Introduction to Psychology 113 - Biological Bases of Behavior

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the biological bases of behavior, nervous system anatomy, neurotransmitters, brain imaging techniques, cerebral cortex functions, endocrine glands, and genetics.

Nervous System

An extensive network of specialized cells that carries information to and from all parts of the body.

Neuroscience

A branch of the life sciences that deals with the structure and function of neurons, nerves, and nervous tissue.

Biological Psychology

A branch of neuroscience, also known as Behavioral Neuroscience, that focuses on the biological bases of psychological processes, behavior, and learning.

Neuron Anatomy

The structural layout of a neuron including dendrites, cell body (soma), axon, myelin sheath, nucleus, axon terminals, and synaptic cleft.

Dendrites

Branchlike structures of a neuron that receive messages from other neurons.

Soma

The cell body of the neuron responsible for maintaining the life of the cell.

Axon

A tube-like structure of a neuron that carries the neural message from the cell body to the axon terminals.

Axon Terminals

Enlarged ends of axonal branches, specialized for communication with other cells.

Glial Cells

Specialized cells that provide support for neurons to grow on and around, deliver nutrients to neurons, produce myelin to coat axons, and clean up waste products and dead neurons during prenatal development.

Myelin

A layer of fatty substances produced by certain glial cells that coats the axons of neurons to insulate, protect, and speed up the neural impulse.

Nerves

Bundles of axons coated in myelin travelling together through the body.

Afferent Neurons

Sensory neurons that transmit messages from sensory receptors to the spinal cord and brain.

Efferent Neurons

Motor neurons that transmit messages from the brain or spinal cord to muscles and glands.

Resting Potential

The state of a neuron when not firing a neural impulse, characterized by a negative charge inside relative to the outside.

Action Potential

A reversal of the electrical charge within the axon that releases the neural impulse along its length.

Depolarization

The process during neural firing when sodium ions ($\text{Na}^+$) rush inside the neuron, making the inside more positive.

Threshold

The minimum level of stimulation needed for a neuron to fire an action potential.

All-or-None Principle

The principle stating that every time a neuron fires, it transmits an impulse of the same strength.

Refractory Period

A short recovery period between firings during which a neuron cannot fire again.

Synapse Structure

The junction and microscopic fluid-filled gap (synaptic cleft) between a presynaptic axon terminal and a postsynaptic dendrite.

Synaptic Vesicles

Sac-like structures located in the axon terminals that contain neurotransmitters.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical substances that communicate from one

neuron to another

Receptor Site

On dendrite of receiving neuron

Excitatory neurons

Cause other neuron to fire

Inhibitory neurons

Prevent other neurons from firing

Reuptake

The process by which neurotransmitters are reabsorbed back into the presynaptic terminal.

Acetylcholine (ACh)

-Muscle movement + memory

a. Controls muscle contractions

-Paralysis

b. Prevalent in hippocampus

-Memory

-Alzheimer’s disease

Spinal Cord

Transmits messages from sensory receptors to the

brain and from the brain to muscle and glands

Spinal Reflex

Simple, unlearned response to stimulus

-Assessing damage from trauma and disease

-Intentionally damaging parts of a brain

-Electrical probes to stimulate parts of the brain

Experimenting with the brain

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter involved in pleasure, voluntary movement, learning, and memory; linked to Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia.

Norepinephrine

An excitatory neurotransmitter that accelerates heart rate, affects eating, and regulates alertness, activity levels, learning, and memory.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter regulating emotion and sleep; linked to eating disorders, alcoholism, depression, aggression, and insomnia.

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)

An inhibitory neurotransmitter that helps calm neuronal activity and relax anxiety reactions.

Endorphins

Naturally occurring chemicals in the brain and bloodstream that inhibit pain and are connected to runner's high.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The main headquarters of the nervous system, consisting of the brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

All nerves and neurons connecting the central nervous system to the rest of the body, divided into sensory and motor pathways.

Divisions of the Nervous System

Hierarchical breakdown of the Nervous System into Central (Brain, Spinal Cord) and Peripheral (Autonomic, Somatic) branches.

Somatic Nervous System

The branch of the PNS consisting of sensory and motor neurons that transmits messages to the brain and carries purposeful movements from the brain.

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

The division of the PNS that regulates glands and muscles of internal organs, composed of sympathetic and parasympathetic branches.

Sympathetic Nervous System

The branch of the ANS most active during emotional responses that mobilizes energy reserves.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

The branch of the ANS most active during processes that conserve and restore the body's energy reserves.

Reflex Arc

The neural pathway involved in a spinal reflex, transmitting sensory signals via afferent neurons to the spinal cord gray matter and motor impulses via efferent neurons to muscles.

Gray Matter

Nonmyelinated neural tissue within the central nervous system.

White Matter

Myelinated neural tissue within the central nervous system.

Ordinary EEG (waves)

Quantitative EEG/QEEG (for colored areas)

two types of electroencephalograph

gamma waves

-More than 32HZ

-High-frequency waves are packed tightly together

-These rhythms are associated with learning and

complex problem-solving tasks. They may originate

from the binding together of groups of neurons into

network

Delta Waves

-0.1-4HZ

-Low-frequency waves are widely spaced

-These waves are typically seen during spoke stages of

sleep but also when a person is engaged in complex

problem-solving

Electroencephalograph (EEG)

A technique used to measure electrical brain wave activity, existing as Ordinary EEG (waves) and Quantitative EEG/QEEG (colored mapping).

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

A brain-imaging technique that uses radio waves and magnetic fields to detect shifts in blood flow.

Magnetoencephalography (MEG)

A technique using SQUIDs (Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices) to detect faint magnetic fields and scan cerebral cortex activity.

Firing

Conduction of neural impulse along the length of a

neuron

Theta Waves

-4-8HZ

-Usually seen in young children, theta waves are also

evident during states of relaxation, creativity, and

meditation

Alpha Waves

-8-14HZ

-These typically originate from the back of the brain

and are usually stronger in the dominant hemisphere.

They are seen during both relaxed and alert states.

Beta Waves

-14-31HZ

-Originating from both hemispheres at the front of the

brain, are associated with physical activity

and with states of concentration and anxiety

Computerized axial tomography (CAT or

CT scan)

Uses X-ray beam to generate 3D image

Positron emission tomography (PET

scan)

Uses radioactive tracer to detect glucose in

the brain

Cranial Ultrasound

-Based on ultrasonic waves

-Mostly used on infants

-Less often in adults because the images lack

detail.

Diffuse Optical Imaging/Tomography

-Detects how bright light or infrared rays

penetrate the brain, for it monitors blood

flow and brain activity