Unit 1

heredity

genetic transfer of characteristics from parent to offspring

nature

genes and heredity

nurture

every non-genetic influence from prenatal nutrition to the people and the things around us (everything other than nature)

genetic predisposition

an inherited genetic pattern that makes one susceptible to a certain disease

evolutionary perspective

perspective that focuses on the biological bases of universal mental characteristics that all humans share

natural selection

certain inheriting traits better enable an organism to survive and reproduce which are most likely to be passed on to succeeding organism

eugenics

practice or advocating of improving the human species by selectively mating people with specific desirable hereditary traits

twin studies

investigations in which twins are compared in the search for genetic and environmental effects

family studies

researchers assess hereditary influence by examining blood relatives to see how much they resemble one another on a specific trait

adoption studies

Research studies that assess hereditary influence by examining the resemblance between adopted children and both their biological and their adoptive parents.

central nervous system

brain and spinal cord

Peripheral nervous system

the sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system to the rest of the body

Somatic nervous system

part of Peripheral nervous system that is voluntary (skeletal)

Autonomic nervous system

part of nervous system that is involuntary/automatic

sympathetic nervous system

arouses the body mobilizing its energy (fight or flight)

parasympathetic

calms the body, conserving its energy

Neuron

nerve cell, basic building block of nervous system

glial cells

cells that nourish and protect neurons, play key role in learning thinking and memory

reflex arc

A relatively direct connection between a sensory neuron and a motor neuron that allows an extremely rapid response to a stimulus, often without conscious brain involvement.

sensory neurons

peripheral- contain afferent nerve fibers,
carry information from the sense organs into the central nervous system

motor neurons

peripheral - contain efferent neurons
carry messages form the central nervous system out to muscles and glands

interneurons

neurons of the central nervous system, exist in brain and spinal cord

neural transmission

electrochemical communication within and between neurons and the final destination

Action potential

all or nothing principle

more stimulation does not produce more intense neural transmission (gun example)

depolarization

the action potential; the rushing in and out of positively charged ions

refractory period

a period of inactivity after a neuron has fired

resting potential

The difference in electric charge between the inside and outside of a neuron's cell membrane

reuptake

neurotransmitters reabsorption by the sending neuron

threshold

level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse

multiple sclerosis

autoimmune disease that attacks the myelin disrupting communication between brain and body leading to range of symptoms

myasthenia gravis

autoimmune disease that destroys communication between muscles and nerves especially

excitatory neurotransmitters

signals trigger actions, ex gas pedal on car

inhibitory neurotransmitters

signal depress actions, ex brake pedal on car

Polarization

the resting state of the neuron, charge is more positive outside the membrane and more negative inside.

repolarization

the refractory period; the closing of the membrane and reestablishing a more negative charge inside

dopamine (D)

• neurotransmitter that produces sensations of pleasure and reward;
• used by CNS neurons in voluntary movement;
• regulates selective attention and aspects of arousal
  ex. Schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease

Serotonin (5-HT)

regulates sleep and dreaming, mood, pain, aggression, appetite and sexual behavior
ex. anxiety disorders, prozac

Norepinephrine (NE)

Controls heart rate, sleep, sexual responsiveness, stress, vigilance and appetite
ex. High blood pressure, depression, tricyclic antidepressants, beta blockers

Acetylcholine (Ach)

plays role in learning and retrieval of memory
ex. Alzheimer's disease, nicotine, botulism toxin, curare, atropine

glutamine

• primary excitatory neurotransmitter in CNS;
• involved in learning and storage of memory
  ex. Epilepsy/Seizures, alcohol

GABA

• most prevalent neurotransmitter in neurons of CNS
• opposite of glutamine (slows brain down)
  ex. anxiety, epilepsy, barbiturates, tranquilizers, alcohol

endorphins

• meaning "morphine within"- natural opiate-like neurotransmitters linked to pain control and well being
• ex. opiods/opiates

substance P

• primarily involved in transmitting pain signals, inflammation, and stress responses
• problems: Chronic pain, Inflammatory issues, Capsaicin, Drugs to treat neuropathic pain

hormones

chemical messengers that are manufactured by the endocrine glands, travel through the bloodstream, and affect other tissues

adrenaline

A hormone released into the bloodstream in response to physical or mental stress

Leptin

hormone that regulates body weight and appetite

ghrelin

hormone that stimulates hunger

melatonin

hormone that helps regulate sleep-wake cycle and circadian rhythm (Pineal Gland)

oxytocin

helps with childbirth and lactation, builds trust, parental and romantic attachment- love hormone (pituitary gland)

psychoactive drugs

chemical substances that alter perceptions and moods

agonists

drugs that increase the action of a neurotransmitter

antagonists

drugs that block the function of a neurotransmitter

reuptake inhibitors

Drugs that interfere with the reuptake of neurotransmitters in the synapse so that a greater amount remains in the synapse

stimulants

drugs that excite neural activity and speed up body functions

caffeine

stimulant that blocks adenosine, which promotes sleep, therefore making you less drowsy and more alert

cocaine

stimulant derived from the coca plant; produces temporarily increased alertness and euphoria

depressants

drugs that reduce neural activity and slow body functions

Alcohol

CNS depressant meaning it slows down the neural activity in the brain and spinal cord

Hallucinogens

marijuana

opioids

depressant that depress neural activity, temporarily lessening pain and anxiety.
ex. morphine and heroin

heroin

tolerance

the diminishing effect with regular use of the same dose of a drug requiring the user to take larger and larger doses before experiencing the drugs effect

addiction

a primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory and related circuitry

withdrawal

the discomfort and distress that follow discontinuing an addictive drug or behavior

expectancy effects

expectations influence behavior, simply believing we are consuming alcohol can cause us to act out alcohols

substance abuse disorder

a disorder characterized by continued substance craving and use despite significant life disruption and/or physical risk