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AP Psych > Unit 2: Biology > Flashcards

Unit 2: Biology Flashcards

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1
Q

Identify key research contributions of scientists in the area of heredity and environment. Charles Darwin?

A

Evolution thru “natural selection” (the weaker die out - inherited/adaptive traits better enabling survival/reproduction in an environ. will exceed other trait variations/be passed down) explained the Origin of Species

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2
Q

Predict how traits and behavior can be selected for their adaptive value.

A

favorable traits and behavior will be passed on, while undesirable traits will die off
our genes predispose us to act in ways that enhance their chances of surviving/ spreading, this motive underlies all our behavior.

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3
Q

Discuss the effect of the endocrine system on behavior.

A

glands secrete hormones (chemical messengers) -> thru bloodstream effects diff tissues + the brain & body development

Hormones based syst. influences our interests (sex, food, agression), maturity moods, feelings, and behavior

Pituitary gland (master gland): most influential gland, under hypothalamus’ influence, regulates growth & controls other glands (influence brain & behavior) -ex: pituatary triggers sex gland to release sex hormones

Adrenal glands, secretes hormones (epinephrine & norepinephrine) that help arouse body during stress, hormones increase heart rate, blood pressure, & blood sugar + fight-or-flight response to energize body, hormones & feelings linger after emergency

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4
Q

Central nervous system

A

(brain and spinal cord): body’s decision maker

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5
Q

Peripheral nervous system

A

(PNS - sensory & motor neurons that connect the CNS to rest of body, gathers info

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6
Q

Autonomic (w/ in PNS)

A

(controls self-regulated action on internal organ muscles & glands (ex: heart, influences heartbeat, usually operates on its own, another ex: digestion))

Sympathetic (arousing & uses energy)

Parasympathetic (calms & conserves energy )

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7
Q

Somatic (w/ in PNS)

A

(enables voluntary control of skeletal muscles)

Sensory Input &
Motor Output

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8
Q

Sensory Input

A

carries incoming messages from tissues/sensory receptors inwards (afferent)

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9
Q

Motor Output

A

(controls skeletal muscles) - carry messages outward (efferent)) from brain/spinal cord to muscles & glands

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10
Q

All-or-none response

A

a neuron’s reaction to either firing (w/ a full-strength response) or not firing, speed does not change

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11
Q

Refractory period

A

in neural impulses, brief resting pause that occurs after a neuron has fired; subsequent action potentials cannot occur until axon returns to resting state

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12
Q

Threshold

A

level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse, the brain+ all nervous system operate w/ neurons that receive & send electrochemical signals to communicate

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13
Q

resting potential

A

positive ions outside, negative ions inside

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14
Q

action potential

A

a neural impulse; brief electrical charge that travels down axon

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15
Q

sodium potassium pumps

A

allows positive ions and negative ions to get back to their original positions (resting potential)

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16
Q

The Nervous system

A

body’s speedy electrochemical communication network, consists of all nerve cells of peripheral & CNS

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17
Q

The Limbic system

A

neural syst (includes hypothalamus, amygdala, & hippocampus) located below cerebral hemispheres; associated w/ emotion & drives

between brain’s older parts & newest brain areas, hypothalamus controls nearby pituitary gland (from endocrine syst)

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18
Q

Reflex

A

simple, automatic response to a sensory stimulus(ex: knee-jerk response)

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19
Q

Neurons have 5 parts

A

Cell Body/Soma, Dendrites, Axon, Myelin Sheath, Axon terminal branches

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20
Q

Cell Body/Soma

A

Contains a nucleus, cell’s life support center

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21
Q

Dendrites

A

(listen)
Bushy, Branch like extensions that RECEIVE/unite electrical messages from other neurons/cells, conducts impulses toward cell body

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22
Q

Axon

A

(speak) Neuron extension that passes messages thru its branches to other neurons or to muscles/glands

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23
Q

Myelin Sheath

A

Layer of fatty tissue, wraps around axon in sections of some neurons, speeds up message transmission (neural impulses hop from one node to the next),

protect nerve fiber from damage, insulating sheath, speeds up the neural message

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24
Q

Axon terminal branches

A

Tips at the end of the axon, containing terminal buttons which hols synaptic vesicles that store neurotransmitters, forms junctions w/ other cells, sends signals to other neuron

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25
Q

Synapse (not apart of neuron)

A

junction between axon tip of the sending neuron & the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron

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26
Q

Identify the basic process of transmission of a signal between two neurons.

A

STEP 1- Neurons receive signals (chemical, light, pressure, heat) through the dendrites (connected to CELL BODY*receive messages from cells)

STEP 2- THRESHOLD is reached (excitatory signals outnumber inhibitory by minimum amount)

STEP 3-Neuron fires action potential in “all or none” response

STEP 4- DEPOLARIZATION occurs: gates open and positive sodium ions rush in, changing negative charged axon sections in a domino effect

STEP 5- Action potential (electrical charge) travels down axon to axon terminals

STEP 6- Axon terminals release neurotransmitters (chemical messengers) into synapse (space between neurons) where they combine with receptor sites on the next neuron

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27
Q

Reuptake mechanisms

A

Excess neurotransmitters are reabsorbed by the sending neuron

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28
Q

Agonist

A

molecule that increases a neurotransmitter’s action

May increase production/release of neurotransmitters/block reuptake in synapse

Some might be similar enough to neurotransmitter to bind to its receptor & mimic its excitatory/inhibitory effects

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29
Q

Antagonist:

A

molecule that inhibits/blocks a neurotransmitter’s action by blocking production/release

Can occupy/block receptor site but can NOT stimulate receptor

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30
Q

Hindbrain

A

lowest brain segment, regulates basic body functions and consists of: cerebellum, medulla, pons, and reticular formation

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31
Q

Cerebellum

A

the “little brain” at the rear of the brainstem; sensory input, coordinating voluntary movement & balance, & supports nonverbal learning & memory

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32
Q

Brainstem - 3 parts

A

oldest part & central core of brain. Begins where spinal cord swells as it enters the skull; responsible for automatic survival functions

Medulla, Pons, Reticular Formation:

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33
Q

Medulla

A

the base of the brainstem, controls heartbeat & breathing

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34
Q

Pons

A

helps coordinate movement & control sleep

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35
Q

Reticular Formation:

A

helps control arousal

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36
Q

Midbrain

A

middle brain segment, involved w/ motor control, vision, hearing, arousal, sleep, temperature regulation, & transmission of sensory information

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37
Q

Forebrain - 5 parts

A

highest brain segment, consists of: thalamus, hypothalamus, hippocampus, amygdala, and cerebrum

Cerebrum:

Thalamus

Limbic System
Amygdala:
Hippocampus:
Hypothalamus:

38
Q

Thalamus

A

(sensory control center, directs messages to sensory receive areas in cortex & transmits replies to cerebellum & medulla)

39
Q

Cerebrum

A

The NEWEST & largest part of the human brain; contains the cerebral cortex.

40
Q

Amygdala

A

linked to emotion

41
Q

Hippocampus

A

linked to conscious memory

42
Q

hypothalamus

A

controls maintenance functions such as eating, helps govern endocrine syst; linked to emotion & reward!!

43
Q

Basal Ganglia

A

controls movement, balance, implicit memory, and a little bit of emotion.

44
Q

Frontal lobes

A

ront of brain; speaking, muscle movements. Making plans/judgements (motor cortex)

45
Q

Parietal lobes

A

at top of brain;receives sensory input for touch & body position (sensory cortex)

46
Q

Occipital lobes

A

at back of brain; portion of cerebral cortex lying at the back of head; includes areas that receive info from visual fields(visual cortex)

47
Q

Temporal lobes:

A

at both sides of brain; auditory areas receiving info from opposite ears (auditory cortex)

48
Q

Cerebral cortex

A

ultimate control & info processing center, interconnected neural cells covering cerebral hemispheres

49
Q

Motor cortex

A

area at rear frontal lobes, controls voluntary movements (frontal lobes)

50
Q

Somatosensory cortex:

A

(front of parietal lobes), registers/processes touch & movement sensations

51
Q

Visual cortex

A

processes visual information (occipital lobes)

52
Q

Auditory cortex

A

(temporal lobes), receives info from ears

53
Q

Association areas:

A

not involved in primary motor or sensory functions; involved in higher mental functions (learning, remembering, thinking, speaking)

54
Q

Hemisphere

A

One of two symmetrical halves (left and right) of the brain, specialized for particular functions.

55
Q

Left eye & left hand - Right hemisphere

A

controls the left hand side of body & receives info from left visual field controlling creativity, context and recognition of faces, places and objects

56
Q

Right eye & right hand - Left hemisphere

A

controls the right hand side of the body and receives info from the right visual field controlling speech, language & recognition of words, letters/numbers.

57
Q

If someone sees a cake on their LEFT visual side they will….

A

say they can’t see anything (bc only right hemisphere can see cake but left hemisphere can’t thus u can’t say u saw a cake)

58
Q

If someone sees a cake on their RIGHT visual side, they can….

A

Verbally say they see a cake (left hemisphere)

59
Q

sometimes when info is given to both sides, the different hemispheres will….

A

LEFT hemisphere may respond verbally what is seen on the right side

RIGHT hemisphere may respond another way like pointing to a word or touching what is seen on left side

2 answers = opposing & incompatible bc they answer differently

60
Q

Some ppl have specializations REVERSED

A

left hemisphere (usually has language)
Right hemisphere (for some ppl language is here)

Typically LEFT-HANDED ***

61
Q

Lateralization

A

: The localization of some functions in one of the two hemispheres.

62
Q

Wernicke’s area

A

The region in the temporal lobe of a person’s dominant hemisphere that controls speech comprehension.

63
Q

Broca’s area

A

The region in the frontal lobe of a person’s dominant hemisphere that controls speech production.

64
Q

Corpus Callosum

A

(axon fibers connecting the 2 cerebral hemispheres + carrying messages between them)

65
Q

Paul Broca

A

investigated speech disorders; cerebrum region responsible for speech production = named after him (Broca’s area in left frontal lobe) + associated speech disorder (Broca’s aphasia aka expressive aphasia).

66
Q

Carl Wernicke

A

Investigated speech disorders, cerebrum region responsible for speech comprehension was named after him (Wernicke’s area in the left temporal lobe), + associated speech disorder (Wernicke’s aphasia, aka receptive aphasia).

67
Q

Split-brain research

A

Surgical cutting of the corpus callosum to study the effects of disconnecting the right and left brain hemispheres (cutting the fibers and connecting them) - specifically, the independent functioning of the two hemispheres

involves sending messages to only one side of the brain

demonstrates right and left brain specialization

68
Q

Electroencephalograph (EEG)

A

device that monitors/records waves of electric activity w/ in brain; measured by electrodes placed on the scalp

69
Q

MRI:

A

Stands for “magnetic resonance imaging”;

ppl sit/lie down in a chamber that uses magnetic fields & radio waves to provide brain structure map (soft tissue/brain anatomy)

70
Q

MEG (magnetoencephalography)

A

a head coil records magnetic fields (magnetic activity) from natural electrical currents

71
Q

Functional MRI (fMRI)

A

An imaging technique for revealing blood flow & brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans; shows brain function & structure

measures blood flow to regions by comparing continuous MRI scans

72
Q

PET (positron emission tomography) scan

A

tracks where a temporarily radioactive form of glucose goes while a person is performing a given task (visual display of brain activity)

73
Q

CT scan

A

x-rays of the head generate images that may locate brain damage

74
Q

Lesioning

A

tissue destruction; brain lesion - naturally/ experimentally caused destruction of brain tissue

75
Q

Roger Sperry

A

research w/ Gazzaniga on split-brain patients, helped to improve understanding of brain lateralization (left/right hemisphere = diff functions)

76
Q

Neuroplasticity

A

is the brain’s amazing capacity to change and adapt, refers to brain’s physiological changes that happen bc of our interactions with our environment

factor in recovery from brain injury, basis for much of our cognitive & physical rehabilitation practices, part of rehabilitation is aimed at trying to rebuild connections among the nerve cells — or neurons: this “re-wiring” of the brain can make it possible for a function previously managed by a damaged area to be taken over by another undamaged area

77
Q

Michael Gazzaniga

A

conducted split-brain research; understanding of functional lateralization in the brain; how the cerebral hemispheres communicate

78
Q

William James

A

Functionalism, psychology should aim to understand how consciousness helps organisms adapt to their environments

79
Q

Sigmund Freud

A

Psychoanalysis, therapy approach included dream interpretation, which he believed could reveal insights abt unconscious mind

80
Q

Acetylcholine(ACh)

A

A neurotransmitter involved in learning, memory, and muscle action,

w/ Alzheimer’s, ACh producing neurons degenerate

81
Q

Dopamine:

A

A neurotransmitter involved in mood, movement, attention, and learning.

Oversupply linked to schizophrenia
undersupply linked to tremors & decreased mobility in Parkinson’s disease

82
Q

Serotonin:

A

A neurotransmitter that affects mood, hunger, sleep & arousal

undersupply linked to depression
some drugs used to raise serotonin levels - used to treat depression

83
Q

Gamma amino butyric acid (GABA):

A

The primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the nervous system.

undersupply linked to seizures, tremors, & insomnia

84
Q

Norepinephrine

A

A neurotransmitter important in controlling alertness, wakefulness, mood, and attention.

undersupply can depress mood

85
Q

Glutamate

A

The main excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system; important for learning and memory.

oversupply can overstimulate brain
producing migraines/seizures

86
Q

Reuptake inhibitors

A

Drugs that prevent a neurotransmitter from being reabsorbed by presynaptic axons, causing greater activation of postsynaptic receptors.

87
Q

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs):

A

Drugs that prevent the reabsorption of serotonin, leading to greater activation of serotonin receptors.

88
Q

Endorphins

A

neurotransmitter that influence perception of pain/pleasure

oversupply of opiate drugs can suppress the body’s natural endorphin supply

89
Q

what did Phineas Gage’s cast study find?

A

the frontal lobe was directly involved in personality

90
Q

what did Phineas Gage’s cast study find?

A

the frontal lobe was directly involved in personality

91
Q

Left hemisphere

A

controls the right hand side of the body and receives info from the right visual field controlling speech, language & recognition of words, letters/numbers.

92
Q

sometimes when info is given to both sides, the different hemispheres will….

A

LEFT hemisphere may respond verbally what is seen on the right side

RIGHT hemisphere may respond another way like pointing to a word or touching what is seen on left side

2 answers = opposing & incompatible bc they answer differently

AP Psych (10 decks)

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