Chapter 3 Biopsychology Flashcards
What does biopsychology explore?
Explore the mechanisms that underlie behavior
What are the 3 things that biopsychology study?
- genetics
- nervous system
- endocrine system
What is the theory of evolution?
concept of inheritance of traits throughout generations in this theory of evolution through natural selection
What is genotype?
Genetic makeup of an individual based on the genetic material (DNA
What is phenotype?
Describe an individual’s observable characteristics
What are the 3 types of gene environment interactions?
- range of reaction
- genetic environmental correlation
- epigenetics
What is the range of reaction?
asserts our genes set the boundaries within which we can operate, and our environment interacts with the genes to determine where in the range we will fall
What is genetic environmental correlation?
view of gene-environment interaction that asserts our genes affect our environment and our environment influences the expression of our genes
What are epigenetics?
Study of gene-environment interactions such as how the same genotype leads to different phenotypes
What is the axon of a neuron covered in?
Myelin sheath
Which part of the neuron receives new info/signals?
Dendrite
Which part of the neuron sends out signals from the neuron?
Axons
What is the space b/w two neurons called?
Synaptic cleft
What chemical messengers is being transported in the synaptic cleft?
neurotransmitters
What is an action potential?
An electrical signal
What happens for an action potential to be fired? (5)
- Depolarization - neuron’s membrane potential becomes less negative in which it’s likely to fire (excitation)
- Threshold of excitation - the neuron’s level of charge gets it to become active
- The action potential happens
- Repolarization: Neuron slowly becomes more negative
- Hyperpolarization - Neuron’s membrane potential is so more negative so that the neuron is less likely to fire (inhibition)
What happens after an action potential has occured?
Excess neurotransmitters in the synapse either leave, are broken down, or reabsorbed back into the axon terminal (reuptake)
What are 5 types of neurotransmitters?
- acetylcholine
- beta endorphin
- dopamine
- norepinephrine
- serotonin
what does acetylcholine help with?
muscle action and memory
What does beta endorphin help with?
pain and pleasure
What does dopamine help with?
mood, sleep, and learning
What does norepinephrine help with?
heart, intestines, and alertness
What does serotonin help with?
mood and sleep
What does psychotropic medication help with?
Drugs that help to treat psychiatric symptoms by restoring neurotransmitter balance
Agonist vs antagonist drugs
drug that mimics or strengthens neurotransmitter vs drug that blocks or impedes effects of neurotransmitter
What are the two parts of the nervous system?
- central nervous system
- peripheral nervous system
What consists of the central nervous system?
brain and spinal cord
What consists of the peripheral nervous system?
nerves to and from the CNS
- Somatic Nerves
- Autonomic Nerves
What are the somatic nerves?
nerves for touch, hearing, taste, and muscles that move body
What consists of the autonomic nerves? (2)
- sympathetic (fight or flight)
- parasympathetic (keeping everything balanced)
What side of the body does the left/right side of the brain control?
right side of brain - left side of body
left side of brain - right side of body
What connects the left and right brain hemispheres?
corpus callosum
What are the 3 main parts of the brain?
-forebrain
- midbrain
- hindbrain
What are the 5 things in the forebrain?
- cerebral cortex
- thalamus
- hypothalamus
- pituitary gland
- limbic system
What are the 4 lobes of the cerebral cortex?
- frontal lobe
- parietal lobe
- occipital lobe
- temporal lobe
What consists of the frontal lobe?
- motor cortex: planning/coordinating movement
- prefrontal cortex: higher level cognition
- broca’s area: in the left hemisphere for language production
What is in the parietal lobe?
Somatosensory cortex - processes sensory info such as touch, temp, etc.
What consists of the temporal lobe? (2)
- auditory cortex: processes auditory info
- Wernicke’s area: important for speech comprehension/understanding
What is in the occipital lobe?
Primary visual cortex: interprets incoming visual information
What is the function of the thalamus?
Acts as the relay center of the brain
What are the 3 important structures of the limbic system?
- amygdala
- hippocampus
- hypothalamus
What is the function of the limbic system?
For mediating emotional response and memory
What is the function of the amygdala?
Involved in our experience of emotion and tying emotions to memory. Involved in processing fear
What is the function of the hippocampus?
Structure associated with learning and memory
What is the function of the hypothalamus?
Regulates homeostatic processes such as blood pressure, etc.
What 3 structures are in the midbrain?
- reticular formation
- substantia nigra
- ventral tegmental area (VTA)
What is the function of reticular formation?
important in regulating sleep/wake cycle, arousal, alertness, and motor activity
What is the function of the substantia nigra?
area where dopamine is produced; involved in the control of movement
What is the function of the ventral tegmental area (VTA)?
area where dopamine is produced; associated with mood, reward, and addiction
What are the 3 structures of the hindbrain?
- medulla
-pons
-cerebellum
What is the function of the medulla?
Controls automated processes like breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate
What is the function of the pons?
Connects the brain and spinal cord; regulates brain activity during sleep
What is the function of the cerebellum?
Controls our balance, coordination, movement, and motor skills
- thought to be important in processing some memories
What are the medulla, pons, and cerebellum also known as?
the brain stem
Which brain imaging techniques involves radiation? (2)
CT Scan
PET Scan
Which brain imaging techniques involves magnetic fields? (2)
MRI
FMRI
Which brain imaging technique involves electrical activity? (1)
EEG
What is the full name of CT Scan? What can it be used for?
computerized tomography scan
- used to show brain tumors
What is the full name of PET Scan? What can it be used for?
Positron Emission Tomography Scan
- helpful for showing activity in different parts of the brain (very colorful)
What is the full name of MRI? What can it be used for?
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- used to produce a picture of tissue being imaged
What is the full name of FMRI? What can it be used for?
Functional magnetic resonance imaging
- shows changes in metabolic activity over time
What is the full name of EEG? What can it be used for?
Electroencephalography
- used to record electrical activity of the brain via electrodes on the scalp
What is the function of the pituitary gland?
Serves as the master gland
What is the function of the thyroid gland?
Secretes Thyroxine (hormone) which regulates growth, metabolism, and appetite
What is the function of the adrenal gland?
Secretes hormones involved in the stress response
What is the function of the gonad gland?
Secretes sex hormones for reproduction, regulates sexual motivation, and behavior
What is the function of the pancreas?
Secretes hormones that regulate blood sugar
