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Psych > Unit 3: Biology & Psychology > Flashcards

Unit 3: Biology & Psychology Flashcards

1
Q

The body’s network for electrochemical communication. This system includes all the nerve cells in the body

A

Nervous system

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2
Q

Portion of the nervous system that includes the brain and spinal cord. This portion is encased in bone.

A

Central Nervous System - CNS

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3
Q

Individual brain cells. - Used by CNS to communicate by sending electrical signals through individual nerve cells that make up the fundamental building blocks of the nervous system

A

Neurons

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4
Q

Junction between the presynaptic terminal button of one neuron and the dendrite, axon, or soma of another postsynaptic neuron

A

Synapses

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5
Q

Part of a neuron that extends away from the cell body and is the main input to the neuron - How neurons communicate (“antennas”)

A

Dendrites

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6
Q

Cell body of a neuron that contains the nucleus and genetic information, and directs protein synthesis

A

Soma

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7
Q

Transient all-or-nothing electrical current that is conducted down the axon when the membrane reaches the threshold of excitation

A

Action Potential

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8
Q

Part of the neuron that extends off the soma, splitting several times to connect with other neurons; main output of the neuron

A

Axon

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9
Q

Fatty tissue that insulates the axons of the neurons; necessary for normal conduction of electrical impulses among neurons

A

Myelin Sheath

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10
Q

The small space between the presynaptic terminal button and the postsynaptic dendritic spine, axon or soma

A

Synetic gap aka synetic cleft

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11
Q

Chemical substance released by the presynaptic terminal button that acts on the postsynaptic cell

A

Neurotransmitters

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12
Q

The “trunk” of the brain comprised of the medulla, pons, midbrain and diencephalon.

A

Brain Stem

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13
Q

In charge of basic life support functions: breathing, digestion and heart beating

A

Brain Stem

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14
Q

Includes the subcortical structures of the amygdala and hippocampal formation as well as some cortical structures; responsible for aversion and gratification

A

Limbic System

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15
Q

Structures that influence hunger, sleep-wake cycle, sexual desire, fear, aggression and memory

A

Limbic System

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16
Q

Distinctive structure at the back of the brain, Latin for “small brain”

A

Cerebellum

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17
Q

aka “cerebral cortex” most advanced part of the brain

A

Cerebrum

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18
Q

Part of the brain in charge of processes that are associated with more awareness: speaking/planning. Contains primary sensory areas: seeing, hearing, feeling and moving

A

Cerebrum

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19
Q

The outer surface of the forebrain. Heavily folded/layered tissue. Contains left and right hemispheres connected to one another by a thick bundle of axons called the corpus callosum

A

Cerebrum

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20
Q

Thick bundle of nerve cells that connect two hemispheres of the brain and allow them to communicate

A

Corpus callosum

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21
Q

“opposite side.” used to refer to the two hemispheres of the brain that process sensory information and motor commands for the opposite side of the body. Ex: the left hemisphere controls the right side of the body and vice versa

A

Contralateral

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22
Q

The back most (posterior) part of the cerebrum; involved in vision

A

Occipital Lobe

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23
Q

The part of the cerebrum in front of (anterior to) the occipital lobe and below the lateral fissure. Involved in vision, auditory processing, memory and integrating vision and audition

A

Temporal Lobe

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24
Q

Part of the cerebrum between the frontal and occipital lobes. Involved in bodily sensations, visual attention, and integrating the senses

A

Parietal Lobe

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25
Q

Contains primary somatosensory cortex

A

Parietal Lobe

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26
Q

The front most (anterior) part of the cerebrum. Responsible for motor output and planning, language, judgement and decision making

A

Frontal Lobe

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27
Q

Strip running along the side of the brain. In charge of voluntary movements like waving goodbye, wiggling your eyebrows and kissing

A

Primary Motor Cortex

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28
Q

All of the nerve cells that connect the central nervous system to all the other parts of the body. (Not enclosed by bones)

A

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

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29
Q

Neuroimaging technique that measures brain activity by detecting the presence of a radioactive substance in the brain that is initially injected into the bloodstream and then pulled in by active brain tissue

A

Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

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30
Q

Refers to how small a unit of time can be measured. High temporal resolution means capable of resolving very small units of time; in neuroscience it describes how precisely in time a process can be measured in the brain

A

Temporal Resolution

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31
Q

Neuroimaging technique that measures electrical brain activity via multiple electrodes on the scalp

A

Electroencephalography (EEG)

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32
Q

Refers to how small the elements of an image are; high spatial resolution means the device or technique can resolve very small elements; in neuroscience it describes how small of a structure in the brain can be imaged

A

Spatial Resolution

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33
Q

Neuroimaging technique infers brain activity by measuring changes in light as it is passed through the skull and surface of the brain

A

Diffuse Optical Imaging (DOI)

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34
Q

The empirical science of how genes and environments combine to generate behavior

A

Behavioral Genetics

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35
Q

A behavior genetic research method that involves comparison of adopted children to their adoptive and biological parents

A

Adoption Study

36
Q

A behavior genetic research method that involves comparison of the similarity of identical and fraternal twins

A

Twin Studies

37
Q

Monozygotic twins

A

“identical” twins. Result from a singly zygote (fertilized egg) and have the same DNA

38
Q

Dizygotic twins

A

“fraternal” twins. Develop from two zygotes and share 50% of their DNA

39
Q

Scientific and mathematical methods for inferring genetic and environmental processes based on the degree of genetic and environmental similarity among organisms

A

Quantitative Genetics

40
Q

An easily misinterpreted statistical construct that purports to measure the role of genetics in the explanation of differences among individuals. Varies from 0 to 1

A

Heritability Coefficient

41
Q

The ability of the brain to form and reorganize connections, especially in response to learning or experience, or following injury

A

Neuroplasticity

42
Q

Nervous systems potential for physical and chemical change. Ex: blind person has enhanced auditory capacity

A

Neuroplasticity

43
Q

The other major type of brain cell that provides insolation, nutrients and support that aids in repairing neurons and eliminating waste products.

A

Glial Cells

44
Q

Approximately how many Glial Cells are there?

A

100 billion

45
Q

During embryological development they aid with the migration of neurons to their final destinations

A

Glial Cells

46
Q

Means “glue” in Greek

47
Q

Part of the PNS. Includes the cranial and spinal nerves to and from muscles, joints, skin and tendons which produce movement, transmit incoming info. Informs CNS about the position and movements of the body parts.

A

Somatic Nervous System (SNS)

48
Q

Part of the PNS that regulates the functioning of internal organs and glands. The activation of this system does not involve voluntary control.

A

Automatic Nervous System (ANS)

49
Q

Part of the ANS. Activated during states of arousal that require the expenditure of energy such as the flight/fight/freeze response, stress response

A

Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS)

50
Q

Part of ANS. Activated during states of rest, relaxation and restoration. Important for the replenishment of energy. It opposes the effects of the SNS.

A

Parasympathetic Nervous System

51
Q

Evolutionary the oldest part of the brain. Contains the medulla, the pons, the cerebellum and the reticular formation. These structures are important for survival functions and control of voluntary movements.

A

Hindbrain.

52
Q

Central part of brain rested within forebrain. Contains neural circuits for hearing and seeing as well as coordinating movements

53
Q

Evolutionarily the most recent addition to the brain; coordinates advance cognitive functions such as thinking, planning and language

54
Q

In SNS, it is responsible for the motor control of muscles. In CNS it contributes to arousal, attention and memory

A

Acetylcholine

55
Q

Neurotransmitter that has important role in motor behavior. Involved in coordinating movement, attention, learning, and reinforcing behaviors. Important for reward, pleasure and motivation

A

Dopamine (DA)

56
Q

Neurotransmitter found in brain and in the sympathetic division of the ANS; also known as noradrenaline

A

Norepinephrine (NE)

57
Q

Involved in regulation of mood, sleep, appetite, sexual desire and pain processing. Correlates negatively with aggression.

58
Q

Major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mammalian nervous system. Exerts an inhibitory effect by the hyperpolarization of the neurons

A

Gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA)

59
Q

A class of endogenous opioids. Natural and effective analgesic (painkiller.) Produces an improvement in mood

A

Endorphins

60
Q

Gaps between adjacent neurons across which chemical signals are transmitted

61
Q

What are the 4 parts of a Neuron?

A
  1. Cell Body
  2. Dendrite
  3. Axon
  4. Axon Terminal
62
Q

What is the axon terminal?

A

Branching extensions of the axon

63
Q

What is the axon?

A

Long threadlike structure carrying impulses to other neurons through branching extensions known as axon terminals

64
Q

What are the two major types of cells in the nervous system?

A

Neurons and Glial Cells

65
Q

The portion of the nervous system that lies outside the brain and spinal cord.

A

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

66
Q

Consists of nerves that branch out from the brain and spinal cord, extending to muscles, tissues and organs etc.

A

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

67
Q

The entire complex of neurons, axons and supporting tissue that constitute the brain and spinal cord

A

Central Nervous System (CNS)

68
Q

Consists of neurons that connect to the skin, sensory organs and skeletal muscles

A

Somatic Nervous System (SNS)

69
Q

Responsible for voluntary muscle movement and processing info that arrives via external sources including hearing, touch and sight

A

Somatic Nervous System (SNS)

70
Q

The Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) is a division of which nervous system?

A

The Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

71
Q

Which nervous system is responsible for functions that are not consciously controlled?

A

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

72
Q

Which system regulates the body’s key functions including actions of the cardiac muscle and smooth muscle systems simultaneously. Enhances the fight/flight/freeze response

A

Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS)

73
Q

System that controls rest, repair as well as restoration and replenishment of energy

A

Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS)

74
Q

Stimulates salivary secretions and digestive secretions in the stomach

A

Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS)

75
Q

In the CNS, it contributes to arousal, attention and memory

A

Acetylcholine (Ach)

76
Q

Involved in states of arousal, alertness and contributes to mood.
Cocaine and amphetamine elevate activity at the NE synapses

A

Norepinephrine

77
Q

A hindbrain structure at the top of the spinal cord that controls simple reflexes such as sneezing, coughing, swallowing and vomiting

A

The Medulla

78
Q

Controls survival functions such as heart rate, breathing and the cardiovascular system

79
Q

Hindbrain structure above the medulla that regulates sleep, and arousal and coordinates movements of the left and right sides of the body.

80
Q

Receives input form the cerebellum and forms a bridge with the rest of the brain.

81
Q

Hindbrain structure behind the Pons

A

The Cerebellum

82
Q

Central part of the brain; contains neural circuits for hearing and seeing as well as for orienting movements

A

The Midbrain

83
Q

Structures in this part of the brain are critical for producing and orienting movements, species-specific behavior, and pain perception

A

The Midbrain

84
Q

This part of the brain contains the allocortex, neocortex, limbic system, thalamus, hypothalamus and basal ganglia.

A

The Forebrain

85
Q

Largest part of the human brain

A

The Cerebrum

86
Q

Consists of two cerebral hemispheres bridged y the corpus collasum

A

The Cerebrum

87
Q

Each hemisphere is divided into four main lobes; what are those lobes?

A

Frontal Lobe
Occipital Lobe
Parietal Lobe
Temporal Lobe

Psych (6 decks)

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