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Psych > Unit 2: Biological Bases of Behavior > Flashcards

Unit 2: Biological Bases of Behavior Flashcards

1
Q

Neuroanatomy

A

Study of the parts & functions of neurons

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2
Q

Neuron

A

Individual nerve cells

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3
Q

Dendrites

A

Rootlike parts of the cell that stretch out and form the cell, receive information

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4
Q

Soma (Cell Body)

A

Contains the nucleus & other cell parts, in charge of the neuron

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5
Q

Axon

A

Winglike structure ending in terminal buttons that carry the message

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6
Q

Myelin Sheath

A

A fatty covering around the axon that helps transmission

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7
Q

Terminal Buttons (Axon Terminal)

A

The branch end of the axon that contains neuro transmitters

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8
Q

Neurotransmitters

A

Chemicals in terminal buttons that enable neurons to communicate to receptor sites

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9
Q

Synapse

A

Space between terminal buttons & dendrites of two neurons

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10
Q

Receptor Sites

A

Sites on cell surface that accept enzymes, neurotransmitters, etc

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11
Q

Threshold

A

Required amount of neurotransmitters to envoke a response

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12
Q

Action Potential

A

Firing of an electrochemical charge

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13
Q

Negative After-potential

A

Drop in electrical charge below resting point

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14
Q

All-or-nothing Principle

A

A neuron either fires completely or not at all

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15
Q

Excitatory neurotransmitters

A

Neurotransmitters that excite the next cell into firing

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16
Q

Inhibitory Neurotransmitters

A

Neurotransmitters that cause a neuron to create fewer action potentials

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17
Q

Ion Channels

A

Tiny openings through the axon membrane

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18
Q

Neurilemma

A

Additional sheath external to myelin, found on PNS axons

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19
Q

Acetylcholine (Neurotransmitter)

A

Participant in movement, autonomic function, learning & memory

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20
Q

Dopamine (Neurotransmitter)

A

Participates in motivation, reward, planning of behavior

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21
Q

Endorphins (Neurotransmitter)

A

Opiate-like neural regulators that relieve pain & stress

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22
Q

Serotonin (Neurotransmitters)

A

Participates in mood, appetite, & sleep

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23
Q

Melatonin (Neurotransmitter)

A

A hormone manufactured by the pineal gland that produces sleepiness

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24
Q

Cranial Nerves

A

Major nerves that leave the brain without passing through the spinal cord

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25
Q

Sensory Neurons (Afferent)

A

Send info from sensory receptors to CNS

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26
Q

Motor Neurons (Efferent)

A

Conducts impulses outwards from the brain or spinal cord

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27
Q

Reflex Arc

A

Simplest behavior, stimulus provides automatic response

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28
Q

Central Nervous System (CNS)

A

Brain & spinal cord

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29
Q

Spinal Cord

A

Column of nerves that transmits info between brain & PNS

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30
Q

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

A

Parts of nervous system outside of the brain & spinal cord

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31
Q

Somatic Nervous System

A

A network linking spinal cord with body & sense organs

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32
Q

Sympathetic Nervous System

A

The division of the autonomic nervous system that coordinates arousal

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33
Q

Parasympathetic Nervous System

A

Division of autonomic nervous system that quiets the body & conserves energy

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34
Q

Split Brain

A

Surgical procedure that cuts the corpus callosum, splits the brain in half

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35
Q

Deep Lesioning

A

Removal of brain tissue by the use of an electrode

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36
Q

Ablation

A

Surgical removal of tissue from the brain surface

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37
Q

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

A

Device that records electrical activity in the brain

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38
Q

Computerized Tomography (CT Scan)

A

Computer enhanced X-ray image of the brain or body

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39
Q

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

A

3D image of the brain or body in response to a magnetic field

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40
Q

Positron Emission Tomography (PET Scan)

A

High-resolution image that captures brain activity by attaching radioactive particles to glucose molecules

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41
Q

Function MRI (fMRI)

A

MRI technique that records activity levels in various areas of the brain

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42
Q

Hindbrain

A

A primitive part of the brain that comprises the medulla, pons, & cerebellum

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43
Q

Brainstem

A

Bottom part of the brain that connects to the spinal cord

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44
Q

Medulla

A

Structure that connect brain with spinal cord & controls vital life functions

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45
Q

Pons

A

Area of the hindbrain that acts as a bridge between the medulla & other structures

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46
Q

Cerebellum

A

Hindbrain structure that controls coordination & balance

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47
Q

Midbrain

A

Structure that connects the hindbrain with the forebrain

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48
Q

Reticular Formation

A

Collection of cells & fibers in the medulla & pons involved in arousal & attention

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49
Q

Reticular Activating System

A

A bundle of nerves that sits in your brainstem, regulates behavioral arousal

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50
Q

Forebrain

A

Brain structure that governs higher-order mental processes

51
Q

Thalamus

A

Brain structure that relays sensory info to the cerebral cortex

52
Q

Hypothalamus

A

Small area of the brain that regulates emotional behaviors & biological needs

53
Q

Amygdala

A

Part of the limbic system associated with the rapid processing of emotions, mainly fear

54
Q

Hippocampus

A

Limbic system associated with storing memories

55
Q

Limbic System

A

Brain structures that play important roles in regulating emotion & memory

56
Q

Cerebral Cortex

A

Thin, wrinkled outer covering of the brain in which high-level processes take place

57
Q

Hemispheres

A

Left & right sides of the cerebral cortex, connected by the corpus callosum

58
Q

Left Hemisphere

A

Controls the right side of body, focuses on language, logic, and analytical thinking

59
Q

Right Hemisphere

A

Controls left side of the body, focuses on intuitive, creative, and subjective thinking

60
Q

Brain Lateralization

A

Differences between the abilities of brain hemispheres

61
Q

Corpus Callosum

A

Nerve fibers connecting the brain hemispheres

62
Q

Association Area

A

Areas of the cerebral cortex not primarily sensory or motor in function

63
Q

Frontal Lobes

A

Areas of cortex associated with movement, sense of self, & higher mental functions

64
Q

Broca’s Area

A

Language area related to grammar & pronunciation

65
Q

Wernicke’s Area

A

Temporal lobe area related to language comprehension

66
Q

Motor Cortex

A

Brain area associated with the control of movement

67
Q

Parietal Lobes

A

Cortex areas where body sensations register

68
Q

Somatosensory Cortex

A

A receiving area for body sensations

69
Q

Sensory Cortex

A

Area in the parietal lobe, behind the motor cortex, where the brain processes sensory information

70
Q

Occipital Lobes

A

Cortical areas at the back of the brain that process visuals & sight

71
Q

Temporal Lobes

A

Areas of the cortex that include sites where hearing registers

72
Q

Brain Plasticity

A

Brain’s ability to reorganize or modify itself in response to an experience or change

73
Q

Endocrine System

A

Network of glands that release hormones into the bloodstream

74
Q

Hormone

A

Chemical released by endocrine glands

75
Q

Thyroid Gland

A

Endocrine gland that helps regulate metabolism rates

76
Q

Pituitary Gland

A

Master gland of pituitary system that controls the actions of all other glands

77
Q

Adrenal Glands

A

Endocrine glands that arouse the body, regulate self-balance, adjust body to stress, & affect sexual functioning

78
Q

Adrenal Cortex

A

Responsible for releasing epinephrine & nonepinephrine

79
Q

Norepinephrine

A

Neurotransmitter & hormone that tends to arouse the body (anger)

80
Q

Epinephrine

A

Hormone that arouses the body (fear)

81
Q

Pineal Gland

A

Gland in the brain that helps regulate body rhythms & sleep cycles

82
Q

Growth Hormone

A

Secreted by the pituitary gland that promotes body growth

83
Q

Agnosia

A

A patient is unable to recognize & identify objects or faces

84
Q

Aphasia

A

Lost power to use or comprehend words

85
Q

Apraxia

A

Lost ability to execute complex coordinated movements without muscular or sensory impairments

86
Q

Amnesia

A

Loss of memory

87
Q

Aneurysm

A

Abnormal widening or ballooning of a portion of a blood vessel

88
Q

Stroke

A

Blood supply is disrupted & brain cells start to die

89
Q

Tumor

A

Abnormal growth of cells

90
Q

Hypoxia

A

Deprived of an oxygen supply

91
Q

Concussion

A

Blow to the head that causes the brain to hit the skull

92
Q

Seizure

A

Sudden disruption of the brain’s normal electrical activity

93
Q

Hereditary

A

The passing down of genes to cause traits

94
Q

Dominant Gene

A

The gene’s influence is expressed each time the gene is present

95
Q

Recessive Gene

A

The gene is expressed when paired with the same gene type from both parents

96
Q

Chromosome

A

Rodlike structures in the cell nucleus that houses genes

97
Q

Down Syndrome

A

An extra chromosome in one’s genetic makeup

98
Q

Monozygotic Twins

A

Identical, have the exact same genetic makeup

99
Q

Dizygotic Twins

A

Fraternal, genetically more like siblings

100
Q

Conscious Level

A

Info about yourself & your environment that you’re aware of

101
Q

Nonconscious Level

A

Body processes controlled by your mind that your not aware of

102
Q

Preconscious Level

A

Unpressed stored memories & thoughts that can be recalled in a a matter of seconds

103
Q

Subconscious Level

A

Info beyond a person’s conscious awareness that affects mental processes

104
Q

Unconscious Level

A

Thoughts & desires that are actively repressed from consciousness & affect you mentally

105
Q

Sleep Cycles

A

Lasts two hours, cycles sleep stages to restore energy

106
Q

Sleep Stages

A

Levels of sleep as it develops during the night

107
Q

REM Sleep

A

Sleep where dreams occur

108
Q

nREM Sleep

A

non-rapid eye movement sleep (Stages 1-4)

109
Q

Insomnia

A

Difficulty in getting to sleep or staying asleep

110
Q

Narcolepsy

A

A sudden, irresistible sleep attack

111
Q

Sleep Apnea

A

Disorder in which a person stops breathing during sleep

112
Q

Night Terrors

A

A state of panic during nREM sleep

113
Q

Freudian Dream Interpretation

A

Dreams express unconscious desires

114
Q

Activation-synthesis Dream Theory

A

Proposition that dreams are how brains process the random electrical charges of REM sleep

115
Q

Information-processing Dream Theory

A

Proposal that dreams reflect everyday waking thoughts & emotions

116
Q

Psychoactive Drugs

A

Drugs that change the chemistry of the brain

117
Q

Agonists

A

Mimic neurotransmitters

118
Q

Antagonists

A

Block neurotransmitters

119
Q

Tolerance

A

The body becomes normalized to the amount of drugs in the system & needs more

120
Q

Withdrawal

A

Side-effects caused by coming off of drugs after your body is addicted & it feels it as normal

121
Q

Stimulants

A

Substance that increases activity in the body & nervous system

122
Q

Depressants

A

Substance that decreases activity in the body & nervous system

123
Q

Hallucinogens

A

Substance that alters or distorts sensory impressions

124
Q

Opiates

A

Agonists for endorphins

Psych (3 decks)

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