AP Psych - Biological Bases of Behavior

Questions and Answers

What is Neuroanatomy?

The study of behavior and mental processes.

The study of the parts and functions of neurons. (correct)

The study of psychological disorders.

The study of brain diseases.

What are neurons?

Individual nerve cells.

What are dendrites?

Rootlike parts of the cell that stretch out from the cell body.

What is the function of the cell body/soma?

Contains the nucleus and other parts of the cell needed to sustain its life. Signup and view all the answers

What does the axon do?

It is a wirelike structure that extends from the cell body. Signup and view all the answers

What is a myelin sheath?

A fatty covering around the axon of some neurons. Signup and view all the answers

What are terminal buttons?

The branched end of the axon that contains neurotransmitters. Signup and view all the answers

What is a synapse?

The space between the terminal buttons of one neuron and the dendrites of the next neuron. Signup and view all the answers

What is action potential?

The electric message firing of neurons. Signup and view all the answers

What is the all-or-none principle?

A neuron must either fire completely or not at all. Signup and view all the answers

What is acetylcholine?

A neurotransmitter that controls motor movement. Signup and view all the answers

What is dopamine?

A neurotransmitter that controls motor movement and alertness. Signup and view all the answers

What role do endorphins play?

They act as pain control. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of serotonin?

It acts as mood control. Signup and view all the answers

What does an afferent/sensory neuron do?

Takes information from the senses to the brain. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of an interneuron?

Takes the messages from afferent neurons and sends them elsewhere. Signup and view all the answers

What does an efferent/motor neuron do?

Takes information from the brain to the rest of the body. Signup and view all the answers

What does the central nervous system (CNS) consist of?

The brain and spinal cord. Signup and view all the answers

What is the peripheral nervous system (PNS)?

All the nerves not encased in bone. Signup and view all the answers

What does the somatic nervous system control?

Our voluntary muscle movements. Signup and view all the answers

What does the autonomic nervous system control?

The automatic functions of our body. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the sympathetic nervous system?

Mobilizes our body to respond to stress. Signup and view all the answers

What does the parasympathetic nervous system do?

Responsible for slowing down our body after a stress response. Signup and view all the answers

What is lesioning?

The removal or destruction of part of the brain. Signup and view all the answers

What does an electroencephalogram (EEG) detect?

Brain waves. Signup and view all the answers

What is a computerized axial tomography (CAT/CT) scan?

A sophisticated X-ray that creates detailed pictures of the brain. Signup and view all the answers

What does magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) use?

Magnetic fields to measure the density and location of brain material. Signup and view all the answers

What can a position emission tomography (PET) scan show?

Areas of the brain most active during certain tasks. Signup and view all the answers

What is functional MRI (fMRI)?

Combines MRI and PET scans to show brain structure and activity. Signup and view all the answers

What does the hindbrain consist of?

Structures in the top of the spinal cord. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Neuroanatomy Overview

Neuroanatomy studies the structure and function of neurons.
Neurons are the fundamental building blocks of the nervous system.

Key Neuron Structures

Dendrites are rootlike extensions that receive signals from other neurons.
The cell body (soma) houses the nucleus and organelles essential for neuron survival.
Axons are long, wirelike projections that transmit electrical impulses away from the cell body.
Myelin sheath is a fatty layer that insulates axons, enhancing signal transmission speed.
Terminal buttons are the endpoints of axons that release neurotransmitters to communicate with other neurons.
Synapses are gaps between terminal buttons of one neuron and dendrites of another neurons, enabling signal transmission.

Neural Communication

Action potential is the electrical impulse that neurons use to send messages.
The all-or-none principle indicates that neurons fire completely or not at all, maintaining consistent impulse strength.

Important Neurotransmitters

Acetylcholine aids motor movement; low levels are linked to Alzheimer's disease.
Dopamine regulates motor activity and alertness; deficiencies are tied to Parkinson's disease, while excess can lead to schizophrenia.
Endorphins function as natural painkillers; irregular levels contribute to addiction.
Serotonin influences mood regulation; insufficient amounts are associated with depression.

Types of Neurons

Afferent (sensory) neurons convey sensory information to the brain.
Interneurons process and relay signals between neurons in the brain and spinal cord.
Efferent (motor) neurons transmit information from the brain to muscles and glands.

Nervous System Structure

The central nervous system (CNS) comprises the brain and spinal cord, facilitating communication within the body.
The peripheral nervous system (PNS) includes nerves outside the CNS and is subdivided into somatic and autonomic systems.
The somatic nervous system manages voluntary movements, while the autonomic nervous system regulates involuntary functions.

Autonomic Nervous System Components

The sympathetic nervous system triggers physiological responses during stress (fight or flight).
The parasympathetic nervous system calms the body after stress, promoting rest and recovery.

Brain Study Techniques

Lesioning involves the deliberate destruction of brain areas to study functions.
Electroencephalogram (EEG) measures electrical brain activity, providing insight into various mental states.
Computerized axial tomography (CAT/CT) scans create detailed three-dimensional images of brain structure.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) utilizes magnetic fields to produce high-resolution images of brain density and location.
Position emission tomography (PET) scans observe brain activity by tracking chemical usage during tasks.
Functional MRI (fMRI) combines MRI and PET to reveal brain structures and their functions during cognitive tasks.

Brain Anatomy

The hindbrain, located at the top of the spinal cord, maintains vital biological functions and includes structures such as the medulla, pons, and cerebellum.
The medulla regulates autonomic functions such as heart rate and breathing.

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Description

Test your understanding of the biological foundations of behavior in this AP Psychology quiz. Covering essential terms like neuroanatomy and neuron structure, these flashcards will help reinforce key concepts critical for mastering the subject.