Unit 4: Biological Bases of Psychology Flashcards
biological psychology
study of links between biological and psychological processes
neuron
a nerve cell; basic building block of the nervous system
dendrites
a neuron’s bushy, branching extensions that receive messages and conduct impulses
axon
the neuron extension that passes messages through it’s to other neurons or muscles/glands
myelin sheath
a fatty tissue layer encasing the axon that increases the transmission speed of nerve impulses
action potential
a neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon
refractory period
a period of inactivity after a neuron has fired
threshold
the level of stimulation required to trigger a neural response
all-or-none response
a neuron’s reaction of either firing with a full strength response or not firing at all
synapse
the junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite of the receiving neuron
neurotransmitters
chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps
reuptake
a neurotransmitter’s reabsorption by the sending neuron
acetylcholine
a neurotransmitter; enables muscle action, learning, and memory
dopamine
a neurotransmitter; influences movement, learning, attention, and emotion
serotonin
a neurotransmitter; affects mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal
norepinephrine
a neurotransmitter; helps control alertness and arousal
GABA
a major inhibitory neurotransmitter
glutamate
a major excitatory neurotransmitter involved in memory
endorphins
a neurotransmitter; pain and pleasure perception
agonist
a molecule that, by binding to a receptor site stimulates a response
nervous system
the body’s electrochemical communication network
central nervous system
consists of the spinal cord
peripheral nervous system
the sensory and motor neurons that connect the CNS to the rest of the body
nerves
bundled axons that form neural “cables” connecting the central nervous system with muscles, glands and sense organs
afferent neurons (sensory)
neurons that carry incoming information from the sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord
efferent neurons (motor)
neurons that carry outgoing information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands
interneurons
neurons within the brain and spinal cord that communicate internally and intervene between sensory inputs/motor outputs
somatic nervous system
the division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body’s skeletal muscles
autonomic nervous system
part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organs. It’s sympathetic division arouses; it’s parasympathetic division calms
sympathetic nervous system
the division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing it’s energy in stressful situations
parasympathetic nervous system
the division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving it’s energy
reflex
a simple, automatic response to a sensory stimulus, such as the knee-jerk response
endocrine system
the body’s “slow” chemical communication system; a set of glands that secrete hormones into the body
hormones
chemical messengers that are manufactured by the endocrine glands that travel through the bloodstream and affect other tissues
adrenal glands
a pair of endocrine glands that sit just above the kidneys and secrete hormones that help arouse the body in times of stress
pituitary gland
endocrine system’s most influential gland; regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands
lesion
tissue destruction
EEG
amplified recording of waves of electrical activity in the brain
CT scan
series of x-rays from different angles that make a representation of the brain
PET scan
display of brain activity shown through a radioactive form of glucose
MRI
technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to show images of soft tissue in the brain
FMRI
technique for revealing blood flow and brain activity
brainstem
oldest part of the brain responsible for automatic survival functions
medulla
at the base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing
thalamus
brain’s sensory control center; directs messages to sensory receiving areas
reticular formation
a nerve network that travels through the brainstem and thalamus that controls arousal
cerebellum
the “little brain” that controls your balance
limbic system
neural system located below the cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotion
amygdala
two lima-bean sized neural clusters in the limbic system; linked to emotion
hypothalamus
a neural structure lying below the thalamus; directs several maintenance activities and helps govern the endocrine system; linked to emotions and rewards
cerebral cortex
the intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering the cerebral hemispheres; the body’s ultimate control and information processing center
glial cells
cells in the nervous system that support, nourish and protect neurons; play a role in learning and thinking
frontal lobes
portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead; involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgements
parietal lobes
portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head towards the rear; receives sensory input for tough and body position
occipital lobes
portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head; includes areas that receive information from visual fields
temporal lobes
portion of the cerebral cortex lying above the ears; interprets auditory information
motor cortex
an area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls the voluntary movements
somatosensory cortex
area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations
plasticity
the brain’s ability to change. especially during childhood by reorganizing and building pathways
neurogenesis
the formation of new neurons
corpus callosum
the large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them
split brain
a condition resulting from surgery that isolates the hemispheres
consciousness
our awareness of ourselves and our environment
cognitive neuroscience
interdisciplinary study of the brain activity linked with cognition
dual processing
the principle that information is often simultaneously processed on separate conscious and unconscious tracts
evolutionary psychology
the study of the evolution of behavior and the mind, using principles of natural selection
natural selection
the principle that, among the range of inherited trait variations, those contributing to reproduction and survival will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations
mutation
a random error in gene replication that leads to change
biopsychosocial approach
biological:
- shared human genome
- genetic variation
- prenatal environment
- sex-related genes, hormones, and physiology
Psychological:
- gene/environment interaction
- neurological effect of early experience
- personality/gender
- beliefs/feelings
Social-cultural:
- parents
- peers
- cultural attitudes/norms
- gender norms
Broca’s area
area of brain responsible for spoken language
Wernicke’s area
area of brain responsible for language comprehension
left brain
- language
- math
- literal interpretations
- speaking
- controls right side of body
right brain
- perceptual tasks
- making inferences
- modulating speech
- visual perception
- recognizing emotion
- controlling left side of body
parallel processing
processes many parts of the problem at the same time
sequential processing
figuring out a problem in steps
heritability
to what extent we can attribute genetics to a person’s traits
molecular genetics
study of the molecular structure
molecular behavioral genetics
how the structure and function of genes affects behavior
epigenetics
to what extent your environment determines genes
