Biological Psychology

These flashcards cover key concepts related to the biological psychology lecture, including brain structures, functions, and neurophysiological processes.

What is the mind/body problem?

The relationship between one's mind (thoughts, feelings, etc.) and their brain/body.

Who proposed the idea that the mind and body are separate?

René Descartes.

What functions are regulated by the hypothalamus?

The regulation of the 4 F's: fighting, fleeing, feeding, and mating.

What is the role of the amygdala?

It plays a role in emotional processes.

What happens during an action potential?

An electrical signal is conducted along the length of a neuron's axon to a synapse.

What is the main function of the cerebellum?

Motor coordination and control.

What is Broca's area responsible for?

Language production.

What condition results from damage to Wernicke's area?

Wernicke's aphasia, which affects speech comprehension.

What type of neuron sends messages?

A neuron specializes in receiving and transmitting information.

What is the function of neurotransmitters?

They can be excitatory or inhibitory, affecting the likelihood of an action potential.

What occurs when a neuron is at resting potential?

The inside is negatively charged at approximately -70 millivolts.

What happens to sodium and potassium ions during depolarization?

Sodium channels open, allowing Na+ ions to rush in, while potassium channels close.

What does TMS stand for?

Transcranial magnetic stimulation, a method to study brain regions and functions.

How does the strength of a sensation depend on neural firing?

It is determined by the rate of firing and the number of neurons stimulated.

What is the corpus callosum's role in the brain?

It connects the two cerebral hemispheres.

What is a key characteristic of action potentials?

They are an all-or-none phenomenon.

What are the main components of a neuron?

Cell body (soma), dendrites, axon, and terminal buttons.

What is the primary function of dendrites?

Dendrites receive information from other neurons.

What is the role of the myelin sheath?

It insulates the axon and increases the speed of electrical signal transmission.

What brain structure is crucial for forming new memories?

The hippocampus.

What is the thalamus's function?

It acts as a relay station for most sensory information (except smell) to the cerebral cortex.

What are the three parts of the brain?

Hindbrain, Midbrain, Forebrain

What is the primary function of the frontal lobe?

It is involved in executive functions, planning, decision-making, and voluntary movement.

What is the primary function of the parietal lobe?

It processes sensory information such as touch, temperature, pain, and helps with spatial awareness.

What is a synapse?

The junction between two neurons where electrical or chemical signals are transmitted.

What is the role of a sensory neuron?

Sensory neurons carry information from sensory receptors (e.g., eyes, skin) to the central nervous system.

What is the sympathetic nervous system responsible for?

It prepares the body for 'fight or flight' responses during stressful situations.

What is the parasympathetic nervous system responsible for?

It helps the body 'rest and digest' and returns it to a calm, relaxed state after stress.

What is the Cerebrum?

The biggest part of the brain, divided into right and left hemispheres, handles higher functions like learning, reasoning, language, emotions, and interpreting touch, vision, and hearing.

What is the primary function of the temporal lobe?

It processes auditory information, plays a role in memory, and contains Wernicke's area for language comprehension.

What is the primary function of the occipital lobe?

It is mainly responsible for processing visual information.

What is the role of a motor neuron?

Motor neurons carry signals from the central nervous system to muscles and glands, enabling movement and response.

What constitutes the Central Nervous System (CNS)?

The brain and the spinal cord.

What is the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)?

It consists of all the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord, extending to the limbs and organs.