Biopsychology: Genetics, Neurons, and Brain Structures (Vocabulary Flashcards)

Vocabulary flashcards covering genetics, neurons, brain structures, and imaging techniques from the lecture notes.

Biopsychology

The study of the biological bases of behavior, including genetics, the nervous system, and hormonal interactions.

Genetics

The study of how inherited genes influence physiological and psychological traits.

Human genetics

Understanding how genetics underlie behaviors, thoughts, reactions, and how traits or disorders are inherited.

Theory of evolution

Darwin's idea that evolution occurs through natural selection acting on variation in populations.

Natural selection

The process by which individuals better adapted to their environment survive and reproduce, passing on advantageous traits.

Genetic variation

Genetic differences between individuals that contribute to a species’ adaptation and diversity.

Chromosome

A long strand of DNA that carries many genes.

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid; the helix-shaped molecule that stores genetic information.

Gene

A DNA sequence that controls or influences a trait and may have multiple alleles.

Allele

A specific variant form of a gene.

Zygote

A fertilized egg containing 46 chromosomes (23 from the egg and 23 from the sperm).

Range of reaction

The range of phenotypes a genotype can express, depending on the environment.

Genetic-environmental correlation

Genes influence the environment, and the environment influences gene expression.

Epigenetics

Study of how gene expression is modified by environmental factors without changing the DNA sequence.

Neuron

The basic cell of the nervous system that processes and transmits information.

Dendrite

The part of a neuron that receives signals from other neurons.

Axon

The long fiber that conducts electrical impulses away from the cell body.

Myelin sheath

A fatty insulating layer around many axons that speeds neural transmission.

Terminal buttons

Ends of the axon that contain synaptic vesicles with neurotransmitters.

Synapse

The gap between the terminal button of one neuron and the dendrite of another.

Synaptic vesicles

Vesicles that store neurotransmitters in the terminal buttons.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers released by neurons to communicate with other neurons.

Glutamate

Excitatory neurotransmitter that increases the likelihood of firing in the postsynaptic neuron.

GABA

Inhibitory neurotransmitter that decreases the likelihood of firing in the postsynaptic neuron.

Acetylcholine

Neurotransmitter involved in muscle action and memory.

Dopamine

Neurotransmitter involved in mood, sleep, learning, and reward.

Norepinephrine

Neurotransmitter involved in heart function, alertness, and mood.

Serotonin

Neurotransmitter involved in mood and sleep.

Reuptake

Process of reabsorbing neurotransmitters from the synapse back into the presynaptic neuron.

Agonist

Drug that mimics or enhances the effects of a neurotransmitter.

Antagonist

Drug that blocks or impedes the activity of a neurotransmitter.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Brain and spinal cord; processes and integrates information.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Nerves to and from the CNS; includes somatic and autonomic divisions.

Somatic nervous system

Relays sensory and motor information to and from the CNS; voluntary control.

Autonomic nervous system

Regulates internal organs and glands; divided into sympathetic and parasympathetic.

Sympathetic nervous system

Fight-or-flight; prepares the body for action during stress.

Parasympathetic nervous system

Rest-and-digest functions that calm the body after arousal.

Corpus callosum

Nerve fibers that connect the left and right hemispheres of the brain.

Forebrain

Largest brain region; contains cerebral cortex, thalamus, hypothalamus, limbic system, and pituitary.

Midbrain

Middle brain region containing structures like the reticular formation, substantia nigra, and VTA.

Hindbrain

Lower brain region including the medulla, pons, and cerebellum; involved in basic life functions and coordination.

Cerebral cortex

Outer layer of the brain involved in higher mental processes.

Frontal lobe

Lobe involved in executive function, motor control, emotion, language; contains motor cortex and prefrontal cortex; Broca's area.

Broca's area

Left-hemisphere region essential for language production; damage causes Broca’s aphasia.

Parietal lobe

Lobe containing the primary somatosensory cortex; processes touch and spatial information; topographic organization.

Temporal lobe

Lobe involved in hearing, memory, and emotion; contains auditory cortex and Wernicke's area.

Wernicke's area

Language comprehension area; damage causes Wernicke's aphasia.

Occipital lobe

Lobe specialized for visual processing; contains the primary visual cortex.

Limbic system

Emotion and memory circuit; includes structures such as the amygdala and hippocampus.

Amygdala

Emotion processing and fear; attaches significance to memories.

Hippocampus

Learning and memory formation, especially spatial memory.

Hypothalamus

Maintains homeostasis; regulates drives like hunger, thirst, temperature; links to the pituitary.

Thalamus

Relay center for most senses (except smell) before processing in the cortex.

Medulla

Brainstem structure controlling automatic functions like breathing and heart rate.

Pons

Brainstem region that connects brain and spinal cord; involved in sleep regulation.

Cerebellum

Brain region that coordinates balance, movement, and some memory processes.

CT scan

Computerized Tomography; uses X-rays to show brain structure.

PET scan

Positron Emission Tomography; shows brain activity by measuring blood flow with radioactive tracer.

MRI

Magnetic Resonance Imaging; shows brain structure using magnetic fields.

fMRI

Functional MRI; shows brain activity over time by detecting changes in blood flow.

EEG

Electroencephalography; records the brain's electrical activity via scalp electrodes.