unit 3: biological bases of behavior (9-15) Flashcards
franz gall proposal
phrenology
phrenology (def)
skull reading through head bumps
phrenology (outcome)
false - however leads to the discovery of functional localization
neuron
nerve-cell
basic building block of the nervous system
dendrite
branch extensions that receive messages & conduct impulses
axon
the “spine” of the neuron
carries the impulse
myelin
layer of fatty tissue surrounding the axon
allows for faster & greater transmission
action potential
neural impulse
brief electric charge that travels down the axon
refractory period
period of inactivity after a neuron fires
threshold
level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse
all-or-none response
a neuron’s reaction: firing or not firing
synapse
junction of space between two neurons
neurotransmitter
chemical messenger that travels through the synapse
influence whether or not a neuron will generate a response
reuptake
excess neurotransmitter’s reabsorption by the sending neuron
acetylcholine
MLM
muscle action
learning
memory
dopamine
MALE movement attention learning emotion
serotonin
HAMS hunger arousal mood sleep
norepinephrine
AA battery
arousal
alertness control
GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)
major inhibitory neurotransmitter
glumate
major excitatory neurotransmitter
endorphin
literal meaning “morphine within”
natural opiate-like neurotransmitter linked to pain control and pleasure
agonist
molecule that STIMULATES a response by binding to a receptor site
antagonist
molecule that BLOCKS a response by binding to a receptor site
nervous system layout/parts
nervous sys: central & peripheral
peripheral: somatic & autonomic
autonomic: sympathetic & parasympathetic
nervous system
body’s electrochemical networking
peripheral (PNS)
sensory and motor neurons linking the CNS to the body
central (CNS)
brain and spinal cord
somatic
division of the PNS controlling VOLUNTARY skeletal movement
autonomic
division of the PNS controlling self-regulated/INVOLUNTARY actions of organs & glands
sympathetic
division of the ANS arousing the body
mobilizes energy
parasympathetic
parachute
division of the ANS calming the body down
nerves
bundled axons forming neural cables that connect the CNS to muscles/glands/organs
sensory neurons
neurons carrying incoming info from sensory receptors to the CNS
motor neurons
neurons carrying outgoing info from the CNS to muscles & glands
interneurons
neurons in the CNS
communicating/intervening between sensory & motor neurons
reflexes
simple, automatic response to a sensory stimulus
endocrine system parts
hypothalamus pituitary gland thyroid parathyroid adrenal glands pancreas ovaries/testes
endocrine system
the body’s “slow” chemical communication system
made up of organs that secrete hormones into the bloodstream
hormones
chemical messengers made by endocrine glands, they travel through the bloodstream & affect other tissues
hypothalamus
brain region controlling the pituitary gland
pituitary gland
master gland
chooses the hormones to secrete
thyroid
affects metabolism
parathyroid
regulate calcium in the blood
adrenal glands
inner trigger the the fight-or-flight response