Exam 1 Flashcards
Define dualism. Who proposed this theory?
Dualism - the soul, mind, or spirit is distinct from body or brain.
Spirit and brain control our thoughts and actions.
Proposed by Rene Descartes
“I think, therefore I am.”
Define reductionism. Name the leading scientist who championed this theory.
Reductionism – only the body and the brain control thoughts and actions.
Championed by Thomas Hobbes:
Consciousness is a by-product of the brain’s activity - no soul or “mind”.
Describe the specific parts of a neuron and the role of myelin.
- Dendrites: branched, tree-like structures attached the the soma; receive information from the terminal buttons of other neurons
- Soma/Cell Body: contains the nucleus; organizes messages from dendrites and “decides” whether neuron should convey messages to other neurons
- Axon: long, thin, cylindrical structure that carries electrical messages known as action potentials to terminal buttons.
- Terminal Buttons: the buds at the end of a branch of an axon; form synapses where they release neurotransmitters that tell other neurons or muscles what to do
* Myelin: a sheath that surrounds axons and insulates them, preventing messages from spreading between adjacent axons (if disrupted, messages will not be carried correctly)
What are the main contributions of evolutionary theory to Biopsychology?
Evolutionary theory - Human brains are not qualitatively different from other animals.
- By studying brain function and behavior in animals, we can better understand human behavior.
- Many genes are shared between organisms.
Identify the types and functions of glial cells.
- Schwann Cells: insulate axons in the peripheral nervous system
- Oligodendrocytes: insulate neurons in the central nervous system
- Astrocytes: bring nutrients to brain neurons, remove waste, and insulate synapses
- Microglia: assist in healing from brain injury
What is the blood-brain barrier?
A semipermeable barrier between the blood and the brain produced by the cells in the walls of the brain’s capillaries.
- Restricts entry of toxic substances into the brain
- Also restricts entry of potentially therapeutic drugs into the brain
Recognize the names of each cellular organelle.
- ) Mitochondria
- ) Golgi apparatus
- ) Cytoplasm
- ) Rough endoplasmic reticulum
- ) Microtubules
- ) Lysosomes
What is a chromosome composed of?
Genes
What is DNA?
Deoxyribonucleic Acid- is mainly composed of four nucleic acids or bases: cytosine - guanine, adenine – thymine
The C-G are always paired together as a rung and the A-T are always paired together as a rung.
Genes are composed of DNA
How is DNA transcribed into RNA?
Gene transcription: when a gene needs to be turned into a protein, the double helix unwinds.
A copy of the DNA sequence of the gene is made into RNA.
How is RNA translated into a protein?
The RNA is edited into messenger RNA (mRNA) and then sent to the ribosome.
The ribosome translates the mRNA three nucleic acids at a time.
These groups of three are known as codons or triplets.
Individual codons specify what individual amino acid should be used to make the proteins.
What is a protein?
A protein is a large strand of amino acids that can provide structure to a cell or perform functions for the cell by acting as enzymes.
Enzymes control chemical reactions.
What are some different types of mutations?
- Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)/Point Mutation: Change in DNA (e.g., C changed to G) from the normal sequence
- Insertions of DNA into the normal sequences.
- Deletions of DNA from the normal sequence.
What kind of mutation occurs in Huntington’s Disease?
Progressive neurodegenerative disorder due to mutation in single gene that leads to problems with thinking, speaking, and swallowing.
Gene on chromosome 4 codes for a protein known as huntingtin.
The gene contains a DNA sequence, C-A-G, that normally repeats 10 – 25x at the end of the gene.
In HD patients, the C-A-G sequence is repeated 40 or more times.
What are the two main parts of a gene?
The strand of DNA that makes up a gene can be divided into a regulatory region and a coding region.
- ) Regulatory region contains part of the gene that controls its expression.
- ) Coding region, also known as an exon, contains the part of the gene that is transcribed into RNA.
What are alleles? What is meant by a dominant or recessive gene?
Every person has two copies of each gene (except on the sex chromosome).
Each copy is known as an allele.
Common changes in the DNA sequence of a gene are known as alleles. (ex. blue eyes rather than brown eyes)
Dominant allele – if one copy of this form of the gene is present, then it gets expressed.
Recessive allele – will only get expressed if both copies of the gene are present.
What is a transcription factor? How do mutations in FOXP2 affect behavior?
transcription factors are proteins that bind to regulatory regions and alter the rate of gene expression.
The FOXP2 protein is a transcription factor.
Mutation in FOXP2 has been associated with language deficits.
By regulating gene expression early in life, FOXP2 may orchestrate the expression of other genes involved in brain development
What is meant by alternative splicing of mRNA?
RNA is edited before it is translated into a protein.
Alternative Splicing is the process by which Pre-RNA is edited.
Pre-mRNA contains complimentary copies of each exon.
The Final product of editing is known as a RNA splice variant.
*Allows for different functional proteins to emerge from the same gene.
What’s wrong with the DISC RNA in schizophrenia?
Exons 3, 7, and 8 of the RNA from the gene “Disrupted in Schizophrenia” or DISC are more likely to be missing from the DISC mRNA in schizophrenia.
What is post-translational processing?
Once protein is made, it can be broken down into many different smaller proteins or peptides with different functions.
A. Precursor Protein –> B. Enzyme cuts Precursor –> C. Three New Proteins or Peptides
How might Post-Translational Processing go wrong in Alzheimer’s Disease?
The amyloid precursor protein (APP) is cut incorrectly by an enzyme, causing the build-up of a peptide known as beta amyloid (Aβ) in the AD brain.
Define the terms “genotype” and “phenotype.”
Genotype : refers to the DNA sequence of a gene
vs.
Phenotype: refers to the behavioral manifestation of genotype
Compare communication within and between neurons.
Messages within neurons have an “electrical” composition. The message is digital.
Messages between neurons have a “chemical” composition. The message is analog.
What is meant by a membrane potential and what are the principal ions involved in maintaining them?
A membrane potential is the relative difference in electrical charge (i.e., ions) between the inside and outside of a cell.
Principle ions: Na+ =sodium, K+ =potassium, Ca+2 =calcium, Cl- =chloride
What are three reasons that explain why the resting membrane potential is negative?
- Sodium-potassium pumps: Three Na+ ions out/ two K+ ions in
- Most proteins are anions
- Ions maintain concentration gradients: ions seek areas of lesser concentrations
Define depolarization (EPSP) and hyperpolarization (IPSP).
Depolarization/Excitatory PSP(EPSP): an INCREASE in the membrane potential; due to brief influx of Na+ or Ca2+ into dendrite
Hyperpolarization/Inhibitory PSP(IPSP): a DECREASE in the membrane potential; due to a brief influx of Cl- into the dendrite
Describe the six steps involved in an action potential.
- Summation of EPSP’s in cell body at beginning of axon
- Threshold of excitation is met
- Na+ enters the neuron
- K+ leaves the neuron
- Na+ stops entering the neuron
- K+ stops leaving the neuron
What is the All-or-None Law?
either an action potential occurs or it does not; in a given neuron, every AP achieves the same voltage.
Describe the three different types of ion channels.
- Protein-gated ion channel: a protein called kinase adds a phosphate molecule to the ion channel to open it.
- Chemically-gated ion channel: a neurotransmitter or another chemical binds to an ion channel to open it.
- Voltage-gated ion channel: an ion channel opens when a specific membrane potential is achieved (Na+ channels on axons during APs).
Compare phrenology vs. Equipotence.
Phrenology: Specific mental functions are regulated by specific brain regions; the size of these brain regions can be detected by examining skull shape.
Equipotence: Each mental function requires multiple brain regions.
How are neurons arranged in the cortex?
Neurons are arranged into six LAYERS or rows in the cortex. The neurons connected across the six layers make up functional units known as COLUMNS.
What features of the cortex might distinguish humans from other animals?
- The cortex takes up the majority (77%) of the human brain (…which isn’t much more than the Chimp at 76%)
- The lateral prefrontal cortex might be specific to humans
- There are more areas of premotor cortex in humans
What are the names and functions of each of the four lobes of the cerebral cortex?
- Frontal Lobe: sequencing, inhibition, speech, movement
- Parietal Lobe: visual/spatial abilities and bodily sensations
- Occipital Lobe: visual information
- Temporal Lobe: recognition of objects and places, hearing
What are the names and functions of the three areas of the Limbic System?
- Hippocampus: encoding of new information
- Amygdala: activation of fear and aversive memory
- Cingulate: recognizes cognitive or emotional conflicts
What are the names and functions of the two areas of the basal ganglia?
- Caudate Nucleus: regulates execution of movement and habits
- Nucleus Accumbens (NA): becomes active during states of pleasure
What are the functions of the Thalamus?
The Thalamus acts as a relay between sensory input and the cortex
What are the functions of the hypothalamus?
The hypothalamus regulates endocrine function as well as metabolic functions like libido, body temperature, hunger, and thirst. It also controls our fight or flight response and coordinates circadian rhythms
What are the functions of the Pituitary Gland?
Also called the “Master Endocrine Gland,” the pituitary gland regulates hormone release from other glands. It is regulated by the hypothalamus.
What are the names of the five structures of the midbrain?
- Superior and Inferior Colliculus
- Reticular Formation
- Substantia Nigra
- Ventral Tegmental Area
- Periaqueductal Gray Matter
What are the functions of the Cerebellum? What is the name of a condition associated with damage to or malfunction in the Cerebellum?
The Cerebellum is a hindbrain region that regulates motor learning and coordination.
Condition: Ataxia
What are the functions of the sensory and motor neurons of the spinal cord?
Sensory Neurons: Bring tactile and pain signals into the spinal cord
Motor Neurons: Send signals out from the spinal cord regarding movement
What are the functions of the interneurons of the spinal cord?
Interneurons either excite or inhibit motor neurons, causing or preventing muscular contractions in reaction to sensory input.
Inhibitory interneurons within the gray matter break up reflex arcs (Which create direct sensory to motor neuron connection)