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AP PSYCH :) > Unit 2A - Biological Basis of Behaviour > Flashcards

Unit 2A - Biological Basis of Behaviour Flashcards

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1
Q

Biological Psychology

A

The scientific study of the links between biological and psychological processes

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2
Q

Neuron

A

A nerve cell that acts as a building block of the nervous system

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3
Q

Dendrites

A

The bushy, branching extensions of a neuron that receives messages and conducts impulses towards the cell body (passes information in)

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4
Q

Axon

A

The neuron extension that passes electrical messages through its branches to other neurons and or to muscles/glands (passes information out)

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5
Q

Myelin Sheath

A

Layers of fat that encase segments of neuron fibres; makes transmission of neural impulses faster due to impulse being able to hop from one fat node to the next

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6
Q

Action Potential

A

A quick electrical charge (or neural impulse) that travels down an axon

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7
Q

Refractory Period

A

A period of inactivity and recovery after a neuron has fired

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8
Q

Threshold

A

The level of stimulation required for a neuron to fire a neural impulse

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9
Q

All or Nothing Response

A

A neuron either fires or doesn’t fire, there’s no in-between

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10
Q

Synapse

A

The place where the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite of the receiving neuron meet; the gap there is called a synaptic gap or synaptic cleft

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11
Q

Neurotransmitters

A

Chemical messengers that are released by the sending neuron and travel across the synapse to bond to the receptor sites on the receiving neuron; this affects whether or not the receiving neuron will generate a neural impulse

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12
Q

Reuptake

A

Reabsorption of the neurotransmitters by the sending neurons

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13
Q

Endorphins

A

Neurotransmitters that act like opiates that are linked to pain control and pleasure (released during exercise)

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14
Q

Agonist

A

A chemical that mimics neurotransmitters

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15
Q

Antagonist

A

A chemical that reduces a neuron’s reaction to neurotransmitters and other chemicals

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16
Q

Nervous System

A

Contains all the nerve cells in the periphery and central nervous systems, acts as a electrochemical communication network

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17
Q

Central Nervous System

A

Contains the brain and spinal cord

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18
Q

Peripheral Nervous System

A

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

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19
Q

Nerves

A

Bundled axons which form neural cables that connects the central nervous system to to muscles, glands, and organs

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20
Q

Sensory/Afferent Neurons

A

Neurons that carry information from the sensory receptors to the central nervous system (Inwards)

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21
Q

Motor/Efferent Neurons

A

Neurons that carry information from the central nervous system to muscles and glands (outwards)

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22
Q

Interneurons

A

Neurons in the central nervous system that communicates internally and can intervene between sensory inputs and motor outputs.

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23
Q

Somatic Nervous System

A

Part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body’s skeletal muscles

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24
Q

Autonomic nervous System

A

Part of the peripheral nervous system that has control over glands and muscles of internal organs; includes the sympathetic (arouses) and parasympathetic (calms down) nervous system.

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25
Q

Sympathetic Nervous System

A

Part of the Automatic Nervous System that arouses the body and energizes it in high stress situations

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26
Q

Parasympathetic Nervous System

A

Part of the Automatic Nervous System that calms the body after high stress situations

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27
Q

Reflexes

A

Instant and automatic responses to sensory stimuli

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28
Q

Endocrine System

A

The body’s “slow” communication system, consists of 2 glands that release hormones into the bloodstream

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29
Q

Hormones

A

Chemical transmitters created by the endocrine system that travel through the bloodstream into tissues

30
Q

Adrenal Glands

A

A pair of glands that make up the endocrine system that release norepinephrine and epinephrine to arouse the body while stressed

31
Q

Pituitary Gland

A

The endocrine system’s most influential gland that is controlled by the hypothalamus; it controls other endocrine glands and helps control growth; releases hormones like oxytocin that contributes to social trust

32
Q

Lesion

A

Tissue destruction in the brain, can be both natural or caused by experiments

33
Q

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

A

Uses electrodes placed across the scalp to record an amplified version of brain activity; used in sleep studies

34
Q

Computed Tomography (CT/CAT) Scan

A

Uses X-Ray photos taken in different angles to create a composite representation of a slice through the body.

35
Q

Position Emission Tomography Scan

A

Uses radioactive glucose and a machine that tracks where it goes when the brain is performing a task

36
Q

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

A

Uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer generated images of the body

37
Q

Functional MRI (fMRI) scans

A

Reveals blood flow into the brain’s regions which displays brain function

38
Q

Brainstem

A

Oldest part and central core of the brain; in charge of automatic survival functions. Also called reticular formation, or reticular activating system.

39
Q

Medulla

A

Controls heartbeat and breathing, found at the lowest part of the brainstem

40
Q

Pons

A

Regulates sleep and arousal; Part of the brainstem below the cerebellum and above the medulla

41
Q

Thalamus

A

Relays sensory and motor information to various areas of the cerebral cortex; also is in charge of sleep and consciousness, and feeding and satisfaction

42
Q

Reticular formation

A

A network of nerves responsible for controlling arousal and consciousness

43
Q

Cerebellum

A

Helps process sensory input, coordinate movement and balance, and nonverbal learning and memory. Located at the rear of the brainstem

44
Q

Limbic System

A

Controls emotions like fear and aggression and drives for food and sex. Includes Hippocampus, Amygdala, and Hypothalamus. Located on the border of the brainstem.

45
Q

Amygdala

A

Part of the limbic system, controls emotions such as rage and fear

46
Q

Hypothalamus

A

Performs maintenance activities like eating, drinking, and regulating body temperature. Lies below the thalamus, controls the pituitary gland.

47
Q

Cerebral Cortex

A

Nerve network that is in charge of higher order thinking. control and processing centre

48
Q

Glial Cells

A

Cells in the nervous system that serves to feed and nourish neurons

49
Q

Frontal Lobes

A

Portion of cerebral cortex lying just beneath the forehead, involved in speaking, muscles movements, planning, and decision making

50
Q

Parietal Lobes

A

In charge of sensory input for touch and body position, lies at the top of the head

51
Q

Occipital lobes

A

Receives visual information from opposite visual fields. Lies at the back of the cerebral cortex.

52
Q

Temporal Lobes

A

Receives auditory information from opposite ears. Lies where the ears are.

53
Q

Motor Cortex

A

Controls voluntary movements; at the back of the frontal lobes

54
Q

Somatosensory cortex

A

System of nerves responsible for responding to stimuli on different parts of the body, aka touch and movement (similar to motor cortex almost)

55
Q

Association Areas

A

Area of the cerebral cortex responsible for higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking

56
Q

Plasticity

A

Brain’s adaptability to change after damage (rewiring neural pathways)

57
Q

Neurogenesis

A

Creation of new neurons

58
Q

Corpus Callosum

A

Network of neural fibres that connects the 2 hemispheres of the brain and carries messages

59
Q

Split Brain

A

Isolates the brain’s 2 hemispheres by cutting the fibres connecting them

60
Q

Dual processing

A

Information is often processed on both conscious and unconscious tracks

61
Q

Behaviour genetics

A

Study of genetic and environmental influences on behavior

62
Q

Epigenetics

A

Environmental influence on how our genes are expressed without an actual gene change

63
Q

Superchiasmatic Nucleus

A

Inside the hypothalamus. Controls our circadian rhythm by the pineal gland that releases melatonin according to light

64
Q

NREM - 1

A

Falling into unconsciousness and are easily awakened

65
Q

NREM - 2

A

When we fall deeper into sleep and get sleep spindles (i.e. bursts of brain activity)

66
Q

NREM - 3

A

Deepest sleep, deep and slow delta waves

67
Q

REM

A

Where dreaming occurs, high brain activity, muscles are relaxed while other body systems are active

68
Q

REM Cycle

A

Every 90 minutes (1,2,3,2,1,REM)

69
Q

Sleep Apnea

A

When people suddenly stop breathing while they’re asleep and are frequently woken up because of it

70
Q

Night terrors

A

Characterized by incoherent chatter and physical movement

71
Q

Manifest Content

A

The literal content or storyline of the dream

72
Q

Latent content

A

Underlying meaning of the dream

AP PSYCH :) (1 decks)

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