Midterm 1

Question 1

Nothing about behavior makes sense except in the light of ________

Answer 1

Nothing about behavior makes sense except in the light of brain function.

Question 2

All behaviors can be explained by _____

Answer 2

All behaviors can be explained by physical processes in the brain.

Question 3

5 Principles to understanding the biology of the mind

Answer 3

1. Mind & brain are inseparable
2. Each mental function is carries out by specific neural circuits in different regions of the brain
3. All circuits are made of elemental signaling and supporting cells
   
   • > neurons
   • > glia
4. Neural circuits use specific ions & molecules to generate & transmit signals
5. Ions & molecules are conserved (all us same basic elements in their behaviors)

Question 4

What is a behavior?

Answer 4

the planning and execution of a series of goal-directed movements

• Modified by internal state (emotions, memory, hormones, etc.)
• Modified by external factors (temperature, light, prey, etc.)

Question 5

4 major behavioral motivations

Answer 5

1. Fight (aggression, competition, territoriality)
2. Flight (fear, escape)
3. Feed
4. Reproduction

Question 6

Biological explanation of behavior (Tinbergen)

Answer 6

1. Function
   - how does behavior impact chances of survival and reproduction?
2. Causation
   - what are the neural bases of the behavior?
3. Development
   - how does the behavior change with age?
   - what role do genes and experience play?
4. Evolution
   - how does the behavior compare with similar behaviors in related species?
   - how might it have arisen?

Question 7

All behaviors are a result of ____________

Answer 7

All behaviors are a result of neural activity in the brain and spinal cord.

Question 8

Mind, and even consciousness, is _________

Answer 8

Mind, and even consciousness, is brain activity

Question 9

How mind and brain are related

Answer 9

Dualism

• mind & brain are separate
• based: mental experience different from physical activity in brain

Monism

• only one entity
• mind is associated with brain activity
• every mental experience and behavior is brain activity
• -> evidence
  
  • lesions
  • imaging and neural recordings
  • microstimulation
  • genetic manipulations

Question 10

Phineas Gage

Answer 10

Case illustrated mental changes CAN occur with brain changes

Suggested major brain surgeries were possible

Question 11

Motor and sensory homunculus

Answer 11

On both sides of brain
Adult plasticity
-use-it or lose-it
-weeks -> months

Question 12

Microstimulation in monkeys

Answer 12

Sometimes brain activity can OVER-RULE actual real-world stimulation

Question 13

Genetic manipulation in moles

Answer 13

Pair bonding can be induced with a small chemical change in the brain

Question 14

What does the nervous system do?

Answer 14

• reception of sensory input
• integration, learning, memory, decision
• motor action

Question 15

2 Types of cells

Answer 15

1. Neurons

2. Glia

Question 16

Neurons

Answer 16

Specialization

• shape
• -> processes have specific compartments
• excitability
• -> can produce and transmit voltage changes

Basic structure

• input
• ->dendrite
  
  • branched structure attached to soma
  • receives info from other neurons
• ->soma
  
  • cell body of neuron
  • contains nucleus
• output
• ->axon
  
  • convey info from soma -> button
• ->terminal buttons
  
  • budded at end of axon
• ->synapse
  
  • junction between button and membrane of another neuron

Question 17

Glial cells

Answer 17

“glue” that keeps neurons together

3 types

1. astrocytes
   - ->provide structural support to neurons (glue)
   - ->clean up debris (reuptake)
2. oligodendrocytes
   - ->support axons
   - ->produce myelin sheath (one can attach to many)
3. microglia
   - ->act as phagocytes (immune functions)
   - ->protect brain from microorganisms

Question 18

AP

ions

Answer 18

Na+ (sodium)
K+ (potassium) (-, keep in; +, kick out)
A- [makes inside very -- (-70)
Cl- 
Ca++

Question 19

AP

Forces

Answer 19

PASSIVE

1. Concentration gradient
   - 1st main force acting on ions
2. electrical gradient
   - opposite charges attract
   - like charges repel

Question 20

AP

ion channels

Answer 20

SPECIFIC

VG Na+ (much easier to change)
VG K+

VG (will change shape by application of voltage)

Question 21

AP steps

Answer 21

1. resting potential
2. receive stimulation
3. reach threshold
4. depolarization (b/c Na+ in)
5. repolarization (from + to - on inside, b/c K+ leaves)
6. hyperpolarization (b/c K+ channels are SLOW)
   - -> Na/K pump
7. resting potential

Question 22

Distribution across neuron membrane- K+

Answer 22

K+

inside 2x outside

Question 23

Distribution across neuron membrane- Na+

Answer 23

Na+

outside 7-8X inside

Question 24

Distribution across neuron membrane- Cl-

Answer 24

Cl-

outside 10X inside

Question 25

Distribution across neuron membrane- A-

Answer 25

A-

ALL inside (385)

Question 26

Na/K pump

Answer 26

During hyper polarization

• to return to rest
• runs against concentration gradient
• uses ENERGY (ATP)
• 3 Na out per 2K in

Question 27

Refractory period

Answer 27

2 types

1. absolute
   - Na channel inactivation (b/c just closed)
   - during repolarization
2. relative
   - begins during hyper polarization
   - lasts little longer than 1 msec
   - has higher threshold