Brain and Behavior 1-2

Biological Psychology

The study of physiological, evolutionary, and developmental mechanisms of behavior. It explores the connections between brain function, biology, and mental processes.

Glia

Cells that support and protect neurons, involved in maintaining homeostasis and providing support for neuronal function. Do not convey info. over great distances.

Monism

Idea that the universe consists of only one type of being. States that thorughts and experiences are the same thing as your brain activity

Dualism

Idea that minds are on e type of substance and matter is another

Ontogenetic Explanation

Describes how a structure or behavior develops, including the influences of genes, nutrition, experiences, and their interactions

Evolutionary Explanation

Reconstruction of the evolutionary history of a structure or behavior. Calls attention to behavioral similarities among related species

Functional Explanation

Describes why a structure or behavior evolved as it did. Why its advantageous and favored by natural selection.

Plasma Membrane

Surface of a cell, structure that separates the inside o f the cell from the outside environment

Protein Channels

Permit controlled flow of water, oxygen, sodium, potassium, calcium, chloride, etc in the membrane

Mitochondria(ion)

Performs metabolic activities, provides energy for the cell to use for other activities

Ribosomes

Sites in a cell that synthesize new protein molecules

Endoplasmic Reticulum

A network of thin tubes that transport newly synthesized proteins to other locations

Motor Neuron

Receives excitation through dendrites then conducts impulses

Sensory Neuron

Made to receive information. One end is specialized to be sensitive to a particular stimulation

Dendrites

Branching fibers. Surfaces lined with specialized synaptic receptors, so it can receive information from other neurons

Dendritic Spines

Short outgrowths that increase surface area for synapses, receive incoming information

Cell Body (Soma)

Contains the nucleus, ribosomes, and mitochondria. Most of a neuron’s metabolic work occurs here

Myelin Sheath

InsulationN

Presynaptic Terminal

End bulb, end of axon branches, swelling, this is where the axon releases chemicals that cross through the junction between that neuron and another cell

Afferent Axon

Admit, brings information into a structure

Efferent Axon

Exit, Carries information away from a structure

Intrinsic Neuron/Interneuron

When a cell’s dendrites and axon are entirely contained with a single structure

Oligodendrocytes

Produce myelin sheaths

Astrocytes

Glia that passes chemicals back and forth between neurons and blood. Star-shaped. Important for generating rhythms

Microglia

Type of glia, removes toxic materials, part of the immune system.

Active Transport

Protein-mediated process that expends energy to pump chemicals from the blood into the brain

Blood Brain Barrier

A mechanism that surrounds the brain and blocks most chemicals from entering

Polarization

At rest, the membrane maintains an electrical gradient.

Concentration Gradient

Difference in distribution of ions across the membrane

Hyperpolarization

Increasing the polarization, furthering negative charge

Depolarization

Decreasing the polarization toward zeroT

Threshold of Excitation

A level above which any stimulation produces a massive depolarization

All-or-None Law

Puts constraints on how an axon can send a message

Reflex Arc

The circuit from sensory neuron to muscle response

Temporal Summation

Summation over time: When repeated stimuli within a brief time have a cumulative effect

Presynaptic Neuron

Nueron that delivers the synaptic transmission

Postsynaptic Neuron

Neuron that receives the message

(EPSP) Excitatory postsynaptic potential

Graded depolarization that decays over time and space

Spatial Summation

Critical to brain function, synaptic input from several locations can have a cumulative effect and trigger a nerve impulse

(IPSP) Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potential

The temporary hyperpolarization of a membrane. Occurs when synaptic input selectively opens the gates for potassium ions to leave the cell

Spontaneous Firing Rate

The periodic production of AP despite synaptic input

Glutamate

Excitatory amino acids

GABA

Inhibitory amino acid

Serotonin

Neurotransmitter that effects mood, monoamines

Dopamine

Neurotransmitter that affects emotional/motivational behavior, monoamines

Autoreceptors

Detects the amount of transmitters and inhibits further synthesis release

Gap Junction

the direct contact of the membrane of one neuron with the membrane of another

Iontropic Events

Occurs when a neurotransmitter attaches to post synaptic receptors and immediately opens ion channels

Neuropeptides

Neuromodulators, which affect the way that postsynaptic receptors respond