UNIT 1: Biological Bases of Behavior

Dendrites

Receive messages.

Cell Body (Soma)

Processes signal.

Axon

Sends impulse.

Myelin Sheath

Speeds transmission.

Axon Terminal

Releases neurotransmitters.

Resting Potential

Negative inside.

Action Potential

Fires when threshold reached.

Refractory Period

Resets.

Reuptake

Reabsorbing unused neurotransmitters.

Acetylcholine (ACh)

Involved in muscle movement and memory.

Dopamine

Associated with reward, emotion, and motor functions.

Serotonin

Regulates mood, hunger, and sleep.

Norepinephrine

Involved in arousal and alertness.

GABA

Main inhibitory neurotransmitter.

Glutamate

Main excitatory neurotransmitter.

Endorphins

Natural pain relievers.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Consists of the brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Connects CNS to the rest of the body.

Somatic NS

Controls voluntary movements.

Autonomic NS

Controls involuntary functions.

Sympathetic NS

Activates fight or flight response.

Parasympathetic NS

Promotes rest and digest functions.

Brainstem

Controls basic life functions.

Medulla

Responsible for heartbeat and breathing.

Pons

Involved in sleep and arousal.

Thalamus

Acts as a sensory switchboard.

Cerebellum

Coordinates balance and movement.

Limbic System

Involved in emotions and memory.

Amygdala

Processes fear and anger.

Hippocampus

Critical for memory formation.

Hypothalamus

Regulates drives such as hunger and sex.

Cerebral Cortex

Outer layer of the brain involved in complex functions.

Frontal Lobe

Responsible for planning and judgment.

Parietal Lobe

Processes sensory information.

Temporal Lobe

Involved in auditory processing.

Occipital Lobe

Processes visual information.

Hormones

Chemical messengers of the body.

Pituitary Gland

Known as the master gland.

Adrenal Gland

Involved in fight or flight response.

Thyroid

Regulates metabolism.

Genotype

Genetic makeup of an individual.

Phenotype

Observable traits of an individual.

Twin Studies

Research method used to study nature versus nurture.

Electrochemical process

Involves electrical impulses and neurotransmitters.

Neuroplasticity

Ability of the brain to reorganize itself.

Lateralization

Functional specialization of the brain's hemispheres.

Split-brain studies

Investigate the functions of left and right hemisphere following corpus callosum severance.