Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

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


See full index

PSY-101 General Psychology > Neuroscience & Biological Foundations > Flashcards

Neuroscience & Biological Foundations Flashcards

1
Q

Neuroscience

A

Interdisciplinary field studying how biological processes relate to behavioral and mental processes

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

Neuron

A

Interdisciplinary field studying how biological processes relate to behavioral and mental processes

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

Glial Cells

A

Cells that provide structural, nutritional, and other support for the neurons, as well as communication within the nervous system; also called glia or neuroglia

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

How many neurons are in the human body?

A

Each human body has as many as 100 billion neurons

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

What role do glial cells provide in neuron support?

A

These neurons are held in place and supported by glial cells, which make up about 90 percent of the brain’s cells. Glial cells surround neurons, perform cleanup tasks, and insulate one neuron from another so that their neural messages are not scrambled. Research also shows that glial cells play a direct role in nervous system communication

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

Dendrites

A

Branching neuron structures that receive neural impulses from other neurons and convey impulses toward the cell body

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

Cell Body

A

Part of the neuron containing the cell nucleus, as well as other structures that help the neuron carry out its functions; also known as the soma

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

Axon

A

The long, tube-like structure that conveys impulses away from the neuron’s cell body toward other neurons or to muscles or glands

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

Myelin Sheath

A

The layer of fatty insulation wrapped around
the axon of some neurons, which increases
the rate at which nerve impulses travel along the axon

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

Terminal Button

A

Terminal buttons of axons form junctions with other cells and release chemicals called neurotransmitters.

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

A motor neuron’s structure is divided into three key parts:

A

Dendrite → Cell Body → Axon (D, C, B, A)

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

List of Neurotransmitters:

A 
Serotonin
Acetylcholine (ACh)
Dopamine (DA)
Norepinephrine (NE) (or noradrenaline)
Epinephrine (or adrenaline)
GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)
Endorphins
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Serotonin

A

Mood, sleep, appetite, sensory perception, arousal, temperature regulation, pain suppression, and impulsivity (Chapters 2, 10, 12, 16). Low levels are associated with depression.

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

Acetylcholine (ACh)

A

Muscle action, learning, memory, REM (rapid-eye movement) sleep, emotion (Chapters 2, 3, 7). Decreased ACh plays a suspected role in Alzheimer’s disease.

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

Dopamine (DA)

A

Movement, attention, memory, learning, and emotion
(Chapters 2, 3, 14). Excess DA is associated with schizophrenia, too little with Parkinson’s disease. Also plays a role in addiction and the reward system.

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

Norepinephrine (NE) (or noradrenaline)

A

Learning, memory, dreaming, emotion, waking from
sleep, eating, alertness, wakefulness, reactions to stress
Chapters 2, 3, 14). Low levels of NE are associated with depression, high levels with agitated, manic states.

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

Epinephrine (or adrenaline)

A

Emotional arousal, memory storage, and metabolism of

glucose necessary for energy release (Chapters 2, 3,7).

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

GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)

A

Neural inhibition in the central nervous system (Chapters 2, 10, 15, 16). Tranquilizing drugs, like Valium, increase GABA’s inhibitory effects and thereby decrease anxiety.

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

Endorphins

A

Mood, pain, memory, learning, blood pressure, appetite, and sexual activity (Chapters 2, 3, 4, 5).

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

Neurotransmitters

A

Chemicals released by neurons that travel across the synaptic gap

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

Synapse

A

The junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron. During an action potential, chemicals called neurotransmitters are released and flow across the synaptic gap

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

Define Endorphins

A

Chemical substances in the nervous system

that are similar in structure and action to opiates; involved in pain control, pleasure, and memory

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

Endocrine System

A

Collection of glands located throughout the body that manufacture and secrete hormones into the bloodstream

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

Hormones

A

Chemicals manufactured by endocrine glands and circulated in the bloodstream to produce bodily changes or maintain normal bodily functions

25
Q

Why is the endocrine system important?

A

Without the hypothalamus and pituitary, the testes in men would not produce testosterone and the ovaries in women would not produce estrogen. As you may know, these hormones are of critical importance to sexual behavior and reproduction. In addition, the pituitary produces its own hormone that controls body growth.

26
Q

Pineal glands

A

Help regulate the sleep cycle and body rhythms

27
Q

Hypothalamus

A

Controls the pituitary gland

28
Q

Pituitary gland

A

Influences growth and lactation; also secretes many hormones that affect other glands

29
Q

Thyroid gland

A

Controls metabolism

30
Q

Adrenaline gland

A

Arouses the body, helps respond to stress, regulates salt balances, and some sexual functioning

31
Q

Ovaries

A

Secrete female sex hormones (estrogen)

32
Q

Testes

A

Secrete male sex hormones (testosterone)

33
Q

Pancreas

A

Controls the blood sugar levels

34
Q

Parathyroid glands

A

Help regulate the level of calcium in the blood

35
Q

Central Nervous System (CNS)

A

Brain and spinal cord

36
Q

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

A

All nerves and neurons connecting the central nervous system to the rest of the body

37
Q

Neuroplasticity

A

Brain’s ability to reorganize and change its structure and function throughout the life span

38
Q

Neurogenesis

A

The process by which new neurons are generated

39
Q

Stem Cell

A

Immature (uncommitted) cells that have the potential to develop into almost any type of cell depending on the chemical signals they receive

40
Q

Reflex

A

Involuntary, automatic response to a stimulus (knee jerk-reflex)

41
Q

Identify the three major sections of the brain:

A

The brain is generally divided into three major sections: the hindbrain, midbrain, and forebrain.

42
Q

What are the three key components of the hindbrain?

A

Pons
Medulla
Cerebellum

The pons and medulla, are involved in sleeping, waking,
dreaming, and control of automatic bodily functions; another part, the cerebellum, coordinates fine muscle movement, balance, and some perception and cognition

43
Q

Describe the functions of the midbrain and the reticular formation:

A

The midbrain helps coordinate movement patterns, sleep, and arousal. The reticular formation runs through the midbrain, hindbrain, and brainstem, and is responsible for arousal and screening incoming information.

44
Q

Identify the major structures of the forebrain, and describe their functions:

A

The forebrain includes several structures,
including the thalamus, hypothalamus,
limbic system, and cerebral cortex. The
thalamus relays sensory messages to the
cerebral cortex. The hypothalamus helps
govern basic drives and hormones. The limbic system is a group of forebrain structures (including the hippocampus and amygdala) involved with emotions and memory. Because the cerebral cortex controls most complex mental activities.

45
Q

Cerebral Cortex

A

The thin surface layer on the cerebral hemispheres regulates most complex behavior, including sensations, motor control, and higher mental processes

46
Q

How many neurons does the cerebral cortex contain?

A

30 billion neurons

47
Q

The cortex contains numerous “wrinkles” known as?

A

Convolutions

48
Q

Describe the major functions of the lobes of the cerebral cortex:

A

The two frontal lobes control higher functions, speech production, and motor control. The two parietal lobes are the receiving and interpretation areas for sensory information. The two temporal lobes are concerned with hearing, language, memory, and some emotional control. The two occipital lobes are dedicated to vision and visual information processing.

49
Q

Why is the case study of Phineas Gage important?

A

Phineas Gage experienced a horrific blow to his frontal lobes when a metal rod pierced his face and brain. Historical records of changes in his behavior and mental processes following the accident provide invaluable clues to the important role of the frontal lobe in motivation, emotion, and other cognitive activities.

50
Q

Describe traumatic brain injury (TBI)

A

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is any injury to the brain caused by significant trauma. Two of the most common TBIs are concussions (blows to the head) and contusions (bruises in the brain).

51
Q

What is behavioral genetics?

A

Study of the relative effects of heredity and the environment on behavior and mental processes

52
Q

Cell nucleus

A

Each cell in the human body (except red blood cells) contains a nucleus

53
Q

Chromosomes

A

Each cell nucleus contains 46 chromosomes arranged in 23 pairs (one chromosome of each pair is from each
parent). Chromosomes are threadlike molecules of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) that carries genetic information

54
Q

Genes

A

The segment of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) that occupies a specific place on a particular chromosome and carries the code for hereditary transmission

55
Q

Heritability

A

The measure of the degree to which a characteristic is related to genetic, inherited factors versus the environment

56
Q

Natural Selection

A

Driving mechanism behind evolution that allows individuals with genetically influenced traits that are adaptive in a particular environment to stay alive and produce offspring

57
Q

Charles Darwin (1859) Theory of Evolution:

A

Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution states that evolution happens by natural selection. Individuals in a species show variation in physical characteristics. … As a consequence those individuals most suited to their environment survive and, given enough time, the species will gradually evolve.

58
Q

List the four lobes in the human brain:

A

Frontal lobe
Parietal lobe
Temporal lobe
Occipital lobe

59
Q

What is the role of the four lobes in the human body?

A

Frontal Lobes- Coordinates messages from other lobes and regulates motor control, speech production, and higher functions (thinking, personality, emotion, and memory).

Parietal Lobes- Sensory processing (pressure, pain,
touch, and temperature).

Temporal Lobes- Hearing, language comprehension,
memory, and some emotional control.

Occipital Lobes- Vision and visual perception

PSY-101 General Psychology (16 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions