Chapter 3 Biological Psychology

Question 1

Action Potential

Answer 1

An excitation that travels along the axon at a constant strength, no matter how far it travels

Question 2

Synapse

Answer 2

Specialized junction between one

Question 3

Synaptic Pruning

Answer 3

The process of synapse removal that takes place naturally, as a result of brain maturation which is believed to be caused by learning

Question 4

Neurotransmitters

Answer 4

The brain has dozens of neurotransmitters and some disorders increase/decrease a particular transmitter/receptor

Question 5

Stimulants

Answer 5

Drugs that increase energy, alertness, and activity by blocking the reabsorption of dopamine/serotonin by presynaptic neurons. (Ex: amphetamine, methamphetamine, and cocaine)

Question 6

Dopamine

Answer 6

A critical component of motivation

Question 7

Depressants

Answer 7

Drugs that decrease arousal such as alcohol, anxiolytic drugs, and tranquilizers.

Question 8

Narcotics

Answer 8

Drugs that produce drowsiness, insensitivity, to pain, and decreased responsiveness such as opiates, opioids, and endorphins.

Question 9

Marijuana

Answer 9

A drug that is difficult to classify that has a large number of potential medical uses, anandamide and 2-AG receptors are released by the postsynaptic neuron and bind to the presynaptic neurons.

Question 10

Occipital Lobe

Answer 10

Specialized for vision

Question 11

Temporal Lobe

Answer 11

Controls/regulates hearing/language, certain aspects of vision, emotion.

Question 12

Parietal Lobe

Answer 12

Specialized for body senses, including touch, pain, temperature, and awareness of body parts.

Question 13

Frontal Lobe

Answer 13

Include the primary motor cortex and the prefrontal cortex

Question 14

Cortical Blindness

Answer 14

Results from occipital lobe damage which causes no visual imagery and is different from blindness caused by damage to the eye. (Occipital Lobe)

Question 15

Blindsight

Answer 15

The ability to “see” without being consciously aware of it however part(s) of the occipital lobe are still working but not enough for conscious perception. (Occipital Lobe)

Question 16

Motion Blindness

Answer 16

When the temporal lobe is damaged, and you cannot see moving objects however you can see objects that are not moving. (Temporal Lobe)

Question 17

Prosopagnosia

Answer 17

Happens when the fusiform gyrus isn’t working properly and can be caused by injury/illness, and may be present at birth (aka facial blindness). (Temporal Lobe)

Question 18

Primary Somatosensory Cortex

Answer 18

Has cells sensitive to touch in various body areas. Large areas=more sensitive (Parietal Lobe)

Question 19

Primary Motor Cortex

Answer 19

Fine motor control (Frontal Lobe)

Question 20

Mirror Neurons

Answer 20

Active when you make a movement and watch someone else make a similar movement. (Frontal Lobe)

Question 21

Corpus Callosum

Answer 21

A set of axons that connect the left and right hemispheres of the cerebral cortex

Question 22

Epilepsy

Answer 22

A condition in which cells somewhere in the brain emit abnormal rhythmic, spontaneous impulses.

Question 23

Split Brain Patients

Answer 23

a type of disconnection syndrome when the corpus callosum connecting the two hemispheres of the brain is severed to some degree and is an association of symptoms produced by disruption of, or interference with, the connection between the hemispheres of the brain

Question 24

Plasticity

Answer 24

Change as a result of experience

Question 25

Binding Problem

Answer 25

Spatial separation (parietal lobe) helps us to “bind” our experiences

Question 26

Chromosomes

Answer 26

Strands of hereditary material and each nucleus has 23 pairs.

Question 27

Genes

Answer 27

Sections along each chromosome that control chemical reactions that direct development

Question 28

Epigenetics

Answer 28

Deals with changes in gene expression without modification of DNA. Basically, certain genes can be “activated” by experience. Ex: Puberty, learning, drug addiction

Question 29

Histones

Answer 29

Wrap the DNA of a chromosome into little balls. Acetyl groups attach to histones to increase expression of gene while methyl groups attach to histones to decrease expression of a gene.

Question 30

Direct Genetic Influences

Answer 30

Genes alter development of brain/sensory receptors. Ex: Number of taste buds influence food preferences.

Question 31

Indirect Genetic Influences

Answer 31

Alter something outside of the nervous system. Ex: Genes influence chemical reactions in the gut; inability to digest lactose impacts food preferences/eating behavior

Question 32

Multiplier Effect

Answer 32

A small initial advantage in some behavior, possibly genetic in origin, alters the environment and magnifies that advantage.

Question 33

Evolution

Answer 33

A gradual change in frequency of various genes from one generation to another.