The Biological Perspective Flashcards
Function and Location of the Corpus Collosum
-connects the left & right hemispheres of the brain
-ensures both sides can communicate & send signals
-located within the cerebrum
Function and Location of the Cerebral Cortex
-conducts complex though processes
-language, memory, reasoning, thought, learning, emotion, personality, decision making
-4 different lobes
-located within the cerebrum
Function and Location of the Hippocampus
-major role in learning & memory
-explicate memory
-located deep within the temporal lobe
Function and Location of the Cerebellum
-controls balance
-maintains muscle coordination
-located at the back of the brain below the temporal & occipital lobes
Function and Location of the Medulla Oblongata
-controls heartbeat, breathing, swallowing, blood pressure
-involuntary actions
-bottom most part of the brain
-connecting the brain stem to the spinal cord
Function and Location of the Reticular Formation
system of nerves
-conducts arousal & attention
-motor sensory, behavioral, cognitive, mood related functions
-center of the brainstem (tegmentum)
Function and Location of the Pons
-relays messages between the cerebellum & cortex
-unconscious process- sleep cycle/breathing
-center of the brainstem, just above the medulla
Function and Location of the Amygdala
-processes fearful and angry emotions
-located in the medial temporal lobe
-anterior to the hippocampus
Function and Location of the Pituitary Gland
regulates endocrine glands
-growth, sexual, & reproductive hormones
-base of the brain attached to the hypothalamus
Function and Location of the Hypothalamus
-regulates fear, thirst, sex-drive, aggression
-maintains homeostasis
-inferior to the thalamus & superior to the pituitary gland
(diencephalon)
Function and Location of the Thalamus
-relays info from sensory organs to the cerebral cortex
-info relay station
-near the center of the brain (diencephalon)
Function of the Frontal Lobe
-voluntary movement
-expressive language
-executive functions
Function of Broca’s Area
-regulates breathing patterns during speech
Function of the Temporal Lobe
-processes auditory info with memory encoding
Function of Wernicke’s Area
-comprehension of speech sounds
Function of the Occipital Lobe
visual perception
-colour, form, motion
Function of the Parietal Lobe
-processes touch, pain, temperature, sense of limbs
Function of the Somatosensory Cortex
-processes input & contributes to integration of signals
Function of the Motor Cortex
-generates signals to move the body
Function of Neurons
-info messengers
-use electrical impulses/chemical signals to transmit info between areas of the NS
Glial Cells
-support neurons by providing structural support & nutrition & by removing waste
Dendrites
-branchlike structures of a neuron that receive info from adjacent neurons
Axon
-tubelike structures that carry the neural info from cell body to axon terminal
Mylin Sheath
-a fatty substance that coats the axons to isolate, protec, & speed up the communication
Axon Terminals
-enlarged ends of the axon that specialize for communication with cells
Soma
-the cell body responsible for maintaining cell life
Nerves
-clusters of neurons that travel together
Sensory Neurons
Afferent
-convey info from sense organ to interneurons in the brain
Motor Neurons
Efferent
-sends info/signals out to muscles & glands
Interneurons
-connect spinal motor and sensory neurons
-transfer signals between sensory and motor neurons
Neuron Communication
-they communicate through electrical signals
-Action Potential (AP)
-AP is based on movement of ions through the axon
Threshold
the level of stimulation required to start a neural impulse
The “All or None” Principle
-a neuron will fire the same intensity of an impulse every time
-or they won’t fire at all
Excitatory message
increases likelihood that a postsynaptic neuron will activate
Inhibitory message
decreases likelihood that a postsynaptic neuron will activate
Alzheimer’s Disease
the deterioration of memory, reasoning, speaking skills
Parkinson’s Disease
the producing of neurons in the substantia nigra due to loss of dopamine
Substantia Nigra
-a brain structure that is part of your basal ganglia
-affects learning, mood, judgment, decision-making and other processes.
Neurogenesis
the development of neurons
Crossover
nerves to & from each side of the brain connect to opposite sides of the brain
-(the left hemisphere controls the functions of the right side)
Acetylcholine (ACh)
Involved in arousal, memory, controls muscle contraction
-Ex.S and In.S
Excitatory synapse (Ex.S)
A neurotransmitter causes the receiving cell to fire a signal
Inhibitory synapse (In.S)
A neurotransmitter cause the receiving cell to step
Norepinephrine (NE)
Mostly Ex.S; arousal and mood
Fight or flight
Dopamine (DA)
Ex.S and In.S
Controls movement and sensations of pleasure
Gamma-amniobutyricacid (GABA)
Major In.S
Sleep, inhibits movement
Glutamate
Major Ex.S
Learning, memory, NS development
Endorphins
In.S
Neural Regulators, pain relief
