The Biological Bases of Behaviour

These flashcards cover key vocabulary from the lecture on the biological bases of behavior, including neuron structure, neural impulses, neurotransmitters, types of neurons, and brain anatomy.

Neuron

Specialized cells that make up the nervous system.

Dendrites

Branches from the cell body that receive signals.

Axon

Conducts electrical impulses away from the soma.

Axon Terminals

Send signals to other cells.

Glial Cells

Support cells in the nervous system that hold neurons in place, make and move nutrients, and form the myelin sheath.

Action Potential

A neural impulse that occurs when a cell is stimulated, causing electrical charges to flow across the cell membrane.

Resting Potential

The state of a neuron when it is not firing, typically around -70mV.

Myelin Sheath

A fatty layer that insulates neurons, derived from glial cells.

Nodes of Ranvier

Gaps in the myelin sheath that allow for faster conduction of neural impulses.

Synapse

The junction where an axon terminal meets a dendrite, allowing communication between neurons.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical substances that carry messages across the synapse to excite or inhibit other neurons.

Excitatory Neurotransmitter

Neurotransmitter that decreases the resting potential of the postsynaptic neuron, increasing the likelihood of an action potential.

Inhibitory Neurotransmitter

Neurotransmitter that increases the resting potential of the postsynaptic neuron, decreasing the likelihood of an action potential.

Absolute Refractory Period

The period during which a neuron cannot fire again.

All-or-None Law

States that action potentials occur at a uniform and maximal intensity or do not occur at all.

Types of Neurons

Includes sensory neurons (input messages), motor neurons (output impulses), and interneurons (connective functions).

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Consists of the spinal cord and brain.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

The part of the nervous system outside the CNS, including the somatic and autonomic systems.

Somatic Nervous System

Controls voluntary muscle activation.

Autonomic Nervous System

Regulates involuntary functions like heart rate and digestion.

Sympathetic Nervous System

Activates the body's fight-or-flight response.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Slows down body processes and promotes rest and digest.

Higher Functions of the Cerebral Cortex

Involves voluntary movements, language comprehension, and sensory processing.

Hemispheric Lateralization

Refers to the different functions of the left and right hemispheres of the brain.

Corpus Callosum

The structure that connects the two hemispheres of the brain and facilitates communication between them.

Brain Imaging Techniques

Methods like CT, MRI, PET, and fMRI used to study the structure and function of the brain.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

A technique used to induce electrical activity in the brain via a magnetic field.

Glutamate

A major excitatory neurotransmitter that is crucial for cognitive functions such as learning and memory.

GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid)

The primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain that helps to calm neuronal activity.

Acetylcholine (ACh)

An excitatory neurotransmitter at neuromuscular junctions, essential for muscle action, learning, and memory.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter that can be excitatory or inhibitory, involved in reward, motivation, and motor control.

Serotonin

An inhibitory neurotransmitter primarily responsible for regulating mood, sleep cycles, and appetite.

Norepinephrine

An excitatory neurotransmitter involved