biopsychology

What is Biology?

The study of life and living organisms.

What is Psychology?

The study of the mind and behavior.

What is Biopsychology?

A branch of psychology focused on how biology influences behavior.→ Combines neuroscience, physiology, and psychology.

the nervous system main role

The primary system involved in behavior and Controls conscious and unconscious functions.

the nervous system divisons

Central Nervous System (CNS) - brain + spinal cord and Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) - nerves throughout the body.

the nervous system cell type

neurons and glial cells

Neurons

transmit messages throughout the body.

Glial cells

support, protect, and nourish neurons.

What is the brain's main function?

It serves as the "command center" for the nervous system, controlling thoughts, behavior, and body functions.

What is the brain made of?

Neurons, glial cells, blood vessels, water, fat, and proteins.

Do different brain areas have different functions?

Yes — each region has specialized roles.

What is the cell?

The smallest living unit that can function independently.

What are organelles?

Specialized structures within cells that perform specific functions.

What organelles are important in neurons?

The nucleus, mitochondria, Golgi apparatus, and ribosomes.

What is a neuron?

A specialized cell that transmits electrical and chemical signals in the nervous system.

What are the four main divisions of a neuron?

Input zone, integration zone, conduction zone, and output zone.

What happens in the input zone?

Neurons collect and process information through dendrites.

What happens in the integration zone?

The neuron decides whether to send a signal (at the axon hillock).

What happens in the conduction zone?

The signal travels down the axon.

What happens in the output zone?

The neuron passes information to other cells via axon terminals.

What are the structural types of neurons?

Multipolar, bipolar, and unipolar.

What is a multipolar neuron?

A neuron with many dendrites (most common type).

What is a bipolar neuron?

A neuron with one dendrite and one axon (common in sensory systems).

What is a unipolar neuron?

A neuron with the cell body in the middle (common in sensory neurons).

What are the functional types of neurons?

Motor neurons, interneurons, and sensory neurons.

What do motor neurons do?

Send signals to muscles to cause movement.

What do interneurons do?

Process and relay information between neurons.

What do sensory neurons do?

Send sensory information (like touch) to the CNS.

What is a synapse?

The site of communication between two neurons.

What does the presynaptic terminal do?

Releases neurotransmitters.

What does the postsynaptic membrane do?

Receives and responds to neurotransmitters.

What is the synaptic cleft?

The tiny gap between two neurons.

What are synaptic vesicles?

Small sacs that store neurotransmitters.

What are neurotransmitters?

Chemicals that carry messages across synapses.

What is a dendritic spine?

A small bump on a dendrite that increases surface area and allows more synaptic connections.

What is arborization?

The branching of dendrites to make multiple connections.

What is neuroplasticity?

The brain's ability to change and adapt in response to experience or environment.

How many axons does a neuron usually have?

Usually one.

How many dendrites does a neuron usually have?

Usually many.

Do axons have myelin sheaths?

Yes, usually.

Do dendrites have myelin sheaths?

No.

What is the main function of an axon?

To send signals.

What is the main function of dendrites?

To receive signals.

Which is typically longer, axons or dendrites?

Axons

What does the Golgi apparatus do in neurons?

Loads neurotransmitters into transport vesicles.

What are motor proteins?

Proteins that move vesicles along microtubules inside the axon.

What is anterograde transport?

Movement of materials from the cell body to the axon terminals.

What is retrograde transport?

Movement of materials from the terminals back to the cell body.

What is the speed of fast axonal transport?

200-400 mm per day.

What is the speed of slow axonal transport?

Less than 8 mm per day.

What do glial cells do?

Support and assist neurons with structure, chemicals, and materials.

What are the four main types of glial cells?

Astrocytes, microglial cells, oligodendrocytes, and Schwann cells.

What do astrocytes do?

Regulate blood flow, maintain the blood-brain barrier, form/prune synapses, and communicate with neurons.

What are microglial cells?

Small, immune-like cells that clean up debris in the brain.

What are microglial cells involved in?

Pain perception and neuronal remodeling

Where are oligodendrocytes found?

In the central nervous system (CNS).

What is their function?

To create myelin for multiple axons, speeding up electrical signals.

What's the difference between gray matter and white matter?

Gray matter = unmyelinated neurons; white matter = myelinated neurons.

Where are Schwann cells found?

In the peripheral nervous system (PNS).

What do Schwann cells do?

Provide myelin for one axon each.

What can happen when glial cells divide uncontrollably?

Tumors, especially from astrocytes.

What is edema?

Swelling of tissue, often seen in astrocytes.

How can astrocytes cause epilepsy?

By altering brain chemistry and increasing neural excitability.

Which glial cells are linked to neurodegenerative diseases?

Astrocytes and microglial cells.

Which glial cells are linked to Multiple Sclerosis (MS)?

Oligodendrocytes.

Loss of oligodendrocytes can lead to which mental disorder?

Schizophrenia.

Are sensory neurons part of the CNS?

No, they are part of the peripheral nervous system.

What is anatomy?

The study of the structure and interrelationships of the body's tissues, organs, and systems.

What is neuroanatomy?

The anatomy of the nervous system — including the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves.

What are the three main anatomical planes of the brain?

Sagittal (z-axis), Coronal (y-axis), and Horizontal (x-axis).

What does the sagittal plane do?

Bisects the brain into right and left halves; runs front to back.

What does the coronal plane do?

Splits the brain into front (anterior) and back (posterior) parts.

What does the horizontal plane do?

Splits the brain into top (superior) and bottom (inferior) parts.

What does medial mean?

Toward the middle or midline.

What does lateral mean?

Away from the midline.

What does ipsilateral mean?

On the same side of the body.

What does contralateral mean?

On opposite sides of the body.

What does afferent mean?

Carries information into a region of interest.

What does efferent mean?

Carries information away from a region of interest.

What do superior and inferior mean?

Superior = above; Inferior = below.

What do anterior and posterior mean?

Anterior = in front of; Posterior = behind.

What do rostral and caudal mean?

Rostral = toward the front; Caudal = toward the back.

What do dorsal and ventral mean?

Dorsal = top; Ventral = bottom.

What do proximal and distal mean?

Proximal = closer to; Distal = farther from something.

What is the main function of the PNS?

To communicate between the central nervous system (CNS) and the rest of the body.

What is a nerve?

A bundle of axons that transmit information throughout the body.

What are the two types of nerves in the PNS?

Sensory (afferent) nerves and motor (efferent) nerves.

What do sensory nerves do?

Carry sensations (like touch) from receptors to the CNS.

What do motor nerves do?

Send signals from the brain to muscles for movement.

What are the two subsections of the motor nervous system?

Somatic and Autonomic systems.

What does the somatic nervous system control?

Voluntary movements (skeletal muscles).

What does the autonomic nervous system control?

Glands, internal organs, and smooth muscles — all involuntary.

How many pairs of cranial nerves are there?

12 pairs (left and right).

Do cranial nerves connect to the spinal cord?

No — they connect directly to the brain.

What do cranial nerves control?

Sensory and motor functions of the head and neck.

Which cranial nerves are purely sensory?

I (Olfactory), II (Optic), VIII (Vestibulocochlear).

Which are purely motor?

III (Oculomotor), IV (Trochlear), VI (Abducens), XI (Accessory), XII (Hypoglossal).

Which have both sensory and motor functions?

V (Trigeminal), VII (Facial), IX (Glossopharyngeal), X (Vagus).

How many pairs of spinal nerves exist?

31 pairs.

What are the two roots of a spinal nerve?

Dorsal root (sensory input) and ventral root (motor output).