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AP Psychology > Unit 3 - Biological Bases of Behavior > Flashcards

Unit 3 - Biological Bases of Behavior Flashcards

1
Q

Neuron

A

A nerve cell

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2
Q

Sensory neuron

A

Carries information from sensory receptors in organs and tissues to the brain and spinal cord

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3
Q

Motor neuron

A

Sends information from the brain and spinal cord to muscles and glands

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4
Q

Interneurons

A

Neurons inside the brain/spinal cord that communicate internally and intervene between sensory inputs and motor outputs

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5
Q

Action Potential

A

A neural impulse, an electrical charge

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6
Q

Resting potential

A

A state in which the fluid interior of an axon has an excess of negatively-charged ions and the fluid exterior has excess positively charged ions

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7
Q

Depolarize

A

The action-potential causes positively charged sodium ions to flood through a section of the axon membrane, allowing the subsequent axon section’s channel to open

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8
Q

Refractory period

A

The neuron pushes positively charged sodium ions back out of the axon membrane, allowing for more neural impulses

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9
Q

Threshold

A

The minimum intensity signal required to trigger an action potential, determined by the amount of excitatory signals and inhibitory signals received

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10
Q

Synapse

A

Area between axon tips and dendrites of neuron cells

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11
Q

Synaptic gap

A

The small gap separating axons and dendrites

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12
Q

Neurotransmitter

A

a chemical/molecule that travels across synapses and allows ions to enter a neuron and excite/inhibit a new action potential

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13
Q

Re-uptake

A

a reabsorption of neurotransmitters

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14
Q

Endorphins

A

A neurotransmitter that is released in response to pain or pleasure

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15
Q

Acetylcholine (ACh)

A

enables muscle action, learning, and memory

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16
Q

Dopamine

A

Influences movement, learning, attention, and emotion

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17
Q

GABA

A

Inhibitory neurotransmitter

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18
Q

Glutamate

A

Excitatory neurotransmitter

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19
Q

Norepinephrine

A

Helps control alertness and arousal

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20
Q

Serotonin

A

Affects mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal

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21
Q

Agonist

A

A molecule that is similar enough to a neurotransmitter to mimic it’s effects

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22
Q

Antagonist

A

A molecule that blocks neurotransmitters by being similar enough in structure to bond to the receptor site, but not similar enough to mimic it’s effects

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23
Q

Nervous system

A

The network of nerve cells and fibers that transmit nerve impulses in the body
Contains the Central Nervous system and the Peripheral Nervous system

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24
Q

Central Nervous system

A

The brain and spinal cord

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25
Q

Nerves

A

Bundled axons that connect the Central Nervous system to muscles, glands, and sensory organs

26
Q

Neural networks

A

Interconnected neural cells

27
Q

Reflexes

A

A simple automatic response to a sensory stimulus

28
Q

Peripheral Nervous system

A

The sensory and motor neurons that connect the Central Nervous system to the rest of the body

29
Q

Somatic nervous system

A

Part of the Peripheral nervous system that controls skeletal muscle

30
Q

Autonomic nervous system

A

Part of the Peripheral nervous system that controls the muscles and glands of internal organs

31
Q

Sympathetic nervous system

A

Division of the Autonomic nervous system that arouses and expends energy

32
Q

Parasympathetic nervous system

A

Division of the Autonomic nervous system that calms and conserves energy

33
Q

Endocrine System

A

Set of glands throughout the body that secrete hormones into the bloodstream

34
Q

Hormones

A

Chemical messengers that travel through the bloodstream and affect tissues

35
Q

Adrenal glands

A

Glands above the kidneys that release epinephrine and norepinephrine and increase heart rate, blood pressure, and blood sugar

36
Q

Pituitary gland

A

Gland controlled by the Hypothalamus that secretes many types of hormones that control growth, blood pressure, etc and also influences the release of hormones in other Endocrine glands

37
Q

Lesion

A

Damage to tissue

38
Q

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

A

An amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity that travel across the brain’s surface

39
Q

PET scan

A

Depicts brain activity by showing an area’s consumption of glucose by using radioactive sugars

40
Q

MRI scan

A

A technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce a computer generated images of brain tissue, and shows brain structures

41
Q

fMRI (functional MRI)

A

A technique that reveals blood flow and brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans

42
Q

Brainstem

A

An extension of the spinal cord that connects to the brain and is responsible for automatic survival functions

43
Q

Medulla

A

The base of the brainstem, controls heartbeat and breathing

44
Q

Reticular formation

A

A network of neurons in the brainstem that filters stimuli and controls arousal

45
Q

Thalamus

A

The top section of the brainstem, directs messages to sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla

46
Q

Cerebellum

A

Rear part of the brainstem, processes sensory input and coordinates movement output, balance, and judgement of time

47
Q

The Limbic system

A

The neural system between the older brain structures and the cerebral hemispheres

48
Q

Amygdala

A

Small neural clusters in the Limbic system that influence aggression and fear

49
Q

Hypothalamus

A

a neural structure under the Thalamus which has neural clusters that influence hunger, thirst, body temperature, and sexual behavior

50
Q

Cerebral cortex

A

outer layer of interconnected neural cells that covers the cerebrum

51
Q

Glial cells

A

cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons

52
Q

Frontal Lobe

A

Portion of the cerebral cortex towards the front of the brain
Involved in speaking, muscle movements, making plans and judgments, and conscious thought

53
Q

Parietal Lobe

A

Portion of the cerebral cortex at the top of the brain and to the rear
Involved in receiving sensory input for touch and body position

54
Q

Occipital Lobe

A

Portion of the cerebral cortex at the back of the brain

Involved in receiving information from visual fields

55
Q

Temporal Lobes

A

Portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the sides of the brain, above the ears
Involved in receiving information from the ears

56
Q

Motor cortex

A

An area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movement

57
Q

Sensory cortex

A

An area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations

58
Q

Association areas

A

Areas of the cerebral cortex that are primarily involved in mental functions like learning, thinking, speaking, and remembering

59
Q

Plasticity

A

The ability to be changed or molded

60
Q

Neurogenesis

A

the formation of new neurons

61
Q

Corpus collosum

A

the band of neural fibers that connects the two hemispheres of the brain

62
Q

Split brains

A

A condition caused by surgery that separates the two hemispheres of the brain by cutting through the corpus collosum

AP Psychology (10 decks)

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