Unit 2A - Biological Basis of Behaviour Flashcards
Biological Psychology
The scientific study of the links between biological and psychological processes
Neuron
A nerve cell that acts as a building block of the nervous system
Dendrites
The bushy, branching extensions of a neuron that receives messages and conducts impulses towards the cell body (passes information in)
Axon
The neuron extension that passes electrical messages through its branches to other neurons and or to muscles/glands (passes information out)
Myelin Sheath
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
Action Potential
A quick electrical charge (or neural impulse) that travels down an axon
Refractory Period
A period of inactivity and recovery after a neuron has fired
Threshold
The level of stimulation required for a neuron to fire a neural impulse
All or Nothing Response
A neuron either fires or doesn’t fire, there’s no in-between
Synapse
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
Neurotransmitters
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
Reuptake
Reabsorption of the neurotransmitters by the sending neurons
Endorphins
Neurotransmitters that act like opiates that are linked to pain control and pleasure (released during exercise)
Agonist
A chemical that mimics neurotransmitters
Antagonist
A chemical that reduces a neuron’s reaction to neurotransmitters and other chemicals
Nervous System
Contains all the nerve cells in the periphery and central nervous systems, acts as a electrochemical communication network
Central Nervous System
Contains the brain and spinal cord
Peripheral Nervous System
Serves to connect the central nervous system to the rest of the body with sensory and motor neurons
Nerves
Bundled axons which form neural cables that connects the central nervous system to to muscles, glands, and organs
Sensory/Afferent Neurons
Neurons that carry information from the sensory receptors to the central nervous system (Inwards)
Motor/Efferent Neurons
Neurons that carry information from the central nervous system to muscles and glands (outwards)
Interneurons
Neurons in the central nervous system that communicates internally and can intervene between sensory inputs and motor outputs.
Somatic Nervous System
Part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body’s skeletal muscles
Autonomic nervous System
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.
Sympathetic Nervous System
Part of the Automatic Nervous System that arouses the body and energizes it in high stress situations
Parasympathetic Nervous System
Part of the Automatic Nervous System that calms the body after high stress situations
Reflexes
Instant and automatic responses to sensory stimuli
Endocrine System
The body’s “slow” communication system, consists of 2 glands that release hormones into the bloodstream
Hormones
Chemical transmitters created by the endocrine system that travel through the bloodstream into tissues
Adrenal Glands
A pair of glands that make up the endocrine system that release norepinephrine and epinephrine to arouse the body while stressed
Pituitary Gland
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
Lesion
Tissue destruction in the brain, can be both natural or caused by experiments
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
Uses electrodes placed across the scalp to record an amplified version of brain activity; used in sleep studies
Computed Tomography (CT/CAT) Scan
Uses X-Ray photos taken in different angles to create a composite representation of a slice through the body.
Position Emission Tomography Scan
Uses radioactive glucose and a machine that tracks where it goes when the brain is performing a task
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer generated images of the body
Functional MRI (fMRI) scans
Reveals blood flow into the brain’s regions which displays brain function
Brainstem
Oldest part and central core of the brain; in charge of automatic survival functions. Also called reticular formation, or reticular activating system.
Medulla
Controls heartbeat and breathing, found at the lowest part of the brainstem
Pons
Regulates sleep and arousal; Part of the brainstem below the cerebellum and above the medulla
Thalamus
Relays sensory and motor information to various areas of the cerebral cortex; also is in charge of sleep and consciousness, and feeding and satisfaction
Reticular formation
A network of nerves responsible for controlling arousal and consciousness
Cerebellum
Helps process sensory input, coordinate movement and balance, and nonverbal learning and memory. Located at the rear of the brainstem
Limbic System
Controls emotions like fear and aggression and drives for food and sex. Includes Hippocampus, Amygdala, and Hypothalamus. Located on the border of the brainstem.
Amygdala
Part of the limbic system, controls emotions such as rage and fear
Hypothalamus
Performs maintenance activities like eating, drinking, and regulating body temperature. Lies below the thalamus, controls the pituitary gland.
Cerebral Cortex
Nerve network that is in charge of higher order thinking. control and processing centre
Glial Cells
Cells in the nervous system that serves to feed and nourish neurons
Frontal Lobes
Portion of cerebral cortex lying just beneath the forehead, involved in speaking, muscles movements, planning, and decision making
Parietal Lobes
In charge of sensory input for touch and body position, lies at the top of the head
Occipital lobes
Receives visual information from opposite visual fields. Lies at the back of the cerebral cortex.
Temporal Lobes
Receives auditory information from opposite ears. Lies where the ears are.
Motor Cortex
Controls voluntary movements; at the back of the frontal lobes
Somatosensory cortex
System of nerves responsible for responding to stimuli on different parts of the body, aka touch and movement (similar to motor cortex almost)
Association Areas
Area of the cerebral cortex responsible for higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking
Plasticity
Brain’s adaptability to change after damage (rewiring neural pathways)
Neurogenesis
Creation of new neurons
Corpus Callosum
Network of neural fibres that connects the 2 hemispheres of the brain and carries messages
Split Brain
Isolates the brain’s 2 hemispheres by cutting the fibres connecting them
Dual processing
Information is often processed on both conscious and unconscious tracks
Behaviour genetics
Study of genetic and environmental influences on behavior
Epigenetics
Environmental influence on how our genes are expressed without an actual gene change
Superchiasmatic Nucleus
Inside the hypothalamus. Controls our circadian rhythm by the pineal gland that releases melatonin according to light
NREM - 1
Falling into unconsciousness and are easily awakened
NREM - 2
When we fall deeper into sleep and get sleep spindles (i.e. bursts of brain activity)
NREM - 3
Deepest sleep, deep and slow delta waves
REM
Where dreaming occurs, high brain activity, muscles are relaxed while other body systems are active
REM Cycle
Every 90 minutes (1,2,3,2,1,REM)
Sleep Apnea
When people suddenly stop breathing while they’re asleep and are frequently woken up because of it
Night terrors
Characterized by incoherent chatter and physical movement
Manifest Content
The literal content or storyline of the dream
Latent content
Underlying meaning of the dream
