Biological Bases of Behavior

Flashcards covering key terms related to the biological bases of behavior, including genetics, neuroanatomy, neurons, neurotransmitters, and brain structures.

Genetics

The study of heredity and the variation of inherited characteristics.

Neuroanatomy

The study of the structure of the nervous system.

Neurons

The basic building blocks of the nervous system that transmit information throughout the body.

Action Potential

A brief reversal of membrane potential that occurs when a neuron sends information down an axon.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter involved in reward, motivation, and motor control.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter that contributes to the regulation of mood, emotion, and sleep.

Acetylcholine

A neurotransmitter that plays a key role in muscle movement and memory.

Endocrine System

A system of glands that produce hormones to regulate metabolism, growth, and other bodily functions.

Sympathetic Nervous System

The part of the autonomic nervous system responsible for the body's 'fight or flight' response.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

The part of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body and helps conserve energy.

Medulla

The part of the brainstem that controls vital life functions such as breathing and heart rate.

Hippocampus

A brain region involved in memory formation and spatial navigation.

Cerebral Cortex

The outer layer of the brain associated with higher-level cognitive functions such as thought and action.

Broca's Area

An area in the frontal lobe associated with speech production.

Wernicke's Area

An area in the temporal lobe associated with language comprehension.

Phantom Limb Syndrome

A condition where amputees feel sensations where their amputated limb once was.

Contralateral Hemispheric Organization

The phenomenon where each hemisphere of the brain controls the opposite side of the body.

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

A test that detects electrical activity in the brain.

Functional MRI (fMRI)

A type of brain scan that measures and maps brain activity.

Medulla