Psychology
Biology and Behavior
Study Guide
The Biology and Behavior unit test will be on Tuesday, Nov. 16th. There will be 25
multiple choice questions, 3-5 terms and one essay.
The Brain (module 4, pgs. 52-68)
1. Describe the function of the following lower - level brain structures:
medulla
-heartbeat and breathing (basic life functions)
reticular formation
-nerve network in brainstem that controls arousal and alertness
thalamus
-sensory switchboard; connects sensory information to the correct part of the brain for
processing
cerebellum
-balance and coordination, muscle memory
-somebody walking on a tightrope uses their cerebellum, Ballerina
2. Describe the functions of the following limbic system structures:
amygdala
-aggression and fear
-oversensitive in shy people
hypothalamus
-basic drives; 4 f’s (feeding, fleeing, fighting and mating)
hippocampus
-memory
-the hippo on the college campus holding a pink umbrella
3. Describe the functions of the following structures in the cerebral cortex:
frontal lobes
-cognition, planning, higher order thinking
-decision making
-playing chess
parietal lobes
-touch and spatial awareness
-sensory strip is in parietal lobes
temporal lobes
-hearing
-if you listen to something too loud you could temporarily loose your hearing
occipital lobes
-vision
-it has 2 c’s and you need it to see
motor cortex/strip
-voluntary movements
-ex: raising your hand
sensory cortex/strip
-sense of touch, in parietal lobe
Broca’s area
-controls language expression and muscle movements involved in speech.
-boca is mouth in spanish
Wernicke’s area
-language comprehension
4. Is the brain capable of reorganizing itself if damaged? Explain your answer.
-Yes, the brain is capable of reorganization (plasticity), brain can etch new pathways. Greatest
in children but possible in adults. Case study example: Derek sensory strip reorganized and
his cheek took over the part that controlled his arm.
5. Describe the different specialized functions of the left hemisphere and right
hemisphere.
-Left Hemisphere: Language, logical decisions, controls right part of body
-Right Hemisphere: Creative thinking, spatial skills, facial recognition, left part of body
What is the split brain and what does it reveal about the brain functioning?
-Corpus Callosum is cut for split brain patients. Connects left and right hemispheres.
-Most functions require L+R hemispheres to work together, constant communication between
hemispheres
Neural and Hormonal Systems (Module 3 pgs. 40 - 51)
What is a neuron?
-Nerve cell; building blocks of the entire nervous system
Describe the function of the following parts of a neuron:
dendrites
-receives messages and conducts impulses to the cell body
cell body
-cells life support center
axon
-sends information
myelin sheath
-insulates and protects axon and speeds up the neural impulses.
synapse
-the gap between neurons
action potential
-a brief electrical charge that travels down the axon. Generated by the movement of positively
charged atoms.
2. Explain how a neuron fires using the following terms: polarized, all-or-none principle,
absolute threshold.
-Step 1: neuron is polarized (resting); negative charge, more negative ions inside than outside
-Step 2: neuron is stimulated, charge increases until the absolute threshold is reached. The
neuron then fires the action potential (spark) down axon.
-Step 3: all or none principle- once neuron fires, all the neurotransmitters are released out of
the terminal buttons and are sent across the synapse.
3. What are neurotransmitters? Describe the functions of the following
neurotransmitters:
Acetylcholine (ACh)
-Muscle contractions
Norepinephrine
-arousal and alertness; fight or flight response (just like adrenaline)
-ADHD patients have too little norepinephrine
-Shy people have too much norepinephrine
Endorphins
-naturally occurring pain killers
Draw a diagram of the major divisions of the nervous system.
NERVOUS SYSTEM
CNS
PNS
-brain and spinal cord
-nerves that connect to the outside of your body
Somatic Nervous System
Autonomic Nervous System
-voluntary movement
5. Compare the functions of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.
-Sympathetic: gets you aroused and ready for an emergency
-Parasympathetic: calming the body down
6. Describe the three main types of neurons:
sensory neurons: senses the physical tap
interneurons: communicates info to the spinal cord
motor neurons: moves the body
7. Describe what happens in a simple reflex.
8. Describe the Endocrine System and explain the purpose of the following glands:
-endocrine system: glands and hormones
Pituitary gland
-growth; master gland in charge of all the other glands
You should be able to describe the following case studies:
Phineas Gage
-spike through frontal lobe, wasn’t rational, couldn’t control emotions, lost leadership
qualities
Viki ( split brain)
-corpus callosum cut, two separate brains in her head, couldn’t translate information from left
eye (right hemisphere) because ability to process language is in the left hemisphere
Derek (phantom brain)
-his body was damaged (lost an arm) so the portion of his sensory strip that was in charge of
his arm was taken over by the part in charge of the cheek
David (impostor [parents)
-capgras delusion; he believed his parents were impostors. 2 visual pathways: pathway
through thalumus to recognize people was undamaged (he could recognize his parents),
pathway through limbic system was damaged (he didn’t feel the proper emotional response
when he saw his parents), shows emotions are important for information processing
Dr. Ramachandran
-Neuroscientist who experimented with these patients and discovered a lot about the brain.
The essay will be about our “One Pill makes You Larger...” debate and discussion. Make
sure that you can answer all the questions on the sheet. Think about your opinion about
the societal effects of the recent revolution in psychopharmacology.
Psychoactive drugs-Impact on individual and society
PROS
CONS
-It
allows people to achieve their full
potential
-It can help people who genuinely need
them.
ex: ADHD, Depression, Anxiety
-Can level the playing field for those who are
diagnosed.
-Clinical depression can change the biochemistry of brain and symptoms are
debilitating for individuals, medication can
help people escape trap
-Increased performance and memory
-May increase the US economy,
if companies capitalize on
new meds
-Black market on college campus; 35% of
students in 1 college
-Side effects could be dangerous (weight loss,
heart problems, sleep problems...) especially after long term us
-Addictive
-Stop brain from making the natural chemical
-Withdrawal symptoms
-Tolerance
-Ethical concerns, unfair advantage to those taking the drugs wh
-Changes personality, can sandpaper away traits that make us un