Biological Psychology, Nervous System, and Behavior Genetics Vocabulary

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering neurotransmitters, nervous system anatomy and divisions, biological foundations of psychology, and behavior genetics.

Reuptake Inhibitor (i.e. SSRIs)

A drug or chemical substance that blocks the reabsorption of neurotransmitters by the presynaptic neuron, leaving more neurotransmitter available in the synaptic cleft.

Acetylcholine

A key neurotransmitter involved in voluntary muscle movement, learning, and memory function.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter associated with movement, learning, attention, emotion, and the brain's pleasure and reward systems.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter that regulates mood, hunger, sleep patterns, and emotional arousal.

Norepinephrine

A neurotransmitter and hormone that helps control alertness, arousal, and the body's response to stress.

GABA

Gamma-aminobutyric acid; the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain that reduces neuronal excitability.

Glutamate

The primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, critical for memory and learning.

Endorphins

Opiate-like neurotransmitters linked to pain control, stress reduction, and feelings of pleasure.

Agonist

A molecule or drug that binds to a receptor site and stimulates a biological response, mimicking neurotransmitter action.

Antagonist

A molecule or drug that binds to a receptor site and blocks or inhibits a neurotransmitter's action.

Substance P

A neuropeptide neurotransmitter involved in transmitting pain messages to the central nervous system.

Myasthenia Gravis

A chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disease characterized by weakness and rapid fatigue of voluntary muscles due to impaired acetylcholine receptor function.

Psychoactive/Psychotropic

Chemical substances that alter brain function, resulting in changes in perception, mood, consciousness, cognition, or behavior.

Excitatory

Refers to signals or neurotransmitters that increase the probability that a postsynaptic neuron will fire an action potential.

Inhibitory

Refers to signals or neurotransmitters that decrease the probability that a postsynaptic neuron will fire an action potential.

Nervous System (NS)

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

Central NS

The division of the nervous system consisting of the brain and the spinal cord.

Peripheral NS

The sensory and motor neurons that connect the Central Nervous System to the rest of the body.

Somatic NS

The division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body's skeletal muscles and voluntary movements.

Autonomic NS

The part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and muscles of the internal organs, operating involuntarily.

Sympathetic NS

The branch of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body and mobilizes its energy during stressful situations.

Parasympathetic NS

The branch of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body and conserves its energy after stress.

Sensory Neurons

Neurons that carry incoming information from the sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord.

Motor Neurons

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

Efferent Neurons

Nerve cells that conduct impulses away from the central nervous system toward muscle or target tissue (motor neurons).

Afferent Neurons

Nerve cells that carry impulses toward the central nervous system from sensory organs (sensory neurons).

Homeostasis

A tendency to maintain a balanced or constant internal state within the body.

Fight or Flight Response

A physiological reaction triggered by the sympathetic nervous system that prepares the body to confront or flee from a perceived threat.

Reflex Arc

A neural pathway that mediates a reflex action, bypassing direct brain conscious control to enable rapid automatic response.

Interneurons

Neurons within the brain and spinal cord that communicate internally and intervene between sensory inputs and motor outputs.

Psychology

The scientific study of behavior and mental processes.

Nature

The influence of genetic inheritance, innate biological factors, and heredity on human development and behavior.

Nurture

The influence of environmental variables, experiences, culture, and learning on human development and behavior.

Evolutionary Perspective

A psychological approach that studies how natural selection of traits has promoted the survival of genes and shaped mental processes and behavior.

Natural Selection

The principle that inherited traits contributing to reproduction and survival will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations.

Behavior Genetics

The study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior.

Mutations

Random errors in gene replication that lead to a change in the sequence of DNA, serving as a source of genetic diversity.

Environment

Every non-genetic influence, ranging from prenatal nutrition to the people and surroundings that shape human life.

Heredity

The biological transmission of genetic characteristics from parents to offspring.

Genes

The biochemical units of heredity that make up chromosomes; segments of DNA capable of synthesizing proteins.

Allele

A specific variant or alternative form of a gene located at a specific locus on a chromosome.

Genome

The complete instructions or genetic material for making an organism.

Range of Reaction

A model asserting that genes set boundaries on potential intelligence or physical traits, while the environment determines where within those limits an individual falls.

Genetic Environmental Correlation

The concept that an individual's genes influence the environment to which they are exposed, and environmental exposure correlates with genetic predispositions.

Identical (Monozygotic) Twins

Twins who develop from a single fertilized egg that splits in two, producing genetically identical individuals.

Fraternal (Dizygotic) Twins

Twins who develop from separate fertilized eggs, sharing about 50% of their genes, no more genetically similar than normal siblings.

Epigenetics

The study of environmental influences on gene expression that occur without a change in underlying DNA sequence.

Eugenics

The set of beliefs and practices aimed at improving the genetic composition of a human population through selective breeding.