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MCAT Psych/Soc > MCAT Biology/Behavior > Flashcards

MCAT Biology/Behavior Flashcards

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1
Q

septal nuclei

A

Contain a primary pleasure center in the brain. Associated with addiction.

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2
Q

cerebral hemispheres

A
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3
Q

parietal lobe

A

sensation; dealing with and reacting to the environment

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4
Q

acetylcholine

A

Found in CNS and PNS. Transmits nerve impulses to muscles. Innervates sweat glands. Loss of cholinergic neurons connected with hippocampus can result in Alzheimers.

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5
Q

neurotransmitters

A

Acytylcholine, Epinephrine, Norepinephrine, Dopamine, Serotonin, Gaba, Glycine, Glutamate, Endorphins

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6
Q

forebrain

A

Contains cerebral cortex, thalamus, hypothalamus, limbic system, basal ganglia. Associated with perception, cognition, behavior, emotion, and memory.

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7
Q

adoption studies

A

Used to better understand environmental influences on behavior. Adopted children have IQ’s more similar to biological parents than adopted parents

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8
Q

Central Nervous System

A

Composed of brain and spinal cord

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9
Q

sensory (afferent) neurons

A

Send sensory information from receptors to the central nervous system.

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10
Q

Parasympathetic nervous system

A

“Rest and Digest” Constricts pupils, stimulates flow of saliva, constricts bronchi, slows heartbeat, stimulates peristalsis and secretion , stimulates bile release, contracts bladder.

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11
Q

Three subdivisions of the brain

A

hindbrain (rhombencephaon), midbrain (mesencephalon), forebrain (prosencephalon)

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12
Q

limbic system

A

Associated witih emotion and memory. Primary components are amygdala, hippocampus, and septal nuclei.

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13
Q

endorphins

A

Natural painkillers killed by the body

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14
Q

twin studies

A

Compare traits of identical and fraternal twins to distinguish effects of shared enviornment and genetics.

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15
Q

Reflex arc

A
  1. Stimulus detected 2. Sensory info sent to CNS 3. Interneurons in spinal cord integrate info and send signal to efferent neurons 4. Signal travels along efferent neurons to effector(s).
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16
Q

occipital lobe

A

vision

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17
Q

primitive reflexes

A

Rooting reflex: turning head upon cheek stimulation

Moro reflex: abrupt movements of head cause flinging of arms

Babinski reflex: spreading of toes upon foot stimulation

Grasping reflex: closing fingers upon something placed in hand

  • Reflexes observed in older ages could be sign of developmental delays
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18
Q

endocrine system and nervous system connections

A

Hypothalamus links the endocrine and nervous system, regulates hormonal release of pituitary gland. Anterior pituitary releases hormones that change activities of endocrine glands.

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19
Q

estrogen

A

Increases libido and contributes to mating behavior and sexual function.

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20
Q

Sympathetic nervous system

A

“fight or flight” Cares to keep you alive in times of danger or stress. Dilates pupils, inhibits salivation, relaxes bronchi, accelerates heartbeat, stimulates sweating or piloerection, inhibits peristalsis and secretion, stimulates glucose production and release, secretion of adrenaline and noradrenaline, inhibits bladder contractions, stimulates orgasm.

21
Q

amygdala

A

Plays role in aggressive behaviors, including fear and rage.

22
Q

Peripheral Nervous System

A

All of the body’s nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord. Divided into somatic and autonomic systems.

23
Q

temporal lobe

A
24
Q

lobes of the cerebral cortex

A

F-POT

2 frontal, 2 parietal, 2 occipital, and 2 temporal lobes.

25
Q

Glycine

A

Allows influx of Chloride in post-synaptic membrane to hyperpolarize. Inhibits action potentials.

26
Q

interneurons

A

Integrate sensory information and relay it onto motor neurons. Located primarily in the central nervous system.

27
Q

Autonomic nervous system

A

Unconsciously controls visceral functions in order to maintain homeostasis. “Automatic”

28
Q

neural tube

A
29
Q

motor (efferent) neurons

A

Send information from the central nervous system to effectors. i.e muscles, glands, organs

30
Q

nature vs nurture

A

nature: genetic components of an individual, inherited behaviors
nurture: learned behaviors, environment, raising

Example: Individual may have inherited behaviors making them more likely to have addiction. However, they may not be exposed to drugs and alcohol.

31
Q

neural crest

A

Cells at the leading edge of the neural fold. Migrate to form different tissues including dorsal root ganglia, melanocytes, and CT-producing thyroid cells.

32
Q

Hindbrain (rhombencephalon)

A

Contains cerebellum, pons, and medulla oblongata. Controls balance, breathing, motor coordination, digestion, and arousal.

33
Q

Hypothalamus

A

Feeding, Fighting, Flighting, (Sexual) Functioning

Lateral: Lacks Hunger

Ventromedial: Very Much Hungry

Anterior: Asexual

34
Q

epinephrine

A

Involved in controling alertness and wakefulness. Promotes fight or flight. Acts at systemic level.

35
Q

Midbrain (mesencephalon)

A

Contains superior and inferior colliculi. Receives sensory and motor information from the rest of the body.

36
Q

Thalamus

A

Relay station for sensory information, except for the sense of smell. Sorts and transmits info to other parts of brain. The mailroom of the brain.

37
Q

testosterone

A

Increases sexual function and aggressive behaviors. Produced by adrenal cortex and testes.

38
Q

frontal lobe

A

Damage to the frontal lobe results in impulsiveness and less control of his/her behavior. Broca’s area is important for speech production.

39
Q

Anterior pituitary

A

Secretes six hormones: growth hormone (GH), prolactin (PRL), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH).

40
Q

serotonin

A

Plays roles in regulating mood, eating, sleeping, and dreaming. Like NE, thought to play a role in depression and mania.

41
Q

basal ganglia

A

Help make our movements smooth and our posture steady. Parkinson’s is associated with destruction to basal ganglia.

42
Q

cortisol

A

Produced by adrenal cortex. Pulls more sugar into the blood during times of stress to be more available to body’s cels. Influenced by sympathetic nervous system. Overproduction can lead to high BP and/or diabetes.

43
Q

family studies

A

Genetically related individuals are more similar genotypically than unrelated. Researchers may compare rates for a given trait among family members to those among unrelated individuals.

44
Q

hippocampus

A

Removal or damage results in loss of making new memories and learning new information. (anterograde amnesia)

45
Q

gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)

A

inhibitory post-synaptic potentials. Stabilizes neural activity. Creates hyperpolarization of the post-synaptic membrane.

46
Q

Neuropsychology

A

The study of the connection between the nervous system and behavior. Most focused on regions of the brain.

47
Q

Glutamate

A

Acts as an excitatory NT.

48
Q

norepinephrine

A

Involved in alertness and wakefulness. Promotes fight or flight. Works at local level as NT.

49
Q

Dopamine

A

Plays important role in movement and posture. High concentrations found in Basal Ganglia. Too much dopamine or hypersensitivity can lead to schizophrenia.

MCAT Psych/Soc (6 decks)

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