PSYC 101 Ch. 4
---
### Flashcard 1: The Origin of Behaviour
- Fixed, species-specific behaviours: Behaviours that are consistent within a species.
- The "enchanted loom": Brain activity compared to millions of flashing shuttles weaving dissolving yet meaningful patterns.
- Brain's role: Critical for generating behaviour.
---
### Flashcard 2: Phineas Gage
- Before injury: Well-balanced mind, smart businessman, persistent.
- After injury: Fitful, irreverent, profane; "no longer Gage."
- Significance: Brain damage impacts personality and behaviour.
---
### Flashcard 3: Neuron Doctrine vs. Reticular Theory
- Neuron Doctrine: Neurons are discrete but function as a network.
- Reticular Theory: Neurons form a continuous network.
---
### Flashcard 4: Structure of a Neuron
- Dendrites: Receive information.
- Axon: Carries signals; covered by myelin sheath (formed by glial cells).
- Nodes of Ranvier: Gaps in myelin that speed up signal transmission.
- Soma (cell body): Coordinates processes, contains the nucleus.
---
### Flashcard 5: Brain Matter
- Grey Matter: Unmyelinated axons, cell bodies.
- White Matter: Myelinated axons; signal "jumps" for faster transmission.
- MS (Multiple Sclerosis): Myelin degradation → loss of neural signal → numbness, weakness, motor issues.
---
### Flashcard 6: Types of Neurons
1. Sensory Neurons: Convert external stimuli to nervous signals (bipolar).
2. Motor Neurons: Control muscles; typically multipolar.
3. Interneurons: Modulate local activity (CNS, multipolar).
---
### Flashcard 7: Neurons Specialized by Location
- Purkinje Cells: Carry info from the cerebellum to brain/spinal cord.
- Pyramidal Cells: Triangular cell body, found in the cerebral cortex.
- Bipolar Cells: Sensory neurons in the retina.
---
### Flashcard 8: Two Basic Brain Cells
1. Neurons: Transmit signals, action potentials, and neurotransmitters.
2. Glia: Support neurons, provide nutrients, and influence transmission.
---
### Flashcard 9: Types of Glia
- Astrocytes: Manage blood-brain barrier, modulate activity.
- Oligodendrocytes: Myelinate CNS neurons (up to 50 neurons).
- Schwann Cells: Myelinate PNS neurons (1mm = 1000 cells).
- Microglia: Brain's guardians; destroy pathogens, clean debris.
---
### Flashcard 10: Electric and Chemical Signalling
- Resting Potential: -70mV; inside is negative relative to outside.
- Action Potential: Electric spike (+40mV); follows "all or none" principle.
- Saltatory Conduction: Signal jumps between Nodes of Ranvier (faster).
- Synapse: Gap where neurotransmitters transfer signals.
---
### Flashcard 11: Neurotransmitters
- Acetylcholine (ACh): Voluntary motor control, attention, memory.
- Dopamine: Motor behaviour, pleasure; linked to schizophrenia (high) and Parkinson's (low).
- Glutamate: Major excitatory transmitter.
- GABA: Inhibitory; low GABA = seizures.
- Serotonin: Mood, sleep, eating; low levels → depression.
- Norepinephrine: Vigilance, awareness.
- Endorphins: Pain relief, mood elevation.
---
### Flashcard 12: Drugs and the Synapse
- Agonists: Increase neurotransmitter action (e.g., Amphetamine, Cocaine).
- Antagonists: Decrease neurotransmitter function (e.g., Beta-blockers).
- Key Mechanism: Drugs alter receptor function but not action potential magnitude.
---
### Flashcard 13: Epigenetics
- Definition: Changes in gene expression without altering DNA sequence.
- Influence: Environment and experiences can turn genes "on" or "off."
- Example: Stress or diet can modify how genes express behaviour or health traits.
---
### Flashcard 14: Genes and Behaviour
- Genes: Units of heredity, made of DNA, organized in chromosomes.
- Mutations: Cause diversity; subject to evolutionary pressures.
- Heritability: Measure of how much variability in traits is due to genetics (0 to 1 scale).
---
### Flashcard 15: Species-Typical Behaviour
- Universal human behaviours:
- Aversion to pain
- Socializing needs
- Drive to eat, reproduce, and seek understanding
- Child development: Similar stages across humans (e.g., "terrible twos").
---
---
### Flashcard Set: Nervous System, Brain, and Imaging Techniques
#### Card 1
Q: What is the primary function of the human nervous system?
A: The human nervous system is an interacting network of neurons that conveys electrochemical information throughout the body.
#### Card 2
Q: What are the two main divisions of the nervous system?
A: The central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS).
#### Card 3
Q: What structures make up the central nervous system (CNS)?
A: The brain and spinal cord.
#### Card 4
Q: What is the primary role of the spinal cord in the CNS?
A: The spinal cord processes sensory input, mediates spinal reflexes, and sends motor commands to the body.
#### Card 5
Q: What are the two subdivisions of the peripheral nervous system (PNS)?
A: The somatic nervous system (voluntary control) and the autonomic nervous system (involuntary control).
#### Card 6
Q: What are the roles of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems?
A: The sympathetic nervous system prepares the body for action in challenging situations, while the parasympathetic nervous system returns the body to a resting state.
#### Card 7
Q: What is the endocrine system?
A: A network of glands that produce and secrete hormones into the bloodstream to regulate functions like metabolism, growth, and stress.
#### Card 8
Q: What gland is known as the "master gland" of the endocrine system, and why?
A: The pituitary gland because it releases hormones that control other glands in the body.
#### Card 9
Q: What is the function of the hypothalamus in the endocrine system?
A: The hypothalamus sends hormonal signals to the pituitary gland to regulate stress, digestion, and reproduction.
#### Card 10
Q: What are the major divisions of the brain?
A: The hindbrain, midbrain, and forebrain.
#### Card 11
Q: What is the function of the hindbrain?
A: The hindbrain coordinates basic functions such as respiration, alertness, and motor skills.
#### Card 12
Q: What structure in the hindbrain regulates heart rate, circulation, and respiration?
A: The medulla.
#### Card 13
Q: What is the cerebellum's primary function?
A: The cerebellum controls fine motor skills, balance, and coordination.
#### Card 14
Q: What is the main function of the midbrain?
A: The midbrain orients an organism to sensory stimuli and is involved in movement and arousal.
#### Card 15
Q: What is the role of the forebrain?
A: The forebrain controls complex cognitive, emotional, sensory, and motor functions.
#### Card 16
Q: What are the subcortical structures of the brain?
A: The thalamus, hypothalamus, hippocampus, amygdala, and basal ganglia.
#### Card 17
Q: What is brain plasticity?
A: Brain plasticity is the brain's ability to adapt to changes in sensory input and reassign functions to different areas.
#### Card 18
Q: What is the corpus callosum?
A: A large bundle of axons that connects the two hemispheres of the brain, allowing communication between them.
#### Card 19
Q: What is the difference between structural and functional brain imaging?
A: Structural imaging shows brain anatomy, while functional imaging reveals brain activity.
#### Card 20
Q: What is the primary function of MRI and what are its drawbacks?
A: MRI provides detailed images of brain structure with good soft tissue contrast but is slow, expensive, and unsuitable for patients with metal implants.
#### Card 21
Q: What does functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) measure?
A: fMRI detects blood flow changes in the brain, reflecting areas of neural activity.
#### Card 22
Q: What are mirror neurons, and where are they found?
A: Mirror neurons, found in the frontal and parietal lobes, are active when performing or observing an action.
#### Card 23
Q: What is lateralization of language, and who discovered it?
A: Language is predominantly controlled by the left hemisphere. Paul Broca and Carl Wernicke discovered specific brain areas for language production and comprehension.
#### Card 24
Q: What happened to Phineas Gage, and what did his case teach about the brain?
A: A rod damaged Gage's frontal lobe, causing personality changes. This showed the frontal lobe's role in emotion regulation, planning, and decision-making.
#### Card 25
Q: How do PET scans work, and what are their drawbacks?
A: PET scans use radioactive tracers to detect brain activity but expose patients to radiation and are costly.
#### Card 26
Q: What role does the hippocampus play in memory?
A: The hippocampus creates new memories and integrates them into long-term storage.
#### Card 27
Q: What happens when the amygdala is damaged?
A: Damage to the amygdala can impair emotional processing, particularly fear.
#### Card 28
Q: What is a reflex arc?
A: A neural pathway that controls reflex actions, often involving sensory, motor, and interneurons.
#### Card 29
Q: How does transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) work?
A: TMS uses strong magnetic pulses to temporarily induce or block neuronal activity.
#### Card 30
Q: What does the somatosensory cortex do, and where is it located?
A: Located in the parietal lobe, it processes touch information from the body.
---
These flashcards will help you reinforce your knowledge on the nervous system, brain divisions, and brain imaging techniques. Let me know if you'd like to refine or add any cards!