Biological Bases of Behavior (The Brain Edition)

Fill-in-the-blank practice flashcards covering AP Psychology Unit on the Biological Bases of Behavior: genetics, neural transmission, nervous system divisions, brain structures and functions, chemical messengers, and brain plasticity.

The __________ is the study of how psychological traits and behaviors have evolved over time to enhance survival and reproductive success.

evolutionary perspective

The process by which organisms with traits better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce is known as __________.

natural selection

From an evolutionary perspective, innate fears such as the fear of __________ or spiders are believed to have evolved because these creatures posed significant threats to our ancestors.

snakes

In psychology, __________ refers to the inherent biological and genetic factors that influence psychological development, traits, behaviors, and cognitive abilities.

nature

Environmental influences and experiences that shape an individual's psychological development, behaviors, and cognitive processes are referred to as __________.

nurture

The transmission of genetic information from biological parents to offspring is defined as __________.

heredity

In psychology, __________ helps researchers determine how much of individual differences in traits come from genes versus the environment.

heritability

Monozygotic twins share approximately ${100}\%$ of their genetic material and are also known as __________ twins.

identical

Dizygotic twins share approximately ${50}\%$ of their genetic material on average and are also known as __________ twins.

fraternal

An inherited likelihood of developing specific traits or mental health conditions due to genetic factors from biological parents is called a(n) __________.

genetic predisposition

The historical concept of improving the genetic quality of a human population by controlling reproduction is called __________.

eugenics

The outer layer of the brain responsible for higher-level cognitive functions like thinking, perceiving, and decision-making is the __________.

cerebral cortex

In the cerebral cortex, __________ contains the cell bodies of neurons where processing happens, while white matter consists of myelinated axons transmitting signals.

grey matter

Regions of the brain that integrate information from multiple sensory modalities and higher cognitive functions are called __________.

association areas

Located at the front of the brain, the __________ are involved in decision-making, problem-solving, planning, and personality expression.

frontal lobes

The __________ is a region within the frontal lobe responsible for executive functioning, such as goal setting, planning, and impulse control.

prefrontal cortex

The region located in the frontal lobe responsible for planning, executing, and controlling voluntary movements of the body is the __________.

motor cortex

The lobes located at the top of the brain that primarily process sensory information such as touch, temperature, and spatial awareness are the __________.

parietal lobes

Located in the parietal lobe, the __________ interprets touch, pressure, temperature, and pain signals from the body.

somatosensory cortex

Located at the back of the brain, the __________ contain the primary visual cortex responsible for processing visual information from the eyes.

occipital lobes

Located on the sides of the brain, the __________ contain the auditory cortex and are involved in hearing, language comprehension, and memory formation.

temporal lobes

The thick band of nerve fibers connecting the left and right cerebral hemispheres to facilitate interhemispheric communication is the __________.

corpus callosum

The oldest and most primitive part of the brain that connects the cerebrum to the spinal cord and controls basic life-sustaining functions is the __________.

brainstem

Located at the base of the brainstem, the __________ regulates vital autonomic functions such as heartbeat, breathing, and blood pressure.

medulla

The __________ is a network of neurons in the brainstem that plays a critical role in regulating arousal, alertness, and consciousness.

reticular activating system

Located at the back of the brain below the cerebral hemispheres, the __________ coordinates voluntary movements, balance, and posture.

cerebellum

A group of subcortical brain structures involved in processing emotions, memory, and motivation is called the __________.

limbic system

Serving as the brain's sensory relay station, the __________ processes and directs sensory input (except smell) to appropriate cortical areas.

thalamus

Located directly below the thalamus, the __________ regulates hunger, thirst, body temperature, and the sleep-wake cycle to maintain homeostasis.

hypothalamus

Known as the 'master gland' of the endocrine system, the __________ produces hormones such as growth hormone under the direction of the hypothalamus.

pituitary gland

The curved limbic structure located within the temporal lobes that is essential for forming and consolidating new long-term memories is the __________.

hippocampus

The almond-shaped limbic structure deeply involved in emotional processing, especially fear and aggression, is the __________.

amygdala

The central nervous system (CNS) consists of two main components: the __________ and the spinal cord.

brain

The __________ comprises all the nerves and ganglia outside the brain and spinal cord, linking the CNS to the limbs and organs.

peripheral nervous system

The division of the peripheral nervous system that regulates involuntary bodily functions without conscious control is the __________.

autonomic nervous system

The branch of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body and activates the 'fight or flight' response during acute stress is the __________.

sympathetic nervous system

The branch of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body and conserves energy by promoting 'rest and digest' activities is the __________.

parasympathetic nervous system

The division of the peripheral nervous system responsible for voluntary control of skeletal muscle movements is the __________.

somatic nervous system

The branching extensions of a neuron that receive chemical and electrical messages from other cells are called __________.

dendrites

The long, slender projection of a neuron that conducts electrical impulses away from the cell body toward other cells is the __________.

axon

The fatty substance that surrounds and insulates nerve fibers to accelerate signal transmission along the axon is the __________.

myelin sheath

The non-neuronal support cells of the nervous system that provide structural support, insulation, and nutrients to neurons are called __________.

glial cells

Nerve cells that transmit sensory information from receptors in the body toward the central nervous system are called __________.

sensory neurons

Nerve cells that transmit commands from the central nervous system to muscles and glands are called __________.

motor neurons

Within the central nervous system, __________ serve as internal connectors that relay signals between sensory and motor neurons.

interneurons

A relatively simple neural pathway that governs rapid, automatic reflexes without conscious brain involvement is a(n) __________.

reflex arc

This visual representation depicting body parts scaled according to cortical representation in the motor and somatosensory cortices is called a __________.

homunculus

The minimum level of stimulation required to trigger an action potential in a neuron is known as the __________.

threshold

A brief electrical impulse that travels down an axon when a neuron is sufficiently stimulated is called a(n) __________.

action potential

The __________ principle states that an action potential fires at full strength or does not fire at all once threshold is reached.

all-or-nothing

During the action potential, __________ occurs when sodium ions rush into the cell, making the interior less negative.

depolarization

The brief period following an action potential during which a neuron cannot fire another impulse is called the __________.

refractory period

The stable negative electrical charge maintained across a resting neuron's cell membrane is called the __________.

resting potential

The process where excess neurotransmitters released into the synapse are reabsorbed by the presynaptic neuron is called __________.

reuptake

A chronic autoimmune disease that impairs neural transmission by attacking and degrading the myelin sheath in the CNS is __________.

multiple sclerosis

A chronic autoimmune disorder in which antibodies block or destroy acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular junction is __________.

myasthenia gravis

The major excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system that plays a critical role in learning, memory, and neural plasticity is __________.

glutamate

The primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system that promotes calming and reduces anxiety is __________.

GABA

The neurotransmitter strongly associated with pleasure, motivation, reinforcement learning, and voluntary motor control is __________.

dopamine

A neurotransmitter that plays a fundamental role in regulating mood, sleep, appetite, and emotional well-being is __________.

serotonin

Natural opiate-like neurotransmitters that serve as endogenous painkillers and mood enhancers during physical stress are called __________.

endorphins

The peptide neurotransmitter released by nociceptive sensory neurons to transmit pain signals to the spinal cord and brain is __________.

substance P

The neurotransmitter that triggers muscle contractions at the neuromuscular junction and contributes to attention and memory is __________.

acetylcholine

Known as the 'hunger hormone', __________ is produced by the stomach and small intestine to stimulate appetite when the stomach is empty.

ghrelin

Produced by fat cells, the hormone __________ acts on the hypothalamus to suppress appetite and signal satiety.

leptin

Secreted by the pineal gland in response to darkness, __________ regulates circadian rhythms and promotes sleep.

melatonin

Referred to as the 'bonding hormone' or 'love hormone', __________ facilitates social bonding, trust, and intimacy.

oxytocin

Also known as epinephrine, __________ is a hormone and neurotransmitter secreted during acute stress that triggers sympathetic fight-or-flight arousal.

adrenaline

The chemical messenger __________ functions as both a neurotransmitter and hormone, elevating heart rate, blood pressure, and alertness during times of stress.

norepinephrine

The brain's ability to reorganize and adapt its neural connections throughout life in response to learning, experience, or injury is known as __________.

plasticity

Split-brain research investigates individuals whose corpus callosum was surgically severed, a procedure primarily performed to treat severe __________.

epilepsy

The phenomenon wherein each cerebral hemisphere controls sensory and motor functions for the opposite side of the body is known as __________ organization.

contralateral hemispheric

The principle that each cerebral hemisphere possesses specialized functions and cognitive abilities is termed __________.

hemispheric specialization

Located in the left frontal lobe, __________ is responsible for speech production and grammatical expression.

Broca's area

Damage to Broca's area often results in __________, characterized by effortful, non-fluent, telegraphic speech.

Broca's aphasia

Located in the left temporal lobe, __________ is responsible for speech comprehension and understanding written and spoken language.

Wernicke's area

Damage to Wernicke's area produces __________, characterized by fluent but meaningless speech, neologisms, and impaired comprehension.

Wernicke's aphasia

A non-invasive neuroimaging tool that records electrical activity generated by brain neurons using electrodes attached to the scalp is an __________.

electroencephalogram (EEG)

A neuroimaging technique that maps brain activity by measuring localized changes in blood flow and blood oxygenation is __________.

fMRI

The research method of intentionally destroying or damaging specific regions of brain tissue in animals to observe resulting behavioral deficits is __________.

lesioning