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Biological Psychology > Exam 1 (Ch. 1-3) > Flashcards

Exam 1 (Ch. 1-3) Flashcards

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1
Q

Neuron

A

Information messenger

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2
Q

Parts of a neuron

A

Dendrites, axon, and soma/cell body

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3
Q

Nucleus

A

Contains DNA and controls hereditary aspects

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4
Q

Mitochondrion

A

Powerhouse (energy) of the cell

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5
Q

Chromosomes

A

DNA molecule that contains genetic information

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6
Q

Ribosomes

A

Put proteins together

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7
Q

What are the two types of neurons?

A

Motor neuron and sensory neuron

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8
Q

Motor neuron

A

Transmits impulses from the spinal cord to skeletal and smooth muscle, and directly controls all of our muscle movements

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9
Q

Sensory neuron

A

Transmits impulses from a receptor (such as those in the eye or ear) to a more central location in the nervous system (such as the spinal cord or brain)

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10
Q

Dendrites

A

Branching fibers that receive neural signals

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11
Q

Can neurons have multiple dendrites?

A

Yes

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12
Q

Axon

A

Sends neural signals to other neurons, organs, or muscles

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13
Q

Do neurons have one axon or multiple?

A

One

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14
Q

Myelin sheath

A

Insulation that goes over axon & protects neuron signal from stopping/playing out. Without this, fine motor skills and moveability can be negatively affected.

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15
Q

Nodes of Ranvier

A

Gaps found within myelinated axons that allow the generation of a fast electrical impulse along the axon

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16
Q

Presynaptic terminal

A

Releases neurotransmitters once the neural signal comes through

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17
Q

Why do neurons vary in shape and size?

A

The shape of a neuron determines its connection with other neurons and its contribution to the nervous system. The function is closely related to the shape of a neuron.

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18
Q

What happens in the resting potential?

A

The membrane maintains an electrical gradient known as polarization. When at rest, sodium (Na) leaves the cell while potassium (K) enters. The inside of the membrane is slightly negative with respect to the outside.

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19
Q

What is the resting potential of a neuron?

A

State of the neuron prior to the sending of a nerve impulse

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20
Q

What happens in the action potential?

A

Resting potential turns into action potential when the neuron is stimulated. This is a rapid depolarization of the neuron, where it exceeds the threshold of excitation. Once this happens, the membrane (gate) of the cell opens, and sodium (Na) is let back into the cell. The inside of the membrane is now positive.

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21
Q

The sequence of events at the synapse

A
  1. Neuron synthesizes chemicals that serve as neurotransmitters.
  2. Action potentials travel down the axon.
  3. Released molecules diffuse across the cleft, attach to receptors, and alter the activity of the postsynaptic neuron.
  4. Neurotransmitter molecules separate from their receptors.
  5. Neurotransmitters may be taken back into the presynaptic neuron for recycling or diffuse away.
  6. Some postsynaptic cells may send reverse messages to slow the release of further neurotransmitters by presynaptic cells.
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22
Q

Function of: serotonin

A

Affects mood, sleep, hunger, and arousal

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23
Q

Problems caused by oversupply/undersupply of: serotonin

A

Undersupply linked to depression

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24
Q

Function of: dopamine

A

Influences movement, learning, attention, and emotion

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25
Q

Problems caused by oversupply/undersupply of: dopamine

A

Oversupply linked to schizophrenia; undersupply linked to tremors and decreased mobility in ADHD

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26
Q

Function of: acetylcholine (ACh)

A

Enables muscle action, learning, and memory

27
Q

Problems caused by oversupply/undersupply of: acetylcholine

A

ACh-producing neurons deteriorate as Alzheimer’s disease progresses

28
Q

Function of: norepinephrine

A

Helps control alertness and arousal

29
Q

Problems caused by oversupply/undersupply of: norepinephrine

A

Undersupply can depress mood and caused ADHD-like attention problems

30
Q

Function of: gaba

A

A major inhibitory neurotransmitter

31
Q

Problems caused by oversupply/undersupply of: gaba

A

Undersupply linked to seizures, tremors, and insomnia

32
Q

Function of: glutamate

A

A major excitatory neurotransmitter that is involved in memory

33
Q

Problems caused by oversupply/undersupply of: glutamate

A

Oversupply can overstimulate the brain, producing migraines or seizures

34
Q

Function of: endorphins

A

Natural painkiller

35
Q

Problems caused by oversupply/undersupply of: endorphins

A

Undersupply can cause abnormal pain levels

36
Q

Antagonist

A

Does opposite of neurotransmitter

37
Q

Agonist

A

Does same function/result of neurotransmitter

38
Q

Nucleus accumbens

A

Reward circuit & motivation; addiction is also found in this part of brain

39
Q

Central nervous system

A

Brain and spinal cord; It takes in sensory information, process information, and send out motor signals

40
Q

Peripheral nervous system

A

Connects the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body

41
Q

What are the two types of peripheral nervous system categories?

A

Somatic nervous system and autonomic nervous system

42
Q

Somatic nervous system

A

Controls voluntary muscles and conveys sensory information to the central nervous system (ex: writing)

43
Q

Autonomic nervous system

A

Controls the heart, intestines, and other organs

44
Q

What two types of matter does the spinal cord consist of?

A

Gray matter and white matter

45
Q

Gray matter of spinal cord

A

Located in the center of the spinal cord and is densely packed with cell bodies and dendrites

46
Q

White matter of spinal cord

A

Composted mostly of myelinated axons that carries information from the gray matter to the brain or other areas of the spinal cord

47
Q

Sympathetic nervous system

A

Network of nerves that prepares the organs for rigorous activity. Increases heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, etc. “Fight or flight” response.

48
Q

Parasympathetic nervous system

A

Facilitates vegetative and nonemergency responses. Relaxed state/response.

49
Q

Parts of the hindbrain

A

Medulla, pons, cerebellum

50
Q

Medulla

A

Responsible for vital reflexes such as breathing, heart rate, vomiting, salivation, coughing, and sneezing

51
Q

Cranial nerves

A

Allow the medulla to control sensations from the head, muscle movements in the head and many parasympathetic outputs

52
Q

Pons

A

Arousal and attention functions. Axons from each half of the brain cross to the opposite side of the spinal cord (left hemisphere controls right side of body & vice versa)

53
Q

Cerebellum

A

Most condensed part of the brain & is responsible for coordination, balance, and movement

54
Q

Thalamus

A

Relays important information from the sensory organs to cerebal cortex

55
Q

What is the only sense that does not cross through the thalamus?

A

Smell

56
Q

Hypothalamus

A

Conveys messages to pituitary gland to alter release of hormones. Associated with behaviors such as eating, drinking, sexual behavior, and other motivated behavior.

57
Q

Hippocampus

A

Where new memories develop

58
Q

Amygdala

A

Emotional center

59
Q

Occipital lobe

A

Responsible for visual output (1/4 of brain = vision)

60
Q

Parietal lobe

A

Responsible for touch sensations

61
Q

Temporal lobe

A

Responsible for hearing and processing spoken language

62
Q

Frontal lobe

A

Personality channel responsible for movements and emotions

63
Q

Corpus callosum

A

Responsible for multi-tasking; connects both hemispheres of brain

Biological Psychology (3 decks)

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