Biological Bases of Behavior - Video Notes (Vocabulary Flashcards)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and definitions from the video notes on the biological bases of behavior.

Lesions

Precise destruction of brain tissue used to study the loss of function.

Ablation

Destruction of brain tissue by surgical removal, cutting of connections, or chemical destruction.

CT Scan (Computed Tomography)

Uses X-rays to create cross-sectional images of brain structure and the extent of lesions.

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

Produces detailed brain structure images using a magnetic field and radio waves; signal depends on tissue density.

EEG (Electroencephalogram)

Amplified recording of brain electrical activity via scalp electrodes.

Evoked Potentials

EEG signals that are responses to specific stimuli.

PET (Positron Emission Tomography)

Shows brain activity by tracking radioactive glucose uptake by active neurons.

fMRI (Functional MRI)

Shows brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow/oxygen near active neurons.

CNS (Central Nervous System)

Brain and spinal cord.

PNS (Peripheral Nervous System)

Nerves outside the brain and spinal cord; includes autonomic and somatic systems.

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

Subdivision of PNS that controls involuntary motor nerves to smooth and heart muscles; includes sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions.

Sympathetic Nervous System

Prepares the body for fight-or-flight responses; arouses energy.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Restores and conserves energy; promotes maintenance/restoration after arousal.

Somatic Nervous System

Controls voluntary movements via motor nerves to skeletal muscles.

Medulla Oblongata

Regulates heart rhythm, breathing, digestion, and vomiting.

Pons

Part of the brainstem involved in arousal and relay between medulla, cerebellum, and cortex.

Cerebellum

Coordinates posture, balance, and movement.

Basal Ganglia

Regulates initiation of movements, balance, eye movements; involved in implicit memory processing.

Thalamus

Relays sensory information to and from the cerebral cortex.

Hypothalamus

Regulates feeding, drinking, body temperature, sexual behavior; activates autonomic systems and pituitary hormones.

Amygdala

Influences emotions such as aggression, fear, and self-protective behaviors.

Hippocampus

Enables formation of new long-term memories.

Cerebral Cortex

Center for higher-order processes; processes sensory information and directs movement.

Association Areas

Cortical areas without primary sensory/motor roles; involved in higher mental functions like thinking and planning.

Occipital Lobes

Primary area for processing visual information.

Parietal Lobes

Front strip houses the somatosensory cortex; processes touch, temperature, and pain; contains association areas.

Convolutions

Folding of the cerebral cortex (gyri and sulci) that increases surface area.

Contralaterality

Control of one side of the body by the opposite side of the brain.

Hindbrain

Lower brain region (medulla, pons, cerebellum) in the developmental model.

Midbrain

Middle brain region involved in eye reflexes and movements.

Forebrain

Front part of the brain including limbic system, hypothalamus, thalamus, and cerebral cortex.

Reptilian Brain

Oldest brain structures (medulla, pons, cerebellum) in the evolutionary model.

Old Mammalian Brain

Limbic system, hypothalamus, and thalamus.

New Mammalian Brain

Cerebral cortex.

Limbic System

Emotional brain structures (e.g., hippocampus, amygdala, hypothalamus) involved in emotions and drives.