Psych Exam 2

genetic variation

genetic differences that contribute to a species’ adaptation to its environment

chromosomes

long strips of DNA

DNA

helix shaped molecule made up of nucleotide base pairs

gene

control/partially control visible characteristics (gives thing)

allele

specific version of a gene (gives variation)

theory of evolution

natural selection

genotype

trait you carry

phenotype

trait you physically have

polygenic

controlled by more than one gene

mutation

permanent change in a gene

range of reaction

genes set the boundaries of how we operation, environment interacts with genes to determine where we fall

genetic environment correlation

genes influence our environment and environment influences the expression of our genes (famous soccer players and their kids)

epigenetics

how the same genotype can be express differently and lead to different phenotypes

nervous system

composed of glial cells and neurons

glial cells (glia)

supportive role to neurones

transports, mediates and provides insulation

neurons

information processors that are essential to the nervous system’s central building blocks

semipermeable membrane

allows smaller molecules and molecules without a charge to pass through

soma

cell body

nucleus located here

dendrites

branching extensions

input sites for signals

signals go to axon

detect

axon

away

myelin sheath

coats axon and acts as insulator

improves efficiency of axon

increases speed of signals and action potential

nodes of ranvier

spaces between myelin sheath

terminal button

contains synaptic vesicles which house neurotransmitterss

synaptic cleft

very small space between two neurons

where neuron communication occursr

receptors

proteins on cell surface where neurotransmitters attach

relationship between neurotransmitters and receptors

will only bind if they fit

lock and key

membrane potential

signal goes through one of two fluids depending on charge

resting potential

always in state of readiness

negative charge

high sodium concentration

action potential

electrical signal that moves cell body down to axon terminal

positive charge

threshold of excitation

neuron becomes active

action potential begins

all or none

incoming signal is either sufficient or insufficient

agonist

mimic

bind to receptor sites

antagonist

block

bind to receptor sites

central nervous system

brain and spinal cord

peripheral nervous system

connects CNS to rest of the body

thick bundle of axons that carry messages back and forth

somatic nervous system

conscious, voluntary and controlled activities

motor and sensory neurons

motor neurons

carry information from CNS

efferent

sensory neurons

carry information to CNS

afferent

autonomic nervous system

controls internal organs and glands outside of voluntary control

automatic, survival

sympathetic nervous system

fight or flight

parasympathetic nervous system

rest and digest

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homeostasis

state of balance where biological conditions are maintained

neuroplaticity

how the nervous system can change and adapt

example: getting into an accident and having to learn how to speak again

cerebral cortex

surface of the brain

consciousness, thought, emotion, reasoning, language, memory

gryi (gyrus)

folds and bumps on the surface of the brain

sulci (sulcus)

grooves on the surface of the brain

longitudinal fissure

deep groove that separates the brain into right and left

lateralization

specialization of function

evidence of this in each hemisphere

right side of body

left brain controls

left side of body

right brain controls

forebrain

two hemispheres of the cerebral cortex

largest part of the brain

includes thalamus, hypothalamus, pituitary gland and limbic system

frontal lobe

forward part of brain

reasoning, motor control, emotion, language

motor cortex, prefrontal cortex, broca’s area

motor cortex

motor control

frontal lobe

prefrontal cortex

reasoning and emotion

frontal lobe

processing and retaining information

broca’s area

language

frontal lobe

parietal lobe

immediately behind frontal lobe

processing information from body’s senses

somatosensory cortex

somatosensory cortex

processes information from senses

parietal lobe

temporal lobe

sides of the head (temples)

hearing, memory, some language

auditory cortex and wernicke’s area

auditory cortex

hearing

temporal lobe

wernicke’s area

memory and some language

temporal lobe

occipital lobe

back of the brain

primary visual cortex

thalamus

all senses (not smell) go here before the rest of the brain

forebrain

limbic system

processes emotion and memory, includes smell

forebrain

hippocampus

learning and memory

forebrain

gives memory meaning

transfers to long term

amygdala

ties emotion into memories

forebrain

regulates emotion

hypothalamus

regulates homeostatic processes

forebrain

releases and inhibits hormones from pituitary gland

midbrain

deep within brain

hindbrain

back of the head

acetylocholine

muscle action and memory nuerotransmitter

beta-endorphin

pain and pleasure neurotransmitter

dopamine

mood, sleep and learning neurotransmitter

gamma-aminobutyric acid (GAMA)

brain function and sleep neurotransmitter

glutamate

memory and learning neurotransmitter

norepinephrine

heart, intestines and alertness neurotransmitter

serotonin

mood and sleep neurotransmitter

reticular formation

regulates sleep/wake cycle, arousal, alterness and motor activity

located in midbrain but extends to forebrain and hindbrain

substantia nigra

produce neurotransmitter dopamine

midbrain

“black substance”

ventral tegmental area (VTA)

produce neurotransmitter dopamine

midbrain

cerebellum

receives from muscles, tendons, joints and structures

hindbrain

allows you to create memories if your hippocampus was damaged

medulla

automatic processes

hindbrain

pons

connects to rest of the brain

hindbrain

CT scan

structure

tumors and atrophy

MRI

structure

moves h atoms and uses a magnet

PET scan

activity

glucose blood flow

EEG

activity

electrical activity

fMRI

structure and activity

blood flow, oxygen levels, uses magnet

pituitary gland

at the base of the brain

works with hypothalamus

master gland

growth hormone

thyroid gland

regulates growth, metabolism and appetite

disorders are treatable with medication

thyroxine and triiodothyronine

adrenal glands

above kidneys

involved in stress response

epinephrine and norepinephrine

pancrease

internal organ with hormones that regulate blood sugar

involved in diabetes

insulin and glucagon

gonads (ovaries and testes)

sexual hormone for reproduction

motivation and behavior

pineal gland

melatonin

regulate sleep