Chapter 3: Biological Psychology Flashcards

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1
Q

biological psychology

A

the science of the biological processes underlying or influencing mind + behavior

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2
Q

phrenology

A

-“bumpology”
-assumed that enlargements of the skull corresponded to brain enlargements, + that these brain enlargements were linked directly to different psychological capacities

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3
Q

electroencephalogram (EEG)

A

measures electric potentials across the brain to assess narcolepsy, late-stage Alzeimer’s, or seizure disorders

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4
Q

computed tomography (CT or CAT Scan)

A

use stacks of x-rays + computer processing to inspect 2D organ structure + composition

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5
Q

MRI

A

brain structural details, detecting tumors

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6
Q

PET

A

change in brain activity in response to stimuli, injection of radioactive glucose-like molecules (cancer activity)

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7
Q

fMRI

A

change in blood oxygen level, neural activity (cancer activity)

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8
Q

MEG

A

uncommon
-similar to EEG in recording neuronal activity but has a greater spatial + temporal resolution by measuring magnetic instead of electrical field

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9
Q

transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)

A

improving brain function in cases like depression, migraine, OCD, + nicotine use

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10
Q

deep brain stimulation (DBS)

A

treats tremors, Parkinson’s, + OCD

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11
Q

localization of function

A

-many parts of the brain contribute to each specific task
-because brain areas pariticpate in multiple functions, many cognitive functions cannot be neatly localized

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12
Q

Broca’s area

A

produces speech

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13
Q

Wernicke’s area

A

understanding + processing speech

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14
Q

temporal lobe

A

hearing + memory

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15
Q

left hemisphere function

A

-fine-tuned language skills
-actions

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16
Q

right hemisphere function

A

-coarse language skills
-visuospatial skills

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17
Q

what do action potentials do?

A

action potentials carry electrical current through neurons via axonal projections

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18
Q

what do electrical events do?

A

transmit information within neurons

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19
Q

what do chemical events do?

A

chemical events triggered by neurotransmitters orchestrate communication among neurons

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20
Q

where do neurotransmitters bind?

A

to receptor sites along dendrites

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21
Q

how can neurotransmission be halted?

A

by the reuptake of the neurotransmitter back into the axon terminal, reabsorbed by the synaptic vesicle

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22
Q

role of neurotransmitters

A

may excite or inhibit the nervous system or inhibit the nervous system, play a role in movement, pain perception, thinking, + emotion

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23
Q

neurotransmitters

A

-dopamine
-acetylcholine
-adrenaline (epinephrine)
-serotonin
-norepineprhine
-met- enkephalin (an endorphin)
-GABA
-glutamate
-histamine
-anandamide (an endocannabinoid)

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24
Q

which neurotransmitter is an endocannabinoid?

A

anandamide

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25
Q

which neurotransmitter is an endorphin?

A

met- enkephalin

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26
Q

glial

A

support neurofunctioning
-many different names based on location + function

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27
Q

ratio of glial to neurons

A

1:1

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28
Q

astrocytes

A

line around synapses to increase uptake

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29
Q

neural plasticity over development

A

-growth of dendrites + axons
-synaptogenesis
-pruning
-myelination

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30
Q

neurogenesis

A

creation of new neurons in the adult brain

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31
Q

stem cells

A

cells, often originating in embryos, having the capacity to differentiate into more specialized cells

32
Q

limbic system

A

part of forebrain
-evolutionarily significant region for its function in encoding emotional salience + driving motivated behaviors

33
Q

amygdala

A

part of forebrain
-fear processing + emotion

34
Q

midbrain function

A

-movement
-tracking visual stimuli
-reflexes triggered by sound

35
Q

cerebellum

A

little brain, part of the hindbrain
-corresponds to sense of balance, coordinate movement, + learning motor skills

36
Q

reticular activating system (RAS)

A

in hindbrain
-corresponds to arousal

37
Q

pons

A

in hindbrain
-triggers dreams
-connects cortex to cerebellum

38
Q

medulla

A

in hindbrain
-regulates breathing, heartbeat, + other vital functions
-controls nausea + vomiting

39
Q

brain stem

A

part of hindbrain
-performs basic bodily functions

40
Q

spinal cord

A

part of hindbrain

41
Q

sympathetic

A

excitation driven by the pituitary gland

42
Q

parasympathetic

A

inhibition driven by the vagus nerve

43
Q

innervation

A

activation of a nerve

44
Q

what produces counteracting physiological responses?

A

sympathetic + parasympathetic innervation

45
Q

peripheral nervous system splits into

A

somatic + autonomic nervous systems

46
Q

autonomic nervous systems

A

parasympathetic + sympathetic

47
Q

motor nerves

A

communicate to muscles

48
Q

sensory nerves

A

transmit sensory information to brain

49
Q

internerves

A

communicate with only other nerves

50
Q

evolutionary psychology

A

discipline that applies Charles Darwin’s theory of natural selection to human + animal behavior
-many genes that human have are shared with other living things

51
Q

endocrinology

A

a chemical produced by glands is released into the bloodstream to influence target organs

52
Q

3 classes of hormones

A

-cholesterol-derived (steroids)
-amines
-peptide-derived

53
Q

endocrine system

A

network of glands that release hormones into the bloodstream

54
Q

pituitary gland

A

-master gland
-controls other glands

55
Q

what controls the pituitary gland?

A

hypothalamus

56
Q

what hormones does pituitary gland release

A

variety of hormones, including oxytocin

57
Q

where is oxytocin synthesized?

A

hypothalamus

58
Q

what releases oxytocin into bloodstream?

A

posterior pituitary

59
Q

function of oxytocin

A

supports child birth process

60
Q

adrenal glands

A

emergency centers of the body

61
Q

what hormones do adrenal glands produce?

A

adrenaline
cortisol

62
Q

adrenaline is also known as…

A

epinephrine

63
Q

functions of adrenaline/ephinephrine

A

-boost energy production
-slow down digestive tract
-open up lungs
-enlarge pupils

64
Q

cortisol functions

A

-increases to stressors
-regulate BP

65
Q

sex is a ____ construct

A

biological construct

66
Q

what (regarding sex) is unique to humans?

A

gender identity

67
Q

men/women are more reactive to visual stimuli?

A

men

68
Q

men/women are more reactive to emotional stimuli

A

women

69
Q

genetic expression

A

genotype to phenotype

70
Q

genotype

A

genetic information

71
Q

phenotype

A

observable physical traits
-can extend to unseen attributes like aggression or vulnerability to disease

72
Q

epigenetics

A

examines how environmental influences affect gene expression, behavior + mental health

73
Q

heritability

A

% of variabilities in a trait across individuals that is the result of genes
-applies to differences among individuls not a single individual
-doesn’t tell whether a trait can be changed
-not a fixed #

74
Q

family studies

A

extent to which characteristic “runs” in intact families
-analyzes interply of genetic + environmental factors in expressed traits within a family unit

75
Q

twin studies

A

identical vs fraternal
-influence of genetic factors on phenotype

76
Q

adoption studies

A

extent to which children resemble adoptive vs biological parents
-influence of environmental factors on phenotype