Biology and Behavior

MCAT Prep: Behavioral Sciences Part 1

parasympathetic

branch of the autonomic system that is focused on “rest-and-digest” responses

sympathetic

branch of the autonomic system focused on “fight-or-flight” responses

hindbrain

contains the cerebellum, medulla oblongata, and reticular formation

midbrain

contains the inferior and superior colliculi

forebrain

contains the thalamus, hypothalamus, basal ganglia, limbic system, and cerebral cortex

Thalamus

relay station for sensory information

Hypothalamus; hypophyseal portal system; anterior pituitary

maintains homeostasis and integrates with the endocrine system through the __________ that connects it to the ___________ and ____________

Basal ganglia

smoothens movements and helps maintain postural stability

Limbic system

controls emotion and memory. Includes septal nuclei, amygdala, hippocampus, and fornix

Septal nuclei

pleasure-seeking

Amygdala

fear and aggression

Hippocampus

memory

Fornix

communication within limbic system

Frontal lobe

executive function, impulse control, long-term planning, motor function, speech production

Prefrontal cortex

long-term planning

Primary motor cortex

motor function

Broca’s area

speech production

Parietal lobe

sensation of touch, pressure, temperature, and pain (somatosensory cortex); spatial processing, orientation, and manipulation

Occipital lobe

visual processing

Temporal lobe

Sound processing (auditory cortex), speech perception, memory, and emotion

Wernicke’s area

speech perception

Limbic system

memory and emotion

Acetylcholine

voluntary muscle control, parasympathetic nervous system, attention, alertness

Epinephrine and Norepinephrine

fight-or-flight responses, wakefulness, alertness

Dopamine

smooth movements, postural stability

Serotonin

mood, sleep, eating, dreaming

GABA, Glycine

brain “stabilization”

Glutamate

brain “excitation”

Endorphins

natural painkillers

Nature vs. Nurture

a debate regarding the contributions of genetics and environment to an individual’s traits. Family, win, and adoption are used to study this.