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Biological Bases > Terms > Flashcards

Terms Flashcards

1
Q

Hemispheres

A

The brain has two hemispheres, the left controls the right side of the body, the right hemisphere controls the left side of the body

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2
Q

Corpus Callosum

A

Bundle of nerve fibers that connects the two hemispheres, messages move from one side of the brain to the other

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3
Q

Left

A

Specializes in language,

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4
Q

Right Hemisphere

A

Appears to specialize in more widespread processing involving perception, visualization, spatial perception, recognition of patterns, faces, emotions, melodies, and expression of emotion

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5
Q

Cerebral Cortex “Gray Matter”

A

Outer layer of the brain, the tissue is folded in on itself, the folding and wrinkling allows for more surface area of cortex to fit into the skull

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6
Q

Lobes

A

Areas of the cerebral cortex, location and primary function, each with a specialty

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7
Q

Frontal Lobes

A

Areas of the cortex located in the front of the brain, associated with reasoning, motor skills higher level cognition, and expressive language

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8
Q

Prefrontal Cortex

A

This brain region has been implicated in planning complex cognitive behavior, personality expression, decision making, and moderating social behavior

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9
Q

Motor Cortex

A

This area of the brain receives information from various lobes of the brain and utilizes this information to carry out body movements

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10
Q

Broca’s Area

A

Located in the lower portion of the left frontal lobe, controls motor functions involved with speech production and language comprehension

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11
Q

Parietal Lobes

A

Sections of the brain located at the top and back of each cerebral hemisphere containing the centers for processing sensory signals such as touch, pressure, temperature, and pain

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12
Q

Somatosensory Cortex

A

Part of your brain that receives and processes sensory information from the entire body

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13
Q

Occipital Lobes

A

Section of the brain located at the rear and bottom of each cerebral hemisphere containing the visual centers of the brain

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14
Q

Temporal Lobe

A

Areas of the cortex located just behind the temples containing the neurons responsible for the sense of hearing and meaningful speech

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15
Q

Wernicke’s Area

A

It is located in the temporal lobe on the left side of the brain and is responsible for the comprehension of speech

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16
Q

Brainstem

A

Most primitive part of the brain, Base of brain connected to the spinal cord. Controls breathing, swallowing, heart rate, blood pressure, consciousness, and whether one is sleepy or awake

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17
Q

Medulla Oblongata “Medula”

A

Located at the top of the spinal cord (transition zone), controls life sustaining functions

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18
Q

Pons

A

The larger swelling above the medulla that connects the top of the brain to the bottom, the bridge between cerebral hemispheres and both medulla and cerebellum. Role in several autonomic functions such as stimulating breathing and controlling sleep cycles

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19
Q

The Reticular Formation

A

Network of nerves that carry messages between parts of the brain stem (Integrating the nervous system)

-It helps regulate the intensity of pain and controls some parts of the body

-Helps people focus on useful sensory input while filtering out unnecessary stimuli

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20
Q

Cerebellum “Little Brain”

A

Helps control posture, balance, and the coordination of voluntary movements. This allows different muscle groups in the body to act together and produce coordinated fluid movement.

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21
Q

Thalamus

A

Processes and transmits movement and sensory information. Considered the sensory “relay station” of the brain, passing information to the cerebral cortex

-Receives information from all the senses (routes it to the higher brain regions)

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22
Q

Limbic System

A

Network of structures located beneath the cerebral cortex. Coordinates emotions such as fear and aggression, basic drives such as hunger and sex, and the formation of episodic memories

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23
Q

Hypothalamus

A

Connects with many other regions of the brain and is responsible for controlling hunger, thirst, emotions, body temp regulation, and circadian rhythm.

Also controls the pituitary glands by secreting hormones

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24
Q

Hippocampus

A

The hippocampus plays a critical role in the formation, organization, and storage of new memories as well as connecting certain sensations and emotions to these memories

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25
Q

Neuroscience “Brain Researchers”

A

Neuroscience is an interdisciplinary brain science that works closely with other disciplines
-Researchers might look into brain activity with different tools

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26
Q

Brain Autopsy

A

Examination of brain tissue after death is currently only definitive way to diagnose the specific neurodegererative disorder of an individual

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27
Q

Lesioning Studies

A

Humans with brain lesions are often the subjects of human research with the goal of establishing the function of the area where their lesion occurred

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28
Q

Prefrontal Lobotomy

A

Operation that removes parts of the brain to control behavior, disconnects the prefrontal cortex from the rest of the brain

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29
Q

Hemispherectomy

A

Brain surgery used to treat behavioral disorders or illnesses, removal of one of the halves of the brain

-Control seizures in people who have epilepsy

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30
Q

Deep Brain Stimulation

A

Newer, less invasive method of altering the brain to eliminate behavioral symptoms

-Surgeon creates an opening in the skull then carefully inserts an electrode through the opening to stimulate a specific area. Has treated epilepsy, tourettes, parkinsons, etc.

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31
Q

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

A

Noninvasive technique that alters brain activity (treats depression)

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32
Q

Brain Scanning

A

Not used to treat disorders rather they provide information about the structure of the brain or about the activity of the brain

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33
Q

X-rays

A

Primarily shoe bones and other solid structures, especially useful when a person has broken bones (skull fractures)

-Does not show details of the soft tissue in the body, not a complete evaluation

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34
Q

Electroencephalograph

A

Measurement of the electrical activity of the brain by recording from electrodes placed on the scalp

-Electrical output forms waves that may indicate things such as stages of sleep, seizures, and even tumors

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35
Q

Computer Tomography (CT or CAT Scan)

A

Two-dimensional x-ray photographs from different angles that are used to create three-dimensional representations of organs.

-Reveals gross features of the brain

-Identifies muscle or bone disorders, tumor, or blood clots

Images are used to construct overall images of the brain (relatively low resolution)

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36
Q

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI SCan)

A

Brain-imaging method using radio waves and magnetic fields of the body to produce three dimensional detailed images of the brain

-Machine uses energy to construct image

-Better resolution than CAT scan

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37
Q

Magnetoencephalography (MEG)

A

Imaging technique used to measure the magnetic fields produced by electrical activity in the brain by extremely sensitive devices

-Brain sends signals that generate magnetic fields (activity of neurons is the activity of the brain)

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38
Q

Functional MRI

A

Measuring brain activity by detecting the changes in blood oxygenation and flow that occur in response to neural activity(more oxygen=increases to active area)

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39
Q

Position Emission Tomography (PET Scan)

A

Uses trace amounts of short-lived radioactive material to map functional processes in the brain (glucose)

  • Used to measure the total amount of energy that the brain uses during a particular activity
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40
Q

Neuroplasticity

A

The ability to constantly change both the structure and function of many cells in the brain in response to experience and even trauma

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41
Q

Functional plasticity

A

The brain’s ability to move functions from a damaged area of the brain to other undamaged areas

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42
Q

Structural plasticity

A

The brain’s ability to actually change its physical structure as a result of learning

43
Q

“Split Brain”

A

Two hemispheres of the brain communicate extensively through the corpus callosum, when the hemispheres of the brain can’t communicate each side of the brain seems to act independently “split”, without awareness of the other

44
Q

Nervous System

A

Body’s communication network that consists of all nerve cells

-Allows organisms to sense, organize, and react to information in the environment

45
Q

Central Nervous System (CNS)

A

Coordinates the actions and interactions of the brain & spinal cord, body’s main control system

-Largest part of the nervous system
-The spinal cord is an information highway connecting the peripheral nervous system to the brain

46
Q

The Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

A

Includes the sensory nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord that connect the CNS to the rest of the body

  • PNS connects the CNS to the organs, limbs, and skin
47
Q

Motor Pathway

A

Division of the PNS that signals fro brain to muscles/glands

48
Q

Sensory Pathway

A

Division of the PNS that transmits signals from receptors to the brain

49
Q

Somatic Nervous System

A

Includes the nerves that transmit signals from your rain to the skeletal muscles to allow voluntary movement

50
Q

Sensory Neurons “Afferent Neurons”

A

Carry information from the nerves to the central nervous system

  • Allows us to take in sensory information and sent it to the brain and spinal cord
51
Q

Motor Neurons “Efferent Neurons”

A

Carry information from the brain and spinal cord to muscle fibers throughout the body

52
Q

Interneurons

A

Neurons within the brain and spinal cord that communicate internally and intervene between the sensory inputs and motor outputs

53
Q

Reflex Arc

A

Signal is sent from a sensory organ to the spinal cord, which processes the information instead of passing it on to the brain

54
Q

Autonomic Nervous System

A

Regulates involuntary and unconscious actions

-Breathing, blood pumping, digestion, etc.

-Can be overridden but are involuntary for the most part

55
Q

Sympathetic Nervous System

A

Emergency response system, if something alarms, enrages or changes you

-“Fight, Flight, or Freeze”
- Slows digestion, cools you down with perspiration, dumps glucose by raising blood sugar, etc.

56
Q

Parasympathetic Nervous System

A

Functions to calm the person “Rest & Digest”

  • Reduces body arousal, energy, decreases blood sugar, slows down blood flow, etc
57
Q

Neuron “Nerve Cell”

A

Specialized cell in the nervous system that receives and sends messages with electrochemical signals

  1. Chemicals stimulate the neuron
  2. The neuron creates electricity
  3. The neuron releases chemicals
58
Q

Neurotransmitters

A

Chemicals in the brain that carry messages from one neuron to another

-There are as many as 100 neurotransmitters and new ones are still being discorvered.

59
Q

Glial Cells

A

Cells that provide physical support for the neurons to grow on and around (glue)

  • 90% if the brain is composed of glial cells
60
Q

Dendrites “Antenna”

A

Part of neuron, branch-like extensions that receives electrical messages from other cells

61
Q

Receptor Sites

A

Receive signals, receptor sites are the lock where the neurotransmitter molecule fits into

62
Q

Soma “Life Support”

A

The cell body of the neuron responsible to maintain the cell and keep the neuron function (nucleus included)

63
Q

Axon “Talker”

A

Fiber that extends from the cell body to the terminal endings its job is to carry messages out to other cells

64
Q

Myelin Sheath

A

Layer of fatty substance produced by certain glial cells, wraps around the axon to protect the nerve fiber from damage

  • Insulating sheath speeds up the neural message
65
Q

Axon Terminals

A

Tips at the end of the axon

-Sent signals to other neurons

66
Q

Synapse “Contact Point”

A

Meeting point between neurons

-Is a gap at the end of the terminal button

67
Q

Synaptic Vesicles

A

Stores various neurotransmitters (chemicals) that are released at the synapse

68
Q

Neural Transmission

A

Process by which information travels through a neuron

-Each neuron receives an impulse and must pass it on to the not neuron and make sure the correct impulse continue on its path

69
Q

Electrochemically

A

Neurons send messages electrochemically

-The electrical part happens within the neuron

-The chemical part takes place between the neurons (synapse)

70
Q

Neurotansmitter

A

Chemical messenger that carries, boosts, and balances signals between neurons, or nerve cells, and other cells in the body

-Neurotransmitters act like a key, and the receptor sites act like a lock. It takes the right key to open specific locks

71
Q

Receptore Sites

A

Chemicals go to receptor sites on the dentdrite (lock and key)

72
Q

Positively Charged Sodium Ions

A

The receptor ste will trigger the axon to let in positively charged sodium ions

73
Q

Step 3. Selectively Permeable Membrane

A

the cell membrane of the neuron allows certain ions to pass through while preventing or restricting other ions from moving

74
Q

Step 4. “Action Potential Firing”

A

The reaction between positive ions and the negative charged axon create an electrical charge

“Action Potential Firing”: A neuron sends information down an axon, away from the cell body (explosion of electrical activity)

-If stimulation isn’t strong enough, your neuron doesn’t fire

75
Q

Step 5

A

The charge hits the axon terminals and tells them to release a chemical (neurotransmitters)

76
Q

Step 6

A

The chemicals will cross the synaptic gap and stimulate the dendrites, and the signal continues

77
Q

Step 7. Reuptake

A

After the neurotransmitters stimulate the receptors on the receiving neuron, the chemicals are taken back up into the sending neuron to be used again

-In other cases, an enzyme destroys the neurotransmitter, breaking it down to be used elsewhere in the brain

78
Q

Threshold

A

Level of stimulation that a cell body (soma) uses to decide whether to tell the axon to create electricity

79
Q

Resting State/Resting Period

A

There is a difference between the charges outside of the cell and inside of the cell (neuron s charged and ready to fire/polarized)

-Waiting for threshold to be reached

80
Q

Action Potential

A

An action potential is part of the process that occurs during the firing of a neuron

-During the action potential, part of the neural membrane opens to allow positively charged ions inside the cell and negatively charged ions out.

81
Q

All-or-None Principle

A

When a neuron fires it is at full strength or not at all, strength of action potential is constant

-The neuron does not reach the threshold or a full action potential is fired

82
Q

Refractory Period

A

Period of time during which a cell is incapable of repeating an action potential (recovery time)

-Occurs after an action potential and generally lasts one millisecond

-While the neuron is busy returning everything to normal, it doesn’t respond to an incoming stimuli

83
Q

Excitatory Neurotransmitters

A

They excite connecting neurons and cause them to fire, more action potentials are triggered

84
Q

Inhibitory Neurotransmitters

A

Inhibit (prevent) neurons from firing

85
Q

Acetylcholine “Movement & Memory” (ACh)

A

Principal neurotransmitter involved in thought, learning and memory. In the body, it is involved in activating muscle action.

-Excitatory

-First neurotransmitter discovered

86
Q

Serotonin “Mood”

A

Connected to feelings of well-being and happiness (regulation of emotion). It regulates the sleep cycle along with melatonin, and also regulates intestinal movements

-Inhibitory

-Serotonin is a major part of many popular drug treatments for depression and anxiety

87
Q

Dopamine “Reward”

A

“Pleasure Chemical of the Brain” Released into the pleasure centers of the brain, related to reward and motivation (learning)

-Inhibitory

-It is also associated with addiction, movement, and motivation

-Person will repeat behaviors that lead to the release of dopamine

88
Q

Norepinephrine “Fight or Flight”

A

Associated with response to danger, attention & responding action in the brain

-Excitatory

-Its effect in the body is to contact blood vessels to increase blood flow

89
Q

GABA “Calming”

A

Inhibitory transmitter that slows things down, calming the central nervous system “natural tranquilizer”, GABA also contributes to motor control and vision

-Inhibitory

-GABA increases sleepiness an decreases anxiety alertness, memory, and muscle tension

90
Q

Glutamate “Memory”

A

Major excitatory neurotransmitter, involved with most normal operations of the brain including, thinking, long-term memory, and learning

-Excitatory

-Most common neurotransmitter in the brain

91
Q

Endorphins “Euphoria”

A

Relieve pain and stress, “Brain’s natural aspirin”, feelings of pleasure/euphoria

-Inhibitory

-Released in the brain during exercise, excitement, pain, and sexual activity, and produce a feeling of well-being or even euphoria

92
Q

Nature (Genes)

A

All of the genes and hereditary factors that influence who we are— from our physical appearance to out personality characteristics

93
Q

Nurture (Environment)

A

Refers to all the environmental variables that impact who we are

-Early childhood experiences
-How we were raised
-Social relationships
-Our surrounding culture
-Anything that can have an influence on development that does not come from within a person

94
Q

Biological Psychology

A

Tends to stress the importance of genetics and biological influences (Nature)

-Perspective has grown considerably in recent years as the technology used to study the brain and nervous system has advanced

95
Q

Heredity

A

The sum of all biological processes by which particular characteristic are transmitted from parents to their offspring (one generation to the next)

96
Q

Genes “Little Instructions”

A

Segments of DNA molecules are the functional units of heredity, make up the body’s blueprint

-We have about 24,00 genes
-Most of the genes are the same between people
-A small percentage of our genes are different from others

97
Q

Epigentics

A

Study of heritable changes in gene expression (active versus inactive genes). Study of changes in gene expression due to non genetic causes

-Methylation- process by which genes turn off due to protein interaction

98
Q

Sensitive Period

A

a particular environment is important at a particular time in life for the genetic information to be expressed as behaviors or physical characteristics

99
Q

Monozygotic Twins “Identical”

A

Result from a single infertilized egg that splits that splits in two, are genetically identical

100
Q

Dizygotic Twins “Fraternal:

A

Develop from two zygotes and share 50% of their DNA

101
Q

Heritability

A

The extent to which differences in the appearance of a trait across several people can be accounted for in their genes

-Heritability never can be applied to an individual only groups of people

102
Q

Evolutionary Psychology

A

Study how natural selection favored behaviors that contributed to survival and the spread of our ancestors’ genes, and may currently contribute to our survival into the next generation

-It combines the science of psychology with the study of biology

103
Q
A

Biological Bases (6 decks)

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