Chapter 03 The Biological Bases of Behavior - Study It

individual cell in the nervous system that receives, integrates, and transmits information

neuron

insulating material that encases some axons

myelin sheath

junction where information is transmitted from one neuron to another

synapse

cells found throughout the nervous system that provide various types of support for neurons

glia

stable, negative charge when the cell is inactive

resting potential

very brief shift in a neuron's electrical charge that travels along an axon

action potential

chemical that transmits information from one neuron to another

neurotransmitter

voltage change at a receptor site on a postsynaptic cell membrane

postsynaptic potential (PSP)

process in which neurotransmitters are sponged up from the synaptic cleft by the presynaptic membrane

reuptake

nerves that lie outside of the brain and spinal cord

peripheral nervous system

made up of nerves that connect to voluntary skeletal muscles and to sensory receptors

somatic nervous system

made up of nerves that connect to the heart, blood vessels, smooth muscles, and glands

autonomic nervous system (ANS)

branch of the autonomic nervous system that mobilizes the body's resources for emergencies

sympathetic division

branch of the autonomic nervous system that generally conserves bodily resources

parasympathetic division

consists of the brain and the spinal cord

central nervous system (CNS)

structure in the forebrain through which sensory information passes to get to the cerebral cortex

thalamus

structure found near the base of the forebrain involved in the regulation of biological needs

hypothalamus

loosely connected network of structures on the border between the cerebral cortex and subcortical areas

limbic system

convoluted outer layer of the cerebrum

cerebral cortex

is the major structure that connects the two cerebral hemispheres

corpus callosum

formation of new neurons

neurogenesis

consists of glands that secrete chemicals into the bloodstream that help control bodily functioning

endocrine system

chemical substance released by the endocrine glands

hormones

releases a great variety of hormones that stimulate actions in the other endocrine glands

pituitary gland

threadlike strand of DNA molecules that carries genetic information

chromosome

DNA segments that serve as the key functional units in hereditary transmission

gene

characteristic that is influenced by more than one pair of genes

polygenic trait

study of heritable changes in gene expression that do not involve DNA sequence modifications

epigenetic

theory that advantageous heritable characteristics are more likely to be passed on to subsequent generations

natural selection

limited time span in development when it is optimal for certain capacities to emerge

critical period

Reflect on the learning goals of the chapter and think about how you can demonstrate mastery of each goal. As you review the chapter learning goals, ask yourself what kinds of questions might appear on a test, and then try to answer those sorts of questions.

Consider the examples provided here, and create your own study guide or check off the activities you feel confident that you can do. If you find you need clarification or additional review on any of the topics, go back to the reading.

To show that you can describe how the nervous system communicates, you can

-describe the operation of the glia and how it supports the neuron.

-understand neurotransmitters and their behavior.

-distinguish between the resting and action potentials of neurons.

-explain what a neuron is and how it functions.

There are many ways to show that you've met the learning goals. Consider the examples provided here, and create your own study guide or check off the activities you feel confident that you can do. If you find you need clarification or additional review on any of the topics, go back to the reading.

To show that you can discuss the operation of the nervous system, you can

-explain the differences between the somatic and autonomic nervous systems.

-distinguish between the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system.

-know the importance of communication between the spinal cord and brain.

-describe the importance of communication within the body's nervous systems.

There are many ways to show that you've met the learning goals. Consider the examples provided here, and create your own study guide or check off the activities you feel confident that you can do. If you find you need clarification or additional review on any of the topics, go back to the reading.

To show that you can determine how the brain controls behavior, you can

-explain how the brain can be sculpted.

-understand how research is done on the brain.

-know the functions of the hind, mid, and forebrain.

-list all parts and functions of the forebrain.

There are many ways to show that you've met the learning goals. Consider the examples provided here, and create your own study guide or check off the activities you feel confident that you can do. If you find you need clarification or additional review on any of the topics, go back to the reading.

To show that you can explain differences in right and left hemispheres of the brain, you can

-know how the left hemisphere of the brain works.

-explain split brain testing.

-know how the right hemisphere of the brain works.

-describe the differences in those with split brains and intact brains.

There are many ways to show that you've met the learning goals. Consider the examples provided here, and create your own study guide or check off the activities you feel confident that you can do. If you find you need clarification or additional review on any of the topics, go back to the reading.

To show that you can show how the endocrine system works, you can

-describe how hormones work within the endocrine system.

-show what a pituitary gland does.

-analyze how oxytocin acts within the body.

-explain how neurotransmitters are different in the endocrine system.

There are many ways to show that you've met the learning goals. Consider the examples provided here, and create your own study guide or check off the activities you feel confident that you can do. If you find you need clarification or additional review on any of the topics, go back to the reading.

To show that you can understand genetics, you can

-understand research methods for detecting genetic influence.

-know what genetics is.

-describe the reasoning for arguments concerning nature and nurture.

-explain the differences between environment and heredity.

There are many ways to show that you've met the learning goals. Consider the examples provided here, and create your own study guide or check off the activities you feel confident that you can do. If you find you need clarification or additional review on any of the topics, go back to the reading.

To show that you can understand evolution on behavior, you can

-explain Darwin's theories of evolution.

-describe adaptive traits.

-know how fitness fits into evolutionary theory.

-know the refinements to evolutionary theory.

The cells in the nervous system that receive, integrate, and transmits information are the

neurons

Functions of the glia are supplying neurons their nourishment, removing waste from neurons, and

providing protection around the axons.

After an action potential fires, there is a waiting period before it can fire again which is called

absolute refractory period

The narrow fiber where the action potential travels through is called the

axon

Presynaptic neurons and postsynaptic neurons are given these names because

presynaptic neurons carry the signal before the synapse, once the synapse occurs postsynaptic neurons receive the message.

Chemicals sending messages from one neuron to another are called

neurotransmitters.

The statement most compatible with neurons importance is

our perception, thoughts, and actions are all controlled by neurons.

No one thinks about this but every move the body makes is due to

acetylcholine (Ach).

Monoamines are three neurotransmitters which are

norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin.

The nervous system that is located outside the brain and spine and extends to the outside of the body is

peripheral.

The nervous system that is part of another and works with sensory muscles and sensory receptors is

somatic.

The nervous system that is part of another and works with the heart, blood vessels, and smooth muscles is

autonomic.

The nervous system comprised of the brain and spine is

central.

Nerves are bundles of

axons that are routed together outside the brain and spinal cord.

Analyzing the difference between afferent nerve fibers and efferent nerve fibers shows the differences between are

afferent nerve fibers are axons that carry information inward to the central nervous system and efferent nerve fibers are axons that carry information outward from the central nervous system.

The branch of the autonomic nervous system that deals with flight or fight is

the sympathetic division.

The branch of the autonomic nervous system that regulated heart rate and digestion is

the parasympathetic division.

Brain lesions and brain stimulation are different in that

lesions destroy part of the brain while stimulation reinvigorates the area being stimulated.

The optimal research test for brain and behavior is a(n)

PET scan

The part of the brain that houses the pons, medulla, and cerebellum is called

the hindbrain

The part of the brain that controls breathing and other unconscious essential functions is the

medulla

The part of the brain that works largely with vision and hearing is

the midbrain

The part of the forebrain that works with complex thought is

the cerebrum

In discussing the hypothalamus, the basic biological needs discussed are

fighting, fleeing, eating, and mating.

A valid generalization about plasticity of the brain is

the anatomical structure of the brain is flexible and can change throughout one's life.

Alice was in an accident which damaged her brain. After the accident, Alice could not speak. The part of the brain that was damaged was the

left hemisphere.

The two areas of the left brain that are vital to speech are

Broca's and Wernicke's.

When performing split brain surgery, the surgeon divides the brain by cutting the

corpus callosum.

The disease that causes surgeons to resort to split brain surgery is

Epileptic seizures.

Perceptual symmetry deals with the differing amount of time to process between the right and left hemispheres. Which side of the hemisphere helps in faster processing of facial recognition?

The right hemisphere is faster.

The right brain is more capable of spatial cues while the left brain is more inclined to understand

analytical tasks.

The function of the endocrine system is

glands secreting chemicals into the blood stream that aids in control of bodily functions.

Hormones are released through the

endocrine system

The release of the hormones through the endocrine system happens through the process of

the endocrine system is controlled by the hypothalamus which has a connection to the pituitary gland. When the hormones reach the pituitary gland, it releases a variety of hormones that spread through the body.

A hormone that is released by the pituitary gland is oxytocin. This hormone has long been considered to be released during childbirth and breastfeeding but new studies show that it

also aids in relationships. It aids in fidelity, compassion, trust, and closeness.

Brandon and Eric were both in committed relationships. During a study, Brandon was given a placebo while Eric was given a hormone spray. Once the hormone spray took effect, the men were placed in a room with a very attractive woman. Eric did not pay a lot of attention to the woman, but Brandon was very interested. The hormone that potentially kept Eric away from the woman and faithful to his partner was

Oxytocin

Sharon had beautiful red hair. Her mother was a brunette and her father's hair was so dark it was raven colored. Sharon could not understand how she could possibly have red hair if her parents were really her parents. She knew her parents gave her their genes, and neither were red heads. One possible explanation is that

Sharon's aunts on her mother's side had red hair and so did their paternal grandmother. The chromosomes related to red hair must have been in her mother's genetic makeup.

Excluding sex cells, the human body's chromosome count is

forty-six.

Polygenetic traits are traits that

are influenced by many sets of genes.

Jonathon worked with Sara to determine the reasoning for her specific traits in an attempt to finish his dissertation. When he spent time with her long enough, to pick up on many of her traits. He then began to interact with her family. By doing so, Jonathon was conducting a study called

family studies.

While family studies can be as simple as checking for normal traits, this type of study can also be used to

see if diseases including addition diseases can be passed from family member to family member.

Researchers doing research on heredity consider the best testing studies to be

twin studies.

Diane's mother died from breast cancer. Diane wanted to know if she could possibly suffer the same fate. She had testing that showed she did not have markers for breast cancer. The test that found this information is known as

genetic mapping.

Genetics play a large role in how one behaves, however there is another determinant of behavior which is

environment.

Charles Darwin believed the reason that species evolve is that

it is due to natural selection.

Darwin knew from the onset that survival of the fittest was related to

how successful is reproduction in the species.

One of Darwin's theories was that species did not come from divine intervention but from evolutionary reasons. His other finding was that humans

were not a lot different from other species.

In the 1950s, Theodore Dobzhansky reworked Darwin's theories and came up with adaption which means

as the world changes around a species it must adapt to the change in order to survive.

The area of psychology that deals with evolution and adaptability is

evolutionary psychology.