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

Unit 2: Biological Bases of Behavior Flashcards

1
Q

biological psychology

A

the scientific study of the links between biological and psychological process

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2
Q

neuron

A

a nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system

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3
Q

sensory neurons (afferant neurons)

A

neurons that send messages to the brain; body –>brain

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4
Q

motor neurons (efferant neurons)

A

neurons that send messages from the brain; brain –> body

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5
Q

interneurons

A

neurons that are the gateway between the spinal cord and the brain

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6
Q

dendrite

A

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

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7
Q

axon

A

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

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8
Q

myelin sheath

A

a fatty tissue layer segmentaly encasing the axon on some neurons; increases transmission speed for neural impulses

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9
Q

action potential

A

a neural impulse, where the neuron filters out K and fills with Na (depolarization)

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10
Q

threshold

A

the level of stimulation required to trigger a neural response

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11
Q

synapse gap

A

the gap between the axon tip and the dendrite/cell body of the receiving neuron

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12
Q

neurotransmitters

A

chemical messaging agents that create the synapse gap and bind to receptor sites

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13
Q

reuptake

A

a neurotransmitter’s re-absorption by the sending neuron

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14
Q

endorphins (endogenous morphine)

A

natural opiate-like neurotransmitters linked to pain control and pleasure

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15
Q

central nervous system

A

the brain and spinal cord

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16
Q

peripheral nervous system

A

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

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17
Q

nerves

A

bundles of axons connecting the central nervous system with muscles, organs, and glands

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18
Q

somatic nervous system

A

division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the skeletal muscles

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19
Q

autonomic nervous system

A

division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and muscles of the internal organs

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20
Q

sympathetic nervous system

A

division of the peripheral nervous system that arouses the body in stressful situations

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21
Q

parasympathetic nervous system

A

division of the peripheral nervous system that calms the body after a stressful situation has passed

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22
Q

reflex

A

a simple, automatic response to a sensory stimulation

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23
Q

endorine system

A

set of glands that secrete hormones into the blood stream

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24
Q

hormones

A

chemical messaging agents manufactured by the endocrine system that travels through the blood to affect tissue

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25
Q

adrenal glands

A

pair of bean-shaped glands that secret hormones to help arouse the body in stressful situations

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26
Q

pituitary gland

A

“master gland” that regulates growth hormones and controls the endocrine system

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27
Q

lesion

A

tissue destruction

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28
Q

electroencephalogram (EEG)

A

amplified recording of waves of electrical activity sweeping across the brain surface

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29
Q

computed tomography scan (CT scan)

A

series of x-rays combined into composite representations of brain slices

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30
Q

positron emission tomography scan (PET scan)

A

visual display of brain activity enabled by radioactive glucose

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31
Q

magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

A

usage of magnetic fields and radio waves to produce images of soft tissue

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32
Q

functional MRI (fMRI)

A

a technique for revealing blood flow through multiple MRI scan

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33
Q

brainstem

A

where the spinal core wells as it enters the skull; responsible for automatic survival functions

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34
Q

medulla

A

the base of the brainstem; controls heart rate and breathing

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35
Q

thalamus

A

directs messages to sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the medulla and cerebellum

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36
Q

recticular formation

A

nerve network through the brainstem and thalamus hat plays a role in controlling arousel

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37
Q

cerebellum

A

“little brain” at rear of brainstem; processes sensory input, coordinating movement output and balance, and enables non-verbal learning and memory

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38
Q

limbic system

A

neural system associated with emotions and drives

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39
Q

amygdala

A

2 neural clusters in the limbic system linked to emotion

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40
Q

hypothalamus

A

directs eating, sleeping, body temperature, governs the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion and reward

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41
Q

cerebral cortex

A

ultimate control and information processing center of the brain

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42
Q

glial cells (glia cells)

A

cells that support, nourish, and protect neurons

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43
Q

frontal lobe

A

portion of the cerebral cortex behind the forehead; controls speaking, muscle movement, decision making, and judgement calls

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44
Q

parietal lobe

A

portion of the cerebral cortex at the top of the head; receives sensory input for touch and body position in space

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45
Q

occipital lobe

A

portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head; receives sensory input from the eyes

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46
Q

temporal lobes

A

portion of the cerebral cortex lying above the ears, receives auditory input and smell
(note that the temporal lobe on the right is responsible for the left ear, and vise versa

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47
Q

motor cortex

A

area at the rear of the frontal lobe that controls voluntary movement

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48
Q

sensory cortex

A

registers and processes body touch and movement

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49
Q

association areas

A

areas involved with learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking

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50
Q

aphasia

A

impairment of language, usually caused by left-hemisphere damage to either the Broca’s area or the Wernicke’s area

51
Q

Broca’s area

A

controls language expression; an area of the left-hemisphere frontal lobe that directs the muscle movements involved in speech

52
Q

Wernicke’s area

A

controls language reception; an area of the left-hemisphere temporal lobe involved in language comprehension and expression

53
Q

plasticity

A

the brain’s ability to change by reorganizing after damage

54
Q

neurogenesis

A

formation of new nuerons

55
Q

corpus callosum

A

fibers connecting the left and right brain hemispheres

56
Q

split brain

A

a condition where the corpus callosum is severed, usually to help with seizures

57
Q

consciousness

A

awareness of self and the environment

58
Q

cognitive neuroscience

A

the study of brain activity linked with cognition

59
Q

dual processing

A

when information is simultaneously processed on separate conscious and unconscious tracks

60
Q

behaviour genetics

A

the study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behaviour

61
Q

environment

A

every external influence, from prenatal nutrition to the people and things around us

62
Q

chromosomes

A

threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes

63
Q

deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)

A

a complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes

64
Q

genes

A

the biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosomes; segments of DNA capable to synthesizing proteins

65
Q

genome

A

the complete instructions for making and organism, consisting of all the genetic material in that organism’s chromosomes

66
Q

monozygomatic twins (identical twins)

A

twins who develop from a single fertilized egg that split in to, creating two genetically identical organisms

67
Q

dizygotic twins (fraternal twins)

A

twins who develop from separate fertilized eggs

68
Q

heritability

A

the proportion of variation among individuals that we can attribute to genes

69
Q

interaction

A

the interplay that occurs when the effect of one factor depends on another factor

70
Q

molecular genetics

A

the subfield of biology that studies the molecular structure and function of genes

71
Q

evolutionary psychology

A

the study of the evolution of behaviour using principles of natural selection

72
Q

natrual selection

A

the principle that, among the range of inherited trait variations, those contributing to reproduction and survival will most likely be passed on the succeeding generations

73
Q

mutation

A

a random error in gene replication that leads to a change

74
Q

circadian rhythm

A

the body’s biological clock; regular bodily rhythms that occur on a 24 hour cycle

75
Q

rapid eye movement sleep (REM sleep)

A

a recurring sleep stage during with vivid dreams commonly occur; aka paradoxical sleep because the body muscles are completely relaxed (paralyzed) other than minor twitches, but all other body systems are active

76
Q

alpha waves

A

the relatively slow brain saves of a relaxed, awake state

77
Q

delta waves

A

the large slow brainwaves associated with deep sleep

78
Q

nonrapid eye movement sleep (NREM sleep)

A

encompasses all sleep stages excluding REM sleep, contains 3 stages

79
Q

stage 1 NREM

A

the transition between being awake and asleep where beta waves and alpha waves occur

80
Q

stage 2 NREM

A

considered stage 1 of sleep and baseline sleep consisting of alpha waves and theta waves; theorized where the ‘cleaning’ of the night happens

81
Q

stage 3 NREM

A

where sleep talking and sleep walking occur (along with night terrors), where you have no memories; aka delta sleep, slow wave sleep, and deep sleep

82
Q

withdrawal

A

discomfort and distress that follows discontinuing an addictive drug or behavior

83
Q

tolerance

A

diminishing effect with regular usage over time

84
Q

physical dependence

A

a physiological need for a drug, marked by unpleasant withdrawal symptoms when the drug is discontinued

85
Q

pyschological dependence

A

a psychological need to use a drug, such as to relieve negative emotions

86
Q

depressants

A

drugs that reduce neural activity

87
Q

barbiturates

A

drugs that depress central nervous system activity; horse tranquilizers

88
Q

opiates

A

opium and its derivatives

89
Q

stimulants

A

drugs that excite neural activity

90
Q

amphetamines

A

drugs that simulate neural activity

91
Q

hallucinogens

A

psychedelic drugs that evoke sensory output with lack of sensory input

92
Q

alcohol (type, pleasurable effects, adverse effects)

A

-depressant
-initial high followed by relaxation and disinhibition

93
Q

heroin (type, pleasurable effects, adverse effects)

A

-depressant
-rush of euphoria, relief from pain
-depressed physiology, agonizing withdrawal

94
Q

caffeine (type, pleasurable effects, adverse effects)

A

-stimulant
-increased alertness and wakefulness
-anxiety, restlessness and insomnia in high doses, uncomfortable withdrawal

95
Q

methamphetamine (type, pleasurable effects, adverse effects)

A

-stimulant
-euphoria, alertness, energy
-irritability, insomnia, hypertension, seizures

96
Q

cocaine (type, pleasurable effects, adverse effects)

A

-stimulant
-rush of euphoria, confidence, energy
-cardiovascular stress, suspiciousness, depressive crash

97
Q

nicotine (type, pleasurable effects, adverse effects)

A

-stimulant
-arousal and relaxation, sense of well-being
-heart disease, cancer

98
Q

methylenedioxymethamphetamine aka ecstasy, MDMA (type, pleasurable effects, adverse effects)

A

-stimulant, mild hallucinogen
-emotional elevation, disinhibation;
-dehydration, overheating, depressed mood, impaired cognitive and immune functioning

99
Q

marijuana (type, pleasurable effects, adverse effects)

A

-mild hallucinogen
-enhanced sensation, relief of pain, distortion of time, relaxation
-impaired learning and memory, increased risk of psychological disorders, lung damage if smoking

100
Q

actylcholine aka Ach (function and associated diseases)

A

-found at neuromusclar junction; memory and learning
-alzheimer’s disease (dec), botox (dec), curare (dec)

101
Q

dopamine (function and associated diseases)

A

-movement, learning, attention, emotions, and rewards
-parkinson’s disease (dec), schizophrenia (inc), depression (dec)

102
Q

serotonin (function and associated diseases)

A

-sleep, mood, hunger, arousal
-depression (dec), anorexia (inc), sleep disorders (inc and dec)

103
Q

norepinephrine (function and associated diseases)

A

-fight or flight response (specifically the ‘cool down’ after)
-depression (dec)

104
Q

endorphins (function and associated diseases)

A

-pain, emotions
-mimicked by opiates, causing addictions

105
Q

gamma amino-butyric acid aka GABA (function and associated diseases)

A

-hunger and sleep, along with inhibiting the central nervous system
-alcohol consumption causes inc

106
Q

Franz Gull

A

early 1800s, studied phrenology (bumps on the skull revealing abilities and characteristic traits)

107
Q

Mark Twain

A

was able to discredit phrenology

108
Q

all or none priniciple

A

either a neuron will fire an impulse or not, there is no ‘light’ or ‘soft’ impulses

109
Q

resting potential

A

the period where a neuron has the ability to fire a neural impulse, where it’s filled up with K (becomes polarized)

110
Q

refractory period

A

where the neuron is filling up with K, and cannot fire no matter what stimulation is placed on the neuron

111
Q

nodes of ranvier

A

gaps between the myelin sheath

112
Q

thyroid gland

A

gland that affects metabolism

113
Q

parathyroid glands

A

glands that regulate the amount of Ca in the blood

114
Q

pancreas

A

gland that regulates amount of glucose in the bloodstream

115
Q

ovary

A

secretes female sex hormones

116
Q

testis

A

secretes male sex hormones

117
Q

pons

A

section of the brain that helps coordinate movement

118
Q

hypnosis

A

a social interaction in which one person (the subject) responds to another person’s (the hypnotist’s) suggestion that certain perceptions, thoughts, feelings, or behaviours will spontaneously occur

119
Q

post-hypnotic suggestion

A

a suggestion made during a hypnosis session to be carried out after the subject is no longer hypnotized, used by some clinicians to help control undesired symptoms and behaviours

120
Q

suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)

A

a pair of cell clusters in the hypothalamus that controls circadian rhythm, causes the pineal gland to adjust melatonin production

121
Q

tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)

A

major active ingredient in marijuana; triggers a variety of effects including mild hallucinations

122
Q

lysergic acid diethalmide (LSD)

A

a powerful hallucinogen

123
Q

alcohol use disorder (alcoholism)

A

alcohol use marked by tolerance, withdraw, and drive to continue problematic usage

AP Psychology (8 decks)

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