Chapter 3 - The Biology Of Behavior - Terms And Concepts pt. 1

Question 1

Nervous System

Answer 1

A network of specialized cells called neurons and glia that coordinate action and transmit signals between different parts of the body. The nervous system consists of the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system

Question 2

Central Nervous System

Answer 2

The part of the nervous system that consists of the brain and the spinal cord

Question 3

Peripheral Nervous System

Answer 3

Portion of the nervous system that transmits messages to and from the central nervous system that consists of somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system

Question 4

Neuron

Answer 4

Type of cell that is the basic unit of the nervous system (a neuron typically consists of a cell body, dendrites, and an axon Neurons transmit messages to other neurons and to glands and muscles throughout the body)

Question 5

Glia

Answer 5

Non-neuronal cells that provide support and protection for neurons throughout the nervous system (the name glia comes from the Greek term for glue)

Question 6

Sensory Neuron

Answer 6

Neuron or nerve cell that carries messages to the CNS from receptors in the skin, ears, nose, eyes, and other receptor organs–also known as afferent neuron.

Question 7

Motor Neuron

Answer 7

Neuron that transmits messages from the central nervous system to muscles or glands–also known as efferent neuron.

Question 8

Interneuron

Answer 8

Neuron of the central nervous system that functions as an intermediary between sensory and motor neurons.

Question 9

Cell Body

Answer 9

The largest part of a neuron, containing the nucleus as well as structures that handle metabolic functions

Question 10

Dendrites

Answer 10

Branch-like extensions from a neuron with the specialized function of receiving messages from surrounding neurons

Question 11

Axon

Answer 11

Extension of a neuron that transmits an impulse from the cell body to the terminal buttons on the tip of the axon

Question 12

Terminal Buttons

Answer 12

Swollen bulb-like structures on the end of a neuron’s axon that releases chemical substances known as neurotransmitters

Question 13

Resting Potential

Answer 13

State in which a neuron is not transmitting a nerve impulse– a neuron in this state has a net negative charge relative to its outside environment and this state of potential energy prepares it to be activated by a signal from an adjacent neuron

Question 14

Graded Potential

Answer 14

Voltage change in a neuron’s dendrites that is produced by receiving a signal from another neuron or neurons

Question 15

Axon Hillock

Answer 15

A specialized region of the cell body near the base of the axon

Question 16

Action Potential

Answer 16

Electrical signal that flows along the surface of the axon to the terminal buttons, initiating the release of neurotransmitters

Question 17

All-or-None Law

Answer 17

An action potential will be passed through a neuron’s axon as long as the sum of the graded potentials reaches a threshold. The strength of an action potential does not vary according to the degree of stimulation.

Question 18

Myelin Sheath

Answer 18

Insulation cover around some axons that increases a neuron’s ability to transmit impulses quickly (myelin sheaths are made of specialized cells called glial cells)

Question 19

Node of Ranvier

Answer 19

Small gap or exposed neuron between glial cells that for the myelin sheath

Question 20

Synapse

Answer 20

Includes the synaptic gap and a portion of the presynaptic and postsynaptic membranes that are involved in transmitting a signal between neurons

Question 21

Neurotransmitter

Answer 21

Chemical substance produced and secreted by neurons that cause a change in the receiving neurons resting potential

Question 22

Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials (EPSPs)

Answer 22

Effects that occur when excitatory neurotransmitters cause a depolarizing graded potential to occur on the dendrite or cell body of a receiving neuron making the receiving neuron more likely to fire

Question 23

Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potentials (IPSPs)

Answer 23

Effects that occur when inhibitory neurotransmitters cause a hyperpolarizing graded postsynaptic potential on a receiving neuron making the receiving neuron less likely to fire

Question 24

Acetylcholine (ACh)

Answer 24

The neurotransmitter that is released from motor neurons onto muscle fibers to make them contract (also involved in learning memory and cognition)

Question 25

Noreprinephrine

Answer 25

A major excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain, which is distributed throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems and is important in emotional arousal and stress.

Question 26

Dopamine

Answer 26

A neurotransmitter involved with the initiation of motor movement, attention, and learning and memory (the dopamine system mediates reward and pleasure and it is the substance of addiction)

Question 27

Serotonin

Answer 27

A neurotransmitter involved in the control of the sleep/wake cycle, mood and appetite (deficiencies of serotonin are associated with sleep disorders, aggression, and depression)

Question 28

Gamma-Amino-Butyric-Acid (GABA)

Answer 28

GABA is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain and spinal cord. It plays an important role in regulating arousal and anxiety.

Question 29

Endorphins

Answer 29

A class of neurotransmitters substances that function to inhibit the transmission of pain information (morphine and other opiates act by facilitating endorphin transmission)

Question 30

Glutamate (Glutamic Acid)

Answer 30

An amino acid derived from glucose, which plays an important excitatory function (MSG contains glutamate)

Question 31

Nerve

Answer 31

A cable-like bundle of myelinated axons that transmits signals from various structures of the body to the spinal cord and the brain.

Question 32

Somatic Nervous System

Answer 32

Division of the peripheral nervous system that transmits messages to and from major skeletal muscles as well as from sensory organs to the CNS (central nervous system)

Question 33

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

Answer 33

Division of the peripheral nervous system that transmits messages between the central nervous system and the endocrine system as well as the smooth muscles of the heart, lungs, stomach, and other internal organs, which operate without intentional control.

Question 34

Sympathetic Nervous System

Answer 34

Division of the autonomic nervous system that functions to produce emergency responses such as increased heart rate, pupil dilation, and inhibited digestive activity (the sympathetic nervous system works in tandem with the parasympathetic nervous system)

Question 35

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Answer 35

Division of the autonomic nervous system that function to conserve energy, returning the body to normal from emergency responses set in motion by the sympathetic nervous system

Question 36

Cerebral Hemispheres

Answer 36

The two sides (right and left) of the cerebrum

Question 37

Medulla

Answer 37

Structure low in the brain that controls vital life support functions such as breathing, heartbeat, and blood pressure, as well as many reflexive functions such as coughing and sneezing

Question 38

Pons

Answer 38

Brain structure located just above the medulla that function in fine-tuning motor messages, programming species typical behaviors, processing sensory information and controlling respiration

Question 39

Cerebellum

Answer 39

Brain structure located beneath the overhanging back part of the cerebral hemispheres, which function to coordinate and regulate motor movements

Question 40

Reticular Formation

Answer 40

Set of neural circuits extending from the lower brain up to the thalamus that plays a critical role in controlling arousal and alertness, which is also known as the reticular activating system.

Question 41

Reticular Activating System (RAS)

Answer 41

Set of neural circuits extending from the lower brain up to the thalamus that plays a critical role in controlling arousal and alertness

Question 42

Limbic System

Answer 42

Collection of structures located around the central core of the brain that play a critical role in emotional expression as well as motivation, learning, and memory (key structures of the limbic system include the amygdala, the septal area, and parts of the hypothalamus)

Question 43

Amygdala

Answer 43

A small limbic system structure located next to the hippocampus in the brain that plays an important role in the expression of anger, rage, fear, and aggressive behavior

Question 44

Hippocampus

Answer 44

Stucture in the brain’s limbic system that seems to play an important role in memory

Question 45

Septal Area

Answer 45

Structure in the brain’s limbic system that plays a role in the experiencing of pleasure

Question 46

Meolimbic-Cortical System

Answer 46

The system of dopamine-containing neurons that originate in the ventral pons, project through the nucleus accumbens and septum, and terminate in the frontal cortex, which mediates the reinforcing effects of eating, sex, and addictive drugs

Question 47

Hypothalamus

Answer 47

Small Structure located below the thalamus in the brain that plays an important role in motivation and emotional expression, as well as controlling the neuroendocrine system and maintaining the body’s homeostasis and is part of the limbic system

Question 48

Thalamus

Answer 48

Structure located beneath the cerebrum in the brain, which functions as a relay station, routing incoming sensory information to appropriate areas in the cerebral cortex and seems to play a role in regulating sleep cycles

Question 49

Basal Ganglia

Answer 49

Neural structures involved in the initiation of motor movement and emotion, which includes the caudate nucleus, putamen, and the substantia nigra