Biological Bases of Behavior

Flashcards covering key concepts from the lecture on biological bases of behavior in psychology.

Psychology

The science of behavior and mental processes.

Behavior

Anything an organism does.

Mental process

Internal subjective experiences.

Nature-nurture issue

Debate about the contributions of genes (nature) and experience (nurture) to psychological traits and behaviors.

Natural selection

The principle that inherited traits enabling an organism to survive and reproduce are most likely passed on to succeeding generations.

Evolutionary psychology

The study of the evolution of behavior and the mind, using principles of natural selection.

Behavior genetics

The study of the relative influence of genetic and environmental factors on behavior.

Genes

Biochemical units of heredity that contribute to physical and behavioral characteristics.

Genotype

The genetic makeup of an individual.

Phenotype

The observable characteristics resulting from the interaction of genotype and environment.

Epigenetics

The study of how environmental factors can influence genetic expression without changing the DNA sequence.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

The sensory and motor neurons that connect the CNS to the rest of the body.

Neurons

Nerve cells that are the building blocks of the nervous system.

Synapse

The junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers that transmit signals across a synapse between neurons.

Acetylcholine (ACh)

A neurotransmitter that enables muscle action, learning, and memory.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter that influences movement, learning, attention, and emotion.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter that affects mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal.

Endorphins

Natural opiates that relieve pain and increase feelings of pleasure.

Hindbrain

Part of the brain that includes the medulla, pons, and cerebellum; controls essential functions.

Limbic system

Neural system associated with emotions and drives, includes structures such as the amygdala and hippocampus.

Cerebral cortex

The ultimate control and information-processing center of the brain.

Frontal lobe

Region of the cerebral cortex involved in planning, decision-making, and higher-order thinking.

Occipital lobe

Region of the cerebral cortex that processes visual information.

Sleep

Periodic, natural loss of consciousness, distinct from coma or anesthesia.

Circadian rhythm

The biological clock; regular body rhythms that occur on a 24-hour cycle.

Dreams

Sequences of images, emotions, and thoughts passing through a sleeping person's mind.

Sensory interaction

The principle that one sense can influence another, such as taste and smell.