Back to AI Flashcard MakerPsychology /GRE® Psychology Biological: Physiological/Behavioral Neuroscience Part 7
GRE® Psychology Biological: Physiological/Behavioral Neuroscience Part 7
This deck covers key concepts in physiological and behavioral neuroscience, focusing on reflexes, hypothalamic functions, neurotransmitters, and various psychological syndromes and disorders.
What allows reflexes to occur quickly instead of having to be routed through the brain?
neural networks known as reflex arcs.
Tap or swipe ↕ to flip
Swipe ←→Navigate
1/25
Key Terms
Term
Definition
What allows reflexes to occur quickly instead of having to be routed through the brain?
neural networks known as reflex arcs.
Define: phylogeny
The study of evolutionary development
What are the subdivisions of the hypothalamus?
1. lateral hypothalamus 2. ventromedial hypothalamus 3. anterior hypothalamus
Fill in the blanks: The hypothalamus uses _______ to regulate the balance of water in the body, a process known as _______.
osmoreceptors; osmoregulation
What is the function of the lateral hypothalamus?
It controls hunger; lesions can result in aphagia, or a refusal to eat.
What is the function of the ventromedial hypothalamus? | (VMH)
The VMH tells us when we have had enough to eat. Lesions in the VMH can lead to hyperphagia, or uncontrollable eating, since there is nothing to signa...
Related Flashcard Decks
Study Tips
- Press F to enter focus mode for distraction-free studying
- Review cards regularly to improve retention
- Try to recall the answer before flipping the card
- Share this deck with friends to study together
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
What allows reflexes to occur quickly instead of having to be routed through the brain? | neural networks known as reflex arcs. |
Define: phylogeny | The study of evolutionary development |
What are the subdivisions of the hypothalamus? | 1. lateral hypothalamus 2. ventromedial hypothalamus 3. anterior hypothalamus |
Fill in the blanks: The hypothalamus uses _______ to regulate the balance of water in the body, a process known as _______. | osmoreceptors; osmoregulation |
What is the function of the lateral hypothalamus? | It controls hunger; lesions can result in aphagia, or a refusal to eat. |
What is the function of the ventromedial hypothalamus? | (VMH) | The VMH tells us when we have had enough to eat. Lesions in the VMH can lead to hyperphagia, or uncontrollable eating, since there is nothing to signal satiety. |
What is the function of the anterior hypothalamus? | It controls sexual behavior. Lesions can lead to inhibited sexual urges and activity. |
Fill in the blanks: Along with the nucleus accumbens, the _______ _______ is a major pleasure center of the brain. | septal area (or septum) |
What is Klüver-Bucy syndrome? | It is a syndrome resulting from bilateral lesions to the amygdala, marked by docility, hypersexuality, hyperphagia, and hyperorality. |
What is another name for the visual cortex? | striate cortex |
Fill in the blank: When the sensations from one side of the body communicate with the same side of the cortex, they are communicating _______. | ipsilaterally |
What are the three most abundant catecholamines in the body? | 1. dopamine 2. epinephrine 3. norepinephrine They are also classified as monoamines, and play a part in emotional processes. |
What is the dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia? | This hypothesis states that schizophrenia is cause by an excess of dopamine. However, problems with this theory include: many patients with schizophrenia have normal levels of dopamine, and antipsychotics block dopamine quickly, but psychosis doesn't go away immediately. |
What two mood disorders are linked to norepinephrine imbalance? | depression and mania |
What is the synthetic form of dopamine sometimes used to treat patients with Parkinson's disease? | L-dopa |
Antidepressants like Prozac are called what? | selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors | (SSRIs) |
What is the monoamine theory of depression? | This theory believes that excessive or insufficient levels of monoamines (specifically norepinephrine) are linked with mania and depression. |
What are peptides? | When two or more amino acids combine, they form peptides. Important peptides to remember are endorphins (which serve as natural painkillers) and enkephalins. |
What behaviors are associated with epinephrine? | Epinephrine (or adrenaline) is linked to the fight or flight response. |
What are the functions of serotonin? | It helps regulate mood and eating, as well as sleep and dreaming. |
What is another term for sedative-hypnotic drug? | depressants |
What are some examples of sedative-hypnotic drugs, and what neurotransmitter do they affect? | Alcohol, benzodiazepines (like Valium) and barbituates; they enhance GABA, and are used as tranquilizers or sedatives. |
What is Korsakoff's Syndrome? | Stemming from malnutrition in chronic alcoholics, Korsakoff's syndrome causes anterograde amnesia. |
What are behavioral stimulants? | They are drugs that reduce fatigue or increase motor functioning, and are believed to increase receptors for the monoamines (dopamine, epinephrine, norepinephrine) and serotonin. |
What are some examples of behavioral stimulants, and what are they used for? | amphetamines: used for narcolepsy; antidepressants: used to improve sleep patterns, increase activity, and elevate mood; methylphenidate (Ritalin): used to treat attention deficit disorder; ADHD specialists recommend methylphenidates as the first-choice medication for treating children and adolescents, and amphetamines as the first-choice medication for adults. |