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Theory of evolution by natural selection
Organisms that are better suited to their environment will survive and reproduce, while those poorly suited will die
Genotype
Genetic makeup of individual
Phenotype
An individual's inherited physical characteristic
"Most traits are polygenic"
Traits are controlled by more than one gene
Epigenetics
Study of gene-environment interactions, such as how the same genotype leads to different phenotypes. Seeing how genotypes can be expressed in different ways.
Neurons
Interconnected information processors that are essential for the tasks of the nervous system.
Soma
Cell body
Dendrites
Branch-like extensions of the soma that receives incoming signals from other neurons.
Axon
Major extension of the soma
Terminal buttons
Axon terminal containing synaptic vesicles
Synaptic vesicle
Storage site for neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitters
Chemical messenger of the nervous system
Myelin sheath
Fatty substance that insulates axons, increasing speed of signal
Synapse
Small gap between two neurons where communication occurs
Receptors
Protein on the cell surface where neurotransmitters attach
neuronal communication
Electricity and chemicals
Reuptake
Neurotransmitter is pumped back into neuron that released it
Neuronal communication is an electrochemical event
Communication between neurons includes electricity and chemicals
biological perspective
View that psychological disorders like depression and schizophrenia are associated with imbalances in one or more neurotransmitter systems
Psychotropic medications
Drugs that treat psychiatric symptoms by restoring neurotransmitter balance
Dopamine
Involved in mood, sleep, and learning. Effects include increased pleasure, suppressed appetite
Norepinephrine
Involved in heart, intestines, alertness. Effects include increased arousal, suppressed appetite
Serotonin
Involved in mood and sleep. Effects include modulated mood, suppressed appetite
Central Nervous System (CNS)
Composed of brain and spinal cord
Peripheral Nervous System
Connects the brain and spinal cord to the muscles, organs, and senses in the periphery of the body
Somatic nervous system
Relays sensory and motor information to and from the CNS
Autonomic nervous system
Controls internal organs and glands
Sympathetic nervous system
Involved in stress related activities and functions
Fight or flight response
Activation of the autonomic nervous system, allowing access to energy reserves and heightened sensory capacity so that we might fight off a given threat of run away to safety
Parasympathetic nervous system
Associated with routine, day-to-day operations of the body.
Cerebral cortex
Surface of the brain that is associated with our highest mental capabilities
Lateralization of the brain hemispheres
Concept that each hemisphere of the brain is associated with specialized functions
Corpus callosum
Thick band of neural fibers connecting the brains two hemispheres
Phineas Gage
Man in 1848 who had an iron rod through his skull. People said he changed drastically, and it's because his frontal lobe (part of the cerebral cortex involved in reasoning, motor control, emotion, and language) was affected.
Limbic system
Collection of structures involved in processing emotion and memory
Amygdala
Structure in limbic system involved in our experience of emotion and tying emotional meaning to our memories
Henry Molaison
Man in 1953 who experienced severe seizures and had his hippocampus and amygdala removed as treatment. The drastic consequences were the inability to learn new facts and new faces. He could learn a new skill or go to an event but would not remember doing either.
Brain imaging
The use of various techniques to either directly or indirectly image the structure, function/pharmacology of the nervous system. It is a relatively new discipline within medicine, neuroscience, and psychology.
CT scan
Imaging technique in which a computer coordinates and integrates multiple x-rays if a given area
PET
Involves injecting individuals with a mildly radioactive substance and monitoring changes in blood flow to different regions of the brain
MRI
Magnetic fields used to produce a picture of the tissue being imaged
fMRI
MRI that shows changes in metabolic activity over time
EEG
Recording the electrical activity of the brain via electrodes on the scalp.
