
What is the PNS?
-Consists of the “rest of” the nervous system
-Gathers and sends information to the rest of the body
-Connects the CNS to the rest of the body
-Subdivided into the Somatic Nervous System and the Autonomic Nervous System
What is the Somatic Nervous System?
-Connects to sensory receptors
-Controls Skeletal muscles
-Controls voluntary movement
What is the Autonomic Nervous System?
-Controls involuntary bodily functions (heartbeat, stress response, etc.)
-Subdivided into the Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Nervous Systems
What is the Sympathetic Nervous System?
-Arouses
-Fight or Flight response
-Prepares the body for action in stressful situations
What is the Parasympathetic Nervous System?
-Calms
-Acts to calm the body after an emergency or stressful situation has ended
