Unit+1+Biological+Bases+of+Behavior

What is psychology?

Psychology is the science of behavior and mental processes.

What do behavior geneticists study?

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

What is the principle of natural selection?

Natural selection is the principle that inherited traits that better enable an organism to survive and reproduce are more likely to be passed on to succeeding generations.

What differentiates identical twins from fraternal twins?

Identical twins develop from a single fertilized egg and share the same genes, while fraternal twins develop from different eggs fertilized simultaneously.

What does the peripheral nervous system consist of?

The peripheral nervous system consists of sensory and motor neurons that connect the brain and spinal cord.

What is the function of the sympathetic nervous system?

The sympathetic nervous system controls the body's 'fight or flight' response.

Define 'neural transmission'.

Neural transmission is the process through which neurons communicate with each other through electrical impulses.

What is the role of neurotransmitters?

Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that relay, amplify, and modulate signals between neurons.

What is the function of the pituitary gland?

The pituitary gland, known as the 'master gland', controls the release of hormones from other endocrine glands.

What characterizes sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is characterized by temporary cessations of breathing during sleep and repeated momentary awakenings.

What is sensory adaptation?

Sensory adaptation is diminished sensitivity as a result of constant stimulation.

What is the definition of 'transduction' in sensation?

Transduction is the process of converting one form of energy into another, such as sensory stimulation into neural signals.

What is the Young-Helmholtz trichromatic theory?

The Young-Helmholtz trichromatic theory states that the retina contains three different types of color receptors for red, green, and blue.

What are the stages of NREM sleep?

NREM sleep consists of three stages: NREM-1 (light sleep), NREM-2 (fully asleep), and NREM-3 (deep sleep).

What is the function of the amygdala in the limbic system?

The amygdala is responsible for survival emotions such as fear and aggression.

What defines addiction?

Addiction is a complex condition characterized by compulsive drug use despite harmful consequences.

What theory explains the phenomenon of blindsight?

Blindsight explains the ability to respond to visual stimuli without consciously experiencing them.

What are the critical functions of the hypothalamus?

The hypothalamus maintains homeostasis and controls several maintenance behaviors such as eating and drinking.

How do psychoactive drugs generally affect behavior?

Psychoactive drugs work by stimulating, inhibiting, or mimicking neurotransmitter activity.

What is an example of a sleep disorder?

Examples of sleep disorders include insomnia, narcolepsy, and sleep apnea.