AP Psychology U1: Biological Bases of Behavior

Genetic predisposition

Increased chance of developing a specific trait or condition due to our genetic code

What is our genetic makeup like?

• every human cell contains 46 chromosomes in 23 pairs

• DNA makes up a chromosome

• certain segments of DNA (genes) produce of specific proteins that control human traits

• genes → dominant and recessive

Neurons

Brain cells that make up our entire nervous system

• dendrites

• cell body

• myelin sheath

• terminal buttons

• neurotransmitters

• synapse

Dendrites

rootlike parts of the cell that stretch out from the cell body to make synaptic connections with other neurons

Cell body (soma)

contains the nucleus and other parts of the cell needed to sustain its life

Axon

wirelike structure ending in the terminal buttons that extends from the cell body

Myelin sheath

fatty layer covering around the axon; speeds up neural impulses and protects axon

Terminal buttons

branched end of the axon that contain neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters

chemicals contained in terminal buttons that enable neurons to communicate & exchange signals

• fits into receptor sites

Synapse

the space between the terminal buttons of one neuron and the dendrites of the next neuron