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PBSI 107 > Chapter 3 - Biopsychology > Flashcards

Chapter 3 - Biopsychology Flashcards

1
Q

Nervous System

A

A network of nerves and cells that transmit signals between different parts of the body,
controlling and coordinating all bodily functions.

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2
Q

Central Nervous System

A

The control center for processing and responding to information

  • Brain & Spinal Cord
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3
Q

Parasympathetic Nervous System

A

Promotes
relaxation and recovery

  • Constricts pupils, stimulates salivation, slows
    heart rate, constricts bronchi, stimulates
    digestion, causes bladder to contract
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3
Q

Peripheral Nervous System

A

Connects the brain
and spinal cord to the rest of the body to relay information to and from the CNS

  • Nerves
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4
Q

Somatic Nervous System

A

Responsible for
voluntary or conscious movement and sensory information

  • Motor Neurons = efferent fibers
  • Sensory Neurons = afferent fibers
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5
Q

Cerebral cortex

A

The surface of the brain

  • Gyri (gyrus): Raised ridges, folds
  • Sulci (sulcus): Indentations in between, grooves
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5
Q

Autonomic Nervous System

A

Controls involuntary bodily functions, operating automatically

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6
Q

Lateralization

A

The specialization of certain brain functions to one hemisphere

  • Left Hemisphere: Memory, selective attention, positive emotions
  • Right Hemisphere: Pitch perception, arousal, negative emotions
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6
Q

Sympathetic Nervous System

A

Prepares the body for stressful situations or emergencies

  • Dilates pupils, inhibits salivation, increases heart rate,
    dilates bronchi, inhibits digestion, inhibits contraction of
    bladder
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7
Q

Longitudinal Fissure

A

The most prominent sulcus that separates the brain intro two hemispheres

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7
Q

Homeostasis

A

The process by which the body maintains stable internal conditions (balance, equilibrium)

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8
Q

Brain

A

The central organ of the nervous system that controls sensory
processing, bodily functions, and cognitive activities.

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9
Q

Corpus Callosum

A

A thick band of neural fibers that connects the two hemispheres
and allows them to communicate with each other

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10
Q

Frontal Lobe

A

Executive functions, decision-making, motor control

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11
Q

Parietal Lobe

A

Sensory information and spatial awareness

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12
Q

Temporal Lobe

A

Auditory processing and memory

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13
Q

Occipital Lobe

A

Visual processing

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14
Q

Motor Cortex

A

Planning and coordinating movement. in frontal lobe

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15
Q

Prefrontal Cortex

A

Higher-level cognitive function. In frontal lobe

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16
Q

Broca’s Area

A

Language production. In Frontal lobe

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17
Q

Auditory Cortex

A

Main area responsible for processing auditory info. temporal lobe

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17
Q

Somatosensory Cortex

A

Processing sensory information across the body, such as touch, temperature, and pain/ parietal lobe

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18
Q

Subcortical regions of the forebrain

A

Thalamus & Limbic System

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18
Q

Wernicke’s Area

A

Important for speech comprehension. Temporal lobe

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19
Organized retinotopically
Spatial organization of visual information in the brain mirrors the spatial arrangement of the retina. occipital lobe
20
Thalamus
Sensory relay of the brain
21
Limbic System
Processing emotion and memory Hippocampus, amygdala, hypothalamus
21
Hypothalamus
Homeostatic processes (body temp. appetite, etc.)
21
Substantia nigra
Controls movement and produces dopamine
22
Hippocampus
Learning and memory
23
Amygdala
Emotion and emotional meaning to memories
24
Ventral tegmental area (VTA)
Involved in the reward system and motivation
25
What are both Substantia nigra & Ventral tegmental area (VTA) involved with?
* Involved in mood, reward, and addiction * Both regions contain dopamine and are critical for movement * Degradation of these regions involved in Parkinson’s disease
26
Medulla
Controls automatic processes of the autonomic nervous system (breathing, blood pressure, etc.)
27
Pons
Connects the hindbrain to the rest of the brain and is involved in regulating brain activity during sleep
28
Cerebellum
Receives messages from muscles, tendons, joints, and structures in our ear to control balance, coordination, movement and motor skills
29
Spinal Cord
A long, thin bundle of nerves that runs from the brain down to the lower back, transmitting signals between the brain and the body. * Does not extend the full length of the spine
30
Cauda Equina
A bundle of nerve roots at the lower end of the spinal cord that continues down the vertebral column after the spinal cord ends.
31
Vertebral Colum (“spine”)
A series of bones (vertebrae) that protect the spinal cord and support the body * Provides support for the spinal cord
32
Neurons
Cells in the nervous system that transmit information through electrical and chemical signals * Primary cells responsible for communication within the nervous system * Transmit information through electrical and chemical signals
33
Glial cells (Glia)
Cells in the nervous system that support, protect, and nourish neurons * Play a supportive role to neurons * Provide support, nourishment, and protection to neurons * Maintain the environment around neurons
34
Soma
Cell body of a neuron that contains the nucleus
35
Cell membrane
The outer boundary of a cell that regulates what enters and exits the cell
36
Dendrites
Branch-like structures that receive signals from other neurons and send them to the soma
37
Axon
A long, thin fiber that carries the signals from the soma, enabling communication with other neurons
38
Axon terminal
The end part of an axon that releases signals to pass information to other cells
39
Electrical Communication
Electrical signals travel along the axon
40
Myelin sheath
A fatty layer that wraps around and insulates the axon, speeding up the transmission of electrical signals
41
Nodes of Ranvier
Gaps in the myelin sheath along the axon that help boost the speed of electrical signals as they travel down the axon * Saltatory conduction
42
Chemical Communication
Chemical signals (substances) are released from the axon terminal and travel to the receiving neuron
43
Terminal buttons
The end part of an axon that releases signals to other cells
44
Synaptic vesicles
Small sacs in terminal buttons that store and release signals
45
Neurotransmitters
Chemical messengers of the nervous system
46
Synapse
The junction where communication occurs between two neurons
47
Synaptic Cleft
The gap between two neurons where signals are exchanges
48
Receptors
Sites on a cell’s surface that receive and respond to these signals
49
Membrane potential
The difference in electrical charge between the extracellular and intracellular fluid
50
Resting potential
The membrane potential when the neuron is not actively sending a signal (-70 mV)
51
Ion channels
Gates in a cell membrane that allow specific ions to pass in and out of the cel
52
all-or-nothing phenomenon
If the threshold is met, more ion channels open and results in a positive spike in electrical charge (action potential), +30 mV
53
Repolarization
Returning to a normal negative charge
54
Biological perspective
Examines how biological systems impact behavior Ex. Views psychological disorders as an imbalance in neurotransmitters
54
Hyperpolarization
Becoming more negative than usual
54
When the action potential reaches the axon terminal
* Vesicles with neurotransmitters are released onto the synaptic cleft * These neurotransmitters bind to the receptors in the adjacent cell * And the process begins again
54
Process of Action Potential
* A neurotransmitter binds to a receptor * The ion channels open, changing the electrical charge of the neuron. If this change reaches the threshold of excitation, it triggers a new action potential * Action potential runs down the axon to the axon terminal * At the axon terminal, terminal buttons have vesicles filled with neurotransmitters * When the action potential arrives, the neurotransmitter are released * These neurotransmitters travel through the synaptic cleft and bind to receptors/ion channels on the dendrites of an adjacent cell * Excessive neurotransmitter is reabsorbed (reuptake)
55
Psychotropic medications
Drugs that treat psychiatric symptoms by restoring neurotransmitter balance
56
Agonists
Chemicals that mimic a neurotransmitter at the receptor site * Ex. Treatment for Parkinson’s (which involves an impairment to the dopamine system) includes dopamine agonists
57
Hormones
Chemical messengers produced by glands in the endocrine system
57
Antagonists
Chemicals that block or impede the normal activity of a neurotransmitter at the receptor Ex. Certain symptoms of Schizophrenia are associated with overactive dopamine. Therefore, treatment includes a dopamine antagonist
58
Reuptake inhibitors
Prevent unused neurotransmitter to be reabsorbed. Instead, it remains in the synaptic cleft for longer duration, increasing its effectiveness Ex. Depression, which has been linked with reduced serotonin levels, is commonly treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
58
Endocrine System
A network of glands that produce and release hormones to regulate various functions in the body, such as growth, metabolism, and mood
59
Pituitary gland
Master gland, controls the secretions of all other glands
60
Thyroid
Releases hormones that regulate growth, metabolism, and appetite
61
Adrenal gland
Secrets hormones involved in the stress response
62
Pancreas
Secretes hormones that regulate blood sugar
63
Gonads
Secretes sex hormones, which are important for successful reproduction, and regulates sexual motivation and behavior

PBSI 107 (10 decks)

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