1.1-1.3 Interaction of Heredity & Environment + Overview of The Nervous System

Nature vs. Nurture

the role of nature (genetics) and nurture (environment) in the development of psychological traits/personality

Natural Selection

organisms with traits best suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce

Epigentics

the study of influences on gene expression that occur without a DNA change (the study of nature and nurture and how they interact)

evolutionary psychology

the study of how behaviors or feelings exist as a way for us to survive

Behavior Genetics

the study of our differences and the effects and interplay of heredity and environment

Mutations

a random error in gene replication that leads to a change

Environment

The sum of your surroundings

Heredity

Passing of traits from parents to offspring

Genes

biochemical units of heredity

Genome

the complete instructions for making an organism, consisting of all the genetic material in that organism's chromosomes

indentical (monozygotic) twins

develop from a single fertilized egg that splits in two, creating two genetically identical organisms

fraternal (dizygotic) twins

develop from separate fertilized eggs. They are genetically no closer than ordinary brothers and sisters, but they share a prenatal environment

Interaction

the interplay that occurs when the effect of one factor depends on another factor

Eugenics

the science of improving a human population by controlled breeding to increase the occurrence of desirable heritable characteristics

Nervous System

the body's speedy, electrochemical communication network, consisting of all the nerve cells of the peripheral and central nervous systems

Peripheral Nervous System

the sensory and motor neurons that connect the CNS to the rest of the body

autonomic nervous system

the part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organs (such as the heart)

sympathetic nervous system

the division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy in stressful situations

parasympathetic nervous system

the division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy

somatic nervous system

the division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body's skeletal muscles

Sensory neurons

carries messages from the body tissues and sensory receptors towards the spinal cord and brainstem (inward)

Motor Neurons

neurons that carry outgoing information from the central nervous system to the muscles and glands

Interneurons

CNS neurons that internally communicate and intervene between the sensory inputs and motor outputs

nerves

electrical cables formed from bundles of axons

Reflexes

automatic response to stimuli

Reflexive Arc

receptor-->sensory neuron-->Interneurons-->motor Neuron (neural pathway that controls reflexes)

Neurons

Individual cells in the nervous system that receive, integrate, and transmit information.

myelin sheath

covers the axon of some neurons and helps speed neural impulses

Glial Cells

cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons

action potential

a neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon

I am holding a marker, I am ready to throw it (I could) but I am not going to

Action potential

Resting Potential

The difference in electric charge between the inside and outside of a neuron's cell membrane

The toilet water, a reservoir of water is on reserve for the next flush

Resting Potential

Depolarization

the loss of inside and outside charge difference which sparks the next section of axons to open

The toilet flushing

Depolarization

excitatory neurotransmitters

neural signals that push the neurons accelerator

inhibitory neurotransmitters

neural signals that push the neurons breaks

Threshold

the level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse

pushing the handle on the toilet past a certain point

threshold

refractory period

The "recharging phase" when a neuron, after firing, cannot generate another action potential.

the period after the toilet flushes where it cannot flush again

refractory period

all-or-none response

a neuron's reaction of either firing (with a full-strength response) or not firing.

Synapse

the junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron

Neurotransmitters

chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons (influence hunger, thinking, depression, and euphoria)

Reuptake

a neurotransmitter's reabsorption by the sending neuron

Acetylcholine (ACh)

enables muscle action, learning, and memory

What is an example of a malfunction of Acetylcholine

Alzheimer's disease, ACH produces neurons deteriorate

Dopamine

influences movement, learning, attention, and emotion

Example of malfunctions of Dopamine

oversupply of dopamine = schizophrenia

undersupply of dopamine = tremors and decreased mobility in Parkinson's

Norepinephrine

helps control alertness and arousal

Examples of malfunctions of Norepinephrine

undersupply can depress mood

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)

a major inhibitory neurotransmitter

example of malfunctions of GABA

undersupply linked to seizure, tremors, and insomnia

Endorphins

neurotransmitter that perception of pain and arousal

examples of malfunctions in endorphins

oversupply with opiate drugs can suppress the body's natural endorphin supply

Substance P

A neurotransmitter that is involved in the transmission of pain messages to the brain and immune response

Example of malfunction with Substance P

oversupply can lead to chronic pain

myasthenia gravis

a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the neuromuscular junction and produces serious weakness of voluntary muscles

multiple sclerosis

A chronic disease of the central nervous system marked by damage to the myelin sheath. Plaques occur in the brain and spinal cord causing tremor, weakness, incoordination, paresthesia, and disturbances in vision and speech

Antagonist

a molecule that, by binding to a receptor site, inhibits or blocks a response

Agonist

a molecule that, by binding to a receptor site, stimulates a response

Endocrine System

the body's "slow" chemical communication system; a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream

hormones

chemical messengers that are manufactured by the endocrine glands, travel through the bloodstream, and affect other tissues

Adrenaline (epinephrine)

a hormone secreted by the adrenal glands, especially in conditions of stress, increasing rates of blood circulation, breathing, and carbohydrate metabolism and preparing muscles for exertion.

Oxytocin

a hormone released by the pituitary gland that causes increased contraction of the uterus during labor and stimulates the ejection of milk into the ducts of the breasts.

Melatonin

A hormone manufactured by the pineal gland that produces sleepiness and puberty

leptin

A hormone produced by adipose (fat) cells that acts as a satiety factor in regulating appetite.

Ghrelin

hormone secreted by empty stomach; sends "I'm hungry" signals to the brain

pituitary gland

The endocrine system's most influential gland. Under the influence of the hypothalamus, the pituitary regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands.

membrane potential

The difference in electrical charge between the inner and outer fluids that provides the energy for the neuronal signal.