MCAT PSychology Bio Processes in the brain Flashcards
The outer region of the adrenal gland that produces cortisol in response to long-term (Chronic) stress and aldosterone in response to low blood pressure or low blood osmolarity
Adrenal cortex
The inner region of the adrenal gland that releases epinephrine (Adrenaline) and norepinephrine into the blood stream
Adrenal medulla
A tropic hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland that targets the adrenal cortex, stimulating it to release cortisol and aldosterone
Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
A long projection of the cell body of a neuron down which an action potential can be propagated
Axon
Synapses at which a neurotransmitter is released from the axon of a neuron into the synaptic cleft, where it binds to receptors on the next structure
Chemical synapse
Steroid hormone released during chronic stress. Prolonged release of it is associated with suppressed immunity and increased illness
Cortisol
A type of synapse in which the cells are connected by gap junctions, allowing ions (and therefore the action potential) to spread easily from cell to cell
Electrical synapse
A hormone produced and secreted by the adrenal medulla that prolongs and increases the effects of the sympathetic (fight-or-flight) system
Epinephrine
A slight depolarization of a postsynaptic cell, bringing the membrane potential closer to the threshold for an action potential
Excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP)
A clump of gray matter (unmyelinated neuron cell bodies) found in the peripheral nervous system
Ganglion
A peptide hormone produced and secreted by the alpha cells of the pancreas. It primarily targets the liver, stimulating the breakdown of glycogen, thus increasing blood glucose levels
Glucagon
Anterior pituitary tropic hormones that stimulate the gonads to produce gametes and to secrete sex steroid
Gonadotropins
Hormone released by the anterior pituitary that causes the whole body growth in children and adolescents, and increasing cell turnover rate in adults
Growth Hormone
Brain structure involved in many autonomic processes including body temperature, hunger, thirst, fatigue, and sleep
Hypothalamus
Slight hyperpolarization of a postsynaptic cell, moving the membrane potential of that cell further from the threshold
Inhibitory postsynaptic potential (IPSP)
A tropic hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland that targets the gonads
Luteinizing hormone (LH)
The protective connective tissue wrappings of the CNS
Meninges
An insulating layer of membranes wrapped around the axons of almost all neurons in the body
Myelin
Gaps in the myelin sheath of the axons of peripheral neurons that increase the speed of conduction
Nodes of Ranvier
The neurotransmitter used by the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system at the postganglionic (organ-level) synapse
Norephinephrine NE
A hormone produced and secreted by parathyroid glands that INCREASE serum calcium levels
Parathyroid hormone
A hormone made of amino acids that is generally hydrophilic and cannot cross the plasma membrane of cells
Peptide hormones
Nervous tissue located at the rear of the pituitary that secretes two hormones made by the hypothalamus : Oxytocin and ADH
Posterior pituitary gland
A steroid hormone that maintains and enhances the uterine lining for the possible implantation of a fertilized ovum
Progesterone
Hormone secreted by the anteiror pituitary that targets the mammary glands, stimulating them to produce milk
Prolactin
A relatively direct connection between a sensory neuron and a motor neuron that allows an extremely rapid response to a stimulus
Reflex arc
A rapid form of neural conduction in which the action potential “jumps” along nodes of Ranvier
Saltatory conduction
The integration of input from many presynaptic neurons by a single postsynaptic neuron, either temporally or spatially
Summation
Summation by a postsynaptic cell of input from a single source over time
Temporal summation
The Na+/K+ ATPase pumps ___ out and ___ in
Pumps 3 sodium ions out of the cell and two potassium ions into the cell with the hydrolysis of one ATP molecule
What is the ratio of potassium leak channels to sodium leak channels?
100:1 Potassium:Sodium this means the cell membrane is virtually impermeable to sodium
Sodium leak channels that become depolarized and open to allow sodium to flow down their gradient INTO the cell, will depolarize that section of the membrane to___mV
+35 mV
What do voltage-gated potassium channels do?
They open in response to membrane depolarization and bring the resting membrane potential back to a negative value of -90mV then close
The equilibrium potential for Na+ is __
50 mV
The equilibrium potential of K+ is ___
-90mV
All somatic motor neurons :
- innervate skeletal muscle cells
- use ACh as their neurotransmitter
- Cell bodies in the brainstem or the ventral (front) portion of the spinal cord
If the signaling molecule modifies the activity of the cell that secreted it this is an ___ activity
Autocrine activity
Peptide hormones are synthesized in the __ and modified in the __
Synthesized in the rough ER and modified in the Golgi
Because peptide hormones modify the activity of existing enzymes in the cytopleasm their effects are __
- exerted rapidly, minutes to hours from time of secretion
- duration of effects are brief
Tyrosine is the parent amino acid for the ____ hormones
- catecholamines (which include epinephrine)
- thyroid hormones
___ incorporate iodine in their structure. They enter cells, bind to DNA, and activate transcription of genes involved in energy mobilization
Thyroid hormones
___are synthesized in the smooth endoplasmic reticulu
Steroid hormone
What is the mechanism of effect of steroid hormones?
Bind to receptors that alter gene expression by regulating DNA transcription
The hormones of the posterior pituitary are:
- ADH which cause the kidney to retain water during times of thirst
- Oxytocin: which causes milk let-down for nursing as well as uterine contractions during labor
What are the five ways to increase the power of an experiment or study?
- Increase alpha level
- Decrease random error
- Conduct one-tailed test
- Expand sample size
- Increase effect size
___refers to the various types of tangible help that others may provide to an individual (help with child care, money)
Instrumental support
___ is a type of support that gives a person a sense of social belonging
Companionship support
__ is the tendency to collect in diverse groups
Heterophily
__binds and activates GABA receptors, which is why it is a depressant it binds to the inhibitory neurostimulator of the CNS
Alcohol
__ is related to Parkinson’s disease and the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra
Dopamine
___ refers to the individual striving to realize his or her potential and to develop inherent talents and capabilities
Self actualization
__ is the “peak” level of consciousness, which signifies perception of the autobiographical character of a person’s life experience
Self awareness
___ is an individuals mental model of his or her abilities and attributes
Self-concept
___ is the belief that one can perform adequately in a particular situation
Self-efficacy
___ is analogous to self-image, it is the attitude which influences moods and exerts a powerful effect on an individuals personal and social behavior
Self-esteem
___ theory posits that people observe themselves in order to figure out the reasons they act as they do
Self-perception
___ is a set of connected nuclei in the brainstem that’s responsible for regulating arousal and sleep-wake transitions, it helps mediate transition from relaxed wakefulness to high attention
Reticular formation
__ are those chronic environmental stressors that can’t be changed by efforts of the individual subject to them (climate change, economy)
Ambient stressors
__ is one that is present over a short period of time
Acute stressors
___ are small daily hassles like traffic or coworkers
Microstressors
___ is one that explains the relationship between the dependent and independent variable
Mediating variable
a third variable that affects the strength of the relationship between a dependent and independent variable In correlation, a third variable that affects the correlation of two variables.
Moderating variable
refers to the attitudes or stereotypes that affect our understanding, actions, and decisions in an unconscious manner.
Implicit bias
