The Brain and Behavior Video Psych

What is behavioral neuroscience (or biological psychology)?

The study of the brain's role in behavior, emotions, thoughts, and consciousness. It has expanded to study behavior from molecular interactions to large networks of nerve cells.

What are the three components of the brain?

The brain is a complex system of cerebrum, brainstem and cerebellum working together.

What is emergence in the context of the brain?

Emergence occurs when the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, meaning the whole has properties its parts do not have.  For example, consciousness emerges from the complex exchanges of chemical and electrical signals within the vast network of brain cells.

What is the function of the medulla?

The medulla controls basic life functions such as breathing, heart rate, blood circulation, and balance.

What is the function of the pons?

The pons control attentiveness and the timing of sleep and dreaming, and plays a role in REM sleep. Damage to certain parts of the pons can put a person into a semi-permanent sleep-like state

What is the function of the reticular formation?

The reticular formation plays a role in autonomic functions, pain modulation, sleep, and consciousness. (Ex: circulation, respiration, and digestion)

What is the function of the midbrain?

The midbrain helps orient an organism in the environment, guides movement toward or away from stimuli, regulates pain, modulates mood, and shapes motivation.

What is the function of the cerebellum?

The cerebellum coordinates voluntary movements, helps judge time, modulates emotions, discriminates sounds and textures, and integrates sensory input.

What is the function of the thalamus?

The thalamus is involved in sleep, wakefulness, and relaying motor and sensory signals to the cortex. It also closes pathways of incoming sensations during sleep.

What is the function of the hypothalamus?

The hypothalamus controls motivated behaviors such as eating, drinking, and sexual activity. Additionally, it also controls involuntary rhythms such as the sleep/wake cycle, and detecting when the body is too cold or too hot.

What is the function of the amygdala?

The amygdala plays a role in emotional response, specifically anger, and determining threats.

What is the function of the hippocampus?

The hippocampus plays an important role in learning, memory, spatial orientation, and creating new memories.

What is the function of the cerebral cortex?

The cortex is involved in thoughts, perceptions, language, and emotions.

What are the sensory areas of the cortex?

Areas that receive and interpret information from the eyes, ears, and other organs that control the 5 senses.

What are the motor areas of the cortex?

Areas that control behaviors, with the primary motor cortex located in the back of the frontal lobe.

What are the association areas of the cortex?

Areas involved in complex processes including thinking.

What is the function of the prefrontal cortex?

The prefrontal cortex is involved in planning, decision-making, mood, personality, and self-awareness.

What are neurons?

Communication cells contained within the brain and spinal cord.

What are glia?

Cells in the brain that provide nourishment for neurons, guide neural migration, help shut down the process of neural growth, and increase blood flow.

What is an action potential?

An electrical signal that is the neuron's main response to stimulation and the fundamental information carrier of the nervous system.

What is myelin?

A fatty substance made of glial cells that wraps around axons, increasing the speed of communication in neurons.

What are the nodes of Ranvier?

Gaps in the myelin wrappers that allow ions to move in and out, speeding up nerve impulses.

What are neurotransmitters?

Chemicals that transmit signals from one neuron to another (released into the synaptic cleft).

What is synaptic reuptake?

The process by which neurotransmitter molecules are vacuumed back into the presynaptic axon terminals so they can be used in the future.

What is the role of glutamate in the central nervous system?

Glutamate rapidly excites neurons and is associated with enhanced learning and memory.

What is the role of GABA in the central nervous system?

GABA inhibits neurons and plays critical roles in learning, memory, and sleep.

What is a neurotransmitter agonist?

Chemicals that enhance a neurotransmitter's activity.

What is a neurotransmitter antagonist?

Chemicals that diminish a neurotransmitter's activity.

What is degeneracy in the context of the brain?

The concept that many combinations of neurons can produce the same outcome.

What is a core system in the context of the brain?

A single brain area or network that contributes to many different mental states and behaviors.