Life Sci 15 Final

Locus

Location of gene or DNA sequence on a chromosome. Where people experience different STRs

STR

Short Tandem Repeats: short DNA sequence of nucleotides that repeats multiple times at a locus on a chromosome

How do we compare DNA samples

Electrophoresis: place DNA fragments in agarose to match alleles of an STR

Basal Metabolic rate

How much energy (calories) it takes to keep an organism alive while at complete rest. (only life sustaining functions - no mating, digestion)

Allows us to compare across species despite different lifestyles

Metabolic rate

amount of energy (calories) needs for everyday function (digestion, excercise)

Typically 2x basal metabolic rate

calorie

energy needed to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water by 1 degree C

1 kilocalorie

1000 calories (our typical calorie)

hydrogenation

process by which hydrogen is added to unsaturated fats to make trans fats

Sexual dimorphim

male and female members of the same species exhibit distinct physical or behavioral differences beyond their reproductive organs

Hormones

Small chemical messengers secreted by glands into the bloodstream. This bind to the receptors of target cells and changes cell behavior.

Oxytocin

Hormone produced in the hypothalamus and released by the pituitary gland

• trigged by physical touch,birth, social connection

• helps with labor, empathy, trust

Cortisol

Hormone released from the adrenal glands in response to a threat

releases sugar into the blood stream

subdues immune system

Proximate Cause

The physiological mechanism by which a phenomemnon occurs (the how)

Ex. bird sings because of contraction of vocal organ

Ultimate cause

The evolutionary/historical reason for this phenomenon (Why)

Ex. bird sings to attract mates

Posterior Hippocampus

Spatial navigation in memory (london cab drivers)

Soma

Cell bodyG

glial cells

the support staff for neurons

• provides nutrients to neurons

  • insualtes axon with myelin

Resting state

channels closed (negative inside)

Depolarizing state

Sodium channels open

Repolarizing state

Na channels close and potassium opens

Return to resting state

channels closed.

sodium/potassium pump restablishes resting state

Terminal buttons

Knob-like ends of the axon that are positioned very close to a muscle cell, gland, or dendrities of anothe neuron

Neurotransmitters

The body’s chemical messaengers that carry signals from one cell to another

Acetylcholine

Contracts muscles

is what botox paralyzes

Glutamate

learning and memory

Dopamine

Happiness and coordination

• underproduce = parkinson’s disease

Serotonin

Appetite, sleep, anxiety, mood

• inhibitory, makes you feel content and satiated

SSRIs

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor

Dopamine receptor gene

DRD4 - long = reduced sensitivity (novelty seeking)

short = increased sensitivity

Cocaine

blocks reuptake of dopamine

Botox

Degrades SNAP-25 Protein (vesciles won’t fuse)

aceytelcholine isn’t realeased and thus temporary paralysis

LSD

binds to serotonin receptors, increased sensitivity

Crystal meth

Stimulates dopamine and serotonin release

Oxycotin

Blocks pain neurons

Ecstasy

Increases serotonin production and block serotonin reuptake

Damages serotonin-producing cells

• cerebral cortex (used in learning)

  • hippocampus (used in memory)

Adderall

Increases adrenaline, dopamine

Block reuptake of dopamine, and serotonin

Caffeine

Mimics adenoisine that stops neuron firing and allows neurons to keep firing

• bikers have more indurance, rowers row fast, rats maze better, navy seals

alcohol

• reduces anxiety - produces gaba

• produces endorphins

• releases dopamine

• increases acitvity of serotonin receptors

  • Block glutamate receptors ( impairs functioning)

Fast flushing

2 inactive acetaldehyde dehydrogenase enzymes

Slow flushing

1 inactive acetaldehyde dehydrogenase

EEA

Evolutionary of evolutionary adaptiveness

Environment to which a population is adapted

Culture

non-genetic transission of information by extra-cellular means

Instincts

behaviors that don’t require any environmental input to develop

Fundamental reproductive equation

Sex = pregnancy = babies = maternal child care = loss of econ power = loss of poli power

Culture changes this!!

Constrained learning

based on our evolutionary predispositions, it is naturally easy to learn some things and difficult to learn other things because they were ecologically irrelevant

Naturalistic Falalcy

The logical error of assuming something is good because it is natural and bad because it is unatural

Two key factors about happiness

1. emotions are less permant than they feel because they are TOOLS PRODUCED BY OUR GENES TO MOTIVATE US TOWARDS BEHAVIORS THAT BENEFIT OUR GENES

2. Happiness is relative to our situation and expectations

action potential

MUST METION SELF-PROPOGATING, ALL OR NOTHING, TRAVELS DOWN THE AXON