Biological Bases of Behaviour (AP PSYCH 12)

evolutionary psychology

the study of how psychological traits evolve over time to enhance survival

twin studies

studies between identical (monozugotic) and fraternal (dizygotic) twins

adoption studies

studies between adopted and non-adopted children

family studies

studies within a family

genetic predisposition

the inherited likelihood of developing traits due to genetics

cerebral cortex

the outer layer of the brain, responsible for high level cognitive function

association areas

regions of specialty in the brain

frontal lobes

at the front, responsible for decision-making, problem-solving, and personality

prefrontal cortex

at the front of the frontal lobe, responsible for executive functions

motor cortex

at the very back of the frontal lobe, responsible for planning and controlling voluntary movement

parietal lobes

at the top of the brain, responsible for processing sensory info

somatosensory cortex

at the front of the parietal lobe, responsible for processing sensations from skin, muscles, and joints

occipital lobes

at the back of the brain, responsible for processing visual info

temporal lobes

on the sides of the brain, responsible for processing auditory info, language comprehension, and memory formation

corpus callosum

the nerve fibers that connect the two hemispheres

brainstem

the oldest part of the brain, responsible for breathing, heart rate, and the circadium rhythm

medulla (oblongata)

at the base of the brainstem, responsible for autonomous functions (heartbeat, breathing, blood pressure)

reticular activating system (RAS)

in the brainstem, responsible for regulating arousal levels, attention, and consciousness

cerebellum

at the very back of the brain and under the cerebral hemispheres, responsible for coordinatiopn, balance, and posture

limbic system

beneath the cerebral cortex, responsible for emotions, memory, and motivation

reward center

in the limbic system, responsible for processing pleasurable experiences and reinforcing behaviours associated

thalamus

in the limbic system, responsible for processing and relaying sensory info to the cerebral cortex

hypothalamus

beloow the thalamus, responsible for regulating survival functions (hunger, thirst, body temp, sleep-wake cycle)

pituitary gland

at the base of the brain, responsible for the regulation and secretion of hormones

hippocampus

in the temporal lobes, responsible for forming and consolidating new memories

amygdala

deep in the temporal lobes, responsible for processing emotions (mostly fear and aggression)

central nervous system (CNS)

consists of the brain and spine, responsible for processing info, coordinating responses, and regulating bodily functions

peripheral nervous system (PNS)

consists of all the nerves and ganglia outside the CNS, responsible for transmitting sensory info to the CNS

autonomic nervous system

part of the PNS, responsible for involuntary bodiy movement

somatic nervous system

part of the PNS, responsible for voluntary movement and relaying sensory info to the CNS

glial cells

responsible for supporting, insulating, and nourishing neurons

interneurons

neurons that transmit signals from sensory to motor neurons in the CNS

depolarization

when inside of neuron is less negative than outside due to influx of position ions during action potential

reuptake

when a neurotransmitter is reabsorbed by the presynaptic neuron it came from

multiple sclerosis (MS)

a chronic autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the myelin sheath

myasthenia gravis

a chronic autoimmune disorder where the immune system blocks acetylcholine receptors with antibodies and blocks voluntary movements

excitatory neurotransmitters

releases chemicals that increase the likelihood of an action potential

glutamate

releases chemicals that decrease the likelihood of an action potential

inhibitory neurotransmitter

primary neurotransmitter in CNS, responsible for learning, memory, and plasticity

GABA

primary inhibitory neurotransmitter, responsible for relaxation

dopamine

neutransmitter (not either kind), responsible for reward center, movement, and motivation

serotonin

neurotransmitter responsible for mood, sleep, and appetite

endorphins

neurotransmitter produced by brain & CNS, responsible for regulating pain and stress

substance p

neurotransmitter for pain

acetylcholine

neurotransmitter for muscle contraction, learning, and memory

ghrelin

hormone produced by stomach & small tissue, responsible for hunger

leptin

hormone produced by fat cells, regulates energy balance & appetite

broca’s aphasia vs wernicke’s aphasia

speech is difficult but understands VS speech is easy (but confusing) but does not understand

electroencephalogram (EEG)

non-invasive technique to measure electrical signals in brain

functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)

neuroimaging by detecting blood flow & oxygen levels

lesioning

research by intentionally damaging parts of the brain in animals