Unit 1: Physiology of Behavior Flashcards
Brain
Utilized information from both internal and environmental stimuli and determines appropriate behavior
Neuron definition and function
Type of nervous system cell that processes/transfers messages through electrochemical signals
Functions: sensory reception, central processing, motor output
Taxis
- phototaxis
- phonotaxis
- positive
- negative
Some kind of movement
- response to light
- response to sound
- move towards
- move away from
Single-cell
The receptor neuron acts directly on the effector
Monosynaptic
Uses several neurons, more complex
Polysynaptic
Most common
At least one interneuron between sensory and motor neurons
Parallel processing
The signal goes along multiple pathways that perform different types of analysis simultaneously
Central Nervous System (CNS)
Brain and spinal cord
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
Sensory and motor neurons
- -> nerves, controls somatic + autonomic system.
- -> not protected, more easily damaged
Afferent nerves
Carry signal from PNS –> CNS
Efferent nerves
Carry signal from CNS –> PNS
Mixed nerved
Carry signals both ways
Spinal cord
Long, tubular bundle of nerves
~controls reflexes
~carries signals to and from the brain
~controls patterned movement (walking)
~brain can activate, modulate, or suppress
Brain
~groups of neurons with specialized functions
~controls rest of nervous system
~several sections
Brain sections
Frontal lobe
Parietal lobe
Occipital lobe
Temporal lobe
Frontal lobe
Reasoning, planning, parts of speech, movement, emotions, and problem-solving
Parietal lobe
Movement, orientation, recognition, perception of stimuli
Occipital lobe
Visual processing
Temporal lobe
Perception and recognition of auditory stimuli, memory, and speech
Medulla
Connects brain to the spinal cord, controls autonomic system (respiration)
Cerebellum
Coordinates motor output (movement)
Hypothalamus
Maintains general homeostasis (temperature regulation, hormones)
Thalamus
Signals + coordinates + processes information
Amygdala
Control center form emotions
Autonomic
- controls homeostasis
* mostly involuntary
Somatic
- voluntary control of movement
* reception of external stimuli
Sympathetic
“Fight or Flight”
- functions when quick actions needed
- secretion of epinephrine
- accelerates HR
- widens bronchial tubes
- pupil dilation
Parasympathetic
“Rest and Digest”
- slows HR
- increases intestinal activity
- stimulates salivary gland secretion
- contracts pupil
Relationship of sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems
Function in opposition to each other
Work together to maintain homeostasis
Somatic nervous system
Voluntary control or body movement
Reception of external stimuli
