Chapter 3: Biological Foundations of Behavior Flashcards
The Nervous System
The body’s electrochemical communication circuitry
Factors of the Nervous System
Complex, integrated, adaptable (plasticity), electrochemical transmission
Central Nervous System
Brain and Spinal Cord
Peripheral Nervous System
Somatic NS, Autonomic NS
Somatic NS
Sensory and motor nerves that go to muscles, is involved in conscious movement
Afferent Signals of Somatic NS
Skin, muscles, and joints send signals to spinal cord and brain (outside world communicates to the brain)
Efferent Signals of Somatic NS
Brain and spinal cord send signals to the muscles, joints, and skin
Autonomic NS
Delegates communication with internal organs, includes the sympathetic NS and parasympathetic NS
Sympathetic NS
Involves the carrying of signals that make the body alert, fight or flight
Parasympathetic NS
Involves the carrying of signals that calms the body after experiencing a stressor
Afferent/Sensory Nerves
carry signals to brain that enable our senses such as taste, smell, sight, etc.
Efferent/Motor Nerves
carry signals to our muscles that enables our ability to move and function.
Glial Cells
provide support and nutrition to neurons (“glue” of NS)
Mirror Neurons
most commonly found in primates, involves imitation of an action, social perception
Neurons
important to the NS, responsible for information processing such as computing/communicating.
Dendrites
responsible for receiving and processing signals from the axons of other neurons.
Cell Body
stores genetic information, maintains the structure of a neuron, and provides energy to the neuron.
Axon
responsible for carrying electrical impulses (nerve impulses) away from the cell body, otherwise known as the neuron’s tail.
Myelin Sheath
protects the axon
Terminal Buttons
at the end of the axon, responsible for sending the signal to other neurons
Synapse
Gap at the end of the terminal buttons, purpose is to connect neurons, neurotransmitters travel through the synapse.
Neuron Communication
communicate through combination of electrical and chemical signals
Electrochemical signals
a neuron detects a stimulus and generates an electric potential that travels down the cell
Polarization of neuron
Involves an imbalance of charges in the neuron, in polarization the neuron is negatively charged inside. allows for electrical signals/action potentials to be transmitted when stimulated by outside stimuli or other neurons. ion channels are CLOSED
Resting State
Neuron is not actively transmitting any signals. Electrical potential difference when cell is in non-excited state
Semipermeable membrane
allows for the passage of specific molecules/ions through diffusion
Ion channels
allow for the passage of ions through the cell membrane
When do ion channels open?
during depolarization
Threshold
lowest point at which a stimulus will cause a response in an organism
Action Potential
ion exchange sweeps across the length of an axon to transmit information, neuron briefly changes from + to - during the exchange
All-or-nothing principle
neurons will either transmit an impulse completely or not at all
What carries information across the synaptic gap to the next neuron?
Neurotransmitters
Acetylcholine
Primarily responsible for muscle actions, learning, and memory
- Botox & Alzheimer’s decrease ACH levels
- Black Widow Venom increases ACH levels
GABA
regulates neural activity, therefore promoting relaxation, anxiety reduction, & sleep regulation
- Anxiety decreases GABA levels
Glutamate
known as the excitatory neurotransmitter, involved in learning and memory
- related to multiple different psychological disorders such as autism, depression, and schizophrenia
Norepinephrine
associated with the “fight or flight” stress response, regulates mood, responsible for ability to pay attention
- stress and mania increase norepinephrine levels
- depression decreases norepinephrine levels
Dopamine
responsible for voluntary movement and reward anticipation
- stimulant drugs activate dopamine receptors
- parkinson’s decreases dopamine levels
- schizophrenia increases dopamine levels
Serotonin
regulates sleep, mood, attention, and learning
- depression decreases serotonin levels
- prozac (medication for depression) increases serotonin levels
Endorphins
serve as natural opiates, mediates feelings of pleasure and pain
Oxytocin
both a hormone and neurotransmitter, related to attachment & emotional bonds
- relates to onset of lactation in new mothers
Reuptake
the whole neurotransmitter molecule is taken back into the axon terminal that released it in order to clear the synapse
What is the hindbrain made up of?
The brainstem, which includes the medulla and pons, and the cerebellum
Medulla
Controls breathing, heartbeat, and blood pressure, regulates reflexes
Pons
Unconscious processes, like sleep-wake up cycle and breathing, controls sleep and arousal
Cerebellum
responsible for motor coordination
What does the midbrain consist of?
Substania nigra and reticular formation
Substantia Nigra
produces dopamine, directly impacted by Parkinson’s disease
Reticular Formation
facilitates movement of muscles for stereotyped behavior patterns, such as walking
What does the forebrain consist of?
the amygdala, hippocampus, thalamus, basil ganglia, hypothalamus
Amygdala
responsible for the ability to discriminate objects needed for survival and emotional awareness/expression
Hippocampus
responsible for the formation and recall of memories
Thalamus
main relay station for most sensory information
Basil Ganglia
coordination of voluntary movements
Hypothalamus
delegates eating, drinking, and sexual behaviors, regulates the body’s internal state (emotion, stress, and reward)
4 F’s = FLEEING, FIGHTING, FEEDING, FUCKING
What does the cerebral cortex consist of?
The neocortex and the 4 lobes
Neocortex
the outermost layer
Occipital Lobe
responsible for vision
Temporal Lobe
responsible for hearing, language processing, and memory
Frontal Lobe
involves intelligence, personality, and voluntary muscles
Parietal Lobe
involves spatial location, attention, and motor control
Somatosensory Cortex
located in the parietal lobe, controls body sensations and touch
Motor Cortex
located in the frontal lobe, controls voluntary movements & point-to-point mapping
Association Cortex
takes up 75% of cortex, responsible for processing that occurs between sensory input and motor behaviors
Prefrontal Cortex
at the very front of the brain
Corpus Callosum
a large bundle of axons that connects the two hemisphere of the brain
Left Hemisphere of the Brain
responsible for verbal processing, speech, and grammar
- Wernicke’s area and Broca’s area are located here
Right Hemisphere of the Brain
responsible for spatial perception, visual recognition, and emotion
Wernicke’s Area
controls the ability to understand the meaning of words,
Broca’s Area
controls the ability to speak
