Chapter 3 : The Biological Bases of Behaviour

Question 1

The bundle of fibres that connects the cerebral hemispheres (the corpus callosum) is cut to reduce the severity of epileptic seizures.

Answer 1

Split-brain surgery

Question 2

What does the left hemisphere of the brain control?

Answer 2

Verbl processing, including language, speech, reading, writing

Question 3

What does the right hemisphere of the brain control?

Answer 3

Nonverbal processing, including spatial and muscial processing, and visual recognition tasks

Question 4

Threadlike strands of DNA that carry information

Answer 4

Chromosome

Question 5

DNA segments that are the key functional units in hereditary transmission

Answer 5

Genes

Question 6

Most behavioural traits appear to involve …

Answer 6

Polygenic inheritance

Question 7

Define family studies

Answer 7

Family studies assess trait resemblance among blood relatives

Question 8

Define twin studies

Answer 8

Twin studies compare trait resemblance of identical and fraternal twins

Question 9

Define CRISPRS

Answer 9

CRSPRS are a natural part of our immune system. They can be used to modify genomes

Question 10

Research indicates that most behavioural qualities are influenced jointly by ____, which play off each other in complex interactions.

Answer 10

Heredity and enivronment

Question 11

New work in epigenetics has further demonstrated that ____ and ____ factors are deeply intertwined.

Answer 11

Genetic and environmental

Question 12

The endocrine system consists of ____ that secrete ____ into the bloodstream in a pulsatile fashion.

Answer 12

Glands and hormones

Question 13

Governed by the ____ and ____ , the endocrine system regulates our response to stress.

Answer 13

Hypothalamus and pituitary gland

Question 14

Recent research suggests that the hormone ____ fosters bonding, and influences social behaviour.

Answer 14

Oxytocin

Question 15

List Darwin’s insights

Answer 15

• Organisms vary in endless ways
• Some traits are heritable
• Variations in hereditary traits might affect organisms’ survival and reproductive success
• Heritable traits that provide a survival or reproductive adavantage will become more prevalent over generations (natural seletion will change the gene pool of the population)

Question 16

____ refers to the reproductive success of an organism relative to the population.

Answer 16

Fitness

Question 17

____ are inherited characteristics sculpted through natural selection because they helped solve a problem of survival or reproduction when they emerged.

Answer 17

Adaptations

Question 18

Species’ ________ often reflect evolutionary solutions to adaptive problems.

Answer 18

Patterns of behaviour
* Ex: behavioural strategies that help organisms avoid predators have obvious adaptive value
* Many behavioural adaptations improve an organisms’ chances of reproductive success

Question 19

Define soma

Answer 19

Cell body

Question 20

Branching structures that recieve signals from other cells

Answer 20

Dendrites

Question 21

Fibre that carries signals away from soma to other cells

Answer 21

Axon

Question 22

Insulating material that encases some axons

Answer 22

Myelin sheath

Question 23

Small knobs (at end of axons) that release neurotransmitters at synapses

Answer 23

Terminal buttons

Question 24

____ are cells that provide support for neurons and contribute to signalling in the nervous system

Answer 24

Glia

Question 25

Neuron's stable, negative charge when in active

Answer 25

Resting potential

Question 26

Voltage spike that travels along an axon

Answer 26

action potential

Question 27

Brief time after an action potential, before another action potential can begin

Answer 27

absolute refractory period

Question 28

A neuron either fires or doesn't fire

Answer 28

All-or-none law

Question 29

Released by neurons that control skeletal muscles. ________ is the chief neurotransmitter of the parasympathetic nervous system. It contracts smooth muscles, dilates blood vessels, increases bodily secretions, and slows heart rate.

Answer 29

acetylcholine

Question 30

A chemical that carries messages between nerve cells in the brain and throughout your body Involved in the regulation of sleep and arousal, and aggression; abnormal levels linked to depression

Answer 30

Serotonin

Question 31

A type of neurotransmitter and hormone. It plays a role in many important body functions, including movement, memory and pleasurable reward and motivation. High or low levels of it are associated with several mental health and neurological diseases. Abnormal levels linked to schitzophrenia.

Answer 31

dopamine

Question 32

A neurotransmitter of the brain that plays an essential role in the regulation of arousal, attention, cognitive function, and stress reactions

Answer 32

norepinephrine

Question 33

An inhibitory transmitter that contributes to the reguation of anxiety A chemical messenger in the brain. It slows down your brain by blocking specific signals in your central nervous system. It is known for producing a calming effect

Answer 33

Gaba Gamma-aminobutyric acid

Question 34

Opiate-like chemicals involved in modulation of pain

Answer 34

Endorphins

Question 35

Made up of all the nerves that lie outside the brain and spinal cord * Somatic and autonomic nervous systems

Answer 35

The peripheral nervous system | * peripheral = outer / edge

Question 36

Made up of nerves that connect to voluntary muscles, sensory receptors A component of the peripheral nervous system

Answer 36

Somatic nervous system

Question 37

Made up of nerves that connect to the heart, blood vessels, smooth muscles, and glands

Answer 37

Autonomic nervous system

Question 38

Which system are the following subdivision of? Sympathetic: mobilizes bodily resources (creates fight-or-flight response) Parasympathetic: conserves bodily resources (rest and digest)

Answer 38

Autonomic Nervous system

Question 39

Which part of the brain coordinates fine muscle movement and balance Located in hindbrain | Basic functions

Answer 39

Cerebellum | "little brain"

Question 40

What part of the brain regulates unconscious functions such as breathing and circulation Located in the hindbrain | Basic functions

Answer 40

Medulla

Question 41

Which part of the brain is mostly Involved in sleep and arousal * Located in the hindbrain | Basic functions

Answer 41

Pons

Question 42

Involved in locating things in space; dopamine synthesis

Answer 42

Midbrain

Question 43

What makes up the forebrain?

Answer 43

* Cerebrum * Thalamus * Limbic system * Hypothalamus

Question 44

What is the cerebrum responsible for? | Higher cognitive function

Answer 44

* Handles complex mental activities, such as sensing, learning, thinking, planning * Located in the forebrain

Question 45

What is the thalamus responsible for? Relay = recieve and pass on | Higher cognitive function

Answer 45

Relay centre for cortex; distributes incoming sensory signals, except smell

Question 46

Loosely connected network that contributes to emotion, memory, motivation, and reward Located in the forebrain

Answer 46

Limbic system

Question 47

Regulates basic biological needs such as hunger, thirst, and sex located in the forebrain

Answer 47

Hypothalamus