Unit 1 Flashcards
1
Q
What is biological psychology
A
study of physical, evolutionary, and developmental underpinnings of behavior
2
Q
Biological psychology maintains a focus on the ______, and how the _____ governs behavior
A
brain, brain
3
Q
The Four Approaches to Explaining Behavior (POEF)
A
- Physiological approach
- Ontogenetic approach
- Evolutionary approach
- Functional approach
4
Q
Goal of Physiological Approach
A
Relate the behavior directly to physiology
5
Q
Physiology
A
the branch of biology dealing with the functions and activities of living organisms and their parts, including all physical and chemical processes
6
Q
Goal of Ontogenetic Approach
A
describe how the structure of a behavior develops
Largely a developmental approach, how has the behavior changes over the lifespan?
-genes
-experience, learning
-interactions between these factors
7
Q
Goal of Evolutionary Approach
A
Reconstruct the evolutionary history of a behavior
Look at other species
-information about the origin informs us about the purpose
8
Q
Goal of Functional Approach
A
determine why the behavior evolved as it did
-consider a behavior and try to figure out what the adaptive value is, why it was allowed to propagate, and how it contributes to fitness
9
Q
Why do people _________?
A
All four approaches provide aspects of the answer to this question
The most complete approach accompanies answers from all four dimensions of “why”
10
Q
Three Conventions of Biological Psychology
A
- We presume monism, rather than mind-body dualism
- We presume that other minds exist
- We are working on the hard problem
11
Q
- We presume ________, rather than __________.
A
monism; mind-body dualism
12
Q
- We presume that other _____ exist
A
minds
13
Q
- We are working on the _____ _______.
A
hard problem
14
Q
Mind-body dualism
A
the belief that the mind is somehow distinct from the body, or that minds are one type of substance and the rest of the world is something else
15
Q
Four Variants of Monism
A
- Materialism (or physicalism)
- Mentalism (or idealism)
- Neutral monism
- Identity positionism
16
Q
Variant of Monism: Materialism (or physicalism)
A
everything is physical, including “psychological” events
MATTER > Mind
17
Q
Variant of Monism: Mentalism (or idealism)
A
everything is mental. There is a mind, and nothing physical exists unless one thinks it
Matter < MIND
18
Q
Variant of Monism: Neutral monism
A
There is a 3rd substance from which mental and physical are both derived
> matter & mind
19
Q
Variant of Monism: Identity positionism
A
mental and physical are actually the same thing, just spoken of differently. The mind is just brain activity (think waves and photons to describe light).
20
Q
Solipism
A
the theory that one’s own mind is all that can be known to exist
21
Q
Chalmers (1995) Hard Problem of Consciousness
A
The problem of explaining the relationship between physical phenomena (brain processes) and experience (seeing the color green, falling in love, feeling ennui)
22
Q
Mind-body problem
A
how does the mind relate to brain activity?
Why are certain types of brain activity conscious?
23
Q
Major neural structures
A
Soma
Dendrites
Axon
Myelin sheath
Terminal buttons
24
Q
Three types of neurons
A
afferent neurons
interneurons/intrinsic neurons
efferent neurons
sensory neurons
motor neurons
25
Afferent neurons
bring information into a structure
26
Interneurons/intrinsic neurons
neurons entirely contained within a single structure; intervening neurons that form circuits to transmit signals
27
efferent neurons
carry information out of a structure
28
sensory neurons
convert sensory energy (sound waves, mechanical stimulation, chemical energy, photons) into electrochemical energy
29
motor neurons
output neurons that control muscular response to the sensory stimulus
30
Sensory neurons are ________
afferent
31
Motor neurons are ________
efferent
32
Glial Cells
provide support, protection, insulation for neurons
"glue"
33
In the cerebral cortex, are there more glia or neurons
glia
34
Five types of glial cells
Oligodendrocytes
Schwann cells
Astrocytes
Microglia
Radial Glia
35
Mylinators
Oligodendrocytes
Schwann cells
36
Astrocytes
Star-shaped
Surround synapses between neurons
Help synchronize
Dilate blood vessels and bring nutrients into active areas
"nerve glue"
37
Microglia
immune response
-remove viruses and fungi from brain
-proliferate after damage
-prune weak synapses
38
Radial Glia
Guide migration of neurons and axons and dendrites during embryonic development
Most differentiate into neurons after embryonic developments
39
The Blood-Brain Barrier
A system that excludes most chemicals from entering the vertebrate brain from the bloodstream
The BBB keeps out most viruses, bacteria, and harmful chemicals
40
What are the different stages of action potentials?
1. Resting potential
2. Threshold of excitation
3. Refractory period
-absolute
-relative
4. Depolarization and hyper polarization
5. Propagation
6. All or none law
41
Salty Banana Analogy
NaCl (salt) on outside of banana
Potassium (K) and anions on inside
42
At rest, what is the net charge of the axon interior
negative (-)
43
At rest, what is the net charge of the extracellular space
positive
44
Explain the direction of the force of electrostatic pressure and force of diffusion for Na+
Na is a positively charged ion that is higher in concentration outside of the cell when at rest.
The electrostatic pressure force is attracted towards in the inside of the cell that is negatively charge
The force of diffusion is towards the inside of the cell. Go from highly concentrated outside of cell to lower concentration inside cell
Both arrows point into the cell
45
Explain the direction of the force of electrostatic pressure and force of diffusion for Cl-
Since Cl- is negatively charged, the elctrostatic force points to the positively charged outside of the cell
Since Cl- is highly concentrated outside of the cell during rest, the diffusion pushes it towards the inside of the cell
46
Explain the direction of the force of electrostatic pressure and force of diffusion for K+
K is positively charged and is attracted to the negatively charged inside of the cell
Since K+ is heavily concentrated inside the cell the force of diffusion points out of the cell
47
Explain the direction of the force of electrostatic pressure and force of diffusion for A-
A- is negatively charged so force of electrostatic pressure points to the positively charged outside of the cell
A- is highly concentrated inside the cell, the force of diffusion points out of cell
48
Arise from actions of ligand-gated or metabotropic channels
graded potentials
49
Graded potentials
vary in size; decrease over time and space; may be excitatory or inhibitory
50
Na/K pump
3 Na+ ions out/ 2 k+ ions in
51
Purpose of Na/K pump
maintains the resting potential
-requires energy in the form of ATP
52
Retrograde Transport
movement of material from axon terminal to soma
53
Anterograde Transport
Movement of material from soma to axon terminal
54
Two types of axoplasmic transport
1. Retrograde- from terminal toward soma
2. Anterograde- from soma toward terminal
55
What three things can be released from synapse?
1. neurotransmitters
2. neuromodulators
3. hormones
56
Effects are local (at a single synapse)
neurotransmitter
57
Effects are semi-distributed (at a few synapses)
neuromodulators
58
Effects are systemic (via the blood stream)
hormones
59
Ligand-gated/Ionotropic receptors
1. Neurotransmitter binds
2. Channel immediately opens
3. Ions flow through
4. Fast, temporary effect
60
Metabotropic (G-protein coupled) receptors
1. neurotransmitter binds
2. receptor protein changes shape
3. G-protein is free
4. G-protein does stuff, or interacts with secondary messengers to do stuff
5. Longer lasting change
61
If the neurotransmitter opens a sodium or calcium channel, is the post-synaptic potentials excitatory or inhibitory?
excitatory
62
If the neurotransmitter opens a potassium or chloride channel, is the post-synaptic potentials excitatory or inhibitory?
inhibitory
63
Two main branches of the Nervous System
Central Nervous System: the brain and spinal cord
Peripheral Nervous System: all the rest
64
Two divisions of the PNS
1. Somatic: controls afferent signals from sensory organs and efferent signals to skeletal muscles
2. Autonomic: controls basic signaling to "involuntary" processes
65
Somatic Nervous System Function
controls afferent signals from sensory organs and efferent signals to skeletal muscles
66
The Somatic Nervous System: controls __________ signals from ______ organs and ______ signals to skeletal muscles
afferent, sensory
efferent
67
What division of the PNS controls basic signaling to "involuntary" processes
autonomic
68
Two Divisions of the Autonomic Nervous System
1. Sympathetic Nervous System
2. Parasympathetic Nervous System
69
Sympathetic Nervous System
Arouses the body; mobilizes energy
"Fight or Flight"
70
Parasympathetic Nervous System
Calms the body; conserves energy
"Rest and Digest"
71
Organs of the Parasympathetic Nervous System and their Function
Eyes- constrict pupils
Salivary glands- stimulates salvation
Heart- slows heartbeat
Lungs- constricts bronchi
Stomach- stimulates digestion
Liver- stimulates peristalsis and secretion
Bladder- constricts bladder
72
Organs of the Sympathetic Nervous System and their Function
Eyes-dilate pupils
Salivary glands- inhibit salvation
Heart- accelerates heartbeat
Lungs-dilate bronchi
Stomach- inhibits digestion
Liver- stimulates glucose release
Kidneys- stimulate epinephrine and norepinephrine release
intestines- inhibit peristalsis and secretion
Bladder- relaxes bladder
73
When did Comparative neuroanatomy begin?
late 1800s
74
What did Comparative Neuroanatomy Assume?
Assumed a scala naturae for brains and intelligence, culminating in the human minds
75
Who Proposed the Triune Brain Model? What year was it proposed?
Paul MacLean in 1960s
76
The Triune Brain Model states that the vertebrate brain evolved in what three parts?
1. Reptilian Complex/Lizard Brain (Basal ganglia)
2. Paleomammalian Complex (limbic system)
3. Neomammalian Complex (Neocortex)
76
The Triune Brain Model states that the vertebrate brain evolved in what three parts?
1. Reptilian Complex/Lizard Brain (Basal ganglia)
2. Paleomammalian Complex (limbic system)
3. Neomammalian Complex (Neocortex)
77
Limbic Brain
emotional or feeling brain
78
Neocortex
Rational or thinking brain
79
Reptilian Complex
proposed to be responsible for species-typical instinctual behaviors (aggression, dominance, territoriality, and ritual displays)
80
What part of the Triune Brain Model is proposed to be responsible for species typical instinctual behaviors (aggression, dominance, territoriality, and ritual displays)?
Reptilian
81
Paleomammalian Complex (Limbic system)
Responsible for emotion and motivaton involved in feeding, reporoductive behavior, and parental behavior
82
Paleomammalian Complex (Limbic system)
Responsible for emotion and motivation involved in feeding, reproductive behavior, and parental behavior
83
What part of the Triune Brain Model is proposed to be responsible for emotion and motivation involved in feeding, reproductive behavior, and parental behavior?
Paleomammalian
84
Neomammalian
Associated with language, abstraction, and planning
85
What part of the Triune Brain Model is proposed to be associated with language, abstraction, and planning?
Neomammalian
86
Five Metrics for Brain comparison
1. Size
2. Brain-to-body-mass ratio
3. Encephalization Quotient
4. Neocortex size
5. Forebrain neuron count
87
What is the Encephalization Quotient
Non-linear regression accounting for the fact that not all brain functions are independent of body size, but some are
88
Chemoreceptor
a receptor cell specialized to detect and respond to chemical stimuli
Referred to as gatekeepers of the body
89
Why are chemoreceptors referred to as the gatekeepers of the body?
1. Identify things that should be consumed
2. Identify things that would be harmful and should be avoided
90
Olfaction
The sense of Smell; involving stimulation of receptor cells in the olfactory epithelium by airborne volatile substances called odorants
91
Odorant
a chemical which is able to be detected by the olfactory system of a particular organism; a molecule that is able to be translated by the nervous system into the perception of a smell; not all chemicals are odorants
92
Odor
the sensory experience of exposure to a given odorant; olfactory sensations
93
Macrosmatic sensitivity to odorants
having a keen sense of smell that is supremely important to survival
94
Microsmatic sensitivity to odorants
having a less keen sense of smell that is not crucial to survival
95
Odor detection
the capacity to detect an odorant; humans can detect over 1 trillion odorants
96
The lowest concentration at which we can detect an odorant
detection threshold
97
The capacity to distinguish between two or more odors (to know that they are different)
odor discrimination
98
The capacity to correctly identify and name an odorant
Odor identification
99
What does the nose do to the air that we breath?
The nose warms, filters, and humidifies the air that we breath.
100
What are the name of the ridges inside the nose that add turbulence to the incoming air, causing a small puff of each incoming breath to rise toward the olfactory epithelium?
Turbinates
101
Olfactory epithelium
a secretory mucous membrane in the nose whose primary function is to detect odorants in the inhaled air
Odorants are carried along the epithelium coming in contact with olfactory receptor neurons
Olfactory receptors on the surface of the olfactory neurons are sensitive to specific chemicals
102
Where is the olfactory epithelium located?
Located at the back of each nasal passage, 1-2 square inches
103
What three cells make up the olfactory epithelium?
1. Olfactory sensory neurons (OSN)
2. Supporting cells
3. Basal Cells
104
Olfactory sensory neurons (OSN)
bipolar neurons that contain cilia on their dendrites with receptor sites for odorants
105
Supporting cells of the Olfactory Epithelium
provide metabolic and physical support for the olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs)
106
Basal cells
precursor cells to the olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs)
107
Where do the olfactory receptors send their signals to? What system?
they send signals to the olfactory bulb in the limbic system
108
Where does the olfactory bulb send signals to?
cortex
109
Receptor cells extend fibers through the _______ plate in the base of the skull and up to the olfactory bulb
cribriform plate
110
Why is olfaction processing unique?
it bypasses the thalamus and is directed ipsilaterally directly to the olfactory bulb
111
The primary receiving area for processing of olfactory signals
primary olfactory cortex
112
where is the primary olfactory cortex located?
located on the inferior temporal lobe, near the lateral sulcus
113
Different ______ locations responds to different combinations of odorants
cortical
114
Anosmia
Loss of smell
115
Why do people lose sense of smell (anosmia)?
Supplementary/support cells of the olfactory epithelium (not the receptor cells themselves) have large numbers of receptors for the proteins on the surface of COVID and are damaged by the replication processes of the virus
---overtime, the receptor cells cannot do their job without the support of cells in the epithelium
116
For some animals, the olfactory system has two subdivisions. What are these two subdivisions, where are they located, and what is their function?
1. Main olfactory bulb- the round extension of the brain just above the nose that processes smell
2. Accessory olfactory bulb- a neural structure found in some nonhuman animals; smaller than the main olfactory bulb; located behind the main bulb; receives input from the vomeronasal organ
117
Vomeronasal organ
chemical sensing organ at the base of the nasal cavity with a curved tubular shape; may detect chemicals not detected by olfactory receptors (large molecules, aqueous molecules); also known as jacobson's organ
118
Pheromones
chemicals emitted by one member of a species that triggers a consistent physiological or behavioral response in another member of the same species; signals for chemical communication that may or may not have a smell
119
______ are highly important for social insect communication: ants, termites, and bees
pheromones
120
Two types of pheromones
1. Releaser pheromones
2. Primer pheromones
121
Releaser pheromones
tiggers an immediate behavioral response among conspecifics (e.g., chemicals released from stingers of honeybees that cues other bees to attack; smells like bananas)
122
What kind of pheromone triggers an immediate behavioral response among conspecifics
releaser pheromones
123
Primer pheromones
triggers a physiological change among conspecifics that gradually changes behavior over prolonged exposure (e.g., female rodents housed together gradually come into estrus at the same time after several cycles)
124
Which type of pheromone triggers a physiological change among conspecifics that gradually changes behavior over prolonged exposure?
primer pheromones
125
Gustation
the sense of taste; sensations evoked by solutions in the mouth that contact receptors on the tongue and the roof of the mouth
126
Retronasal olfactory sensation
the sensation of an odor that is perceived when chewing and swallowing force an odorant in the mouth up behind the palate into the nose; perceived as smells originating from the mouth although it occurs in the olfactory mucosa
127
Flavor
the combination of true taste (sweet, salty, sour, bitter) and retronasal olfaction
128
The process of the gustatory system
1. chew food to break down substances into molecules
2. salivia dissolves molecules
3. flow into taste pores
4. lead to taste buds in the papillae
5. taste receptor cells in the taste buds responses to a limited number of molecule types
129
Tastant
any stimulus can that be tasted
130
Papillae
small bumb-like structures on the surface of the tongue
4 different types
131
Four types of papillae
1. Filiform
2. Fungiform
3.Foliate
4. Circumvilliate
132
Filiform Papillae
Shape?
Location?
Taste function?
-shaped like cones
-located over entire surface
-no taste function
-shapes vary by species (cats are shaped like tiny spoons)
133
Fungiform Papillae
Shape?
Location?
How many taste buds per fungiform papilla?
-Mushroom shape
-found of sides of tongue and tip
-6 taste buds per fungiform papilla
134
Foliate Papillae
series of folds on back and sides of tongue; taste buds are buried in the folds
135
Circumvilliate Papillae
Shape?
Location?
What do they look like?
Where are the tastebuds?
-Shaped like flat mounds in a trench
-located at back of tongue
-look like tiny islands surrounded by moats
-taste buds are buried in the sides of the moats
136
Supertasters
individuals whose perception of taste sensations is the most intense
May have higher density of fungiform papillae, genetic variants in taste receptor types, exceptional retronasal olfaction, and/or sensitivity of oral somatosensation
137
Taste Bud Cells: Type I
primarily have housekeeping functions
138
Taste Bud Cells: Type II
respond to bitter, sweet, or amino acid stimuli; do not have synapses, instead have G-protein coupled receptors (GCPRs) that respond to tastants by releasing a G protein, starting a cascade of molecular events; secrete ATP which activates taste axons
139
Taste Bud Cells: Type III
mediate sour taste, have synapses
140
Gustatory processing
taste buds -> cranial nerves -> medulla -> thalamus -> insular cortex (insula)
141
What is the primary cortical processing area for taste?
Insular cortex (insula)
142
Taste processing is _________, lesions on one side of brain will cause loss of function on same side of tongue
ipsilateral
143
Where is the orbitofrontal cortex located?
located in the frontal cortex, behind the orbital bone
144
Function of orbitofrontal cortex?
responsible for the conscious experience of olfaction as well as integration of please and displeasure from food
-receives projections from insular cortex
-responds to temperature, touch, smell, and taste
-may be a sensory integration area
-sometimes referred to as the secondary olfactory cortex/secondary taste cortex
-critical for determining hedonic meaning of stimuli
145
Four Basic Tastes
1. salty
2. sour
3. bitter
4. sweet
146
Salty
the taste quality produced by the cations of salts (Na+ in NaCl); some cations also produce other taste qualities in addition to salty (K+ tastes both bitter and salty)
147
Sour
the taste quality produced by the hydrogen ion in acids
148
bitter
taste quality generally considered unpleasent produced by substances like quinin or caffeine
149
sweet
taste quality produced by some sugars, such as glucose fructose, and sucrose as well as by other commpounds (e.g., saccharin, aspartame)
150
Salty and sour tastes are mediated by _________ receptors.
ligand-gated
151
Bitter and sweet tastes are mediated by _____.
G- protein coupled receptors (GPCRs)
152
Umami
a candidate for a 5th basic taste; the taste sensation produced by monosodium glutamate and/or savory substances
153
Seven Steps of The Perceptual process
1. Stimulus in the environment
2. Light is reflected and focused
3. Receptor processes
4. Neural Processing
5. Perception
6. Recongnition
7. Action
154
Shape of Rods
large and cylindrical
155
Distribution on Retina of Rods vs Cone
Fovea consists soley of cones
peripheral retina has both rods and cones
More rods than cones in periphery
156
Photopigment of Rods vs Cones
Rods contain rhodopsin
ones contain different forms of iodospins
157
Specialization of Rods vs Cones
Rods specialized for motion, dim light
Cones specialized for color, detail, and bright light
158
Light enters the eye through the ______ and is focused by the ______ and _____ to a sharp, inverted image on the _____.
pupil, cornea, lense, retina
159
What are the visual receptors in the retina?
Rods and cones
