Chapter 3 : The Biological Bases of Behaviour Flashcards
The bundle of fibres that connects the cerebral hemispheres (the corpus callosum) is cut to reduce the severity of epileptic seizures.
Split-brain surgery
What does the left hemisphere of the brain control?
Verbl processing, including language, speech, reading, writing
What does the right hemisphere of the brain control?
Nonverbal processing, including spatial and muscial processing, and visual recognition tasks
Threadlike strands of DNA that carry information
Chromosome
DNA segments that are the key functional units in hereditary transmission
Genes
Most behavioural traits appear to involve …
Polygenic inheritance
Define family studies
Family studies assess trait resemblance among blood relatives
Define twin studies
Twin studies compare trait resemblance of identical and fraternal twins
Define CRISPRS
CRSPRS are a natural part of our immune system. They can be used to modify genomes
Research indicates that most behavioural qualities are influenced jointly by ____, which play off each other in complex interactions.
Heredity and enivronment
New work in epigenetics has further demonstrated that ____ and ____ factors are deeply intertwined.
Genetic and environmental
The endocrine system consists of ____ that secrete ____ into the bloodstream in a pulsatile fashion.
Glands and hormones
Governed by the ____ and ____ , the endocrine system regulates our response to stress.
Hypothalamus and pituitary gland
Recent research suggests that the hormone ____ fosters bonding, and influences social behaviour.
Oxytocin
List Darwin’s insights
- 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)
____ refers to the reproductive success of an organism relative to the population.
Fitness
____ are inherited characteristics sculpted through natural selection because they helped solve a problem of survival or reproduction when they emerged.
Adaptations
Species’ ________ often reflect evolutionary solutions to adaptive problems.
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
Define soma
Cell body
Branching structures that recieve signals from other cells
Dendrites
Fibre that carries signals away from soma to other cells
Axon
Insulating material that encases some axons
Myelin sheath
Small knobs (at end of axons) that release neurotransmitters at synapses
Terminal buttons
____ are cells that provide support for neurons and contribute to signalling in the nervous system
Glia
Neuron’s stable, negative charge when in active
Resting potential
Voltage spike that travels along an axon
action potential
Brief time after an action potential, before another action potential can begin
absolute refractory period
A neuron either fires or doesn’t fire
All-or-none law
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.
acetylcholine
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
Serotonin
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.
dopamine
A neurotransmitter of the brain that plays an essential role in the regulation of arousal, attention, cognitive function, and stress reactions
norepinephrine
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
Gaba
Gamma-aminobutyric acid
Opiate-like chemicals involved in modulation of pain
Endorphins
Made up of all the nerves that lie outside the brain and spinal cord
* Somatic and autonomic nervous systems
The peripheral nervous system
* peripheral = outer / edge
Made up of nerves that connect to voluntary muscles, sensory receptors
A component of the peripheral nervous system
Somatic nervous system
Made up of nerves that connect to the heart, blood vessels, smooth muscles, and glands
Autonomic nervous system
Which system are the following subdivision of?
Sympathetic: mobilizes bodily resources (creates fight-or-flight response)
Parasympathetic: conserves bodily resources (rest and digest)
Autonomic Nervous system
Which part of the brain coordinates fine muscle movement and balance
Located in hindbrain
Basic functions
Cerebellum
“little brain”
What part of the brain regulates unconscious functions such as breathing and circulation
Located in the hindbrain
Basic functions
Medulla
Which part of the brain is mostly Involved in sleep and arousal
* Located in the hindbrain
Basic functions
Pons
Involved in locating things in space; dopamine synthesis
Midbrain
What makes up the forebrain?
- Cerebrum
- Thalamus
- Limbic system
- Hypothalamus
What is the cerebrum responsible for?
Higher cognitive function
- Handles complex mental activities, such as sensing, learning, thinking, planning
- Located in the forebrain
What is the thalamus responsible for?
Relay = recieve and pass on
Higher cognitive function
Relay centre for cortex; distributes incoming sensory signals, except smell
Loosely connected network that contributes to emotion, memory, motivation, and reward
Located in the forebrain
Limbic system
Regulates basic biological needs such as hunger, thirst, and sex
located in the forebrain
Hypothalamus
