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PSYC 20 > The Biological Perspective > Flashcards

The Biological Perspective Flashcards

1
Q

An extensive network of specialized cells that carries information to and from all parts of the body

A

Nervous System

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2
Q

A branch of the life sciences that deals with the structure and function of neurons, nerves, and nervous tissue

A

Neuroscience

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3
Q

Branch of neuroscience that focuses on the biological bases of psychological processes, behavior, and learning

A

Biological Psychology or Behavioral Neuroscience

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4
Q

The basic cell that makes up the nervous system and that receives and sends messages within that system

A

Neuron

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5
Q

Branchlike structures of a neuron that receive messages from other neurons

A

Dendrites

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6
Q

The cell body of the neuron responsible for maintaining the life of the cell

A

Soma

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7
Q

Tubelike structure of neuron that carries the neural message from the cell body to the axon terminals, for communication with other cells

A

Axon

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8
Q

Enlarged ends of axonal branches of the neuron, specialized for communication between cells

A

Axon Terminals

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9
Q

Cells that provide support for the neurons to grow on and around, deliver nutrients to neurons, produce myelin to coat axons, clean up waste products and dead neurons, influence information processing, and, during prenatal development, influence the generation of new neurons

A

Glial Cells

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10
Q

Fatty substances produced by certain glial cells that coat the axons of neurons to insulate, protect, and speed up the neural impulse

A

Myelin

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11
Q

Bundles of axons coated in myelin that travel together through the body

A

Nerves

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12
Q

Process of molecules moving from areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration

A

Diffusion

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13
Q

The state of the neuron when not firing a neural impulse

A

Resting Potential

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14
Q

The release of the neural impulse, consisting of a reversal of the electrical charge within the axon

A

Action Potential

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15
Q

Referring to the fact that a neuron either fires completely or does not fire at all

A

All-or-none

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16
Q

Saclike structures found inside the synaptic knob containing chemicals

A

Synaptic Vesicles

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17
Q

Chemical found in the synaptic vesicles that, when released, has an effect on the next cell

A

Neurotransmitters

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18
Q

Microscopic fluid-filled space between the axon terminal of one cell and the dendrites or soma of the next cell

A

Synapse (synaptic gap)

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19
Q

Three-dimensional proteins on the surface of the dendrites or certain cells of the muscles and glands, which are shaped to fit only certain neurotransmitters

A

Receptor Sites

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20
Q

Synapse at which a neurotransmitter causes the receiving cell to fire

A

Excitatory Synapse

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21
Q

Synapse at which a neurotransmitter causes the receiving cell to stop firing

A

Inhibitory Synapse

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22
Q

Chemical substances that block or reduce a cell’s response to the action of other chemicals or neurotransmitters

A

Antagonists

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23
Q

Chemical substances that mimic or enhance the effects of a neurotransmitter on the receptor sites of the next cell, increasing or decreasing the activity of that cell

A

Agonists

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24
Q

Excitatory or inhibitory; involved in arousal, attention, memory, and controls muscle contractions

A

Acetylcholine (ACh)

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25
Q

Mainly excitatory; involved in arousal and mood

A

Norepinephrine (NE)

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26
Q

Excitatory or inhibitory; involved in control of movement and sensations of pleasure

A

Dopamine (DA)

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27
Q

Excitatory or inhibitory; involved in sleep, mood, anxiety, and appetite

A

Serotonin (5-HT)

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28
Q

Major inhibitory neurotransmitter; involved in sleep and inhibits movement

A

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)

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29
Q

Major excitatory neurotransmitter; involved in learning, memory formation, nervous system development, and synaptic plasticity

A

Glutamate

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30
Q

Inhibitory neural regulators; involved in pain relief

A

Endorphins

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31
Q

Process by which neurotransmitters are taken back into the synaptic vesicles

A

Reuptake

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32
Q

Process by which the structure of a neurotransmitter is altered so it can no longer act on a receptor

A

Enzymatic Degradation

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33
Q

Part of the nervous system consisting
of the brain and spinal cord

A

Central Nervous System (CNS)

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34
Q

A long bundle of neurons that carries messages between the body and the brain and is responsible for very fast, lifesaving reflexes

A

Spinal Cord

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35
Q

A neuron that carries information from the senses to the central nervous system

A

Afferent (sensory) Neuron

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36
Q

A neuron that carries messages from the central nervous system to the muscles of the body

A

Efferent (motor) Neuron

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37
Q

A neuron found in the center of the spinal cord that receives information from the afferent neurons and sends commands to the muscles through the efferent neurons. Also make up the bulk of the neurons in the brain

A

Interneuron

38
Q

An involuntary response, one that is not under personal control or choice

A

Reflex

39
Q

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

A

Neuroplasticity

40
Q

The formation of new neurons; occurs primarily during prenatal development but may also occur at lesser levels in some brain areas during adulthood

A

Neurogenesis

41
Q

Special cells found in all the tissues of the body that are capable of becoming other cell types when those cells need to be replaced due to damage or wear and tear

A

Stem Cells

42
Q

The interaction between genes and environmental factors that influence gene activity; environmental factors include diet, life experiences, and physical surroundings

A

Epigenetics

43
Q

All nerves and neurons that are not contained in the brain and spinal cord but that run through the body itself

A

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

44
Q

Division of the PNS consisting of nerves that carry information from the senses to the CNS and from the CNS to the voluntary muscles of the body

A

Somatic Nervous System

45
Q

Division of the PNS consisting of nerves that control all of the involuntary muscles, organs, and glands

A

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

46
Q

Nerves coming from the sensory organs to the CNS consisting of afferent neurons

A

Sensory Pathway

47
Q

Nerves coming from the CNS to the voluntary muscles, consisting of efferent neurons

A

Motor Pathway

48
Q

Part of the ANS that is responsible
for reacting to stressful events and
bodily arousal; “fight-or-flight system”

A

Sympathetic Division

49
Q

Part of the ANS that restores the body
to normal functioning after arousal
and is responsible for the day-to-day
functioning of the organs and glands;
“eat-drink-and-rest system”

A

Parasympathetic Division

50
Q

Glands that secrete chemicals called hormones directly into the bloodstream

A

Endocrine Glands

51
Q

Chemicals released into the bloodstream by endocrine glands

A

Hormones

52
Q

Gland located in the brain that secretes human growth hormone and influences all other hormone-secreting glands (also known as the master gland)

A

Pituitary Gland

53
Q

Hormone released by the posterior pituitary gland that is involved in reproductive and parental behaviors

A

Oxytocin

54
Q

Endocrine gland located near the base of the cerebrum; secretes melatonin

A

Pineal Gland

55
Q

Endocrine gland found in the neck; regulates metabolism

A

Thyroid Gland

56
Q

Endocrine gland; controls the levels of sugar in the blood

A

Pancreas

57
Q

Sex glands; secrete hormones that regulate sexual development and behavior as well as reproduction

A

Gonads

58
Q

The female gonads or sex glands

A

Ovaries

59
Q

The male gonads or sex glands

A

Testes

60
Q

Endocrine glands located on top of each kidney that secrete over 30 different hormones to deal with stress, regulate salt intake, and provide a secondary source of sex hormones affecting the sexual changes that occur during adolescence

A

Adrenal Glands

61
Q

Insertion of a thin, insulated electrode into the brain through which an electrical current is sent, destroying the brain cells at the tip of the wire

A

Lesioning

62
Q

Brain-imaging method using computer-controlled X-rays of the brain

A

Computed Tomography (CT) Scan

63
Q

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

A

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

64
Q

A recording of the electrical activity of large groups of cortical neurons just below the skull, most often using scalp electrodes

A

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

65
Q

Brain-imaging method in which a radioactive sugar is injected into the subject and a computer compiles a color-coded image of the activity of the brain

A

Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

66
Q

MRI-based brain-imaging method that allows for functional examination of brain areas through changes in brain oxygenation

A

Functional Magnetic Resonance
Imaging (fMRI)

67
Q

The first large swelling at the top of the spinal cord, forming the lowest part of the brain, which is responsible for life-sustaining functions such as breathing, swallowing, and heart rate

A

Medulla

68
Q

The larger swelling above the medulla that relays information from the cortex to the cerebellum, and that plays a part in sleep, dreaming, left-right body coordination, and arousal

A

Pons

69
Q

An area of neurons running through the middle of the medulla and the pons and slightly beyond that is responsible for general attention, alertness, and arousal

A

Reticular Formation (RF)

70
Q

Part of the lower brain located behind
the pons that controls and coordinates involuntary, rapid, fine motor movement, and may have some cognitive functions

A

Cerebellum

71
Q

A group of several brain structures located primarily under the cortex and involved in learning, emotion, memory, and motivation

A

Limbic System

72
Q

Part of the limbic system located in the center of the brain, this structure relays sensory information from the lower part of the brain to the proper areas of the cortex and processes some sensory information before sending it to its proper area

A

Thalamus

73
Q

Two bulb-like projections of the brain located just above the sinus cavity and just below the frontal lobes that receive information from the olfactory receptor cells

A

Olfactory Bulbs

74
Q

Small structure in the brain located below the thalamus and directly above the pituitary gland, responsible for motivational behavior such as sleep, hunger, thirst, and sex

A

Hypothalamus

75
Q

Curved structure located within each temporal lobe, responsible for the formation of long-term declarative memories

A

Hippocampus

76
Q

Brain structure located near the hippocampus, responsible for fear responses and memory of fear

A

Amygdala

77
Q

Outermost covering of the brain consisting of densely packed neurons, responsible for higher thought processes and interpretation of sensory input

A

Cortex

78
Q

The two sections of the cortex on the
left and right sides of the brain

A

Cerebral Hemispheres

79
Q

Thick band of neurons that connects the right and left cerebral hemispheres

A

Corpus Callosum

80
Q

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

A

Occipital Lobe

81
Q

Sections of the brain located at the top and back of each cerebral hemisphere containing the centers for touch, temperature, and body position

A

Parietal Lobes

82
Q

Area of cortex at the front of the parietal lobes responsible for processing information from the skin and internal body receptors for touch, temperature, and body position

A

Somatosensory Cortex

83
Q

Areas of the cortex located along the side of the brain, starting just behind the temples, containing the neurons responsible for the sense of hearing and meaningful speech

A

Temporal Lobes

84
Q

Areas of the brain located in the front and top, responsible for higher mental processes and decision making as well as the production of fluent speech

A

Frontal Lobes

85
Q

Rear section of the frontal lobe, responsible for sending motor commands to the muscles of the somatic nervous system

A

Motor Cortex

86
Q

Neurons that fire when an animal or person performs an action and also when an animal or person observes that same action being performed by another

A

Mirror Neurons

87
Q

Areas within each lobe of the cortex responsible for the coordination and interpretation of information, as well as higher mental processing

A

Associating Areas

88
Q

Condition resulting from damage to Broca’s area, causing the affected person to be unable to speak fluently, to mispronounce words, and to speak haltingly.

A

Broca’s Aphasia

89
Q

Condition resulting from damage to Wernicke’s area, causing the affected person to be unable to understand or produce meaningful language

A

Wernicke’s Aphasia

90
Q

Condition produced most often by damage to the parietal lobe association areas of the right hemisphere, resulting in an inability to recognize objects or body parts in the left visual field

A

Spatial Neglect

91
Q

The upper part of the brain consisting of the two hemispheres and the structures that connect them

A

Cerebrum

PSYC 20 (2 decks)

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