Biological Psychology Test One – Flashcards
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physiology
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the study of how living systems function
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genetics
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the study of how genes and evolution affect biological processes
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developmental biology
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the study of how an organism and its tissues are created during development
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biochemistry
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the study of how molecules of life and how they influence living systems
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Key Point
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Biological psychology focuses on the role genes, molecules, cells, tissues and organs play in cognitive, affective, behavioral processes
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Scientific Research
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systematic, controlled, and critical examination of the world, often using experiments to explore the relationship between two variables
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Experiments
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-subjects are placed in one of two conditions in which one variable is manipulated -the effect of manipulating that variable on some outcome variable that can be measured is determined
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5 Types of Biopsychological Variables that Can be Manipulated
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- Genetic Manipulations - Neuropharmacology - Electrical Stimulation - Trauma Studies - Lesion Studies
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Genetic Manipulations
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selective breeding, transgenic manipulation (animals only)
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Neurophamacology
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giving agonists or antagonists to brain chemicals (animals and humans)
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Electrical Stimulation
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increase the activity of a brain region by stimulation it electrically (animals and humans)
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Trauma Studies
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damage to a brain region due to accidental injury (humans)
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Lesion Studies
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intentional damage to brain regions; can be temporary or permanant (animals only)
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4 Types of Biopsychological Outcome Variables That Can be Measured
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- Neuroimaging - Electrophysiology - Neurochemistry - Neurocytology
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Neuroimaging
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non-invasive ways to image brain structures or their activity --MRI,fMRI,PET
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Electrophysiology
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measuring the electrical activity of the brain-- EEG,EMG, Patch clamping
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Neurochemistry
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measuring neurotransmitters, metabolites, signaling molecules
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Neurocytology
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staining cells in the brain to explore anatomy or activity of connections
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Course Goal
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to understand the principles of biological psychology and the fundamentals of the relationships between brain structure, brain function, and behavior
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Nervous System
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the organs, tissues and cellular structures that coordinate the actions of an organism and transmit signals between different parts of its body
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Peripheral Nervous System
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components of the nervous system outside the skull and spine, i.e., the nerves
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Central Nervous System
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components of the nervous system located in the skull and spine, i.e., the brain and spinal cord
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2 Main Components of the Peripheral Nervous System
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1. Nerves 2. Ganglia
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Nerves
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enclosed, cable-like bundles that transmit electrical impulses to and from body structures and the brain
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Ganglia
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Clusters of nerve cell bodies associated with nerves
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2 Main Branches of the Peripheral Nervous System
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1. Somatic Nervous System 2. Automatic Nervous System
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Somatic Nervous System
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nerves carrying sensory information to the CNS and motor commands from the CNS -Cranial Nerves -Spinal Nerves
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Cranial Nerves
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carry information to and from the brain and the head, neck, and trunk
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Spinal Nerves
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carry information to and from the CNS and the rest of the body
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Automatic Nervous System
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special nerves that regulate activity of the internal organs and other involuntary activities -parasympathetic nervous system -sympathetic nervous system
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Parasympathetic Nervous System
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regulates day-to-day functions like digestion
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Sympathetic Nervous System
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regulates "fight or flight" response to threats and stressors
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The Spinal Cord
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- Functions primarily in transmission of signals to and from the brain and the rest of the body - Also acts independently of the brain with local reflexes and other neural circuits
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The Spinal Cord and Spinal Nerves
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- Dorsal Roots - Ventral Roots
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Dorsal Roots (AFFERENT)
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bring sensory information to the CNS from the body- afferent
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Ventral Roots (EFFERANT)
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take motor commands from the CNS to muscles- efferent
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Spinal Cord or Neck Injury
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- Physical trauma ti the spine can sever communication between the brain and the rest of the body - the higher up an injury occurs, the more of the body is affected - primary causes: car accidents, falls, sports injuries, assaults - >12,ooo people experience spinal cord injury each year
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Major Landmarks of The Brain
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- Two hemispheres are seperated by the longitudinal fissure - Two hemispheres are connected by the corpus callosum, which allows communication between them
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The Cells of the Brain
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- Cortex - Nuclei
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Cortex
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Layers of nerve cells or neurons on the outer part of the brain
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Nuclei
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clusters of nerve cells or neurons within the brain
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Folds of the Cortex
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- Gyri (singular gyrus): bulges or ridges on brain's surface - Sulci (singular sulcus): grooves or indentations in the brain's surface
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The Hemispheres are Both Symmetrical and Asymmetrical
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-Symmetrical -Asymmetrical -Contralateral
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Symmetrical
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Structures or functions found in both hemispheres of the brain- sensory areas, motor areas
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Asymmetrical
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structures or functions found in one hemisphere only-- language and spatial navigation areas are usually located in opposite hemispheres
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Contralateral
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information is sent and recieved to and from the opposite side of the body
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3 Main Subdivisions of the Brian
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- Hindbrain - Midbrain - Forebrain
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Functions of the Hindbrain
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- regulation of heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, swallowing - control of sleep and arousal - regulation of posture, movement and balance
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Key Point Hindbrain
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The hindbrain regulates functions that are basic and critical to life
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Main Functions of the Midbrain
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- movement, reward, and arousal - auditory and visual reflexes
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Main Functions of the Forebrain
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- controls body temperature, hunger, thirst, and sleep - relaying and processing of sensory information - Initiation and modulation of movement behaviors - generation of emotion - memory storage - cognition: thought, impulse control, planning
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Key Point Forebrain
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Many of the functions of the forebrain are what make us uniquely human- conscious thought, memory, emotion
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Lobes of the Cerebral Cortex
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The cerebral cortex is the largest part of the brain in humans and is much larger than in other animals - Occipital - Temporal - Parietal - Frontal
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Occipital
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Back of the head
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Temporal
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lower sides of the head
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Parietal
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upper sides of the head
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Frontal
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front of the head
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Meninges
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Membranes surrounding and protecting the brain
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Dura Mater
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outer most layer, very tough
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Arachnoid Membrane
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spiderweb like middle layer
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Pia Mater
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adheres to brain and spinal cord
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Diseases of the Meninges (meningitis)
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-Meningitis: infection or inflammation of the protective membranes surrounding the brain - can be viral or bacterial, viral has NO cure - the most common symptoms of meningitis are headache and neck stiffness associated with fever, confusion or altered consciousness, vomiting, and an inability to tolerate light (photophobia) or loud noises (phonophobia) - approximately 40,000 people get meningitis each year in the US
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Ventricles
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large fluid filled chambers in the brain - 4 ventricles: two lateral, third, and fourth - contain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) - CSF is produced by choroid plexuses and trickles out of the ventricles and washes through the brain into the circulation
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Hydrocephalus
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blockage of the drainage of CSF though the brain, causing the ventricles to swell - can cause brain damage if not reversed - symptoms are obvious and excessive head size and "sundowning" (deviation of the eyes downward due to high intracranial pressure - medical shunts can help
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Cerebral Vasculature
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blood vessels supplying the brain with oxygen and nutrients
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Blood Brain Barrier
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tight seals and other barriers around blood vessels that restrict movement from the blood into the brain and vice versa
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Stroke
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Decrease in blood supply providing oxygen to a part of the brain that results of death of neurons downstream of the blockage - strokes often happen unilaterally: to one side of the brain only and often only effects on sensory (numbness) or motor (paralysis) function on a single side of the body
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