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MCAT > MCAT PSychology Bio Processes in the brain > Flashcards

MCAT PSychology Bio Processes in the brain Flashcards

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MCAT flashcards
1
Q

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

A

Adrenal cortex

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2
Q

The inner region of the adrenal gland that releases epinephrine (Adrenaline) and norepinephrine into the blood stream

A

Adrenal medulla

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3
Q

A tropic hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland that targets the adrenal cortex, stimulating it to release cortisol and aldosterone

A

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)

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4
Q

A long projection of the cell body of a neuron down which an action potential can be propagated

A

Axon

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5
Q

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

A

Chemical synapse

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6
Q

Steroid hormone released during chronic stress. Prolonged release of it is associated with suppressed immunity and increased illness

A

Cortisol

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7
Q

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

A

Electrical synapse

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8
Q

A hormone produced and secreted by the adrenal medulla that prolongs and increases the effects of the sympathetic (fight-or-flight) system

A

Epinephrine

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9
Q

A slight depolarization of a postsynaptic cell, bringing the membrane potential closer to the threshold for an action potential

A

Excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP)

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10
Q

A clump of gray matter (unmyelinated neuron cell bodies) found in the peripheral nervous system

A

Ganglion

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11
Q

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

A

Glucagon

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12
Q

Anterior pituitary tropic hormones that stimulate the gonads to produce gametes and to secrete sex steroid

A

Gonadotropins

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13
Q

Hormone released by the anterior pituitary that causes the whole body growth in children and adolescents, and increasing cell turnover rate in adults

A

Growth Hormone

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14
Q

Brain structure involved in many autonomic processes including body temperature, hunger, thirst, fatigue, and sleep

A

Hypothalamus

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15
Q

Slight hyperpolarization of a postsynaptic cell, moving the membrane potential of that cell further from the threshold

A

Inhibitory postsynaptic potential (IPSP)

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16
Q

A tropic hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland that targets the gonads

A

Luteinizing hormone (LH)

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17
Q

The protective connective tissue wrappings of the CNS

A

Meninges

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18
Q

An insulating layer of membranes wrapped around the axons of almost all neurons in the body

A

Myelin

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19
Q

Gaps in the myelin sheath of the axons of peripheral neurons that increase the speed of conduction

A

Nodes of Ranvier

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20
Q

The neurotransmitter used by the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system at the postganglionic (organ-level) synapse

A

Norephinephrine NE

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21
Q

A hormone produced and secreted by parathyroid glands that INCREASE serum calcium levels

A

Parathyroid hormone

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22
Q

A hormone made of amino acids that is generally hydrophilic and cannot cross the plasma membrane of cells

A

Peptide hormones

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23
Q

Nervous tissue located at the rear of the pituitary that secretes two hormones made by the hypothalamus : Oxytocin and ADH

A

Posterior pituitary gland

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24
Q

A steroid hormone that maintains and enhances the uterine lining for the possible implantation of a fertilized ovum

A

Progesterone

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25
Q

Hormone secreted by the anteiror pituitary that targets the mammary glands, stimulating them to produce milk

A

Prolactin

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26
Q

A relatively direct connection between a sensory neuron and a motor neuron that allows an extremely rapid response to a stimulus

A

Reflex arc

27
Q

A rapid form of neural conduction in which the action potential “jumps” along nodes of Ranvier

A

Saltatory conduction

28
Q

The integration of input from many presynaptic neurons by a single postsynaptic neuron, either temporally or spatially

A

Summation

29
Q

Summation by a postsynaptic cell of input from a single source over time

A

Temporal summation

30
Q

The Na+/K+ ATPase pumps ___ out and ___ in

A

Pumps 3 sodium ions out of the cell and two potassium ions into the cell with the hydrolysis of one ATP molecule

31
Q

What is the ratio of potassium leak channels to sodium leak channels?

A

100:1 Potassium:Sodium this means the cell membrane is virtually impermeable to sodium

32
Q

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

A

+35 mV

33
Q

What do voltage-gated potassium channels do?

A

They open in response to membrane depolarization and bring the resting membrane potential back to a negative value of -90mV then close

34
Q

The equilibrium potential for Na+ is __

A

50 mV

35
Q

The equilibrium potential of K+ is ___

A

-90mV

36
Q

All somatic motor neurons :

A
  1. innervate skeletal muscle cells
  2. use ACh as their neurotransmitter
  3. Cell bodies in the brainstem or the ventral (front) portion of the spinal cord
37
Q

If the signaling molecule modifies the activity of the cell that secreted it this is an ___ activity

A

Autocrine activity

38
Q

Peptide hormones are synthesized in the __ and modified in the __

A

Synthesized in the rough ER and modified in the Golgi

39
Q

Because peptide hormones modify the activity of existing enzymes in the cytopleasm their effects are __

A
  • exerted rapidly, minutes to hours from time of secretion

- duration of effects are brief

40
Q

Tyrosine is the parent amino acid for the ____ hormones

A
  • catecholamines (which include epinephrine)

- thyroid hormones

41
Q

___ incorporate iodine in their structure. They enter cells, bind to DNA, and activate transcription of genes involved in energy mobilization

A

Thyroid hormones

42
Q

___are synthesized in the smooth endoplasmic reticulu

A

Steroid hormone

43
Q

What is the mechanism of effect of steroid hormones?

A

Bind to receptors that alter gene expression by regulating DNA transcription

44
Q

The hormones of the posterior pituitary are:

A
  • 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
45
Q

What are the five ways to increase the power of an experiment or study?

A
  • Increase alpha level
  • Decrease random error
  • Conduct one-tailed test
  • Expand sample size
  • Increase effect size
46
Q

___refers to the various types of tangible help that others may provide to an individual (help with child care, money)

A

Instrumental support

47
Q

___ is a type of support that gives a person a sense of social belonging

A

Companionship support

48
Q

__ is the tendency to collect in diverse groups

A

Heterophily

49
Q

__binds and activates GABA receptors, which is why it is a depressant it binds to the inhibitory neurostimulator of the CNS

A

Alcohol

50
Q

__ is related to Parkinson’s disease and the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra

A

Dopamine

51
Q

___ refers to the individual striving to realize his or her potential and to develop inherent talents and capabilities

A

Self actualization

52
Q

__ is the “peak” level of consciousness, which signifies perception of the autobiographical character of a person’s life experience

A

Self awareness

53
Q

___ is an individuals mental model of his or her abilities and attributes

A

Self-concept

54
Q

___ is the belief that one can perform adequately in a particular situation

A

Self-efficacy

55
Q

___ is analogous to self-image, it is the attitude which influences moods and exerts a powerful effect on an individuals personal and social behavior

A

Self-esteem

56
Q

___ theory posits that people observe themselves in order to figure out the reasons they act as they do

A

Self-perception

57
Q

___ 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

A

Reticular formation

58
Q

__ are those chronic environmental stressors that can’t be changed by efforts of the individual subject to them (climate change, economy)

A

Ambient stressors

59
Q

__ is one that is present over a short period of time

A

Acute stressors

60
Q

___ are small daily hassles like traffic or coworkers

A

Microstressors

61
Q

___ is one that explains the relationship between the dependent and independent variable

A

Mediating variable

62
Q

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.

A

Moderating variable

63
Q

refers to the attitudes or stereotypes that affect our understanding, actions, and decisions in an unconscious manner.

A

Implicit bias

MCAT (45 decks)

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