Unit 1: Biological Bases of Behavior

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to the biological bases of behavior, focusing on heredity, the nervous system, neurons, neurotransmitters, the brain, sleep, and sensation.

Heredity

Genetic or predisposed characteristics that influence physical, behavioral, and mental traits.

Environment

External factors one experiences, such as family interactions or education.

Evolutionary Perspective

Explores how natural selection affects behavior to increase survival and reproductive success.

Twin Studies

Research method used to investigate genetic influence by comparing similarities between twins.

Central Nervous System

Includes the brain and spinal cord; interacts with all processes in the body.

Peripheral Nervous System

Relays messages from the central nervous system to the rest of the body.

Autonomic Nervous System

Governs involuntary processes and includes the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems.

Somatic Nervous System

Governs voluntary processes and actions.

Neuron

Neural cell that transmits information within the nervous system.

Glial Cells

Cells that provide structure, insulation, communication, and waste transport in the nervous system.

Reflex Arc

A neural pathway that controls a reflex action.

Sensory Neurons

Neurons that transmit sensory information to the central nervous system.

Motor Neurons

Neurons that transmit commands from the central nervous system to muscles.

Interneurons

Neurons that connect sensory and motor neurons in the central nervous system.

Neural Transmission

The process by which neurons communicate with one another.

All-or-Nothing Principle

The principle that a neuron either fires completely or not at all.

Depolarization

The process by which a neuron's membrane potential becomes more positive.

Refractory Period

The time following an action potential during which a neuron is unable to fire again.

Neurotransmitters

Chemicals that transmit signals across a synapse from one neuron to another.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter associated with pleasure, reward, and motor function.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter that regulates mood, sleep, and appetite.

Acetylcholine

A neurotransmitter that plays a role in muscle action and memory.

Endorphins

Neurotransmitters that act as natural painkillers and mood elevators.

Psychoactive Drugs

Substances that change brain function and result in alterations in perception, mood, or consciousness.

Agonists

Drugs that increase or enhance neurotransmitter activity.

Antagonists

Drugs that decrease or inhibit neurotransmitter activity.

Circadian Rhythm

The 24-hour biological cycle that governs sleep and wakefulness.

REM Sleep

A sleep stage characterized by rapid eye movement, increased brain activity, and dreaming.

NREM Sleep

Sleep, consisting of stages 1 to 3 with progressively deeper sleep.

Sleep Apnea

A disorder characterized by interrupted breathing during sleep.

Insomnia

Difficulty in falling and/or staying asleep.

Narcolepsy

A sleep disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden sleep attacks.

Reflexes

Involuntary responses to stimuli, mediated by the reflex arc.

Brain Stem

Controls basic life functions such as breathing and heart rate.

Cerebellum

Coordinates muscle movements and balance.

Cerebral Cortex

The outer layer of the brain responsible for complex functions like thought and action.

Thalamus

Relays sensory information to the cerebral cortex.

Hypothalamus

Regulates temperature, hunger, and thirst; controls the pituitary gland.

Amygdala

Part of the limbic system involved in emotion regulation.

Hippocampus

Involved in the formation of memories.

Plasticity

The brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new connections.

Split-Brain Research

Studies focusing on the effects of severing the corpus callosum on brain functioning.

Broca’s Area

Brain region responsible for speech production.

Wernicke’s Area

Brain region responsible for language comprehension.

Gate Control Theory

A theory that explains the complexities of pain perception.

Kinesthesis

The sense of body position and movement.

Vestibular Sense

The sense that maintains balance and spatial orientation.

Pheromones

Chemicals released by organisms that affect the behavior of other members of the same species.

Absolute Threshold

The minimum intensity of stimulus that can be detected 50% of the time.

Just-Noticeable Difference (JND)

The smallest difference between two stimuli that can be detected.

Sensory Adaptation

The process by which sensory receptors become less sensitive to constant stimuli.

Trichromatic Theory

Theory explaining color vision via three types of cones sensitive to different wavelengths.

Opponent-Process Theory

Theory positing that color perception is controlled by pairs of opposing colors.

Cones

Photoreceptor cells in the retina responsible for color and detail.

Rods

Photoreceptor cells in the retina that detect shapes and movement, primarily in low light.

Pain Perception

The process and experience of feeling pain.

Sound Localization

The ability to determine the direction from which a sound originates.