Studied by 9 people
Biological base of behavior
NeuronPlasticity
A term to describe how the brain seems to be able to, even as we age, wire and Re-wire itself in response to new situations and information.
(Genetic) Predisposition
An inclination towards some characteristic that could be the result of Genetics or the Environment.
Acetylcholine
A neurotransmitter involved in Voluntary Muscle Movements and Memory
Acetylcholine
Alzheimer's is linked with a loss of neurons that produce __________________.
Action Potential
The brief change in electrical charge that radiates down the axon.
Adrenal(s)
Glands that are located above the Kidneys that secrete Adrenaline/Epinephrine.
Sensory (Affernet) Neurons
Neurons which carry sensory information to the Central Nervous System.
Agonist(s)
Drugs that Enhance or Amplify the action of a Neurotransmitter.
Amygdala
The part of the Limbic System that is heavily involved in Primitive Emotions like Anger, Fear, and Aggression and well as Sex Drive. It is also viewed to determine the Emotional Relevance of any incoming stimuli.
Antagonist(s)
Drugs that Inhibit/Impede the action of a Neurotransmitter.
Aphasia(s)
Disruptions of speech production or comprehension that result from damage to the language centers of the brain.
Association (Cortex)
A part of the Brain that could make up 3/4 of the Cortex that is responsible for Linking Relevance and meaning to sensory input.
Auditory Cortex
The brain area responsible for taking Auditory Input and interpreting it. It's located in the Temporal Lobe.
Autonomic (System)
The division of the Peripheral Nervous System which controls things that happen Sub-Consciously (Hormone Secretion, Blood Pressure, etc.)
Axon Hillock(s)
The juncture between the Cell Body and the Axon.
Axon(s)
The tail of a Neuron along which Electrical Signals are Carried, which is achieved by a brief change in the electric charge of the cell.
Broca's Area
The brain area responsible for Creating Expressive Speech located in the Frontal Lobe.
Central (Nervous System)
The part of the Nervous System that is directly in the center of the body and consisting of the Brain and Spinal Chord that controls your survival.
Cerebellum
The brain structure involved in any Coordinated Sequence of Movements and is one Center of Balance. It's located at the brain stem below the Occipital Lobe.
Contralateralization
The term used to describe how each side of the brain controls the opposite side of the body.
Corpus Callosum
A large bundle of fibers connecting the right and left hemispheres.
Cortex
The wrinkled, convoluted shell of the brain that is divided into four lobes.
CT (Scan)
A Brain Scan technique that uses a 3D X-Ray machine to show Structure for Injuries. It can be used on other body parts as well.
D(ecrease)
In a Fight or Flight response, Digestion would _________________(Increase/Decrease).
D(ecrease)
In a Fight or Flight response, Salivation would _________________(Increase/Decrease).
D(ilate)
In a Fight or Flight response, Eye Pupils would _________________(Dilate/Contract).
Dendrite(s)
The branch-like projections on Neurons that Receive Messages from other Neurons.
Depolarization
The first step towards conducting a signal along a Neuron where Na+ Ions rush Into the cell and K+ ions temporarily rush Out of the cell, leaving more positive charges on the inside.
Dopamine
A neurotransmitter involved in regulating Pleasure, Muscular Control, Learning, and Attention.
Dopamine
Excess ______________ is linked to Schizophrenia while low levels are linked to Parkinson's Disease.
EEG
A Brain Scan technique that shows Brain Wave activity. It does not show Location very clearly, but is used extensively in Sleep Studies.
Motor ( Efferent )Neurons
Neurons which transmit motor messages from the Central Nervous System to muscles and glands.
Endorphin(s)
Neurotransmitters which Alleviate Pain
Epigenetic(s)
The phenomenon where your environment influences which genes are biologically expressed.
Epinephrine
A hormone (and also a Neurotransmitter!) that is secreted by the Adrenals which induces the Fight or Flight response.
Epinephrine
A neurotransmitter (and hormone) involved in Alertness and Arousal (Fight or Flight). At low levels, it may be linked to Depression.
Excitatory
An ________________ chemical Stimulates the firing of messages within the Brain.
F(alse)
True/False: A Neuron's Action Potential gets weaker as the person ages.
F(alse)
True/False: Neurons can Half-Fire and send only a half of a signal.
Threshold
The point at which enough positive charges have built up inside the Neuron that an Action Potential will be produced.
fMRI
A Brain Scan technique that shows extreme structure AND functional detail by measuring changes in oxygenation. "F" stands for Functional
Frontal (Lobe)
The Cerebral Lobe that plays roles in speaking and muscular activity, located towards the Front of the head.
GABA (Gamma Aminobutyric Acid)
Low Levels of ___________ are linked with Anxiety and Seizure Disorders.
GABA
The primary Inhibitory neurotransmitter in the Brain (AKA Gamma Aminobutyric Acid).
Genotype
Which combination of genes are physically in your DNA.
Glial (Cells)
Support cells in the brain that far outnumber Neurons. They act to provide Nutrients and Myelin, as well as function as Immune cells in the brain.
Glutamate
Too Much _______________ activity can result in Seizure Disorders. It may also play a role in Bipolar degenerative disorders of CNS.
Glutamate
The primary Excitatory neurotransmitter in the Brain.
Hemispherectomy
The surgical procedure by which one hemisphere of the brain is removed, usually to combat life threatening disorders such as epilepsy.
Heritability
The amount of Difference Between Individuals that seems to be accounted for by heredity (i.e. they are 40% different because of their heredity).
Hippocampus
The part of the Limbic System that is responsible for the Formation of New Memories and Spatial Navigation.
Hormones(s)
Chemical messengers carried throughout the Blood that are the primary communicators of the Endocrine System. They take longer to get to where they are going, but Last Longer.
Hypothalamus
The part of the Limbic System that regulates Appetite, Thirst, Sex Drive, Sleep/Wake Cycle, Body Temperature, and the Fight or Flight Response. It also directs the Pituitary Gland in controlling the Endocrine System.
I(ncrease)
In a Fight or Flight response, Adrenaline Levels would _________________(Increase/Decrease).
I(ncrease)
In a Fight or Flight response, Endorphin Levels would _________________(Increase/Decrease).
I(ncrease)
In a Fight or Flight response, Heart Rate would _________________(Increase/Decrease).
I(ncrease)
In a Fight or Flight response, Respiration would _________________(Increase/Decrease).
Inhibitory
An ________________ chemical Slows transmission of Neural Messages.
Insulin
A Hormone that promotes the absorption of Glucose into cells and is secreted by the Pancreas.
Interneuron(s)
Neurons which make up the brain and spinal chord.
Lateralization
A term that describes how the Right Hemisphere is better at visual, spatial, and artistic tasks while the Left Hemisphere is better at mathematical, logical, analytical, and linguistic tasks.
Lesion(ing)
A brain research method where a part of the brain is Surgically Removed.
Limbic System
The group of brain structures that are mostly responsible for Emotion and Motivation.
Medulla
A band of nerve fibers below the Pons that controls Autonomic Functions like Heart Rate, Blood Pressure, and Swallowing. This
Melatonin
A hormone that induces Sleep and is secreted by the Pineal Gland.
Mirror (Neurons)
Neurons that fire in your brain when you see something as if you too were doing that something. This could be highly liked to human behaviors of Empathy, Language, and Imitation.
Motor Cortex
The part of the brain responsible for every Voluntary Movement and located along the Border of the Parietal Lobe.
MRI
A Brain Scan technique that shows extreme Structural Detail. AKA Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
Multiple Sclerosis
An autoimmune disease where the body attacks the Myelin Sheaths on neurons, which can lead to loss of strength, muscle control, and coordination.
Myelin (Sheath)
A fatty white substance wrapped around the axon that both protects the axon and increases the speed of the Action Potential.
Neural Chain
A term used to describe the web of interconnections between Neurons.
Neurogenesis
The creation of new neurons.
Neuron(s)
The basic "building block" cell of the Nervous System. There are many types.
Neuroscience
The scientific study of neurons and the nervous system.
Neurotransmitter(s)
Chemical messengers of the Nervous System that carry signals Almost Instantly in the synapses between Neurons.
Occipital (Lobe)
The Lobe to the Rear of the Cortex that houses the Primary Visual Cortex.
Ovaries
Female Reproductive Glands that secrete Estrogen.
Pancreas
A Gland/Organ located in the Central Abdomen that secretes Insulin.
Parasympathetic (System)
The division of the Autonomic System which is the Opponent Process to the Sympathetic System and works to return the body to a calm state.
Parietal (Lobe)
The large Lobe on the Top/Crown of the head that houses the Somatosensory Cortex.
Peripheral (Nervous System)
The part of the Nervous System that consists of all of the nerve cells that are Not part of the Central Nervous System.
PET (Scan)
A Brain Scan technique that indicates Levels of Activity in general locations by using a tracer shot of Radioactive Glucose.
Phenotype
The traits that are actually expressed as a result of Environmental and Genotypic conditions.
Phineas Gage
A 19th century railroad worker who had part of his Frontal/Prefrontal cortex removed by a Projectile Tamping Iron. He survived and provided unique insight into the Specificity of the brain.
Pineal (Gland)
A Gland located in the Inner Central Brain that secretes Melatonin to induce sleep.
Pituitary Gland
The brain area considered to be the Master Gland that directs the endocrine system. It also secretes HGH and Oxytocin.
Pons
The jutting area on the Upper Spinal Chord that may be responsible for Dreams, but also plays a role in maintaining some vital functions.
Postsynaptic
The ___________________ Neuron is the one that comes After the synapse, and Receives Signals at its Dendrites.
Prefrontal Cortex
The brain area that acts as the executive of the brain, carrying out Planning, Decision Making, Judgement, and Self-Control. It's located towards the Front of the Frontal Lobe.
Presynaptic
The ___________________ Neuron is the one that comes Before the synapse, and releases the neurotransmitters.
Primary Visual Cortex
The brain area that is responsible for taking Visual Sensory Input and interpreting it. It's located in the very Rear of the head.
Reflex Arc
A term to describe the process by which sensory signals are sent directly to the Spinal Chord and then to motor neurons before the brain is ever engaged, allowing for Faster Reaction Times.
Refractory (Period)
The brief period after a Neuron Fires during which it Cannot fire again.
Resting Potential
The electrical state of the cell when not in use, sitting at -70mV.
Reticular Formation
The Brain Stem Structure that Alerts the Brain to Incoming Signals so that the Brain is ready to react quicker. (AKA RAS)
Reuptake
The process by which chemicals are released by the Synaptic Cleft and Re-enter the original Neuron to be used again.
Serotonin
A neurotransmitter that is involved in regulating Appetite, Sleep, and Mood. Low levels linked with Depression and Anxiety.
Soma
The Cell Body of a Neuron, which is composed of a Nucleus surrounded by cytoplasm enclosed in a membrane.
Somatic (System)
The division of the Peripheral Nervous System which controls Voluntary Movements.
Somatosensory Cortex
The part of the brain that registers all Touch Sensations and is located along the Border of the Frontal Lobe.
