Biopsychology, Genetics, and Neuroanatomy (OpenStax Lecture Notes)

A comprehensive set of practice flashcards covering biopsychology, genetics, neuron structure, brain divisions and lobes, neurotransmitters, brain imaging, and the endocrine system based on the provided lecture notes.

What is Biopsychology?

Biopsychology explores the biological mechanisms underlying behavior, including genetics, the structure and function of the nervous system, and its interactions with the endocrine system.

Name the three brain imaging techniques shown from left to right in the notes.

PET scan, CT scan, and fMRI.

Biopsychology studies the nervous system and how it interacts with the __ system.

endocrine

What can studying human genetics help researchers understand?

The biological basis underlying different behaviors, thoughts, and reactions in humans.

What is Darwin's key idea in natural selection?

Organisms better suited for their environment survive and reproduce; those less suited die off.

In the sickle cell example, carriers of one copy of the sickle cell gene are thought to be _ from malaria.

immune

Genotype refers to the genetic makeup inherited from parents; phenotype describes observable __.

characteristics

What is a gene?

A sequence of DNA that controls or partially controls physical characteristics (traits).

What is a chromosome?

A long strand of genetic information made of DNA.

What is an allele?

A version of a gene that can have multiple possible variations.

What does homozygous mean?

Two identical alleles (e.g., AA or aa).

What does heterozygous mean?

Two different alleles (e.g., Aa).

What is a Punnett square used for?

To predict how genes will interact in producing offspring.

In a Punnett square, the dominant allele is represented by a capital letter and the recessive by a __ letter.

lowercase

In the cleft chin example, a dominant allele (B) produces a cleft chin phenotype; a smooth chin phenotype occurs only when the individual is __ for the allele (bb).

homozygous recessive

If two heterozygous carriers for PKU (Np) mate, what is the chance of expressing the PKU phenotype?

25%

What does the term Range of reaction describe?

Genes set the boundaries within which we can operate, and environment determines where in that range we fall.

What is Epigenetics?

The study of gene-environment interactions; same genotype can lead to different phenotypes depending on the environment.

Which part of the neuron receives signals from other neurons?

Dendrites

What is the function of the myelin sheath?

Insulates axons and speeds the transmission of neural signals.

What is the synapse?

The space between the terminal button of one neuron and the dendrite of another.

What happens at depolarization during an action potential?

Membrane potential becomes less negative as Na+ ions rush into the cell.

What is the threshold of excitation?

The membrane potential that must be reached to trigger an action potential.

What is reuptake?

Moving a neurotransmitter from the synapse back into the axon terminal after release.

Name a neurotransmitter and its basic function: Acetylcholine.

Muscle action and memory.

Name a neurotransmitter involved in mood, sleep, and learning: Dopamine.

Mood, sleep, and learning (also linked to reward pathways).

Name a neurotransmitter involved in alertness and arousal: Norepinephrine.

Heart and alertness; increases arousal.

Name a neurotransmitter linked to mood and sleep: Serotonin.

Mood and sleep regulation.

What is GABA's role?

An inhibitory neurotransmitter; it reduces anxiety and promotes calm.

What is Glutamate associated with?

Memory and learning.

What is an agonist in pharmacology?

A drug that mimics or strengthens the effects of a neurotransmitter.

What is an antagonist in pharmacology?

A drug that blocks or impedes the action of a neurotransmitter.

Which system is composed of the CNS and PNS?

The Nervous System.

What are the two divisions of the Autonomic Nervous System?

Sympathetic and Parasympathetic nervous systems.

What is the Fight or Flight response?

Activation of the sympathetic division preparing the body for action.

What is homeostasis in the context of the autonomic nervous system?

A state of balance maintained by the autonomic nervous system, with the Parasympathetic system promoting rest and digestion.

What are the main functions of the frontal lobe?

Executive functioning (planning, organization, judgement, attention, reasoning), motor control, emotion, and language.

What is Broca’s area responsible for?

Language production (speech).

What is Wernicke’s area responsible for?

Language comprehension.

What changed Phineas Gage’s behavior and what part of the brain was damaged?

Damage to the frontal lobe (prefrontal cortex) led to personality changes.

Which lobe contains the primary somatosensory cortex?

Parietal lobe.

Which lobe is associated with hearing, memory, and emotion?

Temporal lobe.

What is the primary visual cortex and which lobe is it in?

Occipital lobe; responsible for visual processing.

What is the thalamus?

The relay center that routes most senses (except smell) to the cortex for processing.

What structures make up the limbic system?

Amygdala, hippocampus, hypothalamus (among others) involved in emotion, memory, and homeostasis.

What is the midbrain structure that regulates sleep, arousal, and motor activity?

Reticular formation (and relatedly, Substantia Nigra and VTA for dopamine-related functions).

What brain structures comprise the hindbrain?

Medulla, Pons, and Cerebellum (together with the brainstem).

What is the central idea of brain imaging techniques listed (CT, PET, MRI, fMRI, EEG)?

Different technologies measure structure, activity, and timing of brain processes.

Name a key gland that acts as the master gland of the endocrine system.

Pituitary gland.

Which brain region links the nervous system to the endocrine system?

Hypothalamus.

Where are the corpus callosum and its function?

A bundle of fibers connecting left and right hemispheres; it facilitates interhemispheric communication.