Unit 2: Biological Bases of Behavior Flashcards
biological psychology
the scientific study of the links between biological and psychological process
neuron
a nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system
sensory neurons (afferant neurons)
neurons that send messages to the brain; body –>brain
motor neurons (efferant neurons)
neurons that send messages from the brain; brain –> body
interneurons
neurons that are the gateway between the spinal cord and the brain
dendrite
a neuron’s bushy, branching extensions that receive messages and conduct impulse toward the cell body
axon
the neuron extension that passes messages through its branches to other neurons or to muscles/glands
myelin sheath
a fatty tissue layer segmentaly encasing the axon on some neurons; increases transmission speed for neural impulses
action potential
a neural impulse, where the neuron filters out K and fills with Na (depolarization)
threshold
the level of stimulation required to trigger a neural response
synapse gap
the gap between the axon tip and the dendrite/cell body of the receiving neuron
neurotransmitters
chemical messaging agents that create the synapse gap and bind to receptor sites
reuptake
a neurotransmitter’s re-absorption by the sending neuron
endorphins (endogenous morphine)
natural opiate-like neurotransmitters linked to pain control and pleasure
central nervous system
the brain and spinal cord
peripheral nervous system
the sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system to the rest of the body
nerves
bundles of axons connecting the central nervous system with muscles, organs, and glands
somatic nervous system
division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the skeletal muscles
autonomic nervous system
division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and muscles of the internal organs
sympathetic nervous system
division of the peripheral nervous system that arouses the body in stressful situations
parasympathetic nervous system
division of the peripheral nervous system that calms the body after a stressful situation has passed
reflex
a simple, automatic response to a sensory stimulation
endorine system
set of glands that secrete hormones into the blood stream
hormones
chemical messaging agents manufactured by the endocrine system that travels through the blood to affect tissue
adrenal glands
pair of bean-shaped glands that secret hormones to help arouse the body in stressful situations
pituitary gland
“master gland” that regulates growth hormones and controls the endocrine system
lesion
tissue destruction
electroencephalogram (EEG)
amplified recording of waves of electrical activity sweeping across the brain surface
computed tomography scan (CT scan)
series of x-rays combined into composite representations of brain slices
positron emission tomography scan (PET scan)
visual display of brain activity enabled by radioactive glucose
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
usage of magnetic fields and radio waves to produce images of soft tissue
functional MRI (fMRI)
a technique for revealing blood flow through multiple MRI scan
brainstem
where the spinal core wells as it enters the skull; responsible for automatic survival functions
medulla
the base of the brainstem; controls heart rate and breathing
thalamus
directs messages to sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the medulla and cerebellum
recticular formation
nerve network through the brainstem and thalamus hat plays a role in controlling arousel
cerebellum
“little brain” at rear of brainstem; processes sensory input, coordinating movement output and balance, and enables non-verbal learning and memory
limbic system
neural system associated with emotions and drives
amygdala
2 neural clusters in the limbic system linked to emotion
hypothalamus
directs eating, sleeping, body temperature, governs the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion and reward
cerebral cortex
ultimate control and information processing center of the brain
glial cells (glia cells)
cells that support, nourish, and protect neurons
frontal lobe
portion of the cerebral cortex behind the forehead; controls speaking, muscle movement, decision making, and judgement calls
parietal lobe
portion of the cerebral cortex at the top of the head; receives sensory input for touch and body position in space
occipital lobe
portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head; receives sensory input from the eyes
temporal lobes
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
motor cortex
area at the rear of the frontal lobe that controls voluntary movement
sensory cortex
registers and processes body touch and movement
association areas
areas involved with learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking
aphasia
impairment of language, usually caused by left-hemisphere damage to either the Broca’s area or the Wernicke’s area
Broca’s area
controls language expression; an area of the left-hemisphere frontal lobe that directs the muscle movements involved in speech
Wernicke’s area
controls language reception; an area of the left-hemisphere temporal lobe involved in language comprehension and expression
plasticity
the brain’s ability to change by reorganizing after damage
neurogenesis
formation of new nuerons
corpus callosum
fibers connecting the left and right brain hemispheres
split brain
a condition where the corpus callosum is severed, usually to help with seizures
consciousness
awareness of self and the environment
cognitive neuroscience
the study of brain activity linked with cognition
dual processing
when information is simultaneously processed on separate conscious and unconscious tracks
behaviour genetics
the study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behaviour
environment
every external influence, from prenatal nutrition to the people and things around us
chromosomes
threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes
deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
a complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes
genes
the biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosomes; segments of DNA capable to synthesizing proteins
genome
the complete instructions for making and organism, consisting of all the genetic material in that organism’s chromosomes
monozygomatic twins (identical twins)
twins who develop from a single fertilized egg that split in to, creating two genetically identical organisms
dizygotic twins (fraternal twins)
twins who develop from separate fertilized eggs
heritability
the proportion of variation among individuals that we can attribute to genes
interaction
the interplay that occurs when the effect of one factor depends on another factor
molecular genetics
the subfield of biology that studies the molecular structure and function of genes
evolutionary psychology
the study of the evolution of behaviour using principles of natural selection
natrual selection
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
mutation
a random error in gene replication that leads to a change
circadian rhythm
the body’s biological clock; regular bodily rhythms that occur on a 24 hour cycle
rapid eye movement sleep (REM sleep)
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
alpha waves
the relatively slow brain saves of a relaxed, awake state
delta waves
the large slow brainwaves associated with deep sleep
nonrapid eye movement sleep (NREM sleep)
encompasses all sleep stages excluding REM sleep, contains 3 stages
stage 1 NREM
the transition between being awake and asleep where beta waves and alpha waves occur
stage 2 NREM
considered stage 1 of sleep and baseline sleep consisting of alpha waves and theta waves; theorized where the ‘cleaning’ of the night happens
stage 3 NREM
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
withdrawal
discomfort and distress that follows discontinuing an addictive drug or behavior
tolerance
diminishing effect with regular usage over time
physical dependence
a physiological need for a drug, marked by unpleasant withdrawal symptoms when the drug is discontinued
pyschological dependence
a psychological need to use a drug, such as to relieve negative emotions
depressants
drugs that reduce neural activity
barbiturates
drugs that depress central nervous system activity; horse tranquilizers
opiates
opium and its derivatives
stimulants
drugs that excite neural activity
amphetamines
drugs that simulate neural activity
hallucinogens
psychedelic drugs that evoke sensory output with lack of sensory input
alcohol (type, pleasurable effects, adverse effects)
-depressant
-initial high followed by relaxation and disinhibition
heroin (type, pleasurable effects, adverse effects)
-depressant
-rush of euphoria, relief from pain
-depressed physiology, agonizing withdrawal
caffeine (type, pleasurable effects, adverse effects)
-stimulant
-increased alertness and wakefulness
-anxiety, restlessness and insomnia in high doses, uncomfortable withdrawal
methamphetamine (type, pleasurable effects, adverse effects)
-stimulant
-euphoria, alertness, energy
-irritability, insomnia, hypertension, seizures
cocaine (type, pleasurable effects, adverse effects)
-stimulant
-rush of euphoria, confidence, energy
-cardiovascular stress, suspiciousness, depressive crash
nicotine (type, pleasurable effects, adverse effects)
-stimulant
-arousal and relaxation, sense of well-being
-heart disease, cancer
methylenedioxymethamphetamine aka ecstasy, MDMA (type, pleasurable effects, adverse effects)
-stimulant, mild hallucinogen
-emotional elevation, disinhibation;
-dehydration, overheating, depressed mood, impaired cognitive and immune functioning
marijuana (type, pleasurable effects, adverse effects)
-mild hallucinogen
-enhanced sensation, relief of pain, distortion of time, relaxation
-impaired learning and memory, increased risk of psychological disorders, lung damage if smoking
actylcholine aka Ach (function and associated diseases)
-found at neuromusclar junction; memory and learning
-alzheimer’s disease (dec), botox (dec), curare (dec)
dopamine (function and associated diseases)
-movement, learning, attention, emotions, and rewards
-parkinson’s disease (dec), schizophrenia (inc), depression (dec)
serotonin (function and associated diseases)
-sleep, mood, hunger, arousal
-depression (dec), anorexia (inc), sleep disorders (inc and dec)
norepinephrine (function and associated diseases)
-fight or flight response (specifically the ‘cool down’ after)
-depression (dec)
endorphins (function and associated diseases)
-pain, emotions
-mimicked by opiates, causing addictions
gamma amino-butyric acid aka GABA (function and associated diseases)
-hunger and sleep, along with inhibiting the central nervous system
-alcohol consumption causes inc
Franz Gull
early 1800s, studied phrenology (bumps on the skull revealing abilities and characteristic traits)
Mark Twain
was able to discredit phrenology
all or none priniciple
either a neuron will fire an impulse or not, there is no ‘light’ or ‘soft’ impulses
resting potential
the period where a neuron has the ability to fire a neural impulse, where it’s filled up with K (becomes polarized)
refractory period
where the neuron is filling up with K, and cannot fire no matter what stimulation is placed on the neuron
nodes of ranvier
gaps between the myelin sheath
thyroid gland
gland that affects metabolism
parathyroid glands
glands that regulate the amount of Ca in the blood
pancreas
gland that regulates amount of glucose in the bloodstream
ovary
secretes female sex hormones
testis
secretes male sex hormones
pons
section of the brain that helps coordinate movement
hypnosis
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
post-hypnotic suggestion
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
suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)
a pair of cell clusters in the hypothalamus that controls circadian rhythm, causes the pineal gland to adjust melatonin production
tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
major active ingredient in marijuana; triggers a variety of effects including mild hallucinations
lysergic acid diethalmide (LSD)
a powerful hallucinogen
alcohol use disorder (alcoholism)
alcohol use marked by tolerance, withdraw, and drive to continue problematic usage
