Specific BioPsych Exam 1

Modularity theory

different brain regions each control a specific function

Distributed processing theory

complex behaviors depend on regions of the brain working together

Nativism

your brain function/behaviors are based on a biological aspect

Dynamic systems theory

behavior comes from interactions among the brain, body, experience, actions, and environment

Neuroplasticity

neural systems can change over time

Hebbian learning

repeatedly activating neurons together can strengthen the connections between them

Global workspace theory

information becomes consciousness when it becomes broadly available across all brain systems

Chaos theory

small changes in a nonlinear system can eventually produce large differences in outcomes

Sensory (Afferent) neurons

bipolar and unipolar and carry external signals from sense organs to the CNS

Motor (Efferent) neurons

multipolar and carry internal signals from CNS to muscles, organs, etc

Interneurons

multipolar and connect sensory and motor neurons 

Glutamate

Excitatory

Learning, memory, synaptic plasticity, cognition

Gaba

Inhibitory

Calming neural activity, anxiety regulation, sleep, seizure suppression

Acetylcholine

Excitatory/modulatory (regulator)

Attention, learning, memory, arousal

Dopamine

Modulatory (regulator)

Reward, motivation, movement, reinforcement learning

Serotonin

Modulatory (regulator)

Mood, sleep, appetite, pain regulation 

Norepinephrine

Modulatory (regulator)

Arousal, vigilance, attention, stress response

Radial Glia (CNS)

guide new neurons during brain development

Astrocytes (CNS)

support the blood-brain barrier and balance glutamate

Oligodendrocytes (CNS)

myelinate multiple axons 

Microglia (CNS)

clean up waste and fight infections

Schwann cells (PNS)

myelinate one axon at a time

Cranial nerves (12)

brain to sensory organs

Spinal nerves

spine to extremeties

Ganglia

cluster of neuronal cell bodies in PNS

Somatic nervous system

sense organs and voluntary muscles

Autonomic nervous system

internal organs and glands

Sympathetic

Arousing

Fight or Flight

Parasympathetic

Calming

Rest and Digest

Frontal

controls decision-making, personality, and executive functioning

Temporal

processes auditory input and language control

Parietal

controls all things motor, attention, and space

Occipital

controls vision; is the first to develop

Hypothalamus

main regulator of hunger and thirst and digestion; found in the autonomic nervous system

Thalamus

sensory relay; found in the somatic nervous system

Superior colliculi

control eye movements and direct visual attention

Inferior colliculi

locate the direction of sounds

Pons

sleep and arousal

Reticular formation

sleep, arousal, reflexes, muscle tones

restless leg syndrome

Medulla

essential life functions like breathing and heart

Cerebellum

motor learning, procedural memory, and emotion