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AP Psychology > Unit 2: Biological Bases of Behavior > Flashcards

Unit 2: Biological Bases of Behavior Flashcards

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1
Q

receptor sites

A

proteins found on the surface of a cell responsible for bonding to specific molecules

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2
Q

dendrites

A

a neuron’s bushy, branching extensions that receive messages and conduct impulses toward the cell body

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3
Q

soma (cell body)

A

contains the cell’s nucleus

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4
Q

axon

A

the neuron extension that passages messages through its branches to other neurons or to muscles or glands

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5
Q

myelin sheath

A

a fatty tissue layer segmentally encasing the axons of some neurons; increases the transmission speed of neural impulses

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6
Q

nodes of ranvier

A

gaps between the myelin sheath; allows the generation of a fast electrical impulse

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7
Q

terminal buttons

A

small knobs at the end of the axon that release neurotransmitters

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8
Q

vesicles

A

contains neurotransmitters

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9
Q

synapses

A

space between the neurons

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10
Q

semipermeable membrane

A

layer that only certain molecules can pass through

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11
Q

glial cells

A

cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons; may also play a role in thinking and learning

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12
Q

schwann cells

A

major glial cell type in the PNS; important for the development, maintenance, function and regeneration of peripheral nerves

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13
Q

depolarization

A

the action potential; the rushing in and out of positively charged ions

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14
Q

polarization

A

the resting state of the neuron, charge is more positive outside the membrane and more negative inside

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15
Q

action potential

A

a neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon

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16
Q

repolarization

A

the refractory period; the closing of the membrane and reestablishing a more negative charge inside

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17
Q

resting potential

A

when a neuron is not firing, and has a negative charge with mostly potassium ions inside and mostly sodium ions outside

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18
Q

reuptake

A

a neurotransmitter’s reabsorption by the sending neuron

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19
Q

refractory period

A

a period of inactivity after a neuron has fired

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20
Q

all-or-none response

A

a neuron’s reaction of either firing (with a full-strength response) or not firing

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21
Q

threshold

A

the level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse

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22
Q

agonist

A

a molecule that, by binding to a receptor site, stimulates a response

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23
Q

antagonist

A

a molecule that, by binding to a receptor site, inhibits or blocks a response

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24
Q

excitatory

A

increase the likelihood the neuron will fire an action potential

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25
Q

inhibitory

A

decrease the likelihood the neuron will fire an action potential

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26
Q

acetylcholine

A

enables muscle action, learning, and memory

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27
Q

epinephrine

A

plays an important role in the body’s fight-or-flight response

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28
Q

norepinephrine

A

helps control alertness and arousal

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29
Q

glutamate

A

a major excitatory
neurotransmitter;
involved in memory

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30
Q

dopamine

A

influences movement,
learning, attention, and
emotion

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31
Q

serotonin

A

affects mood, hunger,
sleep, and arousal

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32
Q

GABA

A

a major inhibitory neurotransmitter

33
Q

sensory/affluent neurons

A

neurons that carry outgoing information from the sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord

34
Q

motor/efferent neurons

A

neurons that carry outgoing information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands

35
Q

interneurons

A

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

36
Q

hormones

A

chemical messengers that are manufactured by the endocrine glands travel through the bloodstream and affect other tissues

37
Q

adrenal gland

A

a pair of endocrine glands that sit just above the kidneys and secrete hormones (epinephrine and norepinephrine) that help arouse the body in times of stress

38
Q

pituitary gland

A

the endocrine system’s most influential gland. Under the influence of the hypothalamus, the pituitary regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands.

39
Q

central nervous system

A

the brain and the spinal cord

40
Q

peripheral nervous system

A

the sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system to the rest of the body

41
Q

somatic nervous system

A

the division of the PNS that controls the body’s skeletal muscles

42
Q

autonomic nervous system

A

the part of the PNS that controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organs

43
Q

sympathetic nervous system

A

the division of the ANS that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy in stressful situations

44
Q

parasympathetic nervous system

A

the division of the ANS that calms the body, conserving its energy

45
Q

depressants

A

reduce neural activity and slow body functions

ex. alcohol, marijuana

46
Q

stimulants

A

excite neural activity and speed up body functions

ex. cocaine, nicotine

47
Q

barbiturates

A

depress CNS activity, reducing anxiety but impairing memory and judgement

ex. Nembutal, Seconal, Amytal

48
Q

opiates

A

depress neural activity, temporarily lessening pain and anxiety

ex. morphine, heroin, MDMA, meth

49
Q

tolerance

A

the diminishing effect with regular use of the same dose of a drug, requiring the user to take larger and larger doses before experiencing the drug’s effect

50
Q

addiction

A

compulsive craving of drugs or certain behaviors (such as gambling) despite known adverse consequences

51
Q

withdrawal

A

the discomfort and distress that follow discontinuing an addictive drug or behavior

52
Q

physical dependence

A

when a person has a chemical need for the drug

53
Q

psychological dependence

A

when the person believes they need the drug to feel good

54
Q

electroencephalogram (EEG)

A

an amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity sweeping across the brain’s surface. These waves are measured by electrodes
placed on the scalp.

55
Q

position emission tomography (PET)

A

a visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task.

56
Q

magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

A

a technique that uses
magnetic fields and radio waves
to produce computer-generated
images of soft tissue. MRI scans
show brain anatomy.

57
Q

functional MRI (fMRI)

A

a technique for revealing bloodflow
and, therefore, brain activity by
comparing successive MRI scans.
fMRI scans show brain function as
well as its structure.

58
Q

brainstem

A

the oldest part and central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells as it
enters the skull; the brainstem is
responsible for automatic survival
functions.

59
Q

medulla

A

the base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat
and breathing

60
Q

pons

A

helps coordinate movement

61
Q

reticular formation

A

a nerve network that travels through the
brainstem and thalamus and plays
an important role in controlling
arousal.

62
Q

thalamus

A

the brain’s sensory control center,
located on top of the brainstem;
it directs messages to the sensory
receiving areas in the cortex and
transmits replies to the cerebellum
and medulla.

63
Q

cerebellum

A

the “little brain” at the rear of the brainstem; functions include processing sensory input,
coordinating movement output and
balance, and enabling nonverbal
learning and memory.

64
Q

limbic system

A

neural system (including the hippocampus,
amygdala, and hypothalamus) located below the cerebral hemispheres; associated with
emotions and drives.

65
Q

amygdala

A

two lima-bean-sized neural clusters in
the limbic system; linked to emotion.

66
Q

hypothalamus

A

a neural structure lying below (hypo) the thalamus; it directs several maintenance activities (eating, drinking, body temperature), helps
govern the endocrine system via
the pituitary gland, and is linked to
emotion and reward.

67
Q

hippocampus

A

processes conscious memories

68
Q

cerebral cortex

A

the intricate fabric of interconnected
neural cells covering the cerebral
hemispheres; the body’s ultimate
control and information-processing
center.

69
Q

frontal lobes

A

portion of the
cerebral cortex lying just behind the
forehead; involved in speaking and
muscle movements and in making
plans and judgments.

70
Q

parietal lobes

A

portion of the cerebral cortex lying
at the top of the head and toward
the rear; receives sensory input for
touch and body position.

71
Q

occipital lobes

A

portion of the cerebral cortex lying
at the back of the head; includes
areas that receive information from
the visual fields.

72
Q

temporal lobes

A

portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above
the ears; includes the auditory
areas, each receiving information
primarily from the opposite ear.

73
Q

motor cortex

A

an area at the rear
of the frontal lobes that controls
voluntary movements.

74
Q

somatosensory cortex

A

area at the front of the parietal lobes that
registers and processes body touch
and movement sensations.

75
Q

association areas

A

areas of the cerebral cortex that are not involved
in primary motor or sensory
functions; rather, they are involved
in higher mental functions such as
learning, remembering, thinking,
and speaking.

76
Q

corpus callosum

A

the large band of
neural fibers connecting the two
brain hemispheres and carrying
messages between them.

77
Q

split brain

A

a condition resulting
from surgery that isolates the brain’s
two hemispheres by cutting the
fibers (mainly those of the corpus
callosum) connecting them.

78
Q

brain plasticity (neuroplasticity)

A

the brain’s ability
to change, especially during
childhood, by reorganizing after
damage or by building new
pathways based on experience.

79
Q

neurogenesis

A

the formation of new neurons

AP Psychology (4 decks)

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