Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

MCAT > MCAT Psychology Behavioral Neuroscience > Flashcards

MCAT Psychology Behavioral Neuroscience Flashcards

1
Q

Almond shaped structure deep withi nthe brain that orchestrates emotional experiences

A

Amygdala

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Structures that coordinate smooth motion by inhibiting excess movement

A

Basal nuclei or ganglia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

The region of the brain that coordinates and smoothes skeletal muscle activity

A

Cerebellum

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

The largest bundle of white matter (axons) connecting the two cerebral hemispheres

A

Corpus callosum

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

The portion of the forebrain that includes the thalamus and hypothalamus

A

Diencephalon

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Low resolution functional technique that provides real-time data on brain wave synchronization at nodes spread through the scalp

A

Electroencephalography

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Higher order thinking processes that include planning, organizing, and decision-making

A

Executive functions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Brain structure located in the medial temporal lobe, plays a key role in forming memories

A

Hippocampus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

An increase in synaptic strength between two neurons following simultaneous firing

A

Long-term potentiation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Portion of the hindbrain that controls respiratory rate and blood pressure, and specialized digestive and respiratory functions

A

Medulla oblongata

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

The portion of the brain responsible for visual and auditory startle reflex

A

Midbrain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

A process that refers to the malleability of the brain’s pathways and synapses based on behavior, the environment, and neural processes

A

Neural plasticity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Structure located in the brainstem that releases dopamine in response to many drugs, contributing to addictive behavior

A

Nucleus accumbens

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

A theory of information retrieval that involves a search process where specific nodes are activated, which leads to the activation of related nodes, and so on

A

Spreading activation theory

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

A relay station and major integrating area for sensory impulses

A

Thalamus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

An area of the brain known to be involved in reflection, planning, emotional regulation, and the ability to understand the perspective of others

A

Prefrontal cortex

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

The __ is involved in primitive processes such as walking, urination, and sex organ functions

A

Spinal cord

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

The hindbrain includes the__,__,and__

A

medulla, pons, and cerebellum

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

The __ functions in relaying information between other areas of the brain, regulating vital autonomic functions such as BP, digestive functions and also the respiratory rhythmicity centers are found here

A

Medulla

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

The __ is the connection point between the brain stem and the cerebellum. The ___ controls some autonomic functions and coordinates movement; it plays a role in balance and antigravity posture

A

Pons

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

The __ is an integrating center where complex movements are coordinated

A

Cerebellum

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Damage to the __results in poor hand-eye coordination and balance

A

Cerebellum

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Both the __ and __ receive information from the vestibular apparatus in the inner ear, which monitors acceleration and position relative to gravity

A

Cerebellum and pons

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

The ___ is a relay for visual and auditory information and contains much of the reticular activating system (RAS) which is responsible for arousal and wakefulness

A

Reticular activating system

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

Medulla, pons, and midbrain constitute the__

A

brainstem

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

The forebrain includes the __ and the__

A

diencephalon and telencephalon

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

The __ includes the thalamus and hypothalamus

A

Diencephalon

28
Q

The __ interacts directly with many parts of the brian, containing the center for controlling emotions and autonomic functions

A

Hypothalamus

29
Q

All parts of the CNS up to and including the __ form a single symmetrical stalk, but the telencephlaon consists of two separate cerebral hemispheres

A

Diencephalon

30
Q

The __ initiates all voluntary movement and is involved in complex reasoning skills and problem-solving

A

Frontal lobe

31
Q

The __ is involved in general sensations (such as touch, temperature, pressure, vibrations, and guastation

A

Parietal lobe

32
Q

The __ receives input from mechanoreceptors and proprioceptors

A

Parietal lobe

33
Q

The __ processes auditory and olfactory sensation and is involved in short-term memory, language comprehension, and emotion

A

Temporal lobe

34
Q

The __ and __ work together to process and coordinate movement initiated by the primary motor cortex

A

Basal nuclei

35
Q

The ___ are inhibitory, preventing excessive movement

A

Basal nuclei

36
Q

The __ is excitatory increasing movement

A

Cerebellum

37
Q

The __ includs the amygdala, cingulate gyrus, and the hippocampus

A

Limbic system

38
Q

This neurotransmitter is involved in reward, mood, pleasure, smooth motor movements, focus and attention

A

Dopamine

39
Q

Shortage of this neurotransmitter can lead to depression, lethargy, and difficulty coordinating motion

A

Dopamine

40
Q

This neurotransmitter is involved in mood, digestion, sleep, memory, and sexual desire

A

Serotonin

41
Q

Shortage of this neurotransmitter can result in aggression, compulsive behavior, overeating, and depression

A

Serotonin

42
Q

This neurotransmitter is involved in circadian rhythm, sleepiness, sleep initiation

A

Melatonin

43
Q

__ is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain

A

GABA (Gamma Aminobutyric Acid)

44
Q

Shortage of this neurotransmitter can lead to stress, anxiety, depression, ADHD, Panic disorders

A

GABA

45
Q

Shortage of this neurotransmitter can lead to dysfunction of GI tract and paralysis

A

Acetylcholine

46
Q

__ is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in theb rain, learning, memory, long term potentiation

A

Glutamate

47
Q

Serotonin pathways project from the ___

A

raphe nucleus

48
Q

The __ is known as a natural pathway for feelings of reward and pleasure

A

Mesolimbic circuit

49
Q

___ is the hormone involved in regulating energy, and inhibiting hunger

A

Leptin

50
Q

The __ controls the physiological aspect of emotion, such as sweating and a racing heart

A

Hypothalamus

51
Q

Decreased response to a stimulus over time

A

Habituation

52
Q

Renewed response to a previously habituated stimulus

A

Dishabituation

53
Q

Increased response to a stimulus over time

A

Sensitization

54
Q

Decreased response to a previously sensitized stimulus over time

A

Desensitization

55
Q

The deepest of non-REM sleep occurs during __

A

slow-wave sleep (Stages 3 &4)

56
Q

The deepest of non-REM sleep during slow-wave sleep is characterized by __ waves which demonstrate the lowest frequency and highest amplitude observed during the sleep cycle

A

Delta waves

57
Q

___ and __ are high-frequency, low-amplitude waves characteristic of waking states

A

Alpha and beta waves

58
Q

__ have the highest frequency and are characteristic of awake and alert states

A

Beta waves

59
Q

__have more regularity and are characteristic of awake and relaxed states

A

Alpha waves

60
Q

__ are characteristic of sleep stage 1 “light sleep”

A

Theta waves

61
Q

During stage 2 sleep theta waves still predominate like in stage 1 but are interrupted by occasional ___ and __

A 
Sleep spindles (burst in frequency)
K-complexes (increases in wavelength)
62
Q

___is memory for facts and evetns that can be consciously or intentionally recalled, including semantic memory and episodic memory

A

Explicit/Declarative memory

63
Q

__ includes knowledge about facts

A

Semantic memory

64
Q

__ includes knowledge about personal experiences

A

Episodic memory

65
Q

___ is memory for things that can’t be conciously recalled such as skills, tasks, emotions, and reflexes

A

Implicit/Nondeclarative memory

66
Q

___ suggests that when a node in the semantic network is activated, the nodes directly connected to that note are then activated as well (priming)

A

Spreading activation theory

MCAT (45 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions