Biological Bases of Behaviour Review Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the biological foundations of behaviour, including neural mechanisms, brain anatomy, and key psychological research studies.

Neurons

Specialised nerve cells that transmit information throughout the nervous system.

Sensory neurons (afferent)

Nerve cells that carry information from sensory receptors to the brain.

Motor neurons (efferent)

Nerve cells that carry commands from the brain to muscles and glands.

Interneurons

The most common type of neuron which connects other neurons together.

Resting Potential

The state where a neuron is negatively charged inside and positively charged outside while "at rest."

Depolarisation

A process where stimulation makes a neuron less negative, increasing the chance of it firing.

Hyperpolarisation

A process where a neuron becomes more negative, decreasing the chance of it firing.

Action Potential

An electrical impulse that travels down the axon when a neuron reaches its threshold.

Neurotransmitters (NTs)

Chemical messengers stored in vesicles that transmit information between neurons across the synapse.

Endocrine System

A system of glands that release hormones into the bloodstream to regulate body processes such as growth and metabolism.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

The division of the nervous system responsible for carrying messages to and from the CNS.

Somatic Nervous System

A division of the PNS that controls voluntary movement and handles sensory information.

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

A division of the PNS that controls involuntary bodily functions.

Sympathetic Nervous System

The branch of the ANS activated during stress or danger, known for the "fight or flight" response.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

The branch of the ANS that calms the body and conserves energy, known as "rest and digest."

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The part of the nervous system composed of the brain and spinal cord.

Medulla Oblongata

A hindbrain structure that controls heartbeat, breathing, and circulation.

Cerebellum

A hindbrain structure responsible for balance, coordination, and movement learning.

Reticular Formation

A hindbrain structure that controls consciousness, arousal, and alertness.

Pons

A part of the hindbrain that connects different parts of the brainstem together.

Tectum

A midbrain structure involved in visual and auditory orientation.

Tegmentum

A midbrain structure involved in movement, arousal, and reward and punishment learning.

Hypothalamus

A forebrain structure that regulates hunger, sleep, sexual behaviour, and emotions.

Thalamus

A forebrain structure that relays sensory information to higher brain areas.

Basal Ganglia

A forebrain structure that controls movement and automatic responses.

Amygdala

A limbic system structure responsible for fear, emotional learning, and emotional memories.

Hippocampus

A limbic system structure crucial for the formation of new memories.

Septal Area

A limbic system structure involved in pleasure, pain relief, and emotional learning.

Cerebral Cortex

The outer layer of the brain involved in thinking, decision making, and sensory processing.

Frontal Lobes

Brain regions involved in planning, personality, attention, social skills, and movement.

Broca’s Area

A specific area in the frontal lobe that controls speech production.

Temporal Lobes

Brain regions responsible for hearing and language.

Wernicke’s Area

An area in the temporal lobe responsible for language comprehension; damage can cause aphasia.

Neuroplasticity

The brain's ability to change and reorganise itself in response to experience, environment, or injury.

Cognitive Neuropsychology

The study of how damaged or disordered brains help us understand normal brain functioning.

Cerebral Lateralisation

The specialisation of the two hemispheres, with the left dominant for language/logic and the right for visual-spatial tasks.

Genotype

An individual's actual genetic makeup.

Phenotype

The observable traits and behaviours of an individual.

Heritability

The extent to which genetic differences explain variation in behaviour.

Phineas Gage

A famous case study where frontal lobe damage caused a responsible man to become impulsive and emotionally unstable.

Motor Neurone Disease (MND)

A neurodegenerative disorder that progressively destroys motor neurons, leading to loss of voluntary muscle control.

Interactionist Approach

The theory that psychological disorders like depression are influenced by an interaction between biological vulnerability and environmental stress.

Button et al. (2011)

A study investigating how genetics and stressful life events interact to influence depression.

McGue & Bouchard (1998)

A study using twins raised apart to demonstrate the strong influence of heredity on personality and intelligence.

van Soelen et al. (2011)

Research focusing on how genetics significantly influence brain volume and the development of brain structure.

Kruger et al. (2008)

A study that supports evolutionary and biological perspectives on personality and behavioural tendencies.