Unit 2 - Biological Bases Of Behavior Flashcards
Nervous System VS Endocrine System
The Nervous system is made up of a system of neurotransmitters and neurons
- faster, but short-lived
- The endocrine system is made up of a system of glands and hormones
- slower, but long lasting
What structure in the brain connects the nervous system and the endocrine system
Hypothalamus
What two systems make up the nervous system
- The Central Nervous System and the Peripheral Nervous System
Central Nervous System
- made up of the brain and spinal cord
Brain is the neural center of the body (control center)
Spinal cord is the body’s main transmitter of nerves (highway)
The fast acting, electrochemical communication network that uses neurons and nerve cells to coordinate the activities of the organism
The Nervous System
What system regulates the biological processes in the body, is made up of glands and organs that make hormones and release them into the blood
Endocrine system
The passing on of different mental or physical traits from one generation to another is called..
Heredity
Who was Charles Darwin? Why was he important
- He was not a psychologist
- made a lot of contributions in the area of heredity and environment
- founded theory of evolution
Theory that states that environment, behavior, and the individual can influence and impact eachother
Reciprocal Determinism
The study of how the environment and a persons behavior affect their genes and how they work is called
Epigenetics
Epigenetics Vs Plasticity
Epigenetics : genes are turned “on or off”. Changes are slow, and important for the benefit of the species
Plasticity : brain structure changes. Changes are fast, and important for the individual (learning,therapy)
When the brain changes or builds new neural pathways to a persons experience it is called
Plasticity
This brain structure controls the pituitary gland, and the autonomic functions in the body
Hypothalamus
This gland is helps to regulate and communicates with all other glands. It is also under the command of the hypothalamus
Pituitary gland
In the endocrine system, these send and receive hormonal messengers from all over the body
Glands
This gland controls the production of the hormone melatonin and helps regulate sleep cycles
Pineal Gland
When signaled by the pituitary gland, this gland produces a ___ hormone which affects metabolism
Thyroid gland
- thyroid hormone
The ___ gland is contained in a small area of the thyroid gland and produces the ___ hormone which helps regulate the level of calcium in the blood
Parathyroid gland
-parathyroid hormone
The pair of glands above the kidneys that help trigger the flight or fight response. The important hormones produced are _____
Adrenal Glands
-epinephrine (Adrenaline) and norepinephrine
This is the largest gland. Here, insulin and glucagon are produced which together help to regulate the level of sugar in the blood
The Pancreas
The __ are the main reproductive organs, testes, or ovaries. They produce sex hormones
The Gonads
the _____ produces the male sex hormone (testosterone) and the ____ produces female sex hormones
-Testes/Testis
-Ovary
The regulation of the body’s internal environment (like temp) is called
Homeostasis
The system that is made up of the nerves OUTSIDE of the brain and spinal cord. They are taking information from the brain and sending it to the rest of the body and picking up info from those parts and sending it to the brain
Peripheral Nervous System
Sensory/Afferent Nuerons
carries incoming messages/info from the sense receptors TO the Central Nervous System (brain or spinal cord)
- remember these neurons are GOING TO the CNS
Memory Hack :
Afferent = APPROACH
Motor/Efferent Nuerons
carries information FROM the central nervous system to peripheral nervous system (glands) and muscles
- remember these neurons are COMING FROM the CNS
Memory Hack : Efferent = EXIT
The receptor cells in sense organs - such as eyes, ears, nose - that are sensitive to stimuli are called what?
Sensory Receptors
The Peripheral Nervous system can be broken up into… (and what they each are responsible for)
The Autonomic Nervous System which controls INVOLUNTARY (automatic) functions like breathing and digestion
The Somatic Nervous System which controls the VOLUNTARY movements like walking
The Autonomic Nervous System has two divisions that work together during an emergency or stressful situation (explain both)
The Sympathetic Nervous System which takes action by physically arousing the body preparing it to act/react in a stressful situation
(Fight or Flight Mode)
The Parasympathetic Nervous System which calms the body, conserving energy, overall returning body back to homeostasis
(Rest and Digest Mode)
This nervous system is most responsible for dilating pupils, increased heart rate, and reduced intestinal activities during a stressful situation
Autonomic»_space;> Sympathetic Nervous System
These cells provide nutrients for neurons and protect them with structural support. These cells do NOT process information.
Gilal Cells
One type of gilal cell is _____ which forms the myelin sheath of the nueron
Schwann Cells
The basic functional unit of the nervous system. Send and receive nerve impulses and chemical signals
Neurons / Nerve Cells
Name of the the neuron’s cell body which contains the nucleus
Soma / Cell Body
Part of the nueron that extends outward from the Soma and receives incoming messages from adjacent nuerons
Dendrites
The longest part of the neuron which the electrical message travels down the length of is called :
Axon
The end point of a neuron that releases neurotransmitters into the synapse, hence sending the message on to the next nueron is called :
Axon Terminal
The fatty tissue that insulates the axon, speeding up the transmission of the message is called
Myelin Sheath
The open space between the sending neuron and receiving neuron at which neurotransmitters cross
Synapse
Space between the myelin sheath where the axon is exposed which helps promote the continuing action potential
Node of Ranvier
Type of neuron that responds to and mirrors the action that we observe in others
Mirror Neurons
Chemical substance that crosses the synapse to carry on the message
Neurotransmitter
___ is the message being sent by the neuron through an electrical impulse traveling down the axon. it is what causes the neuron to fire
Action Potential
The ability for certain ions to cross the membrane is called
Permeability
When the neuron is NOT firing and it is at a state where there are more positive ions (sodium/NA) on the outside of the neuron and more negative ions (Potassium/K) on the inside it is called :
Resting Potential
When neuron is in the resting potential they are ___, meaning the opposites (positive and negative ions) are away from eachother
Polarized
The _______ principle refers to how when the nucleus decides to fire, it fires down the axon complete (all the way) or not at all
All or nothing principle
When the message begins, this process is when the Sodium (+Na) ions come in and neutralize the section of the axon.
Depolarization
In other words : the “opposites” (+/-) are no longer away from each other
The process of moving the positive ions outside of the membrane after depolarization in order for a cell to return to its resting state
Repolarization
The period of time after firing that the neuron is focused on resetting, and therefore the cell cannot fire again bust must wait to achieve its intensity
Refractory Period
The two types of synapses :
1 . For messages that need to be send quickly and immediately, they are connected and have no space between the neurons
- take longer to process, junctions between two neurons that use neurotransmitters to send neural signals
- Electrical Synapses
- Chemical Synapses
When excess neurotransmitters left in the synapse are recollected
Re-uptake
Postsynaptic terminal/neuron and Presynaptic terminal/nueron
Post-Synaptic terminal is the RECEIVING neuron
Pre-Synaptic terminal is the axon terminal of the SENDING neuron
This neurotransmitter enables muscle action (spinal and skeletal movements), learning, and memory. If our bodies don’t make enough, it can lead to Alzheimer disease
Acetylcholine
(ah see ta cow lean)
This neurotransmitter influences movement, learning, attention, and emotion. It is similar in nature to cocaine, as it involves rewarding sensations
Dopamine
Schizophrenia is due to an oversupply of what neurotransmitter?
Dopamine
Parkinsons disease, tremors, and decreases mobility to due to an undersupply of what neurotransmitter?
Dopamine
This neurotransmitter impacts hunger, mood, and sleep. The body’s “feel good”chemical.
Serotonin
An under supply of this neurotransmitter leads to depression and Antidepressant drugs increase levels of this
Serotonin
This neurotransmitter is linked to pain control and pleasure during great bodily stress, such as an accident.
Endorphins
- If you’re lacking in endorphins then you’ll have a ___ pain threshold
- If you have an excess, you’ll have a ____ threshold
- Lower pain threshold
- Higher pain threshold
These two neurotransmitters/hormones are similar to the chemical substance adrenaline and they work together on the body’s flight or fight response
Epinephrine and
Norepinephrine
(eh pen eff errr en)
(nor eh pen eff err en)
This neurotransmitter is involved in excitatory messages and helps with long term memory. It is the most used neurotransmitter between neurons
Glutamate
An oversupply of this neurotransmitter can overstimulate the brain leading to seizures, migranes, and insomnia
Glutamate
Major inhibitory neurotransmitter that slows down the nervous system. An undersupply of this leads to tremors, seizures, and insomnia
GABA
Fill in Blanks :
The ______ system sends a chemical signal through _____. The nueron sends these ______ through the _______ gap/cleft which is the narrow space between the pre-synaptic terminal and the _________ terminal.
- Nervous System
- neurotransmitters
- neurotransmitters
- synaptic gap/cleft
- post-synaptic
- _____ neurotransmitters make the post synaptic cell more likely to fire. (eg. glutamate)
- _____ neurotransmitters make them less likely to fire (eg. GABA)
Whether a neurotransmitter is excitatory or inhibitory depends on the receptor it binds to
- Excitatory
- Inhibitory
_____ MIMIC neurotransmitter activity while _____ BLOCKS neurotransmitter activity
-both interact w/ neurotransmitters at the receptor sites of neurons
Agonist , Antagonist
_____ block the neurotransmitters left in the synaptic cleft from being reabsorbed, causing there being more of it at the synapse the next time the neuron fires
Reuptake Inhibitor
The ____________ moves sodium (Na) and potassium (K) ions against large concentration gradients. It moves 2 potassium ions into the cell where potassium levels are high, and pumps 3 sodium ions out of the cell and into the extra cellular fluid
- Sodium Potassium Pump
Examples of Agonist drugs :
_____ and ____ ; mimic the effects of endorphins
morphine and opiates
Examples of Antagonist drugs
____; blocks acetycholine to stop muscle contractions and wrinkles
____ ; blocks release of glutamate
Botox
Alchohol
Who is Paul Broca? Why is he important
Identified an area in the left hemisphere of our brains of the frontal lobe which is now known as Broca’s area
Area in the left frontal lobe and associated with the ability to speak. Discovered by Paul Broca
Broca’s area
The inability to speak after damage to Broca’s area is known as
Broca’s aphasia
Area in the left frontal lobe that is associated with understanding and creating language. Discovered by Carl Wernicke
Wernicke’s area
The inability to understand sounds or create meaningful speech after damage to Wernicke’s area is called
Wernicke’s aphasia
Three regions of the brain
Hindbrain (the bottom),
Midbrain (not visible),
Forebrain (top)
part of the brainstem that regulates important autonomic functions like heartbeat, breathing, and blood pressure
Medulla Oblongata
part of the brainstem that sits ontop of the medulla that regulates sleep cycles, controls voluntary movements, and connects the medulla with the cerebellum
Pons
This brain structure is known as the “little brain”. manages coordination, posture and balance.
Cerebellum
If this brain structure was damaged, one would have very unbalanced and clumsy movements
Cerebellum
Damage to this brain part would be automatic death, because it includes many brain structures that have alot to do with autonomic activities, helping us live
Brain stem
This brain structure is responsible for our consciousness and attentiveness. It helps us stay awake and alert ; it is activated in a learning setting because we need to pay attention to important things and ignore distractions
Reticular Formation/ Reticular Activating Systm
Brain structure that relays all sensory information to the brains cerebral cortex to be interpreted
Thalamus
Brain structure which main function is to keep body in homeostasis. it controls things like body temp, hunger/thirst, sleep patterns and emotions. It works closely with pituitary gland with managing hormone s
Hypothalamus
_____ and the hypothalamus work together as a team. It gets instructions from the hypothalamus to release hormones at the right time
Pituitary gland
This brain structure recognizes and responds to potential threats and danger. It processes and regulates emotions especially fear and aggression
Amygdala
The ______ helps the two hemispheres communicate/share information
Corpus Callosum
