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Unit 1 Vocab
Vocabulary for Biological Basis of Behavior
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Behavior Genetics | Study of familial/hereditary behavior patterns and the genetic mechanisms of behavior traits. |
| Heritability | Estimate/capacity of inheritance to a given trait or a function in a population. |
| Epigenetics | Study of heritable modifications to DNA that alter gene activity. (ex. additional material, or structural alteration) |
| Central Nervous System | The entire complex of neurons, axons, and tissue that supports the brain and spinal cord. |
| Sympathetic Nervous System* | The division of the automatic nervous system that consists of preganglionic autonomic neurons. It is usually in the service of the flight-or-fight response. Changes are dilation of pupils, raise blood-sugar, increase metabolism, and secrete epinephrine. |
| Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS)* | The division of the automatic nervous system that controls rest, repair, enjoyment, eating, sleeping, sexual activity, and social dominance. |
| Automatic Nervous System | The portion of the nervous system that includes smooth muscles, circulatory, digestive, respiratory, and reproductive organs. Involves heart rate, digestions, salivation, pupil size, and other involuntary bodily functions. |
| Somatic Nervous System* | The part of the nervous system containing the sensory and motor neurons. |
| Sensory (Afferent) Neurons* | Neurons that receive information from the environment and transmit it to the central nervous system. |
| Motor (Efferent) Neurons* | Neurons that connect to muscle fibers, and are the only means of stimulating them. |
| Bio-psychologists (Biological Psychology) | The science that deals with the biological basis of behavior, thoughts, and emotions. Also addressing behavior-changing brain lesions, chemical responses in brain, and brain-related genetics. |
| Electroencephalogram (EEG)* | A method of studying brain waves using an electroencephalograph that amplifies and records the electrical activity of the brain. |
| Magnetic Resonanse Imaging (MRI) | A technique that uses the responses of hydrogen in tissue molecules to strong magnetic impulses to form a three-dimensional picture of body organs/tissues. |
| Functional Magnetic Resonanse Imaging (fMRI)* | A form of magnetic resonance imaging used to locate areas of cognitive activation based on the correlation between brain activity and changes in blood flow to the brain. |
| Positron Emission Tomography Scan (PET)* | An imaging technique using radiolabled tracers that emit positrons as they are metabolized. |
| Computed Tomography (CT or CAT)* | A radiographic technique to quickly produce details, 3D images of the brain (or other soft tissues). |
| Cerebellum* | A portion of the hindbrain that coordinates balance, equilibrium, and movement (athletic, musician, dancer). Also includes implicit memory (memories not consciously recalled) |
| Semantic Memory* | Memory for general factual knowledge, allows people to engage in complex cognitive processes (ex. recognizing objects using language). |
| Procedural Memory | Long-term memory for skills involved in certain tasks, demonstrated by skilled performance (ex. knowing how to skate). |
| Prospective Memory* | Memory that allows one to remember something to do in the future (ex. taking one's medicine later). |
| Echoic Memory* | Absorption of auditory information for 2-3 seconds after the end of stimulus. |
| Infantile Amnesia* | The inability of adults to remember experiences that occurred in the first few years of life. |
| Amygdala* | An almond-shaped structure (one in each hemisphere) that is associated with anger, aggression, and fear response. Also helps ingrain highly emotion memories (flashbulb) |
| Thalamus* | The sensory switchboard of the brain that sorts sensory information, then sends it to the cortex for further interpretation. Smell is the ONLY exception. |
| Cortisol | A hormone produced by adrenal glands that plays a crucial role in the body's stress response. |
| Broca's Area* | A region in cerebral hemisphere that is associated with the production of speech, located in the left hemisphere. |
| Wernicke's Area* | A region in back of the left hemisphere of the cerebrum containing nerve tissue associated with the interpretation of sounds. |
| Vestibular Sense* | The sense that enables the maintenance of balance. |
| Endocrine System* | Network of glands that secrete hormones to regulate bodily functions. |
| Pituitary Gland* | A gland that lies in the base of the brain, is connected to the hypothalamus and releases hormones. |
| Corpus Callosum* | Never fibers connecting cerebral hemispheres, and is known as the largest interhemispheric commissures. |
| Corpus Callosotomy* | Surgical procedure that involves cutting part/all of the corpus callosum. |
| Hypothalamus* | Part of the limbic system, involved in fight or flight, feeding, and fornication. |
| Lateral Hypothalamus Functions* | Involved in the regulation of eating. Stimulation of this region increases food intake. |
| Hippocampus* | A C-shaped structure in the center of the brain that converts short-term memory into long-term memory, is involved in processing/retrieving declarative memory and spatial relationship memories. |
| Pons* | Bridge that connects the brainstem to the cerebellum and helps coordinate/integrate movements of the body while also playing a role in sleep functions. |
| Axon Terminal | Button-like endings of the axon which the axons make synaptic contacts with other neurons. |
| Postsynaptic Membrane | Part of the neuron containing receptors that bind to neurotransmitters released, receiving signals at a synapse. |
| Synaptic Cleft | A gap within a synapse between the ending of an axon and the dendrite of another. |
| Dendrites | Branching extension of the cell body of a neuron that receive neural signals. |
| Depolarization* | Process of increasing the electrical charge inside cells of a neuron, and decreasing the outside. |
| Reuptake (of a neuron)* | When a neuron recollects the same neurotransmitters it released. |
| Resting State (of a neuron)* | The period when a neuron isn't excited or resting, but ready to fire. |
| Absolute Refractory Phase/refractory Period* | Period of inactivity after a neuron has fired and it need to return to resting state. |
| Long Term Potentiation (LTP) | Persistent strengthening of synapses after recent activity. |
| Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) | Any antidepressant that block the reuptake of serotonin. |
| Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potential (IPSP)* | An electrical charge on the postsynaptic membrane which is caused by the binding of inhibitory neurotransmitters making the neuron less likely to fire. |
| Excitatory Postsynaptic Potential (EPSP)* | An electrical charge on the postsynaptic membrane which is caused by the binding of excitatory neurotransmitters making the neuron more likely to fire. |
| Myelin Sheath | Insulating layer around axon of the neuron that increases the speed of conduction of nerve impulses. |
| Multiple Sclerosis (in relation to myelin sheath) | Inflammation and scarring of the myelin sheath which damages and destroys the sheath and neuron, disrupting neural transmission. Symptoms include fatigue, numbness, stuff muscles, difficulties in balance, and often initial visual disturbances. |
| Action Potential* | An electrical impulse that travels along the axon of the neuron essential for neuronal communication by allowing for information to be transmitted. |
| Phenotypic Traits | Characteristics of an organism resulting from genetics, and environmental factors. |
| Consciousness | Awareness of thoughts, feeling, and perceptions that continuously change as the person shifts attention. |
| Subconscious | Having thoughts, feeling, or memories without being conscious of them. |
| Activation-Synthesis Theory | A theory that explains why humans have dreams, stating that the dream is the nerve impulses being processed into something that makes sense. |
| Opiates | Agonists for endorphins that are incredibly addictive and create powerful withdrawal symptoms (e.x. heroin, oxycodone, fentanyl) |
| Epilepsy | A chronic brain disorder associated in the disturbances of electrical discharges of brain cells. Includes reacurring seizures w/ or w/o consciousness. |
| Cognitive Information Processing Theory | A theory explaining how the human mind take in, manages, and stores information similarly to a computer. |
| Stimulants* | Drugs that activate various parts of the sympathetic nervous system by increasing brain activity, arousing behavior and increasing mental alertness. |
| Depressants* | Drugs that depress/cause a slowing effect on the nervous system, creating drowsiness, sedation, or sleep --relieving anxiety and lowering inhibition. Combining them can be deadly. |
| Hallucinogens* | Drugs that create sensory and perceptual distortions, alter mood and affect thinking. |
| Amphetamine | A stimulant to the CNS that speeds up messages between brain and body. |
| Antagonist* | Blocks a neurotransmitter from being released by the terminal or binding to the receptor site, inhibiting the normal functioning of the neurotransmitter. |
| Agonist* | A drug that enhances the actions of neurotransmitters by 1. (direct agonists) mimic the neurotransmitter and bind with the receptor of the next neuron, or 2. (indirect agonists) block reuptake of a neurotransmitter. |
| Medulla-(Oblongata)* | Part of the hindbrain that includes basic autonomic functions (Heart rate, breathing, blood pressure), and reflexes (swallowing, sneezing, and vomiting). |
| Reticular Formation* | A network of nerve fibers involved in attention, arousal, and alertness. |
| Neuroplasticity/Brain plasticity* | The ability of the brain to change as a result of experience or injury through either neurogenesis (creation of new cells), or long-term potentiation (biological basis of learning). |
| Serotonin (Neurotransmitter) | Neurotransmitters that play a significant role in mood, appetite, sleep, and dreaming. |
| Dopamine (Neurotransmitter)* | Neurotransmitters linked to the anticipation of pleasure or rewarding activities, and also movement and attention. |
| Acetylcholine (Neurotransmitter)* | A neurotransmitter found in both the CNS and PNS, and is involved in learning, memory, and all movements. |
| Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) | Most abundant inhibitory associated with various anxiety-related disorders. |
| Norepinephrine (Neurotransmitter) | Neurotransmitters associated with arousal, alertness, vigilance, and heavily involved in the sleep cycle. |
| Glutamate (Neurotransmitter) | Most abundant excitatory that enhances learning, and memory by strengthening synaptic connections throughout the CNS. |
| Endorphines | Neurotransmitters that are involved in the body's pain reduction, and reward centers. They are stimulated by intense/prolonged exercise that create euphoric feelings. |
| Estrogen | Female sex hormone produced mainly by the ovaries that regulate the female reproductive system and secondary sexual characteristics |
| Melatonin* | Hormone that helps regulate season changes in physiology, puberty, and the sleep-wake cycle. |
| Testosterone | A male sex hormone produced by the testes that stimulates the development of male reproductive organs, and secondary sex characteristics. |
| Temporal Lobe | One of the brain's main lobes that contains the auditory projection/association, emotions, memory, and visual perception |
| Left Temporal Lobe Functions* | Forms/stores memories, processes sounds, and identifies objects. |
| Right Temporal Lobe Functions* | Processes visual information, regulates emotional responses, and contributes to understanding communication. |
| Frontal Lobe Functions* | Considered the behavior and emotional control center that includes voluntary movement, expressive language, planning, organizing, problem-solving, and self-monitoring. |
| Left Frontal Lobe Functions* | Form speech, problem-solve, initiate voluntary movements, and control emotions. |
| Parietal Lobe* | Lobe located near the back top of the head that is important for processing and interpreting physical contact, movement of body parts, and constructing a spatial coordinating system. |
| Right Parietal Lobe Functions* | Processes spatial information, navigation, awareness, and visual perception. |
| Left Parietal Lobe Functions* | Process sensory information, emotions, memory, attention, understanding |
| Occipital Lobe* | Lobe that sits at the back of the head responsible for visual perception (color, form and motion). |
| Right Hemisphere Functions* | Emotional processing, facial, places, object recognition, creativity, left visual field, and the left side of the body. |
| Left Hemisphere Functions | Language processing, speech, logical thinking, right visual field, and right side of the body. |
| Aphasia | A language disorder that affects a how you communicate |
| Auditory Cortex* | A region of the brain that is responsible for processing, and interpreting sound. |
| Split Brain* | When the corpus callosum is severed, disconnecting the two hemispheres of the brain. |
| Visual Cortex* | A region of the brain that receives and processes visual information from the eyes. |
| Limbic System (Midbrain)* | A group of connected brain structures that are responsible for emotions, and behavior,. |
| Somatosensory Cortex* | A region of the brain that processes sensory information from the body (ex. touch, temperature, and body position). |
| Adrenaline* | A hormone that plays an important role in the body's fight-or-flight response by preparing the body for a stressful/dangerous situation. |
| Oxytocin* | A hormone that plays an important role in human behaviors including trust, attachment, and bonding. |
Created by:
IloveGarfield:3
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