Chapter 3 - The Biological Bases of Behavior

Question 1

Glial cell

Answer 1

Nutrition, structure, maintenance

Question 2

Neurons

Answer 2

Nerve cells that receive, process, and transmit information

Question 3

Dendrites

Answer 3

Receive information from others neurons

Question 4

Soma

Answer 4

Greek for “body”; processes information

Question 5

Axon

Answer 5

Moves information from the soma to the outside

Question 6

Myelin Sheath

Answer 6

Glial cells clinging to the axon in chucks; insulates and speeds up the axon’s electrical messages; develops over time

Question 7

Terminal button

Answer 7

Transmits information

Question 8

Resting potential

Answer 8

Cell is at rest, waiting for a signal

Question 9

Threshold

Answer 9

The point at which the cell is activated

Question 10

Action potential

Answer 10

Neuron “fires”

Question 11

All-or-Nothing Law

Answer 11

A neuron either fires an impulse or doesn’t; there is no weak or strong messages, only messages

Question 12

Inactivation/reuptake

Answer 12

Neurotransmitters after usage in a receptor site; a common NT is destroyed through inactivation and a rare one is recycled/sent back to the terminal button through reuptake

Question 13

Name the five steps of a synapse

Answer 13

1. Terminal buttons produce NT
2. NT are released into the cleft
3. NT are binded into specific receptor sites
   4/5. Inactivation or reuptake occurs

Question 14

How long does a synapse last?

Answer 14

1-3 milliseconds

Question 15

How long does it take for a new synapse to form?

Answer 15

10-15 seconds

Question 16

Synaptic pruning

Answer 16

The brain clears out synapses and memories from earlier times

Question 17

Hindbrain

Answer 17

The primitive section of the brain, does not change with age

Question 18

Medulla

Answer 18

Controls respiration and circulation, sits on the spine

Question 19

Pons

Answer 19

Latin for “bridge”; connects the brain to the body

Question 20

Cerebellum

Answer 20

Controls coordination

Question 21

Midbrain

Answer 21

Learns from own experience

Question 22

Reticular formation

Answer 22

Regulates alertness/sleepiness

Question 23

Thalamus

Answer 23

Processes the 5 senses

Question 24

Hypothalamus

Answer 24

Processes the 5 “Fs”

Question 25

Limbic system

Answer 25

Controls emotions

Question 26

Amygdala

Answer 26

Generates emotions

Question 27

Septum

Answer 27

Reduces emotions

Question 28

Hippocampus

Answer 28

Creates memories

Question 29

Occipital lobe

Answer 29

Vision

Question 30

Parietal lobe

Answer 30

Touch

Question 31

Sensory cortex

Answer 31

Map of the body for touch

Question 32

Temporal lobe

Answer 32

Hearing, awareness of time

Question 33

Frontal lobe

Answer 33

“Executive functions” - personality, impulse control, social awareness, judgement, language

Question 34

Motor cortex

Answer 34

Map of the body for movement

Question 35

Corpus callosum

Answer 35

Connects the two halves of the brain

Question 36

Mirror neurons

Answer 36

The same neurons fire when doing something versus watching someone else do it

Question 37

Plasticity

Answer 37

The ability to adapt or change

Question 38

Functional plasticity

Answer 38

Parts of the brain can take on new jobs ex: blind person gains better sense of smell

Question 39

Structural plasticity

Answer 39

Using a part of the brain more strengthens that particular part

Question 40

Neural migration

Answer 40

Neurons in the core of the brain will migrate to regions where the are needed